525i Aftermarket

[peregrine40]

Yeah, I know search search search, I have been but Id like some quick info from those who are willing to oblige and not flame. Firstly, why is there so little aftermarket for the e34 up against the e36? Ok now
1. Angel eyes? All Ive seen is a bunch of mixed up info, any easy kits for the e34's?
2. Forced induction? Is there anything out there beyond custom setups?
3. So what else for power? Just what other power options are there for these cars?
4. Tranny? Are there any aftermarket high performance torque converters being used for these cars?
5.Stereo? How does it look to have a stereo or even better, a display with these weird bmw dashes?...

Thanks

[da_bull]

No flaming here, there's a good bunch of guys and gals that frequent this forum. E34s really arent much of a performance cars (save for the M5 which is great). Even the 535i [<---got it right this time Eric ] is just ok with around 200hp stock but the car weighs like 3200 pounds.

1. I believe our sponsor JLevi makes some pretty cool headlight upgrades for our cars.
2-4. Not sure, someone else will have to pipe in...Dinan makes a few things as I recall (chips, exhaust, intakes, etc) DINAN - BMW Specialist Tuner Parts Setup Performance horsepower torque
5. Nakamichi makes about the closest color match for the radio, but if you dont care about the color in the dash (like me, I want the bells and whistles and will give up cosmetics) Alpine and Premier both make fine units. Not to say Nakamichi is bad by no means, they are plain-jane, as far as features go, plus low output on the RCAs.

[Eric S.]

When you get more specific questions for your stereo situation - Da Bull is your man - he "Knows All" when it comes to BMW electronics and sound systems.

Hey Bull, know anything about Maximas and their no-highs-no-lows-must-be-Bose setups? I'm torn between replacing my in-dash 6-CD changered 200W head unit with either (a) another head unit, or (b) aftermarket. If I go aftermarket, I'll need to buy adapters to (a) Bose amps/spkrs, and (b) steering wheel controls. Keep in mind I already have a good Pioneer DEH-4500MP head unit and also have no extra money. Right now, I'm just gong to try a new head unit and see how I like that. I also plan on replacing my A-pillar tweets with some Infiniti 1011T tweeters, as I did in my 540.

[jnstrcklnd]

Yeah he does!!! He helped me with my install like it was nothing!!!

[peregrine40]

Well I bought it and I love the car. I have plenty of power really, and it flies through the turns like nothing, extremely comfortable, love it. Just got to figure out all the little gadgets

[jnstrcklnd]

Nice! You will have to post some pics.

[da_bull]

Originally Posted by Eric S.

When you get more specific questions for your stereo situation - Da Bull is your man - he "Knows All" when it comes to BMW electronics and sound systems.

Hey Bull, know anything about Maximas and their no-highs-no-lows-must-be-Bose setups? I'm torn between replacing my in-dash 6-CD changered 200W head unit with either (a) another head unit, or (b) aftermarket. If I go aftermarket, I'll need to buy adapters to (a) Bose amps/spkrs, and (b) steering wheel controls. Keep in mind I already have a good Pioneer DEH-4500MP head unit and also have no extra money. Right now, I'm just gong to try a new head unit and see how I like that. I also plan on replacing my A-pillar tweets with some Infiniti 1011T tweeters, as I did in my 540.

This piece: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VIjz0r4...sp?i=142C4NN03 has an adjustable gain so you can fine-tune your radio to the bose amps. Since you have a radio, I'd stick it in there. The problem with the Nissan/Bose amp system, compared to the BMW amps, is that each speaker has its own amplifier, and you cant bypass the amps to just use the speakers because they are either .5 or 1 ohm and will toast your headunit the minute you turn it on, so you have to replace all the speakers at once. The Infinity's will work but everything else being amped, and the Infinity's not, I dont think they will make a very bold statement. Although you do have the "gains" on the stereo adapter and you might be able to match it a little better. Hope that helps...

Bill

On a side note, now that you've driven it for a bit, hows the new car doin' fo ya? A buddy of mine had a Maxima for a while and he kinda liked it. I'm searching for a new car here in about a year or so. I'm looking at the Sonata/Elantra (mainly for the warranty). The only bimmer I could go to would be an E39, and it'd still be a used car. I like the fact that no one has ever ridden my motorcycle (bought '06 outta da crate and watched them assemble it).

[jnstrcklnd]

Get the e39, you will be kicking yourself in the but later down the road if you dont. Before you get rid of your car, let me know if you have any good stuff to sell me!!

[BMWERKEN]

We have several upgrades that you might be interested in:

Angel Eyes
If you have a 97-00 E39, you have two options, you can either purchase our Predator Chromium kit and retrofit it into your stock headlights. Or you can upgrade your entire headlights with our Projector39 kit which is a full headlight replacement that swaps out your old headlights for projector based xenons and built in angel eyes, just like the updated factory headlights.

If you have an updated E39 with stock angel eyes, you can purchase our Predator ICE kit which replaces the stock halogen based angel eyes with a brighter xenon white version.

Predator Chromiums for 97-00 E39's
Jlevi SW

Projector39 Headlights for 97-00 E39's
Jlevi SW

Predator ICE for OEM Angel Eyes
Predator ICE™ - OE Upgrade Angel Eyes Jlevi SW

We also carry the full line of VF Engineering superchargers which would be compatible with your vehicle:

Jlevi SW

[Eric S.]

Originally Posted by da_bull

On a side note, now that you've driven it for a bit, hows the new car doin' fo ya? A buddy of mine had a Maxima for a while and he kinda liked it. I'm searching for a new car here in about a year or so. I'm looking at the Sonata/Elantra (mainly for the warranty). The only bimmer I could go to would be an E39, and it'd still be a used car. I like the fact that no one has ever ridden my motorcycle (bought '06 outta da crate and watched them assemble it).

da_bull - I could definitely fill your ear with opinions about cars, especially since it sounds like your price range will be about what mine was: $15K or less.

Quite frankly I am lukewarm about my Maxima, but after forking over $434 to DMV for title and plates for it today, I guess I'll hang onto it for awhile. The 2002-2003 Maxima has plenty of power, light in wieght, and is the only stick-shift 6-cyl sedan with over 230HP in that price range. It has great personality, with its white-face gauges and clear/red tails. Xenon headlights are standard. I also liked that I could get white with a gray interior. I'm getting 27-28 mpg in daily driving (was "only" getting 23-24 mpg with my 540). The Maxima is much roomier on the interior and trunk than my E39 540. EVERY fwd car made should have its helical limited slip differential (rare on these Maximas - too bad).

Downsides? The handling is a bit clumsy - it could use some M5 sway bars, but the only aftermarket solution available is to add-on 22mm rear bar and front strut tower brace. No Eibach sways are available. There are many spring/strut options, including Konis, H&Rs and numerous coilover setups, but none of those will soften the already borderline-hard ride.

The leather seats have minimal lateral support (but good adjustable lumbar), the steering is a bit numb, the stereo sucks, and it has a road-runner Japanese-sounding horn. Despite all of the luxury features, it still comes off feeling cheap and overly Asian/Nissan-ish to me. None of that would matter much if it would handle better. Brakes are borderline but have decent feel. The 2002-2003 VQ35 engine is known for consuming excess oil, and mine seems to be doing just that.

I'd MUCH rather have a 2004+ Acura TL 6-speed, or 2006 Accord V6 6-speed, neither of which were offered any earlier and are still too pricey.

I found the 2003+ V6 Honda Accord V6 sedan to have a much more appealing European feel and handling, and superior ergonomics. BUT - no seat memory and no manual until 2006 (coupe was too claustrophobic to me, and its cable-operated manual shifter felt clunky).

The 2002-2003 TL Type S (last year of that body) was my choice before I found my Max, but only black or tan interior and 5-speed auto only, and that tranny had serious reliability issues.

What I WISHED I'd bought (and may target in the future): A Subaru WRX wagon/hatch. Excellent seats, perfect shifter, balanced handling, LOTS of aftermarket & SPT goodies, high reliability, totally unpretentious (if you forego the rear wing). Only drawbacks I saw were high road noise, high insurance, rarity on the used market, and lower level of luxury - no sunroof or heated seats available except on the "Premium" package, not available until 2004 on the sedan and 2005 on the wagon. Tight back seat. My wife didn't like it.

G35? Lexus IS300? Yes, manuals available in theory, but none in my price range on the used market. TSX? Too slow too pricey.

Meanwhile, I'm going to maximize the positives on my car and add an intake for better sound (I know it can do it), and plan to add the RSB and FSTB mentioned above. I will re-do the brakes next Spring. I'll be much happier with it if I can get the stereo straightened out and get the handling improved somewhat to where I am at least using SOME of the capacity of its 225/50-17 tires!

I think Hyundai's come a long way, but still find the interior way too bland for my tastes.

MY recommendation? See if you can find a 2004+ TL in your price range by next year. Those things'll go forever, and I looked over a friends and it was very similar to my 540 on the interior. If you can stomach an automatic, the 2003+ Accord EX V6 is a surprisingly competent package. Leave enough room in your budget to get a Quaife LSD.

I wouldn't overlook just the right 2001-2003 530i either if I were you. The E39 is a heck of a car, but I'll likely never have another one.

Ultimate/wish-list? The new TL Type S debuts in 2007, with a 286hp 3.5L V6 (TLs up until now have been 3.2's), and some serious attitude.

So there ya go. Maybe we should sticky this post?

[nukeduster]

Originally Posted by jnstrcklnd

Get the e39, you will be kicking yourself in the but later down the road if you dont. Before you get rid of your car, let me know if you have any good stuff to sell me!!

I dont know that I agree with that.. I love my e34.. sometimes I'll look at the e39 m5 lustfully.. but I love my e34.

Classic good looks ftw.

[da_bull]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy

If you can stomach an automatic, the 2003+ Accord EX V6 is a surprisingly competent package.

I am looking for something for long trips and comfy to drive. If I was going to get a manual, it'd be an E30 or something small and sporty. I have a "fun" car: 1972 Chevelle, roughly 400hp, tricked out tranny: shift kit, 2400 B&M stall convertor, etc. aluminum drive shaft, Moser 9" ford rear end, C.E. 31 spline racing axles, Hotchkis upper adjustable trailing arms and sway bars, Eibach 1.5" drop coils in all four corners, etc. etc: Photo Album
Other car: 1932 Ford

I am pretty sure I've decided to keep my car for now. Its a good car, pretty clean and relatively low miles for the year. And I agree with Nuke, classic good looks ftw...

[Eric S.]

Originally Posted by da_bull

I am pretty sure I've decided to keep my car for now. Its a good car, pretty clean and relatively low miles for the year. And I agree with Nuke, classic good looks ftw...

Good choice! I agree with the classic good looks part. My friend partially responsible for me buying a BMW in the first place has a 1991 535i with 317K on it, so reliability is very good on those too.

[Eric S.]

Originally Posted by da_bull

I have a "fun" car: 1972 Chevelle, roughly 400hp, tricked out tranny: shift kit, 2400 B&M stall convertor, etc. aluminum drive shaft, Moser 9" ford rear end, C.E. 31 spline racing axles, Hotchkis upper adjustable trailing arms and sway bars, Eibach 1.5" drop coils in all four corners, etc. etc: Photo Album
Other car: 1932 Ford

Wow, VERY nice! I love those things! My next door neighbor has a '70-'72 (I can't tell them apart) Chevelle SS Convertible big block, red-on-red, with a white top. Looks totally stock, and sounds really good. he drives it about once per week. Judging by Barrett-Jackson auction prices, I'd guess it's worth somewhere between 50K and 100K these days.....

[jnstrcklnd]

Originally Posted by nukeduster

I dont know that I agree with that.. I love my e34.. sometimes I'll look at the e39 m5 lustfully.. but I love my e34.

Classic good looks ftw.

You dont agree that Da Bull will kick himself in the ass later down the road if he buys a Hyundia over a BMW?