Defector? Need insights.

[templarklimek]

Hi gents,

So right now i'm in a 09 S-5 modded to about 385hp(intake/exhaust/downpipes and ECU tune). Nothing left to mod except possible S/C that runs up too 20k installed(ouch). also would need brembo brake kit and such(6k)

I went and drove a M3 today but of course you can't really "drive" a new one as they need to be broke in. I could feel that the suspension was spot on but the engine wasn't doing it for me. Again, i know the M3 needs to be used up top but even at up to 4500 rpm's the s5 was much more powerful, mainly due to an easier torque band.

I know it would get better after break-in but is the lack of torque going to dissipoint me? The audi does torque a little better especially after mods. IMHO i would be gving up the S5's better interior for the balls out performance of an M3.

Another motivation is the ability to mod the M3. How has that been for you? Does getting intake/exhaust/pulleys and ECU tune help with torque as well as hp? Does adding crosspipes cause the car to fail emissions test? any other good mods to build more power? Without forced induction i'm reading 450-470 hp is a doable goal?

I love the RS-5 but it isn't going to have a manual option. so a no-go.

I would apperciate any input or thoughts or experiences you have on these subjects. I've been reading posts on here but personal input would be quite helpful.

Thank you for your time.

p.s. My other car is a X6 50i. So I love BMW's and AUDIS.

[adc]

Test drive a used model - either at a dealer, or perhaps post for help on a regional forum (another forum member might give you a test drive). I don't think there are many here with direct experience of modded S5 and how they compare to stock M3's.

From what I've seen, typical bolt-on mods for the M3 will net you around 450BHP and perhaps 350 ft-lbs (maybe more torques). The best bang for the buck comes from xpipe/software/pulleys - the exhausts posting significant increases are also quite expensive. (Not sure intake does anything).

There are quite a few threads on the subject of bolt-ons - should make for some interesting reading.

I am not sure if I'll mod mine for power, I think it's pretty fast as is. I will probably do an exhaust, the M3 sounds incredible with a good exhaust.

[templarklimek]

Thanks for your reply. I asked them about driving a used one. They don't have any right now. 450hp/350trq is a great number. thats about what I was reading.

I may order one this week, we have a great BMW tuner here in Houston. They know M3's and could do all the work for me.

What do you think is better. powder coating the 19' wheels or going with the bbs ch-r's?

Thanks

[adc]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

What do you think is better. powder coating the 19' wheels or going with the bbs ch-r's?

The OEM 19's are great - good looking and light weight. You'd have to spend serious money to do better strength/weight wise - at $1200 they are a steal.

That said, I preferred the looks and ride qualities of the OEM 18's. If I were to spend money on a 19" setup, it would have to be something a tad more exotic, like the Volk 37, etc. I think I'd favor a cleaner, simpler design in a dark color (that's also easy to maintain). BBS CH-R are not sufficiently unique looks-wise, that design has been copied too many times. But that's just me.

It may be worth getting the 19"s and immediately selling them for $2k on the forum and then putting the money towards whatever wheel you like.

[MaxL]

It is important to understand that M3 throttle mapping is different from most cars out there. It is so linear, without that exaggerated initial surge, that car feels slower than it is. The first 5% of pedal movement gives the same torque increase as the last 5%. In contrast, in 335i the first 50% of pedal movement has like 80% of the torque, if not more, and in rental toyota matrix I was getting probably 95% of available torque from 10% of pedal move (the rest of the gas pedal motion seemed to only change shift points for the auto gearbox)

Simply speaking, to feel the power of M3, you need to push the gas pedal further than in most other cars - preferably all the way in. My wife's reaction to M3 after 335i was - "it does not go", but now she is doing burnouts on every other stoplight and that's with DCT set to the second mode (the least aggressive one I'd consider using in summer)

[ersin]

The M3 doesn't feel fast unless you rev it which you found out in your test drive. Bolt-on mods help a bit with the torque down low. I won't venture to guess if you'll be disappointed in this respect. Let's just say that appreciating the M3's flat torque curve is an acquired taste. It does pay off in giving the driver finer control when driving 10/10ths around a corner.

This forum has tons of info on mods. It seems after a couple of years there are more mods for this version than there were for the previous version of the M3 (E46). Though, other than the aforementioned exhaust, tune and pulleys, there's not much left on the table to get more from the engine other than forced induction. There are a few SC kits out there already, and they are considerably less than 20K. The bad thing about these kits is that those who have installed them need to go see a plastic surgeon to wipe the smile from their faces.

So, the power may be different than what you are used to. But consider that it does have enough power to break the rear wheels loose in three gears (with stability control off). And everything else about the M3 is top notch -- handling, roadholding, steering, comfort, fit and finish, materials, sound, convenience (a trunk and real back seats), etc. I think the only thing you could fault the E9x M3 on is the low gas mileage coupled with a smallish fuel tank (I get around 300 miles/tank with 90% highway driving). And they forgot to put an oil dipstick in the engine.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

[adc]

Originally Posted by ersin

(I get around 300 miles/tank with 90% highway driving)

Will wonders never cease?

[ersin]

Originally Posted by adc

Will wonders never cease?

As Lili von Schtup put it so elegantly, "It's twue. It's twue."