What's the cheapest upgrade I can do on my 540i?

BMW540i · 01-13-2004, 07:17 PM

Is Dinan the best there is? I want to increase the speed of my car by installing cool air intake and exhaust but Dinan is so expensive, I've already got the Dinan chip and software for my 2003 540i (automatic with steptronic). TIA

Jon@Bimmersport · 01-13-2004, 07:24 PM

AA makes better stuff for sure...Dinan, buy it for the name and warranty, buy AA if you want power. but why bother with all that? save for an S/C like Jimmy540 hitting 12s with his auto 540i

mkgino · 01-13-2004, 07:26 PM

Get a differential if you want relatively inexpensive acceleration

328is_Perf · 01-13-2004, 09:32 PM

Thin Shoes. .... squeeze 100% outta your car efficiently

proven for 40 hp

Gianpaolo_E46 · 01-13-2004, 09:43 PM

for now go with Dinan parts, since ur car is an 03, Dinan will match BMW's warrenty, which is good for an aftermarket tuner. Dinan also makes a superchrager for the 540i, look into that...

Quack · 01-13-2004, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkgino
Get a differential if you want relatively inexpensive acceleration

inexpensive?, are you kidding, the diff I want from Dinan is $12,000, you telling me that's inexpensive,
anyways ESS supercharger is cheaper and is just as good as Dinan's S/C, and more HP than Dinan as well, ESS for me

PM for more info on modding 540

mkgino · 01-13-2004, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quack
inexpensive?, are you kidding, the diff I want from Dinan is $12,000, you telling me that's inexpensive,
anyways ESS supercharger is cheaper and is just as good as Dinan's S/C, and more HP than Dinan as well, ESS for me

PM for more info on modding 540

Why does it have to be Dinan? I thought Greco has a diff upgrade, possibly from another BMW?

Quack · 01-13-2004, 11:56 PM

yeah you can take the M5 diff from the wreckers if you can find one, but if you had to buy one from the dealer it would be around $5000 - $6000, either way that's too much $$$, for $10,000 I can get the ESS S/C package which comes with almost everything I need for performance mods

bmwm5lover · 01-14-2004, 12:20 AM

Cheap and BMW and especially 5er dont go together

///Greco540 · 01-14-2004, 01:20 AM

You can get a quaiffe unit installed into your stock 2.81 or get a 3.15 unit with quaiffe for roughly $2500US. The 3.15 unit is actually the best bang for the buck. You can go 3.46 but I think that's a little too much for the 540. You want to retain driveability as you are not building a 1/4 mile car. Also with the automatics going to a 3.15 actually anything other than the factory 2.81 might cause havoc with the cruise control.

But you said you have an 03 automatic. Is it the sport package? Sport package 03's have the peg leg 3.15, so getting a quaiffe to increase traction, or going to a 3.46 might be a good idea.

I say quaiffe because I prefer the ATB over LSD myself.

Yes ESS offers a more cost effective alternative to Dinan for s/c but dinan also provides you with a 5 year warranty. I personally do not like most of Dinan's products mainly becuase of the pricing, especially their software. Their software is mild when it comes to uning standards. I prefer the qutothority software or the powerchip software. Both are very aggressive.

Careful on the CAI that you choose. Some have alot of heat soak while others are very prone to water ingestion. Do your research.

I can go on and on about mods. Tell me what you are looking for?

For diffs go to Koala Motorsports.

BiBimBap · 01-14-2004, 02:14 AM

Cheapest upgrade is one of those thin tree shaped air fresheners.. goes for $1.99 for a pack of three...

I still can't believe you have a 540 and you're looking for the cheapest upgrade... might as well sell the 540 - buy a 99 M3 and turbo the sucker.. that'll get you going fast AND you'll have some money left over!

Jammasterj · 01-14-2004, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BiBimBap
Cheapest upgrade is one of those thin tree shaped air fresheners.. goes for $1.99 for a pack of three...

I still can't believe you have a 540 and you're looking for the cheapest upgrade... might as well sell the 540 - buy a 99 M3 and turbo the sucker.. that'll get you going fast AND you'll have some money left over!

LOL Good Post BiBimBap

Couldn't have said it better myself...the tree will make the car smell fresh and add about 20-30hp at the wheels

***Gamite*** · 01-14-2004, 05:41 AM

Um, his car is automatic, the diff would have a higher ratio than any manual car, so where would he get the diff?

///Greco540 · 01-14-2004, 02:01 PM

Do my ramblings mean nothing to you?

For the diff go to Koala Motorsport http://www.koalamotorsport.com

BMW540i · 01-14-2004, 05:09 PM

thanks for all the reply. I think by looking at the websites..it said something about the supercharger stage 2 can only be done on manual cars....can they not do it on steptronic automatic? I just want something cheap for right now....you know...intake or/and exhaust for now....cuz I don't have 12k to blow just yet for the supercharger. Who makes some great intake/exhaust that will boost power. My car is 2003 sports package btw.