E61 V8 Bearding
Discussion
So, sent an email over to my ZF 'box specialists and will see what they think about my 'hesitation' when cruising...
Worst case scenario, they can refresh the 'box and I'll just keep the car for a few years more to get my 'value' out of it.
So, what do we think of getting a remap? I've been quote £285 by a respected place for 355bhp and a good few lbft extra.
Doesn't seem a lot of money, if it makes any real tangible difference. It might stave off my thirst for a 550i or supercharger for a while!
Worst case scenario, they can refresh the 'box and I'll just keep the car for a few years more to get my 'value' out of it.
So, what do we think of getting a remap? I've been quote £285 by a respected place for 355bhp and a good few lbft extra.
Doesn't seem a lot of money, if it makes any real tangible difference. It might stave off my thirst for a 550i or supercharger for a while!
dom9 said:
So, what do we think of getting a remap? I've been quote £285 by a respected place for 355bhp and a good few lbft extra.
Utterly futile - unless you're upping the boost on a turbocharged car, they're pretty pointless yet you need to declare them to insurers, have no idea of the provenance of the map etc.For what it's worth, Dinan (American tuner who seem to have a good reputation) quote around an 8hp gain on the 550i for their 'stage 1' software. It's just not worth it at that. The 550i is a popular car over the pond so I'd be inclined to listen to what they're saying than pretty much any UK reputable tuners.
Interesting thoughts, chaps and much appreciated.
I believe the gains (after all, it's less than 10%, which is realistic on an NA engine) and the money isn't much but I will get the 'box sorted (if required) first and then see what they answer to some pointed questions re. rolling roads etc.
Interesting that Dinan only quote 8bhp on the 550i as I heard (elsewhere but maybe on this thread or somewhere else on PH as well) that there are big gains to be had due to the mapping of the variable valve system and some tweaking that can be done there (i.e. not just giving it a little more advance and fuel).
Not sure the 545i can be fiddled the same way though...
I believe the gains (after all, it's less than 10%, which is realistic on an NA engine) and the money isn't much but I will get the 'box sorted (if required) first and then see what they answer to some pointed questions re. rolling roads etc.
Interesting that Dinan only quote 8bhp on the 550i as I heard (elsewhere but maybe on this thread or somewhere else on PH as well) that there are big gains to be had due to the mapping of the variable valve system and some tweaking that can be done there (i.e. not just giving it a little more advance and fuel).
Not sure the 545i can be fiddled the same way though...
I've heard this argument a few times. I also know that the fuel in the states is very poor compared to ours. They have 3 types at the pumps and I dont think their best compares to our super unleaded. I can believe that a tune specific to our super unleaded should unleash some more horses. But then you need to top up with super every time. Will you notice an extra 20bhp?
Now adding a blower is a completely different proposition. Will you feel another 100bhp - you better do. If you can create a home brewed Alpina B5 for sensible money then I'd be tempted. The B5's are hovering around the just under 20k range and I dont know if they made any tourings. If you can keep the engine and box standard with the addition of a blower then in the future should the engine fail or the gearbox it is a relatively simple task to replace them.
Of course it is then debatable if you'll realise any extra money come resale time. If this doesn't bother you or you're planning on keeping it for a while then why not do it.
You could maybe save some money by buying a used blower off something like an LSA or the E55 amg or the blown Jag V8's.
Now adding a blower is a completely different proposition. Will you feel another 100bhp - you better do. If you can create a home brewed Alpina B5 for sensible money then I'd be tempted. The B5's are hovering around the just under 20k range and I dont know if they made any tourings. If you can keep the engine and box standard with the addition of a blower then in the future should the engine fail or the gearbox it is a relatively simple task to replace them.
Of course it is then debatable if you'll realise any extra money come resale time. If this doesn't bother you or you're planning on keeping it for a while then why not do it.
You could maybe save some money by buying a used blower off something like an LSA or the E55 amg or the blown Jag V8's.
I'm sure the ESS Supercharger made 500hp and was about 6k, so not cheap! The only way you'd get part of your money back is by selling it off the car when the time comes.
I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
philmots said:
I'm sure the ESS Supercharger made 500hp and was about 6k, so not cheap! The only way you'd get part of your money back is by selling it off the car when the time comes.
I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
They made an XFR Wagon?I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
ATM said:
I've heard this argument a few times. I also know that the fuel in the states is very poor compared to ours. They have 3 types at the pumps and I dont think their best compares to our super unleaded. I can believe that a tune specific to our super unleaded should unleash some more horses. But then you need to top up with super every time. Will you notice an extra 20bhp?
Now adding a blower is a completely different proposition. Will you feel another 100bhp - you better do. If you can create a home brewed Alpina B5 for sensible money then I'd be tempted. The B5's are hovering around the just under 20k range and I dont know if they made any tourings. If you can keep the engine and box standard with the addition of a blower then in the future should the engine fail or the gearbox it is a relatively simple task to replace them.
Of course it is then debatable if you'll realise any extra money come resale time. If this doesn't bother you or you're planning on keeping it for a while then why not do it.
You could maybe save some money by buying a used blower off something like an LSA or the E55 amg or the blown Jag V8's.
I think American Super is actually better than ours (I'm an ex-US resident) but the lowest grade (they usually have 3) is worse than urine. I always run mine on V-Power over here, anyway. I feel it's worth the extra, to be honest. A supercharger would be awesome but it isn't cheap and may even be worse for resale as people will stay away. If I went that way though, I'd never need upgrade the car, so there could be some man maths to be done there.Now adding a blower is a completely different proposition. Will you feel another 100bhp - you better do. If you can create a home brewed Alpina B5 for sensible money then I'd be tempted. The B5's are hovering around the just under 20k range and I dont know if they made any tourings. If you can keep the engine and box standard with the addition of a blower then in the future should the engine fail or the gearbox it is a relatively simple task to replace them.
Of course it is then debatable if you'll realise any extra money come resale time. If this doesn't bother you or you're planning on keeping it for a while then why not do it.
You could maybe save some money by buying a used blower off something like an LSA or the E55 amg or the blown Jag V8's.
I actually had a look at AMG superchargers on eBay the other day... I reckon it would end up as expensive and MUCH harder doing it yourself though, so I think I'll can that idea.
My ZF transmission specialists have come back to me and said that they'd need to take a look at the car, test drive etc but it sounds like a common torque converter problem they regularly see. I've asked them for the price of that 'fix' to get an idea. Will probably run it until it gets worse though.
philmots said:
I'm sure the ESS Supercharger made 500hp and was about 6k, so not cheap! The only way you'd get part of your money back is by selling it off the car when the time comes.
I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
The car would be kept 'forever' if I was ever to do that, I reckon... It's only got 75k on it and I only put about 5k a year on it so lots of life left, especially if the 'box gets a refresh.I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!
Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.
ATM said:
I think I'd be looking at a C63 wagon with LSD option if I was going for a change. They sound awesome. My brother has a few video clips from a friend of his who has one. They just show the clocks and how it goes from 10/15 mph up to 100. It's impressive.
hornetrider said:
AMGs are in another league for performance and running costs to our humble NA V8. I have often considered an AMG Wagon but the empeegees are just too severe for running as a daily, at least at the mileage I'm doing.
I'd love a C63, especially if there were any 507 Wagons floating about (did they make any)!However, I suspect they'll always be out of budget as a 'dog car' and difficult to justify to myself. Can anyone see them dropping below say £20k, ever?!
I could chuck a supercharger on mine, fix every niggle and still have change from £10k, I'd guess. And that can be done over a period of years, if needs be.
dom9 said:
ATM said:
I think I'd be looking at a C63 wagon with LSD option if I was going for a change. They sound awesome. My brother has a few video clips from a friend of his who has one. They just show the clocks and how it goes from 10/15 mph up to 100. It's impressive.
hornetrider said:
AMGs are in another league for performance and running costs to our humble NA V8. I have often considered an AMG Wagon but the empeegees are just too severe for running as a daily, at least at the mileage I'm doing.
I'd love a C63, especially if there were any 507 Wagons floating about (did they make any)!However, I suspect they'll always be out of budget as a 'dog car' and difficult to justify to myself. Can anyone see them dropping below say £20k, ever?!
I could chuck a supercharger on mine, fix every niggle and still have change from £10k, I'd guess. And that can be done over a period of years, if needs be.
smashie said:
Well I found out bad point number 1. After the car being locked up all night, I got in it this morning and boy did it stink of stale cigar smoke. Spent most of the morning cleaning and deodorising the interior. Hopefully that will do the trick. If not then I will see if I can find someone to give it the ozone treatment.
Change the microfilters, and buy both normfest treatments from eurocarparts.http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/p/car-acces...
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