Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
12657 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
Replying to: richardga73 (Aug 14, 2007 4:37 pm) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: richardga73 (Aug 14, 2007 4:37 pm) According to the specs listed by BMW, the 550 is only .1 faster to 60.
|
|
|
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 15, 2007 4:18 am) Well, an extra 265 pounds is the principal factor. From the web-site, 535 v. 550 (Step.): 535: 3703 lbs., 12.34 1bs./hp (0-60, 5.7 sec., 17/26 mpg) 550: 3968 lbs., 11.01 lbs./hp (0-60, 5.5 sec., 15/23 mpg) With slightly better ratio of weight to hp, the slightly better 0-60 of the 550 is to be expected. But when you factor in 13% better fuel economy in the 535, the enhanced handling that results from less weight, and the $$ savings (something on the order of $7K), seems to me this becomes a tough choice--or is it obvious? Any comments from those who have made this decision recently?
|
|
|
Replying to: sdg380 (Aug 15, 2007 6:35 am) I've made some Dinan mods to my E39, adding about 25HP. Is it faster? Yes it is - though I've only had it on a track once, ant it will bury the speedo now. Is it quicker? seat of the pants (or maybe lightness of wallet) says that it is a bit; reacts a bit more urgently, stuff like that. For me, the 550 is "worth it" more to say that you have the big dog, rather than performance. I believe that BMW has closed the gap sufficiently between the 535 and 550 so that real world performance is not the differentiator any more.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: sdg380 (Aug 15, 2007 6:35 am) |
|
|
Replying to: ny540i6 (Aug 15, 2007 7:12 am) Prompts me to ask, did you have it dyno'd before and after Dinan to verify 25 hp? And assuming an extra 25 hp, what was the cost in mileage? I've always wondered where the the extra hp from a chip or the like came from (assuming you haven't swapped mechanical parts--or have you?) I would guess that any percentage increase in hp would come with a similar percentage decrease in mileage, but maybe not? |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: sdg380 (Aug 15, 2007 8:47 am) In my experience I've found that a Dinan or Conforti chip/reflash does not effect the fuel economy- unless you find yourself enjoying the added power too often  On a naturally aspirated engine the extra power is found by optimizing the fuel metering and ignition advance to operate on 91AKI or 93AKI gasoline. This can sometimes even result in an increase in fuel economy. On a supercharged or turbocharged engine you can find considerably more power- just crank up the boost. That said, any increase in boost pressure must be properly engineered or the result will be holed pistons or other mechanical carnage.
|
|
|
Replying to: roadburner (Aug 15, 2007 9:23 am) Is peak power boosted at the expense of mid-range? Are you saying that optimizing for one fuel grade is the source of the extra hp? Actually, with knock sensors on modern engines, I thought they were capable of optimizing performance for fuel grade. Why aren't the original ECM maps designed to offer this performance if mileage doesn't suffer (or is improved)? I'm somewhat familiar with tuning techniques on two-wheelers, and from what I've seen, it's seems that almost always, with the widespread adoption of FI, any peak hp gains are only achieved with louder pipes and/or decreased low-end or mid-range performance (frequently detracting from driveability.) And of course I'm talking about strict dyno comparisons, not the "lighter wallet" effect noted above (ha!)
|
|
|
okay, i'm a new owner of a cpo 2004, 545i with sport pkg, so i pulled in too far parking and scratched the lower right hand faring underneath, down to the fiberglass or whatever it's made of. is there anything i can do short of a paint job or replacing, both of which would be very expensive, that would help it look a bit better? thanks, newbie |
|
|
Replying to: sdg380 (Aug 15, 2007 8:47 am) I have not seen a mileage loss - my changes were a mix of hard and software, including cold air intake, new software, new, freer flowing exhaust. I stayed away from changing out the throttle body - the words "High flow" and fuel economy just did not go together for me lolol. I also swapped out the clutch for a Dinan unit - less reciprocal mass, so it revs cleaner, faster. I sometimes wonder if that change alone would have been enough, but the package works well, and allows me to stick the "DINAN" on the back of the car (if I ever get around to it)
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Sedans
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2011 BMW 5 Series
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
