| Author | Message | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2014 Registered: 5-2001 |
kds, Will I have no way to deny you claim of BMW being "cheap", I still have the OEM Dunlop tires on my car (19k miles today), and they are Z-rated for speeds over 149mph.... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 3158 Registered: 12-2000 |
Kds, I agree and disagree with your statement. True: Lower-rated tires are cheaper. False: There must be some physical/mechanical/computerized way that the cars are speed-restricted, because if the car is still capable of attaining 250+Km/h speeds, yet it wears "H" rated tires (example only, I don't know what tires are on Dave's car), then it would be a bigger liability for BMW, because people could exceed the capabilities of the tire and a serious/fatal accident can occur... If they would rely on people's knowledge of how their cars are equiped and drive accordingly, there would be tens-of-thousands of accidents. All of us on this website are serious automotive enthusiasts and are very knowledgable about cars. We are a very small minority, there are millions out there who drive cars and don't have the foggiest clue how an engine works, how to change a spare tire, can't locate a dipstick, or read and understand speed-ratings on tires. BMW must accommodate drivers like this too... BMW is not cheap, they spend hundreds-of-millions on development, so their cars can meet or exceed almost every market regulation on the planet. | ||
| Kds (Kds)
Member Username: Kds Post Number: 298 Registered: 5-2003 |
Peter... It has nothing to do with the tranny....BMW is cheap. By using lower speed rated tires they save dollars per vehicle and limit the speed for liability reasons. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1998 Registered: 5-2001 |
Update: Will be going with the Dinan engine management software upgrade. Includes remapped fuel and ignition; supposed to add around 9hp, and improve both midrange response, and (surprisingly) fuel economy. Uncorks the governor, so top end can be achieved...what ever that is...150? 155? My local BMW dealer will perform the download...$500 plus 1/2 hour labor $47.50. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1760 Registered: 5-2001 |
I doubt it, as ALL 5 series (except for the M5 and 540ia) are limited to 206kph/128mph in both USA and Canada...I am told the "DME" (whatever that is) can be reprogrammed if I yank it out and send it to someone. I am in no rush, so will research the wisdom of such a modification. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 3043 Registered: 12-2000 |
Dave, maybe it has something to do with the tranny (an auto can be controlled more/better than a manual). JMO... | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1754 Registered: 5-2001 |
I learned that Canadian 540ia's are limited to 206kph, so I may need to "chip" it....The 6 speed are limited to 250kph, I wonder why the difference? | ||
| Wyatt Hanson (Wyatth)
Junior Member Username: Wyatth Post Number: 142 Registered: 5-2003 |
BEAUTIFUL. The E39 looks so much nicer than the new E50 or whatever... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 3041 Registered: 12-2000 |
Sweet... | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1751 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ron specs as I know them... 6 speed 0-62 mph 6 seconds 5 speed auto 0-62 6.2 seconds top speed 155 mph So a bit more top end...a tick slower accellerating for my automatic... | ||
| Ron Vallejo (Ron328)
Member Username: Ron328 Post Number: 262 Registered: 3-2003 |
"...almost as fast the 328." Hi Dave. Congrats on the purchase. I thought the 540 series will smoke our 328's out ;)! | ||
| Andrew H (Stokpro)
Junior Member Username: Stokpro Post Number: 114 Registered: 6-2003 |
Dave, Congrats on the new addition. Definitely my choice in color, too. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1741 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks guys, DES, yes, it is an automatic...I just could not see my self rowing" a shifter on a daily driver...no problem after work in the Ferrari, but I LIVE in my car during the day making sales calls. Working the phone, juggling my daytimer, and price book, is not condusive to working a manual transmission. Please forgive this transgression.... :-) I tried driving the 328 for a week, just to see if I could do it, and it was not comfortable...so I decided then, automatic. The ride? The ride is great, it still leans a lot in corners compared to the 328GTS, but hangs on quite well. The engine is what makes this car, just a "stump puller". You punch it and it goes, right away. It is almost as fast as the 328 with absolutely no drama. You can go from 50 to 110 and it is effortless. The Ferrari makes all that fun, racous noise...this car you don't even realize how freakin' fast you are going. I WILL get tickets in this car... :-) | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 2008 Registered: 11-2002 |
A=Automatic in BMWspeak. Nice ride David! Cheers | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5896 Registered: 8-2002 |
What does that 'a' stand for...? Not 'automatic' i hope... Otherwise, a very nice car... How's the ride...? | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1737 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have to show it off, it is my first "luxury tourer". I have always driven Honda Accords, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus or Buick Regal or Century...finally decided to take the plunge and drive a nicer car "everyday". This is a 2001 540ia M-Sport (Canadian variant)...the M5 body kit is a standard part of the package, as is the M badging on the door sills, steering wheel, etc. Includes the M5 dead pedal too. This car has only been offered in the States for the 2003 model year with the same style wheel one size larger (18").    |