I am new to BMW... most of my interests have been in the Aston Martin forums as I recently owned and sold an 08 Vantage. That being said, I really like my 550i (2008) and am wondering if there is anything offered in the way of performance mods- I noticed the 335i has alot of potential and with minimal investment, can be an awesome car. Or did I buy the wrong car? I have the sport package and the handling is good... Is there anything in the works of adding more power or is this a moot point? Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

Congrats on the purchase. It is a great car but I believe you are correct about the potential for mods.
It is a good V8 at 4.8L and 360 bhp. As a naturally aspirated motor you have a ceiling. The 335 with twin turbos there is alot of wiggle room with the ECU software massaging. Increasing boost and all, some can gain 100 hp with software and cooler.

I have an E60 M5 which is heavily modded but am not too aware of mods for the 550i. Check into software, exhaust and cold air-intake. That all may buy you 25 rwhp.

Good luck, GT3Ranger

 

I agree.

 

Thanks!

 

Why didn't you go for the M5 if your into horsepower?

 

Ditto to NickyBlack's comment.

 

dinan can get you up to 390hp but it will cost you. while expensive, its products are well designed and well built.

www.dinanbmw.com

 

trade it in for an M5

j/k

 

The Dinan hp gains stated are at the crank. Regardless, what does Dinan have for the 550i in performance mods?

 

+1
or 535i

 

Aston Martin to a 550i... bummer.

 

http://www.dinancars.com/store/S1-Pa...22-p-3784.html

S1 Package
The S1 system features the full compliment of Dinan intake and exhaust enhancements for even more power as well as crisp throttle response. Stage 3 Engine Software brings it all together, taking full advantage of the improved intake and exhaust efficiencies for faster acceleration and improved drivability.

The Stage 1 Suspension System and added rigidity at the rear of the car from the Shock Tower Brace dramatically improves the car's handling and turn-in while maintaining a comfortable, well dampened ride. The car sits just a bit lower, providing a tastefully more aggressive look.

S2 Package
The S2 system takes the acceleration and overall performance of the S1 package to an even higher level with the addition of a differential featuring a lower final drive ratio, providing a dramatic improvement in acceleration through torque multiplication. The 3.45 ratio actually puts 15% more torque to the rear wheels by comparison to the stock 2.93 final drive ratio. In addition, the stock dual-mass flywheel has been lightened for greater driveline efficiency as rotating mass is reduced, enabling the flywheel to use less engery and spin up more quickly. SMG equipped cars get an added benefit of much smoother shifts as well.

For Manual and SMG equipped vehicles only.

 

E39 ///M Power you seem to sound familiar. Are you affiliated with Dinan?

Anyway regardless, can you quantify the costs.
Is stage II price the summation of the components of one and two, correct?

It is big bucks for no hp gains. Not a single hp from any of the E60 M5 mods.

Fact is that this isn't worth talking about.

GT3Ranger

 

sell it, get an m5

 

Congrats on the 550 sedan and its a fine car in its own right. The vehicle may not have a lot of significant HP mods. The performance parts that are on the market for this car my not yield the expected performance. It may seem harsh, but 550 was designed for touring and not high performance dominance like the M5. I would enjoy the car for what it is and maybe purchase a pre-owned e46 M3 with a 530hp Active Autowerke Supercharger kit. I recently saw a white one on Ebay today.