Modding? Cheap ways?

[nmwaldron]

Hi!

I have a 95 525i with 100,000 mi. I dont know an incredible amount about improving performance but I wanted to know if anyoneone had any cheap ways to improve performance...it's always slugish when I hit the gas and I would love to improve that.
Thanks in advance
Nathan

[Alexlind123]

Do you know about the kickdown switch? Its under the gas pedal, just floor the pedal and then press a little more. It selects the lowest possible gear for the most possible power.

[angrypancake]

foot to floor is the only cheap way to improve performance. it'll really f your gas mileage though.

[632 Regal]

lower rear ratio gear?

[genphreak]

Hi! I have a 95 525i with 100,000 mi. I dont know an incredible amount about improving performance but I wanted to know if anyoneone had any cheap ways to improve performance...it's always slugish when I hit the gas and I would love to improve that. Thanks in advance NathanStart by fixing all the things that are worn out or malfunctioning. Then start on the things that are not in spec anymore. These provide the best bang for your buck- once done there (if your wallet is still cool enough to touch, think about sports shocks, springs, suspension bushes and bumpstops, a carbon fibre hood, turbo and a megasquirt ECU. Bigger brakes, manual gearbox- you can keep going...

Best to fix the things that are about to break before breaking them through more use... things like this can wreck your plans by causing a warped head otherwise- delaying your hopes to buy a Sashs kit or get started on a turbo...
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/genphreak/Radiator-TopConBroken.jpg

Oh. don't forget to buy a new fuel and air filter at some point ;)

[angrypancake]

Start by fixing all the things that are worn out or malfunctioning. Then start on the things that are not in spec anymore. These provide the best bang for your buck- once done there (if your wallet is still cool enough to touch, think about sports shocks, springs, suspension bushes and bumpstops, a carbon fibre hood, turbo and a megasquirt ECU. Bigger brakes, manual gearbox- you can keep going... Oh. don't forget to buy a new fuel and air filter ;)


but whatever you do don't get a K&N!!!!


nick- he said he wanted cheap improvements. i took the position that improvements = after you've got the car to spec and you can afford to think about said mods?

[angrypancake]

ugh that picture brings back bad memories

[genphreak]

but whatever you do don't get a K&N!!!! nick- he said he wanted cheap improvements. i took the position that improvements = after you've got the car to spec and you can afford to think about said mods?Yea I guess I mean that fixing broken/malfunctioning stuff is the cheapest way to start... especially if any of it is to do with the engine or the suspension...

[genphreak]

Yea I guess I mean that fixing broken/malfunctioning stuff is the cheapest way to start... especially if any of it is to do with the engine or the suspension...If you want a car that responds to cheap mods, you really want to buy one that was so poorly engineered in the first place that it is actually improved by replacing the parts it is made from with cheap parts that can be bolted on without much attention (engineering effort) given to how they are specified/employed in relation to the rest of the machine... This is the equation that the average layman simply doesn't get as they don't appreciate what a team of specialists can achieve building cars like they do at Munich.

However it is why people buy Bimmers isn't it? Hmm somehting doesn't make sense here...

[Flamin'Cow]

Dear Nathan,

Here us a 'cheap as chips' guide to improving your performance.

Get hold of your standard air-filter....throw it away.

take out the spare wheel, rear seats, door cards, air-con system, power steering pump, windshield washer bottle & pump, dash & headlining.

Run on 98 Ron petrol and use a bottle of 10K boost (or 2) per 1/2 a tank of gas.

That should see you accelerate a bit quicker.

[Espen]

EAT chip..

[genphreak]

EAT chip..Thanks Espen, good point. Chip and reap the benefits. That's the performance you can buy for da money, even if a few other things are bad...

[Qube]

Sluggish when you hit the gas? Here's the problem 525i heh. Nah, it's hard to define sluggish. My 535i was sluggish off the line until MarkD blessed it with his chip. Perhaps a little more description into 'sluggish'. What's 'sluggish' off the line is a slushbox 2.0l Zetec Focus. I just can't drive my fiancee's car, but that's another story.

[ILoveMPower]

Steps for modding an E34:

- Return to factory condition (ESPECIALLY front end, engine)
- Talk to MarkD (EAT chip)
- Suspension, body mods (clears, grilles, euro trim, whatever...)

If you want to get more serious: Forced induction.

Keep in mind our cars are NOT for 0-60... it's a 3500+ lb luxury sedan. If your car feels too slow for stoplight dragstrips, tell 'em to hop on the highway ;)

[Qube]

As to quote from this thread (ILoveMPower): http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=24653&highlight=light+gear

"I don't know why you guys bother with the stoplight races... I just follow 'em until they hop on the highway, then they get to see what 3rd gear is like "

[Flamin'Cow]

I like the stop-light races, but then I have got a 3.91 M5 Diff and a manual gearbox.....Sorta evens-up the odds. Also most cars are diesel over here anyway [and French people can't drive for toffey :-)]

[Ross]

A 525 goes significantly faster DOWNhill, better fuel economy also.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

make sure it's runnig right

[632 Regal]

Acetone

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

for afterburn

[632 Regal]

Hahahaha!
Biography:
I trim my pubic hair with a lighter

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I had to find something to top your 3 balls

[DigitalRelay]

If you want a car that responds to cheap mods, you really want to buy one that was so poorly engineered in the first place that it is actually improved by replacing the parts it is made from with cheap parts that can be bolted on without much attention (engineering effort) given to how they are specified/employed in relation to the rest of the machine... This is the equation that the average layman simply doesn't get as they don't appreciate what a team of specialists can achieve building cars like they do at Munich.

However it is why people buy Bimmers isn't it? Hmm somehting doesn't make sense here...

This is an excellent point. I started looking into some of the basic mods that work on most cars like intake and exhaust, but everything I read says that what came out of the factory is very good. I was shocked to learn that the exhaust manifolds on the 540i are more akin to tube headers.

My previous car is a 1994 Chevy Caprice with an LT1 5.7L V8. I bought it because the car was cheap and fast, and cheap to mod. It's no BMW though.

[632 Regal]

your 540 will blow the doors off it on the freeway too
This is an excellent point. I started looking into some of the basic mods that work on most cars like intake and exhaust, but everything I read says that what came out of the factory is very good. I was shocked to learn that the exhaust manifolds on the 540i are more akin to tube headers.

My previous car is a 1994 Chevy Caprice with an LT1 5.7L V8. I bought it because the car was cheap and fast, and cheap to mod. It's no BMW though.

[SchnellE34]

nmwaldron, this question has been asked many times by other newbies. I understand it is sometimes tough to search for the exact subject you want, but try using different keywords, it may take some time.
As you can see, the consensus on the board is to first assure the car is running at optimal operation. Routine maintenance is the best practice for good performance. You aren't going to get much gain out of modifications if your engine is idling imperfectly or your suspension is vibrating.
Check out bmwe34.net for more information on maintenance and upgrades.
Although the chip is the biggest bang for your buck, if you are worried about costs, you should know that you must use the highest octane gasoline while using a chip. If you already do, great! Go for a EAT chip! The chip does manage your engine better which means better fuel economy is one of its many advantages. I calculated that a chip will roughly pay for itself after one year in fuel savings.

Good choice on the change of automobile!

-cP

[nmwaldron]

nmwaldron, this question has been asked many times by other newbies. I understand it is sometimes tough to search for the exact subject you want, but try using different keywords, it may take some time.
As you can see, the consensus on the board is to first assure the car is running at optimal operation. Routine maintenance is the best practice for good performance. You aren't going to get much gain out of modifications if your engine is idling imperfectly or your suspension is vibrating.
Check out bmwe34.net for more information on maintenance and upgrades.
Although the chip is the biggest bang for your buck, if you are worried about costs, you should know that you must use the highest octane gasoline while using a chip. If you already do, great! Go for a EAT chip! The chip does manage your engine better which means better fuel economy is one of its many advantages. I calculated that a chip will roughly pay for itself after one year in fuel savings.
Good choice on the change of automobile!

-cP

How easy is the markd chip to install?

[angrypancake]

How easy is the markd chip to install?


half an hour.