Bought another old BMW.
- Thread starter Lashout_UK
- Start date
Needs positioning a bit further away i reckon. Too much reverberation from the audio
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Yea - I did place it way too close in most cases, forgot that it has quite a wide field of view for one thing, haha. I was running without the fully-shielded case too which would probably be better suited for this application.
I will play around some more next weekend to find the best setup
I will play around some more next weekend to find the best setup
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Well, so far I've put about 500 miles on the M5 and it's been great. I'm using it primarily as a weekend toy, as I have no call to use it during the week and that also means that it doesn't clock up massive mileage:
I've have used it for work too, on the odd occasion, as it's quite a conversation starter. All I need is some braces for the full on 80s/90s banker look....
One of those cars that I've found instant confidence in, even to the extent that I'm happy to let others drive it:
In other news, I've yet to really do anything to it bar enjoy it. A set of new wipers are on order (OEM Bosch, to keep it all within spec) and at some point soon I'll give, or get, it a full service. It's got comprehensive service history and I'd like to keep it that way - after all, it'll help keep it in tip-top shape.
I have, however, been poking around potentially chipping it - a few US tuners make some excellent plug-in chips for it that don't alter the factory limiter (7250rpm), unlike others that raise it to 7500/8000rpm, and it makes about another 10bhp and 15ft.lb.
Not a massive amount, I'm sure you'll agree, but a useful gain. It'll probably be the E.A.T chip, by Mark D'Sylva, that I settle on. Reputedly pulls a lot harder at low engine speeds, which I wouldn't complain about - although the '5 goes pretty well as is!
A decent service will come first, however, to make sure everything's as it should be.
As previously mentioned, there is something odd about this car - I've never once felt the need to turn the radio on. At all. It just feels like it occupies your attention fully, even if you're just cruising along, and there's zero need for any distraction. It occupies your mind entirely.
I wasn't sure if it was just me - but my friend, in the pics, took it out for a spin and came back saying exactly the same.
A good thing, in my books.
I've have used it for work too, on the odd occasion, as it's quite a conversation starter. All I need is some braces for the full on 80s/90s banker look....
One of those cars that I've found instant confidence in, even to the extent that I'm happy to let others drive it:
In other news, I've yet to really do anything to it bar enjoy it. A set of new wipers are on order (OEM Bosch, to keep it all within spec) and at some point soon I'll give, or get, it a full service. It's got comprehensive service history and I'd like to keep it that way - after all, it'll help keep it in tip-top shape.
I have, however, been poking around potentially chipping it - a few US tuners make some excellent plug-in chips for it that don't alter the factory limiter (7250rpm), unlike others that raise it to 7500/8000rpm, and it makes about another 10bhp and 15ft.lb.
Not a massive amount, I'm sure you'll agree, but a useful gain. It'll probably be the E.A.T chip, by Mark D'Sylva, that I settle on. Reputedly pulls a lot harder at low engine speeds, which I wouldn't complain about - although the '5 goes pretty well as is!
A decent service will come first, however, to make sure everything's as it should be.
As previously mentioned, there is something odd about this car - I've never once felt the need to turn the radio on. At all. It just feels like it occupies your attention fully, even if you're just cruising along, and there's zero need for any distraction. It occupies your mind entirely.
I wasn't sure if it was just me - but my friend, in the pics, took it out for a spin and came back saying exactly the same.
A good thing, in my books.
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It's not a priority, by any stretch, but I just want to maximise it's potential. It reputedly brings a few other benefits, like sharper throttle response - so it won't be doing any harm. No power resistor of justice stuff
I'd may well do a nigh-on back-to-back dyno run too, just to see what kind of gains, if any, are present. The chip's relatively inexpensive so if it doesn't cut the mustard, then I can just revert to the OEM setup
I'd may well do a nigh-on back-to-back dyno run too, just to see what kind of gains, if any, are present. The chip's relatively inexpensive so if it doesn't cut the mustard, then I can just revert to the OEM setup
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Haha, I wish - just a local restaurant, unfortunately! Give it time 
Oh, I found out that it has electronically adjustable headrests, too. That's a rare feature, even by today's standards!
Oh, I found out that it has electronically adjustable headrests, too. That's a rare feature, even by today's standards!
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I've got the centre caps already - came with it. They don't fit very well, and look liable to come off and decapitate someone.
I don't mind the look without as well, a little more interesting than a plain flat face. I suspect I'll have a go at getting them on properly soon though and compare, just to see.
I don't mind the look without as well, a little more interesting than a plain flat face. I suspect I'll have a go at getting them on properly soon though and compare, just to see.
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Really nice car there, came very close to buying one a couple of years ago and always wished I had.
I love this car,very jelous.
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I pressed the car into service as a commuter for a couple of days - due to a temporary shortage of cars at work - and it did the job perfectly.
As my drive's over 100 miles a day I wouldn't want to use it regularly, just to avoid racking up stellar mileage, but it was great fun to stretch its legs. I could do it every day just to continually blast away from a 350Z that keeps showing up - it can't keep up, much to the owner's annoyance. It should be able to post a similar 0-60mph time but I guess I'm just a little more committed, or had more traction.
The only trouble I had with it during this time was keeping the speed down - on a motorway cruise it's doing about 3000RPM, at which point it's only just getting into its stride. Ambling along in fifth gear it'll still pull hard and, because the engine's relatively smooth, building up another 10 or 15mph without noticing is easily done!
The thing that still amazes me when I drive it is just how relentless it is. Once the BMW's on a roll it's just unstoppable. Pin the throttle to the floor, holding it all the way to the limiter at 7250RPM, change up, and the needle continues to climb into the red at the same pace as it did in the previous gear - with only a deeper engine note indicating increased effort from the change in ratios.
Over the week it even returned sensible economy for what's effectively a 1700kg, 315bhp, saloon:
I've finally managed to source a replacement foglight lens as well, for a reasonable £15. New complete units are £45 but seeing as it was just the glass that was gone on mine, it seemed a bit unnecessary.
Not much progress has been made on any plans, as of yet, due to work and holidays - but soon it'll get a service, a few minor touchups, then a rolling road session to make sure it's in spec. After that I may start looking at a few sensible upgrades.
There's a chance that I may make it to the 'Practical Performance Car in the Park' show, so it could hit the Mallory Park race circuit in anger. I'd love to wind it out fully!
I took a few random pics today too, messed with a few of 'em in Photoshop:
I had my first issue as well. The tape player ate my MP3 adaptor.
As my drive's over 100 miles a day I wouldn't want to use it regularly, just to avoid racking up stellar mileage, but it was great fun to stretch its legs. I could do it every day just to continually blast away from a 350Z that keeps showing up - it can't keep up, much to the owner's annoyance. It should be able to post a similar 0-60mph time but I guess I'm just a little more committed, or had more traction.
The only trouble I had with it during this time was keeping the speed down - on a motorway cruise it's doing about 3000RPM, at which point it's only just getting into its stride. Ambling along in fifth gear it'll still pull hard and, because the engine's relatively smooth, building up another 10 or 15mph without noticing is easily done!
The thing that still amazes me when I drive it is just how relentless it is. Once the BMW's on a roll it's just unstoppable. Pin the throttle to the floor, holding it all the way to the limiter at 7250RPM, change up, and the needle continues to climb into the red at the same pace as it did in the previous gear - with only a deeper engine note indicating increased effort from the change in ratios.
Over the week it even returned sensible economy for what's effectively a 1700kg, 315bhp, saloon:
I've finally managed to source a replacement foglight lens as well, for a reasonable £15. New complete units are £45 but seeing as it was just the glass that was gone on mine, it seemed a bit unnecessary.
Not much progress has been made on any plans, as of yet, due to work and holidays - but soon it'll get a service, a few minor touchups, then a rolling road session to make sure it's in spec. After that I may start looking at a few sensible upgrades.
There's a chance that I may make it to the 'Practical Performance Car in the Park' show, so it could hit the Mallory Park race circuit in anger. I'd love to wind it out fully!
I took a few random pics today too, messed with a few of 'em in Photoshop:
I had my first issue as well. The tape player ate my MP3 adaptor.
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That is utterly superb, I love it
I'm a big fan of those wheels too, centre caps or not.
I chipped my M42 318iS - for the $30 that it cost me, it was a superb upgrade. Pulled better lower down the rev range, and mine increased the limiter to 7,200rpm up from the standard 6,800rpm (not really a problem with the ubiquity of the M42). I would go for it.
As for the service, I'd get it done at an Indy/dealer just for the stamp, and do any extra bits yourself. A missing stamp would take the shine off the rest of the car's history for me.
I would love to have a drive of one.
I'm a big fan of those wheels too, centre caps or not.
I chipped my M42 318iS - for the $30 that it cost me, it was a superb upgrade. Pulled better lower down the rev range, and mine increased the limiter to 7,200rpm up from the standard 6,800rpm (not really a problem with the ubiquity of the M42). I would go for it.
As for the service, I'd get it done at an Indy/dealer just for the stamp, and do any extra bits yourself. A missing stamp would take the shine off the rest of the car's history for me.
I would love to have a drive of one.