Mod Bug

[Richard in NC]

The mod bug is trying to bite me for the 550i. I have been thinking for some time to do the following but this year has been quite busy and quite expensive so I haven't gotten around to anything yet. I'm looking for opinions on the following list and priorities since I can't do them all at once.

Tires:
Not really a mod but I'll need a set soon. Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics are at the top of my list. I really like the stock wheels so no size change or anything. Certainly no 22s.

Exterior:
Window tinting and an M5 rear spoiler. I was thinking a charcoal tinted ceramic for the tint. Mjames, where did you go for the tint? Would you trust Hendrick (or whomever they out source it to)? A new 550i on their lot gave me both ideas.

Performance:
I'm leaning towards a Remus exhaust. I love the deep sound. See: http://www.remusexhaustshop.com/sounds/BMW/BMW_550i_E60_Bj06_270kW_AM_EG.mp3 I want something deeper and a bit louder but only when pushed. Should I go dual (stock left side only) or quad tips which requires a new rear diffuser? If a diffuser, would a flat charcoal look better than body color (matching the window trim)? I don't want carbon fiber.

I would go for the Dinan CAI and software, but the software isn't out for the '08 yet.

Electronics:
The L7 stereo is good but could be better. The 650i was. Some think the speakers were cheapened in '08. I want to maintain the stock headunit and look. Earthquake 8SWS subs are a direct fit replacement for the stock subs. I was thinking to replace the mids & tweeters with MB Quartz or equivalent.

Tap into rear view mirror area for power for a radar detector. Is V1 the only choice? My stereo installer sells the K40 for $250.

I want to do a lot of this prior to October, to be able to enjoy them on the TOD trip. Any opinions? What else?

Here are the before pics.

[BHR4CE1]

Earthquake 8SWS subs are a direct fit replacement for the stock subs. I was thinking to replace the mids & tweeters with MB Quartz or equivalent.

With any driver upgrade where you are not upgrading amplification, make sure that the replacement drivers are as or MORE efficient than what you are replacing. If not, the enjoyment of the better sound quality will be at the expense of overall dB.

[Richard in NC]

With any driver upgrade where you are not upgrading amplification, make sure that the replacement drivers are as or MORE efficient than what you are replacing. If not, the enjoyment of the better sound quality will be at the expense of overall dB.

Good point. Supposedly the Earthquake subs are the best match to the L7 system. I would be OK with replacing the factory sub amp but am afraid of noise with a line level converter. My stereo shop should know those answers. They've done many high end contest winning installs.

[ThebmwM]

The mod bug is trying to bite me for the 550i. I have been thinking for some time to do the following but this year has been quite busy and quite expensive so I haven't gotten around to anything yet. I'm looking for opinions on the following list and priorities since I can't do them all at once.

Tires:
Not really a mod but I'll need a set soon. Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics are at the top of my list. I really like the stock wheels so no size change or anything. Certainly no 22s.

Exterior:
Window tinting and an M5 rear spoiler. I was thinking a charcoal tinted ceramic for the tint. Mjames, where did you go for the tint? Would you trust Hendrick (or whomever they out source it to)? A new 550i on their lot gave me both ideas.

Performance:
I'm leaning towards a Remus exhaust. I love the deep sound. See: http://www.remusexhaustshop.com/sounds/BMW/BMW_550i_E60_Bj06_270kW_AM_EG.mp3 I want something deeper and a bit louder but only when pushed. Should I go dual (stock left side only) or quad tips which requires a new rear diffuser? If a diffuser, would a flat charcoal look better than body color (matching the window trim)? I don't want carbon fiber.

I would go for the Dinan CAI and software, but the software isn't out for the '08 yet.

Electronics:
The L7 stereo is good but could be better. The 650i was. Some think the speakers were cheapened in '08. I want to maintain the stock headunit and look. Earthquake 8SWS subs are a direct fit replacement for the stock subs. I was thinking to replace the mids & tweeters with MB Quartz or equivalent.

Tap into rear view mirror area for power for a radar detector. Is V1 the only choice? My stereo installer sells the K40 for $250.

I want to do a lot of this prior to October, to be able to enjoy them on the TOD trip. Any opinions? What else?

Here are the before pics.

Exterior as far as tint goes, if it's just a lease no need to spend the extra money on any Huper Optik or Formula One, I would just go with some llumar. I hear the difference between them anyways is marginal.

Exhaust, I would highly recommend supersprint they will definitely be the most subtle. Obviously it will be louder than stock but around town cruising it will be nice, no intrusion into the cabin, but when you WOT it will wake the dead.

YouTube - Supersprint Performance exhaust on 2005 e60 545i auto


If you want you could lower the car and do some sway bars(are M5 and 550i sport the same swaybars?):dunno: Upgrading your swaybars will make it turn even flatter and not firm up the ride...

[boxboss]

I guess you have a budget for your "wish list" and the tires will probably be the first dip into it.

After that, I would probably go with the exhaust. There's no nicer music than the sound of your car. I don't know what your options are, but I would try to get single pipes on either side. I'd want it to be a bit different than stock - a little unique, but dual duals might look like an M wannabe. That would be especially true if you added the M5 spoiler. If single duals aren't available from Remus however, I'd do the quads to be different from stock.

Tinted windows would probably take the least of the budget, but it's almost fall and that would be of most benefit heading into next summer (aside from the appearance aspect.) Do the spoiler at that time, too.

A new detector and sound upgrades would be last on my list, but I know you are a music lover...

My 2 cents.

[NoM6D]

The mod bug is trying to bite me for the 550i. I have been thinking for some time to do the following but this year has been quite busy and quite expensive so I haven't gotten around to anything yet. I'm looking for opinions on the following list ...
...
...


I want to do a lot of this prior to October, to be able to enjoy them on the TOD trip. Any opinions? What else?

Here are the before pics.

Richard - here's my order of preference:

1. Tires. I think they would make the biggest difference in your driving enjoyment at the ToD.

2. Detector. Consider the V1 and/or the Passport SRX. The V1 is excellent for detection, and the SRX has saved me consistently from LIDAR. SRX installed should be about $1500, V1 around $500. If you had to pick one, I'd go with the V1. It's more sensitive to radar than the SRX (or Blinder, from what I've been told). I have to be careful now because I'm driving much faster than I used to. These systems almost give me a feeling of invulnerability to cops.

3. Exhaust. I'd go Dual with a charcoal or body color diffuser. Quads would look too much like an M5. Duals are unique. Do the CAI and chip at this stage to get the most out of the upgrades. I would not piece meal the performance upgrades. Get one shop to do them all, and consider that you might have better overall increases with a set of upgrades designed to work together from one manufacturer, or a common combination from different companies.

4. Tint/Spoiler. Maybe just the tint. I'm not sure how the spoiler would look. Are you considering a lip spoiler or a wing?

5. Audio. I suspect you're an audiophile. I can't help ya much in that department, but I have had cars designed to win audio competitions before. I've also screwed up nice factory systems when I've tried to upgrade, so I generally shy away from significant changes to the factory systems now.

Best of luck - can't wait to see all this in a few months!

[BHR4CE1]

more sensitive to radar than the SRX (or Blinder, from what I've been told).

My understanding is that the BLINDER is a LASER JAMMING system. It doesn't really do anything with radar.

[Richard in NC]

Some comments to the comments.

I've always preferred the look of quads but that does make me an M5 wanna-be. Well I am! Supersprint and Remus get good reviews on e60.net. Remus does offer quads or duals. Duals would be the easy, less expensive way. Quads are just for looks, the Remus system simply adds an outlet to the 1 muffler that wraps around to the other side. I've never been crazy about the stock diffuser, it looks tacked on. A flat paint would conceal it a bit.

I would go with Dinan all the way but the software isn't ready and the Remus exhaust is deeper. I wouldn't mind the 20 or so HP of exhaust, CAI, & SW either. I do want a little more throttle response the SW should offer as well.

I would get the lip spoiler, not the wing.

I am leaning towards tires, detector, Remus duals, and maybe speakers for now.

[NoM6D]

My understanding is that the BLINDER is a LASER JAMMING system. It doesn't really do anything with radar.

Good point, Bear. I don't know anything about the Blinder.

My experience with the SRX is extremely favorable in LIDAR situations, and it's very accurate in Radar situations. The V1 detects FAR more emissions (probably 50% false alerts) than the SRX, but it picks up radar a good 3 or 4 seconds before the SRX.

If the V1 goes off in an area I'm not familiar with, I ease off the throttle to be cautious. If the SRX confirms radar, I get down to 10 over limit in a hurry. I like the arrows of the V1, too. Makes a huge difference in strategy.

My only mod before ToD will be a hardwire V1. I'm still wrapping the cord down and around, and I like not having to look over at the passenger visor.

[BHR4CE1]

Just a side note:

Most laser detectors do only ONE thing. They let you know that :cop: is gonna put you in his :copcar: and take you to :jail:


Once anything in your car DETECTS laser...the laser cop has your speed, and it is VERY accurate. Laser JAMMERS are really your only defense against laser.

[NoM6D]

+1.

[nealh]

I did a sound upgrade on my 530i...5yr ago
MB Premium line(just replaced the front speakers) and I used JL audio 500/5 amp with JL audio Infinite Baffle sub(went were the M subs went)...sound is far above stock and better than L7 on the 650i

MB Quartz line are very nice from what I "hear"(LOL) but were out of my price range at the time

On the 550i I am sure a similar setup would work very nice(I tried a "boxed sub) that in the trunk but it was not good enough on the bass...too boomy

here is pic of my trunk and rear deck on the 2003 530i

[mjames]

Tires: Not really a mod but I'll need a set soon. Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics are at the top of my list. I really like the stock wheels so no size change or anything. Certainly no 22s.
My Goodyears are on and so far, so good. It's too early to give a judgement. They are a bit smoother and quieter than my worn General UHPs, but that's not saying much. Doubt I'll really get a chance to give a verdict until October, but if you need a set, I say give these a chance. They have a $50 rebate on Tirerack ending in a week, btw.

Window tinting and an M5 rear spoiler. I was thinking a charcoal tinted ceramic for the tint. Mjames, where did you go for the tint? Would you trust Hendrick (or whomever they out source it to)? A new 550i on their lot gave me both ideas.
Like someone said, I wouldn't pay extra for ceramic tint on a lease. Plus, since you have a sedan, it has less dot matrix issues, so I'm sure whoever Hendrick uses will be fine. Go 35% all around.

I agree about the 550i diffuser. It looks cheap and tacked on; just odd.

[ThebmwM]

*remember all supersprint systems have a proven gain*:woot:

[Richard in NC]

The mod bug is trying to bite me for the 550i. I have been thinking for some time to do the following but this year has been quite busy and quite expensive so I haven't gotten around to anything yet. I'm looking for opinions on the following list and priorities since I can't do them all at once.

Tires:
Not really a mod but I'll need a set soon. Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics are at the top of my list. I really like the stock wheels so no size change or anything. Certainly no 22s.

Exterior:
Window tinting and an M5 rear spoiler. I was thinking a charcoal tinted ceramic for the tint. Mjames, where did you go for the tint? Would you trust Hendrick (or whomever they out source it to)? A new 550i on their lot gave me both ideas.

Performance:
I'm leaning towards a Remus exhaust. I love the deep sound. See: http://www.remusexhaustshop.com/sounds/BMW/BMW_550i_E60_Bj06_270kW_AM_EG.mp3 I want something deeper and a bit louder but only when pushed. Should I go dual (stock left side only) or quad tips which requires a new rear diffuser? If a diffuser, would a flat charcoal look better than body color (matching the window trim)? I don't want carbon fiber.

I would go for the Dinan CAI and software, but the software isn't out for the '08 yet.

Electronics:
The L7 stereo is good but could be better. The 650i was. Some think the speakers were cheapened in '08. I want to maintain the stock headunit and look. Earthquake 8SWS subs are a direct fit replacement for the stock subs. I was thinking to replace the mids & tweeters with MB Quartz or equivalent.

Tap into rear view mirror area for power for a radar detector. Is V1 the only choice? My stereo installer sells the K40 for $250.

I want to do a lot of this prior to October, to be able to enjoy them on the TOD trip. Any opinions? What else?

Here are the before pics.

The first mod is complete! I'll let you guess until I figure out how & were to do a small video clip.

I need to order the second mod this weekend to make sure I have it for the TOD.

I'm getting closer to needing the tires as well.