Manual or SW upgrade?

[kiwi535 538]

I had imagined the headers would be more expensive. Definitely something to think about.

Would like to track the car 3-4 times a year if possible.

not sure i f the M5 had different brakes,but could maybe go up in size,the M5 brakes would cost a lot though.Will also depend on the wheels you have

[Eagle 1662]

Ive taken my E34 a few times to Hampton since ive had it without any issues. Ive been running oem pads with new race brake fluid and it handles the usual 5-8 lap stints easy.

When i drive an E38 740il on the Taupo track it had no problems either with the same as above, the braking actually felt alot better than the E34.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2132]

Spot on, Andy. Not only that, it's hard to justify the $4-6K price tag of the manual conversion when I can get a US$299 SW upgrade for what is a great auto box (as autos go!), and it it helps win the missus over to German-built V8s (instead of US or Aus) then it's got to be a good thing!!

Have had a good chat with a guy at Dinan so think I'm going to begin a programme of upgrades with them. I like how they're upgrades are in Stages. Great for someone like me upgrading on a budget over time and also kind of cool building for that badge!!

Sounds like a good plan. I think some of the people here are missing the sort of car you are aiming to create. Agree with your comments on the manual conversion, yes would be better, but can also buy a lot of other things for $6k.

Ive taken my E34 a few times to Hampton since ive had it without any issues. Ive been running oem pads with new race brake fluid and it handles the usual 5-8 lap stints easy.

When i drive an E38 740il on the Taupo track it had no problems either with the same as above, the braking actually felt alot better than the E34.

E38 was great to watch

[Apex 693]

I must have gotten lucky. Mine prefers manuals. She's only had 4 cars since we were married, only one was auto

I'm having a hell of a itme finding a manual people mover worth owning!

Nice one.

I kinda forced my wife into driving a manual when I traded her car on a brand new car that was manual, she kinda had to learn if she wanted to drive a nice new car, funny it only took two hours with a driving instructor and now 6 years later she shifts better than Justin Beeber or the cast of Fast and the Furious.

I know you are a BMW fan but have you considered something like this, they are based on the AH Astra Chassis and drive quite nice:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-482396079.htm

[jeffbebe 1559]

Sounds like a good plan. I think some of the people here are missing the sort of car you are aiming to create. Agree with your comments on the manual conversion, yes would be better, but can also buy a lot of other things for $6k.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Can be a bit frustrating when you're looking for advice and instead you get opinion.

I know you are a BMW fan but have you considered something like this, they are based on the AH Astra Chassis and drive quite nice:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-482396079.htm

Thanks for hijacking my thread with one of these... FFS!

Edited May 26, 2013 by jeffbebe

[Allanw 1071]

Thanks for hijacking my thread with one of these... FFS!

I think I have input in a lot of the hijacks/tangents!

[jeffbebe 1559]

I think I have input in a lot of the hijacks/tangents!

Yeah... Now you have to buy a Vauxhall Zafira as penance.

[Apex 693]

Ha, I thought it was you so no problems spamming sir spamalot

As a driving enthusiast who cant drive 55 and that may one day decide that it is time to procreate I have looked at fast family movers, the Zafira would be on my short list, it would have to be the OPC version though... As a family outing I would load them up with helmets and head to a trackday, then drive circles around guys in automatic BMW's, look kids, that guy is in a automatic BMW and we just passed him, don't spill you juice box! How is your German?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmME5aupsg

Good to see you have looked into brake upgrades, some quality fluid I recommend ELF's performance fluid and some decent pads like a Ferodo should see an improvement.

Edited May 26, 2013 by apex

[jeffbebe 1559]

As a driving enthusiast who cant drive 55 and that may one day decide that it is time to procreate I have looked at fast family movers, the Zafira would be on my short list, it would have to be the OPC version though... As a family outing I would load them up with helmets and head to a trackday, then drive circles around guys in automatic BMW's, look kids, that guy is in a automatic BMW and we just passed him, don't spill you juice box! How is your German?

Hahah! TBH, I don't care about people over taking me. I'm not looking to do it to compete, I'm looking to do it for personal enjoyment. I like the car as a project, love E39s and want to take it on a track 3-4 times a year. I actually think Dinan's SW auto trans upgrade sounds pretty good. Sure, the higher RPMs in each gear and tighter shifts in sport mode won't be as quick as a manual but presumably the changes to the manual mode (i.e. preventing automatic shifts at any speed - which transmission does with stock software in manual) is going to mean I can effectively drive it like a clutchless manual. Hasn't got flappy paddles but the changes should be pretty fast, shouldn't they? How much worse than a manual would it be?

EDIT: I'm asking because I don't know, not to be provocative.

Edited May 26, 2013 by jeffbebe

[Eagle 1662]

Reason myself prefer a manual myself isnt just being able to change gear when i want, its the versatility and reliability also.

You may possibly be the first on this forum to try the software and have probably researched it more than any of us?, so if you are limited to the auto then i don't think you have anything to loose by trying it

[Apex 693]

Does the 540i have the +/- selector, tiptronic or whatever its called? I found that to be easier to grasp than paddles.

Either way my 545i was very annoying on the track, it would still change gears even when in sport mode, if the dinan kit stops this it would be a start.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Does the 540i have the +/- selector, tiptronic or whatever its called? I found that to be easier to grasp than paddles.

Either way my 545i was very annoying on the track, it would still change gears even when in sport mode, if the dinan kit stops this it would be a start.

Yep it has steptronic/triptronic/whatever. It will change gears in Sport mode automatically but if you engage manual mode (by pushing the shifter up or down when in sport) the Dinan software will stop it automatically changing gears regardless of speed/RPMs so you're essentially driving it a clutchless manual.

For US$299 it sounds like a no brainer to me compared to $4-5K for a manual conversion that my wife can't drive and will have no desire to learn how to drive.

[Apex 693]

Sounds reasonable, look forward to seeing how it works out.

There will still be that hesitation, slip and dull response you get from a torque converter but having the car stay in the gear you want it too is start!

As mentioned, a transmission cooler may be a good addition if you can fit one economically enough.

[jeffbebe 1559]

As mentioned, a transmission cooler may be a good addition if you can fit one economically enough.

Sounds a very good idea... Where would I find something like that? Sounds pretty specialist.

[Apex 693]

I am not sure, i theory they are simple, maybe do some googling and see if other models of BMW have them OEM, the X5 for example may have one to help keep temps down when towing.

[Allanw 1071]

As a family outing I would load them up with helmets and head to a trackday, then drive circles around guys in automatic BMW's, look kids, that guy is in a automatic BMW and we just passed him, don't spill you juice box!

I was going to take my Transporter to the Drags at the VW nats when they were in Auckland. It's only about as fast as a 4.0 Falcon to 80-90 k though :-) I'd need to have found 8 helmets too.

Autos do have their advantages - if you want to accelerate suddenly on the open road, it's just a press on the pedal :-) No need to loose valuable fractions of a second changing down .

Most of the time though, a manual feels more lively (They aren't actually faster ALL the time though). In a 540i, the difference is probably quite impressive, but unnecesary. Our manual 525i is actually pretty quick. I know most don't believe it - the 525i facelift is still considered a slug, because of it's "Big, Heavy" body, but it'll still eat the pants of an E30 325i manual (Dad has one), and they aren't usually considered slow. It certainly feels far faster than the autos.

I wouldn't have considered a 525i auto, it would have been a 3.0 minimum (I can easily upgrade to a 3.0 too ) If you REALLY wanted a manual, I'd go for a 530i and do the conversion, which I would imagine is a LOT cheaper - boxes are far easier to get for one.

[jeffbebe 1559]

I wouldn't have considered a 525i auto, it would have been a 3.0 minimum (I can easily upgrade to a 3.0 too ) If you REALLY wanted a manual, I'd go for a 530i and do the conversion, which I would imagine is a LOT cheaper - boxes are far easier to get for one.

I want lots of power and a wife who doesn't loathe my car way more than I want an extra pedal.

[Tristan 338]

I want lots of power and a wife who doesn't loathe my car way more than I want an extra pedal.

Quote of the week!

[jeffbebe 1559]

I did headers on mine and got a decent gain right across the range for about the same money.

Did you fabricate them yourself? If not, can you recommend where to get them? Most of the ones pre-fabricated headers I've seen for the 540i are in the $1.5-2K region.

[Tristan 338]

I'm on it.

Before I found my car, I was following an E39 M5 with a lovely older lady driving it. Saw her park down the road from where I was going so I left my card on her windscreen with a "if you want to sell.."

Don't ask don't receive!

[jeffbebe 1559]

Both my E36 and E39 had M52 sixes,

I bought used M3 headers for the E36 at $600 and New OBX headers for the E39 for $200 new, both locally the latter from an importer.

last exhaust I fabricated was for my Alfa.

scout around and you might find a bargain for your V8

$200's cheap... I looked at Supersprint headers and they're US$3000+ for the V8! OBX don't seem to make one for the V8. In fact, there don't seem to be many options and the ones out there are freaking expensive ($100+ per hp gain!).

[Tristan 338]

$200's cheap... I looked at Supersprint headers and they're US$3000+ for the V8! OBX don't seem to make one for the V8. In fact, there don't seem to be many options and the ones out there are freaking expensive ($100+ per hp gain!).

I hope to get some SS headers at some stage, but the cost... Substantial.

If you do decide on getting them ( ) let me know, perhaps we could split shipping costs if I am in a position to buy at the time.