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1998 E39 520i - tuning options?

14K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  mikaveli 
#1 ·
Right,

well iv been toying with the idea lately of selling/swapping my BMW for an MX5 but the option is also to keep the bmw and have a go at tuning it.

Iv tried to do a bit of research and apparently the 2litre 6cyl isnt great for turboing/charging and i would be better off looking for a e34 24v block or a e36 325i block because they are iron rather than ally and can take a lot of abuse standard (abuse basically being turbocharging/supercharging).

Im just wondering what peoples opinions are on the subject, is there other engines i could look at dropping in to my e39 that would give a massive instant power or would i be better going for a turbo/supercharged 325 block?
 
#5 ·
You can buy a 535 (245bhp) / 540 (282bhp) for less than £2k these days - well equipped as standard.

A 520 is normally 'poverty spec'. Plus, fitting an(y) engine, gearbox / drive-line and appropriate brakes etc ain't cheap - then how are you going to insure it?

If you've got 3, 4 or more £k to spend that's E36 M3 money or half way to an M5!!!

On older / cheaper cars, it's rarely worth doing more than a CAI, remap and exhaust (that, and the M50 mod, where applicable).
 
#9 ·
E39 520 tuning options?

Yeah agree with whats been said,if your doing it for a challenge by all means go for it as the personal satosfaction will be good but if its just more power youd be better just buying a bigger engined one, a 530 around near me is going for £2200 which is brilliant. Although if you have a lpt to spend M5 would be the only way to go


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#12 ·
It'd be engline, ecu & loom, gearbox, prop & carrier, diff, brakes (and wheels big enough to house them), steering box and exhaust at a minimum.

Cost just for breakers parts? Probably at least £2k separately... then the hassle of fitting.

Insurance would then kill you... a standard car would be much easier to insure.

Instead, you could sell the 520 (say, for a grand) and add £2k to buy a 280 bhp M3. Or a £2k 535i Sport / 540i6 with money for a remap / fruity pipe / insurance.
 
#14 ·
Well, that gives you two reasonable choices:

  • Sell it for the higher amount - getting you closer to the amount you need for a big E39 (or whatever).
  • Buy a 535i / 540i and transfer over the good bits (bumpers, wheels, leather interior etc).

Getting the 520i to the same power levels and the V8's will cost a lot more in the long run.
 
#16 ·
It's always a hard choice mate. I had a really nice 328i Coupe - but adding up the cost of an M50 conv, CAI, remap, LSD, 300mm brakes would have cost about £1400. An M3 engine would have cost even more.

Selling my 328i and adding £1800 got me my 535i Sport - 235bhp stock, twin climate, full-leather, cruise, MTec suspension and 320mm anchors etc etc etc.

...although, one day I'll have to stump up for a loud-ish exhaust and remap. :D
 
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