On a scale from 1 to "just find an M5"...

"RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names" (mile-rei-club) 07/13/2016 at 01:44 • Filed to: None

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How hard would it be to get a low-mileage 2001/2 540i to ~350 hp? Super vague question, but that’s kind of the point.

Considering purchase price + first year of ownership, am I better off upgrading a 540 (which can be had with 75k miles for $4,000) or just buying an M5 (99% > $10k, regardless of mileage).

Chances are, my heart will be broken either way, but I’ve been on CL for 2 hours really letting my dreams build up so I thought I’d ask.

Sam > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 01:49

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Just get an M5. You’re talking turbo/supercharging it,which basically makes up the difference. A tune and exhaust will get you maybe 45-50 hp tops.

Plus the M5 is a better platform right off the bat, so you'll have a better performing car.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 01:55

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I’m probably only saying this because I’m a crazy person, but a better DIY early 2000's luxury super-sedan would be a Lexus GS with a lightly modified 2Jz-GTE.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Sam 07/13/2016 at 01:57

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I doubt it. I’m thinking an exhaust and tune would be more like 15-maybe 20 tops.

Otherwise I agree.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 01:59

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Just find an m5. FI is the only way you’re going to make 350 without spending more than the value of an M5.

GhostZ > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 02:20

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What you will lose with upfront cost for the M5 you will gain back in appreciation once you sell it. The 540i will stay cheap.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 05:49

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Only financially responsible if you build it to make something over 500whp imo. I have a stock one in my driveway right now (wife is done dailying it). Light mods to maybe what the auto trans can hold is still like $2K with a proper AEM 506 or something. Better off doing the trans and supporting extras, which is in the $4K plus range to just have 500-600hp to start off with. It will still be an IRS car with less weight than a new Mustang lol.

/commentjack

Party-vi > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 07:28

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I agree. It’s not like the engine was designed in the ‘50s or ‘60s. You just don’t see those big gains from bolt-ons and tuning anymore. The M54B30 engine is already engineered to the point that a cold air intake and tune will get you a whopping 5-7hp maybe.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 07:38

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I seem to recall hearing that the engines are completely different and that the M5 engine is much more robust and less susceptible to maintenance issues. I can’t really give any more specifics but it’s something I’d look into.

Sam > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 08:29

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A Dinan throttle body, cold air intake, and engine remap gets you (claimed) 20-30hp. A pre-VANOS intake (meaning ditching VANOS) increases the horsepower, combined with the tune, quite a bit as well, as it breathes quite a bit better.

RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names > Sam 07/13/2016 at 09:55

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Yeah, that’s what I figured the more research I did :/ only issue is I’m in school right now and can’t have a car, so by the time I’m actually in the market in a few years or so I’m afraid all the e39 M5's will be either insanely high-mile or expensive examples.

RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 09:56

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Crazy person! On paper, there’s a chance you’re right, but damn I’ve been in love with that e39 body style for years.

RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/13/2016 at 09:58

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There was actually an article written by a fellow Opponaut that got featured on Jalop a while back... I can’t remember exactly but it was basically a rebuttal to Tavarish’s “Buy a 540i right now blah blah blah”. Listed all the reasons why the 540 was an absolute bitch to own. I was just hoping it was an extreme example hahah

RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names > GhostZ 07/13/2016 at 09:59

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Interesting point, where do you think the price curve lies right now? Are you saying this is the cheapest M5's will get?

RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 10:00

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Yeah, and turboing a system that was only made for ~280 hp would scare the shit out of me. Nice profile pic btw.

GhostZ > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 10:04

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It’s probably not the cheapest M5's will be, but it’s close, and the absolute minimum is going to be a lot different. The M40i turns into a $500-1000 junker the second something goes wrong. The M5 will always be desired for parts rarity purposes.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 12:50

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Yeah, I’ve heard the m60 (?) In those bmws can be touchy, though I’d still rather have one than the m5x powered version.

Also thanks! Although those are my winter wheels and are currently in storage.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RCMF - is hungry for V10 Touaregs and long kinja names 07/13/2016 at 17:52

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I asked on here a while back for advice because my sister and BIL moved to Germany and were looking at buying an early 2000's BMW 5-series. Everyone basically said avoid the 540i because it’s a bitch and theres a bunch of random stuff that breaks.