although the M5 certainly has some serious power on tap, I am looking ahead a month or so and considering what to do this summer. What are the options for taking the e39 m5 to the next level (from stock) while still maintaining reasonably quiet exhaust tone and overall good street manners for a semi-DD car?

Assuming the Dinan S kit is around $6k, what else is there? LWF? Exhaust? Chip? My biggest concern is a rice exhaust tone and poor traffic manners.

I would mod the driver - tighten the nut behind the wheel before modding.

Then intake, exhaust, ssk...

I just drove an m5 last night ... too much power for mee .... damn ahheck01 u must know him to slaughter him like that

e60

+100hp

e60

+100hp

also +50k

twin turbo m5. period.

Quiet exhaust?! What the hell for? The best sounding car I have ever heard was an E39 M5 in traffic. Nice V8 growl from idle, up to a howl at high RPMs. Bad ass.

I would mod the driver - tighten the nut behind the wheel before modding.

Then intake, exhaust, ssk...

how'd you know?

Quiet exhaust?! What the hell for? The best sounding car I have ever heard was an E39 M5 in traffic. Nice V8 growl from idle, up to a howl at high RPMs. Bad ass.

Agreed, but a loud car just doesn't suit my area, leaving for work in the morning under my daughters window, small town cops, etc. Quiet and deep-toned is good.

Just do the suspension. Keep the motor stock.
Then you won't have any noise issues.

yup....do the suspension.....

ssk,cai and exhaust if you want.....

i believe that VF Engineering has an s/c kit for the E39 M5 now

Just do the suspension. Keep the motor stock.
Then you won't have any noise issues.
Have you ever heard an s62 at WOT?

:D

Powerchip 91.
UUC SSK and DSSR, + tranny mounts
Dynan adjustable rear anti-sway bar with new polyurethane brackets
Same size tires all the way around.
Front strut brace, mostly for the track, but looks nice underhood.
Tubi Exhaust
UUC big Clutch upgrade
Performance brake pads, new SS brake lines. and non rubber caliper bushings.

The chip and exhaust will give you about 10 hp, and maybe the same ft/lb. The exhaust wont be too loud until you get on it.

The cars understeer will be all but gone now, just a touch remaining. Handling willbe noticably inproved with these simple mods, and ride comfort unchanged.

Shifts will be very nice.

The clutch will allow you to get on it hard from a stop, and take care of any later upgrades in power.

For more power you have many options. NA or FI. But expect to pay 100/hp ballpark. Cars got plenty as it is for all but the most experienced driver. Learn to use what you have by taking a driving school.

Have you ever heard an s62 at WOT?

:D

Yep, drove a highly modded Dinan S2 E39M5.:devillook

Just do the suspension. Keep the motor stock.
Then you won't have any noise issues.

I agree 98% with this statement. You live in Maine(lucky guy, I love it up there). I am sure you have plenty of twisties to haul ass through. Do suspension first, then worry about all the other stuff.

I'm sure you've heard of www.beastpower.com

I don't recomend buying products from them because they seem to be a bit overpriced but they do carry alot of good products for the e39 M5, and offer good write-ups with all the products. I don't know if you will be able to find a subtle exhaust for the m5 as it seems that most are pretty loud. I've always loved the sound of the Kelleners Exhaust, but thats just me, and at $1800 a pop you could just go with a Borla, or something else that is less expensive...

But seriously, I would just go with a coilover kit that allows dampening and height adjustment since it is still a partial DD. I believe the H&R and FK kits only offers height adjusting, whereas the Bilstein PSS9 kit offers a bit more. Then I would redo all the bushings, add a front strut brace, and take it to an auto-X. The car is fast enough as is, for now atleast. Just my .02

Where in maine are you anyway?

the e60 m5 is faster than a Dinan Stage 2 m5

the e60 m5 is faster than a Dinan Stage 2 m5
It's true, but what's the point of bringing that up? Oh well, I must have missed something.

-Evan

Get supersprint exhaust (if you like quiet) and some cold air intake's and chip it up and you'll be pleased.

the e60 m5 is faster than a Dinan Stage 2 m5
above 80 it is. However, below 80 the s2 e39 should take it. What was the point of bringing that up?

Although recently totaled, I had an S1 Dinan. For what it's worth, it sounded very nice at idle, although the deep-throaty note was a bit artificial. At in-town speeds, it sounded great, and at interstate speeds even better. I would say the artifical sounds became more real (a bit less resignation/quieter) the higher you went into the gear. It was never anoying, so don't fear this.
Hope this helps add to the mix.

Mh

Where in maine are you anyway?

I'm in Kennebunkport, 1/2 hour north of Portsmouth.

Great info guys, I REALLY appreciate all of the options. I also appreciate the fact that you guys all offered real-world possibilities rather than SUPERCHARGE IT!!! as I would get form the other boards.

I agree that the car is quite fast as it is and certainly very drivable and I want to be very careful with the mods. Suspension and SSK are on the nose for my needs and exhaust, CAI and software is next after that. The car should be 100% for me at that point and driving school will teach me to be that much better with it.

Again guys, many thanks...
-tom

Kennebunkport ey?
Beutiful area. You travel to Acadia much in the summers?

No, we tend to go more for Vermont and anywhere that does not include mass quantities of tourists. We race mountain bikes so we are all over New England all summer and I do a lot of work in the Boston area. Acadia is certainly beautiful but a bit crowded.

also +50k

yeah, but you do get a warranty. If you grenade an s62 you gonna be out some big $$.

Have you ever heard an s62 at WOT?

:D

What's "WOT" mean? See it around all the time but I can't figure it out...

wide open throttle...

wide open throttle...

Oic. What about "MOT"?

the e60 m5 is faster than a Dinan Stage 2 m5

Wrong. Dinan S2 E39M5 is making very close to, if not 500hp n/a. And it handles better than a E60.

Sorry for OT...