BMW 540i Unrestricted Top Speed
Discussion
stuarthatton said:
Anyone know what kind of Top Speed I could expect if I unrestrict my '98 540i? It has the full Schnitzer conversion but I don't think the exhaust system makes much improvement to performance...
I know the obvious answer is to try it, but I've not been able to find any stats...
Top speed numbers published in the comics are I know the obvious answer is to try it, but I've not been able to find any stats...
wildly inaccurate in my experience. 10 mph variation
is common.
Also, you've got a nine year old car. No
way can it still be producing the same number
of gee-gees as the day it was made.
I'd suspect your car would struggle to crack 150 mph.
Mind you, a friend of mine has a similar
age 540 and he says it's fine to 130 mph and runs
out of steam above there.
williamp said:
On my 99 540i, the speedo only goes up to 155mph- where the car is limited to. Would be interesting to bend the needle, but you'd need GPS for an accurtae record.
While you're there, have a look at the MPG figure. That would be interesting as well.
99 740i Was same off the clock on the speedo as it stops at 155 but 154 on the GPS and that was it it would not do any moreWhile you're there, have a look at the MPG figure. That would be interesting as well.
Obviously this was on the continent
Just had my E34 540i (6 speed manual) remapped and delimited and on a recent trip to foreign climes 
it was showing warp speed 115 in 3rd/145 in 4th/and who knows above that, but after next weeks trip to the delights of Germanys best maybe I will have a better idea. My old E39 540 manual would do GPS 179.
it was showing warp speed 115 in 3rd/145 in 4th/and who knows above that, but after next weeks trip to the delights of Germanys best maybe I will have a better idea. My old E39 540 manual would do GPS 179.VerySideways said:
A little over 160mph on the GPS if it's derestricted. For reference, the 340bhp B10 4.6 will do about 170mph.
I've had my B10 to 168mph on the A-bahn and I don't doubt that it would have reached the 173mph claimed by ALPINA given enough space.
The B10 reaches v-max at peak power in top - no overdrive - and is noticeably less quick after 4th runs out at ~143mph with usable acceleration running out a little north of 160mph...
I doubt removing the limiter on a 540i would liberate any more usable speed since clear 5 mile straights are fairly few and far between.
X5 4.4sport will do 149 in the Axis zone, I have the detail on my GPS don't know if that was maxed out, busy driving. My cars not exactly areodynamic so I'd expect more from a 5 series. Great fun though.
The porks I passed at 90 said it was like a block of flats at warp speed. (before they passed at 180+)
The porks I passed at 90 said it was like a block of flats at warp speed. (before they passed at 180+)
Robatr0n said:
I have it on good ground that a chipped a de limited E34 540i manual can hit 169mph according to GPS. 
Well it will until it decides to drop a couple of spark plugs in the cylinders!! Slight over revving I think 
Chasing Vixpy in his E34 M5 was a blast, rolling start in 4th gear from 40mph on the Autobahn we were pretty much equal until about 125 when he gained a few lengths but over 150 I then was on a par with him up to an off the clock moment
Edited by bmwdrivernigel on Saturday 13th October 10:51
bmwdrivernigel said:
Robatr0n said:
I have it on good ground that a chipped a de limited E34 540i manual can hit 169mph according to GPS.
Well it will until it decides to drop a couple of spark plugs in the cylinders!! Slight over revving I think Chasing Vixpy in his E34 M5 was a blast, rolling start in 4th gear from 40mph on the Autobahn we were pretty much equal until about 125 when he gained a few lengths but over 150 I then was on a par with him up to an off the clock moment
Edited by bmwdrivernigel on Saturday 13th October 10:51
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