I bought an E39 530i to use as the daily driver/beater. I am getting around 26-28 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. I was wondering if it is worth getting performance mods such as:

a) intake;
b) exhaust; and
c) JC software.

I have heard (not through a reliable source by any means), that people are getting 1-2 mpg better. I was considering getting just the intake and JC software. 1-2 mpg would make a difference for me since I drive it around 85-90 miles per day.

Does anyone have these mods and what are your thoughts?

Also, I need to get some winter tires. Do 16" rims fit on a 530i with sport package, or, do I need to stay with 17"? I planned on getting Nokian Hakkipellita's (or however you spell it).

TIA,

James

if it's a "daily driver/beater" why you you waste the money on mods? my feeling is that the mods will not provide much in the way of mileage savings and if you've got a little extra power you'll end up putting your foot in it more often.

if it's a "daily driver/beater" why you you waste the money on mods? my feeling is that the mods will not provide much in the way of mileage savings and if you've got a little extra power you'll end up putting your foot in it more often.

I agree -- but, it seems fairly cheap for the mods -- around $700 for intake/JC software. 1-2 mpg more = savings of $3-6 for every 4 days (with my driving), so, around $42/month - so, around $800+/year (assuming gas around $3/gallon -- savings increase if gas goes up).

If I keep the car for 2 years or longer, the mod money was well spent at least to me. Just seeing if others get better gas mileage with mods. I know with the M5 and X5 4.6is -- I actually got better gas mileage with the mods. But, those had much larger displacements so the mods actually made sense on why they increased mpg ...

3.0L engines -- not sure if it would help that much making it breathe better and remapping fuel maps ...

Yes they are worth it. Only you can decide in the long run. Most people want to make their cars more individualistic, and a reflection of them somehow.

Research, plan, take your time.

I used to have a 1997 528. When I replaced my paper filter with a K&N filter, my mileage increased 10% on the highway and about 4-5% in the city.

Yes they are worth it. Only you can decide in the long run. Most people want to make their cars more individualistic, and a reflection of them somehow.

Research, plan, take your time.


Well said. +1

I have a 530 from 2003. No sport edition on mine. Bought 16" alu rims and slapped the Nokian Hakkapelita RSI. Excellent traction on ice/snow. They will not fit your car if your brakes and rotors are bigger than stock.