What is the best Bang for Buck mods for E39 M5

seanv · 17th April 2004, 12:09

I have a 2003 M5,
I have done the following,
Tubi Exhaust,
Reflective material under plenum

I would like to do:
ram air
headers either supersprint or dinan (sugestions?)
chip
larger homemade intake runners, dinan style (sugestions?)
rear end final drive gear

thanks,
Sean

ELEVENS · 17th April 2004, 13:29

Until I read that you have a tubi, I was going to suggest that the x-pipe is the most bang for the buck - relatively inexpensive to buy and install, add horsepower, reduces weight (~30 pounds?) and sounds good.

Other efficient uses of mod money are a short shifter, brake cooling ducts (under $50) dustless brake pads, and a home-made cold air intake. The dual intake setup on the M5 flows very well, it just needs a cold air source IMO.

Maybe most important, a Valentine 1 to avoid losing your license!

MEnthusiast · 17th April 2004, 14:26

Aside from all the mechanical things, if you havent done a driving school- Id recommend it. You can really improve yourself- which is the one part of the vehicle which can continually improve.

M5manny · 17th April 2004, 16:38

The Evosport Diff and the Powerchip are the best mods for the money.

And a Drivers School

17th April 2004, 16:48

Changing the suspension by adding larger diameter anti-roll bars (especially the rear), and going to a coilover suspension will transform the handling, and make the beast more fun to drive every time you turn a corner.

Cheers.

seanv · 17th April 2004, 17:47

is that diff the same ratio final drive as Dinan?
how much?
where can i get it

mottati · 17th April 2004, 17:51

best mod for acceleration is the diff. you can get the 3.45 diff from dinan, which i believe is 2495 (there was a 1995 group buy, which is over) or from evosport. I think evosport is around 1900 or so as well, for the ring and pinion change, but they can also modify the lsd lockup, if you're planning on drag racing. Otherwise, i'd go along with the driving school suggestions, if you've never been on the track. For about $500, you have more fun than anything, and pick up some good skills that you can use everyday.
Mike

seanv · 17th April 2004, 17:56

Between the Dinan Chip or Superchip?
I dont want to lose too much torque to sacrifice for horsepower

BostonRocket · 17th April 2004, 18:02

Bang for the buck: short shifter kit. I don't think the future mods listed are really a bang for the buck. Either for cost reasons or no-perfomance gain.

'Rocket

mottati · 17th April 2004, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanv

Between the Dinan Chip or Superchip?
I dont want to lose too much torque to sacrifice for horsepower

I don't know anything about superchip, but i do know dinan's stage 1 software offers zero power gains. it 'may' improve drivability, but it basically just remaps throttle input and removes the speed limiter. Many people here like the powerchip, but even then, you're talking 8-900 for a few hp. Not much bang for the buck, imho... You haven't mentioned what you're goal is, what kind of performance do you want? Acceleration? Handling? braking?
Mike