Discussion
Managed to find a full set of F90 roll bars for cheap. Will fit these with the camber arms when the car goes in for custom geo in two weeks time. Rear will go straight on the front will likely need adjustable drop links.
Really happy with the way the car looks, sounds and moves now. Only other area I would consider upgrading is the brakes, the 395mm M performance kit is the likely choice.
Really happy with the way the car looks, sounds and moves now. Only other area I would consider upgrading is the brakes, the 395mm M performance kit is the likely choice.
Big brake kit arrived. Struggling to find available workshops to fit them so it might be a while before they are on. Also have to solve a clicking sound coming from the front wheels at full lock and under load first. In the mean time heres a comparison for scale next to an Olympic plate! 
Managed to get a slot for the M brakes at the dealer. Labour rate is eye watering but the ABS needs coding for warranty and insurance etc so its a pill I need to swallow. Then I feel im pretty much complete on my journey to create the love child of an Alpina B5 and M5 CS... Well maybe just some gearbox software from XHP once they support all the 3rd generation TCU's... 
Edited by Boosted_8 on Thursday 14th July 22:26
I think the size of the brakes just looks correct now. More so at the rear, where they are much bigger than stock. It's the same spec system Alpina fit to their B5 with the 621bhp N63 upgrades.
First driving impressions after bedding in are they have more bite when hot which doesn't fade off.
The dimpled rotors are noisier & kick up way more dust but that's why matte grey wheels are a thing right haha.
The recode has changed the ABS and the hazards don't kick in unless you are emergency stopping now which is really useful!
First driving impressions after bedding in are they have more bite when hot which doesn't fade off.
The dimpled rotors are noisier & kick up way more dust but that's why matte grey wheels are a thing right haha.
The recode has changed the ABS and the hazards don't kick in unless you are emergency stopping now which is really useful!
I'm slowly returning back to stock with a view to sell while in pos eq. I don't need such a big car anymore since up sizing the wife's. I would quite like a new RS3 but you cannot order them still. The market is full of over priced ones less than a year old. Seems quite dumb as there's more than 155 on autotrader sat there!
The 846m were also a factory option for the m550i (mine had them from the factory and even until a month ago they showed as an option on the BMW configurator), so it would still be "factory" correct for an m550! Wouldn't affect being able to sell it I don't think.
I'm ok the other mods though, thank you.
I'm ok the other mods though, thank you.
Boosted_8 said:
I'm slowly returning back to stock with a view to sell while in pos eq. I don't need such a big car anymore since up sizing the wife's. I would quite like a new RS3 but you cannot order them still. The market is full of over priced ones less than a year old. Seems quite dumb as there's more than 155 on autotrader sat there!
I've come from a b58 engined 440i to my lci m550i, and it's an absolutely huge upgrade. The b58 is a lovely engine but the v8 is special.
Fuel economy is not amazing, on journeys where I'd get 29-30mpg in the 440i I'm getting 23 in the m550, and best I've seen so far is 27mpg on a 100 mile round trip. it seems to need longer to warm up and get better economy, short trips (ie 10 20 miles) it struggles to get into the 20s even driving sedately, if you use the power at all it drops off very quickly!
The car has averaged 17.5mpg from the factory according to the idrive.
The b58 has got a better power:economy balance, for sure, but it's the s63 is an absolutely amazing engine.
Whilst obviously going from an f36 4 series to this is different to going pre-lci g30 to this, some of the upgrades are the same - specifically idrive 7 Vs idrive 6, and that is a huge upgrade.
If he can stomach using a third more fuel it's a big upgrade in my opinion!
Fuel economy is not amazing, on journeys where I'd get 29-30mpg in the 440i I'm getting 23 in the m550, and best I've seen so far is 27mpg on a 100 mile round trip. it seems to need longer to warm up and get better economy, short trips (ie 10 20 miles) it struggles to get into the 20s even driving sedately, if you use the power at all it drops off very quickly!
The car has averaged 17.5mpg from the factory according to the idrive.
The b58 has got a better power:economy balance, for sure, but it's the s63 is an absolutely amazing engine.
Whilst obviously going from an f36 4 series to this is different to going pre-lci g30 to this, some of the upgrades are the same - specifically idrive 7 Vs idrive 6, and that is a huge upgrade.
If he can stomach using a third more fuel it's a big upgrade in my opinion!
Boosted_8 said:
I think the size of the brakes just looks correct now. More so at the rear, where they are much bigger than stock. It's the same spec system Alpina fit to their B5 with the 621bhp N63 upgrades.
First driving impressions after bedding in are they have more bite when hot which doesn't fade off.
The dimpled rotors are noisier & kick up way more dust but that's why matte grey wheels are a thing right haha.
The recode has changed the ABS and the hazards don't kick in unless you are emergency stopping now which is really useful!
Can you let me know what the BBK ended up costing all in? Are you leaving that on the car?First driving impressions after bedding in are they have more bite when hot which doesn't fade off.
The dimpled rotors are noisier & kick up way more dust but that's why matte grey wheels are a thing right haha.
The recode has changed the ABS and the hazards don't kick in unless you are emergency stopping now which is really useful!
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