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An interesting item of note, my 530i with the Sport Package includes the Type 42 "Cross Spoke Composite Wheel II" two piece (if you don't count the bolts) wheels (which can be had from PacificBMW.com for $416.40). I find myself wondering if just the rim component can be replaced in the event of an unscheduled encounter with a pot-hole. If so, is that less expensive than simply buying a new wheel? Either way, I am glad I opted for the Sport Package and of course the requisite separate set of winter wheels and tires from tirerack.com (about $1,000) for the winter months.
Best Regards,
Shipo
For the most part, yes (the "M Sport Package" for the wagon offers lots of goodies that have nothing to do with the suspension). That said; you will probably be best served by opting for non-BMW suspension components (as in Dinan and other aftermarket suppliers). If you want the factory look, you can buy BMW wheels from several sources on the internet such as ebay.com (new and used), roadfly.com (new and used) and of course the previously mentioned pacificbmw.com. If you don't need to have BMW wheels, then tirerack.com is a good place to start for wheels and tires.
Once you have the tires (which like you said, are probably the most important component), you can start the shopping for the other goodies. Were I you I would start on the Dinan site http://www.dinanbmw.com and go from there. Good luck, let us know how you fare.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
she did and I gave her the "thumbs up" sign and she just lit up with the widest grin you have ever seen, it was priceless ! What a beautiful car.
Best Regards,
Shipo
;->
I thought that may be handy if I ever need to swap a bent rim but want to hold off shelling more money or just get whole new set. At first glance, I always notice the rims & headlights.
Mark
Pointed out to the Mgr and he agreed to have the wheel refinished. You'd never know there was a scratch! Understand they can fix a wheel that has been "curbed" and bent also.
Thanks
Just follow the link at the top of the page!
Other interesting thing I noticed was that when I push the car hard suddenly, it has a slight delay in moving but once it moves...it jolts quickly. I also notice sometimes it likes to hang over 4K RPMs as long as it can. The fun factor combined with refinement is like no car I have ever driven so far.
Does anyone know what happen to SNAGIEL's stolen 530i? The story was getting interesting and was curious if there are any new developments. I bet he defected and having fun in the G35 club.
The $500 discount on my first 3er (4-5 years away) will be well worth it!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Regarding the theft, I'm currently speaking to a lawyer and can't discuss much at the moment, but I'll update when I can.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The investigation of the potential dup. keys were getting quite interesting. Car theft is getting very sophisicated.
Though I was driving that fast, I don't condone others to drive recklessly. I was driving my car 6am on a Sunday on dry pavement with good visibility of the road. Its nice to freely drive and see what this car was capable of once in a blue moon.
Something sounds off. Can anybody clarify?
Though I was driving that fast, I don't condone others to drive recklessly. I was driving my car 6am on a Sunday on dry pavement with good visibility of the road. Its nice to freely drive and see what this car was capable of once in a blue moon.
Though I was driving that fast, I don't condone others to drive recklessly. I was driving my car 6am on a Sunday on dry pavement with good visibility of the road. Its nice to freely drive and see what this car was capable of once in a blue moon.
Manual 5th gear is a 1.00/1 ratio and final drive is 2.93.
Auto (top gear) is a 0.75/1 with a final drive of 3.46.
530i, anyway.
Hic
Key is the overall ration, which is the final drive multipled by the individual top gear's ratio. Selecting the "right" final drive is important (since it impacts every gear) as is choosing each individual ratio. Engineer wants to achieve synergy with the engine's power band. Using BMW's's numbers:
525i manual: 3.15 x 1.00 = 3.15 overall
EPA= 20/29 mpg
530i manual: 2.93 x 1.00 = 2.93
EPA= 21/30 mpg
Notice that the larger 530i motor gets better mileage than the 525i? Gearing is a big factor for the highway mileage figure.
540i6 manual: 2.81 x 0.83 = 2.33
EPA= 15/23 mpg
M5 manual: 3.15 x 0.83 = 2.61
EPA= 13/21 mpg
525i automatic: 3.46 x 0.75 = 2.60
EPA= 19/27
530i automatic: 3.46 x 0.75 = 2.60
EPA= 18/26
540i automatic: 2.81 x 0.80 = 2.25
EPA= 18/24 mpg
540ia Sport: 3.15 x 0.80 = 2.52
EPA= 15/21 mpg
I'm a huge fan of overdrives, esp. overdrive 6 speeds. My '98 540i6 gets over 26 mpg cruising at 74 mph. If I need to accelerate quickly (say to pass), I just downshift to 4th or 3rd gear.
Is 115 @3000 (or less) real? It depends on your final drive ratio and tire size. Figure it out.
Checking Goodyears site for tire diameters:
225/60R-16's = 26.6 inches
225/55R-16's = 25.7 inches
235/45R-17's = 25.3 inches
Bigger around means the engine will turn slower in case your wondering.
I'm envious of your 6-spd. box, >finally< BMW is making the 6-spd. manual standard with the inline-6's.
Ideally, a car geared for performance would reach it's top speed at the RPM coinciding with it's peak horsepower (typically about 1,000 rpm below redline). Fopr example, in 6th gear at 75 mph, my Honda S2000 is turning 4,000 rpm - equating to 8,000 rpm at its top speed of 150 mph (not that I've verified this personally).
Many of today's cars - 530ia included - have high "overdrive" gears for fuel economy. But 3,000 rpm at 115 mph would make the 530ia's 5th gear virtually useless at under 80-90 mph for either performance or fuel economy, since it would be "lugging" below a minimum useable threshold RPM (i.e. at least 2,000 rpm).
Comments on habitat1's post: Yes, ideally the top speed will be at the peak horsepower and will counter the drag forces. This does not have to be in top gear though. Overdrive can be for cruising and top speed is in the next lower gear. To max out performance though, top gear would be top speed and the rest of the gears are spaced to optimize acceleration to top speed. Planetary gearsets are a bit tricky though.
My choice now is a new Acura through a lease,a slightly used '03 or '02 TLS wholesale or a 20k mile '01 530i. I like the BMW best but have concerns about repairs and routine maintenance for the BMW. Most say the wholesale Acura for the "prudent" choice. What's you take as I like the feel of the BMW.
Thanks.
Hey, plans for the new M5 slated for 2005!!!...
Interesting V10 500HP going upwards of 9K RPMs
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- - _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=07407679