03-19-2018, 04:16 PM | #24 |
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New winter pics
Managed to get the car cleaned up, I thought I share a few new pics
The front, you can see that one of the kidneys opens only partially, due to the thermal camera built in for the night vision: Also, this from the side, tried to capture how interestingly Med Blue varies with the angle (and intensity) of the sun Side shot: I really like how impervious the car is with the combo of studded Nokian winter tires and xDrive - it really rails, regardless of the slippery surface. Drove the e46 today on the same road, back-to-back with the 540, they both have studded winter Nokian - boy, what a difference in traction! Last edited by Zap-xpilot; 10-01-2018 at 04:55 AM.. Reason: Updated Photo locations |
10-01-2018, 07:08 AM | #26 |
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Post 15000 kms update WITH MPPSK install!
So, after an intensive summer, where we took the car for our annual Spain trip and more than 15000kms on the odometer I thought I'd give you an update.
The car performs wonderfully over long trips - in fact, I would argue that this is the car's main forte. It is silent, even at autobahn speeds, the car is rock solid even at V-max, despite being fully loaded with luggage and what not. Speaking of V-max, I recorded 252km/h on the GPS, while the speedo bottomed out at 260km/h. The speedos on both this and my M3 are incredibly accurate Interestingly enough, according to the power displays, it only requires approximately 140bhp to sustain 252km/h on flat autobahn. The instantaneous fuel consumption is 12l/100 at V-max A few niggles: It was extremely hot this summer, everywhere in Europe. It was not unusual to have ambient temperatures of 38 degrees C on daily basis (100F). The tires would regularly reach 68-70 degrees C. The aircon had no problem keeping up with this, even with five people in the car. The cooling function of the seats did not, however. Even if you set cooling at 3 bars the cooling breeze would be barely noticeable after a while. Funnily enough, if you just start the car after a few hours pause you can definitely feel (and hear) the fans buzzing and chill coming out of the seat - but after seating in the car for a few hours ( we did several 6+ hour stints) the cooling would not blow discernibly cold. I guess it's like the fans stop after a while, perhaps not to overheat? Has anyone else experienced this as well? The car was updated in Sept, but it has not been warm enough to put this to the test. Other than that, the car did not miss a beat. The brakes are very good and have no problem hauling down speed from 200+km/h on a regular basis, even though temperatures were high, the smart lane assist was great when we had stau and the B&W sound system really shone on longer trips. The car is comfortable, if not outright fun The only thing is that the sound of the engine is anodyne. There really is no major difference between the modes. The car is plenty fast (though nowhere near my M3 or the M5 I drove on the ring), the engine response changes in the different modes, but the sound doesn't. It is just quiet and subdued, albeit strong and elastic.. Which brings me to my MPPSK install after the summer. This in my next post, have to work now |
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10-10-2018, 02:30 AM | #28 | |
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I had the 540i with MPPK.
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10-11-2018, 12:20 PM | #29 |
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MPPSK review and thoughts
After driving approximately 15000 kms on a "standard" 540iX I upgraded to the official BMW MPPSK kit.
This gives me solid experience to compare before and after. Here is how the exhaust looks from behind: As you can see, the exhaust ends are larger and not sloping as the original ones. Apologies for the blurry pic of a dirty car At least it's fast Well, to get it out of the way - the MPPSK makes a great car a fabulous one! But it also imbues the 540 with a slightly different, more naughty and raucous character than its original, wafting and silent, refined persona. Let's get the one negative out of the way - there is a slight drone from the exhaust, regardless of setting, on highway speeds. A drone that wasn't present before. The 5 is a silent car, after certain speeds (say 120km/h on terrible Swedish asphalt) the road noise overtakes the drone, but if you're sensitive that is something to consider. I am sensitive and am not bothered. Other than that it is all great! The car sounds definitely louder and sportier - almost Audi S6 like. There is more noise, sharper shifts, even some crackles and pops (though nowhere near as pronounced as the M3s or the 340i MPPSK). So I think BMW nailed the perfect compromise of a grown-up 540 with slightly more sporty characteristics. Now, on WOT people turn around and look! Previously there was no such reaction. Other than the sound, the MPPSK is supposed to raise hp by 6% or 20hps (from 340 to 360) and torque by 11% (from 450nm to 500nm). I think it is fair to say that this is extremely underrated. I haven't dynoed the car, but the difference feels waay more pronounced than what the numbers suggest. My butt dyno says way closer to 400hp! The car pulls notably harder, there is new enthusiasm to rev to the red line, the shifts are crisper and tighter (there is a new torque converter installed), overall the car is transformed! My wife loves it! Overall, I think that the MPPSK is tremendous value and warmly recommend it. My only gripe is that there should've been an option to get it like that from the factory. Here is a clip from inside the car, with a window lowered inside the garage - this is how it sounds from the inside on startup. It is nowhere near as loud as my M3CP, but way nicer and more characterful than original https://youtu.be/g2WK66VYVJw |
10-11-2018, 12:35 PM | #30 | |
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540 MPPSK vs M3 CP
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Well, my M3CP is manual and weighs 1610kgs with a full load of gas and two child seats On the same scale, the 540 weighs 2010kgs, also fully juiced and with two child seats. So all in all, it has a 400kgs "penalty" against the M3, which is important to keep in mind. So, even if it has the benefit of Xdrive, on a warmish day with warmed up tires, after the perhaps initial launch, the M3 will easily walk away from the 5er. The 540, fast as it is, is nowhere near as rabid as the M3. But again, it does feel like a heavy 400hp car - it is fast and sounds glorious, but is no M-car. That is on standard Michelin tyres on both cars (Pilot Super Sports on the M3, Primacy 3 on the 540). If I have the Cup2s on the M3 and they are warm (say >35 degrees C) I can literally drop the clutch from 3500 and not get wheel spin - the car just launches clean. Having said that, If I am caught unaware in traffic with the M3 and in the "wrong" gear, I doubt If I'll be able to catch a well driven 540iX with MPPSK. Last edited by Zap-xpilot; 10-11-2018 at 02:00 PM.. |
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11-22-2018, 12:08 PM | #31 |
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great post I wish the wagon was available in the US..., oh well.
I was debating on night vision, glad to hear it's helpful to you. I will be driving around north east, but mostly from NYC, so hopefully not going to hit any deer/bear any time soon, if ever. p.s. I did try to add it to my order after checking a few review, though it was too late, my car was literally in production, guess it saved me $2k... |
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11-22-2018, 12:57 PM | #32 | |
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Now that (almost) eternal darkness has descended here in Sweden you appreciate night vision more and more! Seems that as soon as the low beam is activated then the camera is! It performs constant object recognition and then uses the adaptive headlights to flash at animals or people or cyclists on the road! It is SERIOUSLY cool! The flashing headlights automatically draw your eyes to the object and it literally picks runners or cyclists at least 200 meters before your eyes manage to. I am tremendously impressed! |
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02-18-2019, 02:19 PM | #33 |
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Excellent review!
Answers to everything i wanted to know about the options and the MPPSK. I´m waiting for my new G31 540ix Ultimate Edition and have a couple of weeks to do changes before the car goes in to production. After reading your review i decided to go for the passive M-sport suspension instead of the EDC option. Thank you Did you have to do any changes to the diffuser in order to fit the exhaust ends? |
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02-18-2019, 02:27 PM | #34 |
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What a shame that we can't get the G31 in North America.
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02-18-2019, 03:26 PM | #35 | |
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Give us pics when you get your car, ok? Where in Sweden are you located? I heard that the MPPSK is no longer offered, is that the case? The “diffuser” (the black plastic thingy) is different and included in the package... Last edited by Zap-xpilot; 02-18-2019 at 03:28 PM.. Reason: Clearing confusion |
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02-19-2019, 11:27 AM | #36 | |
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I´ll give you pics Champagne Quartz with Nappa ivory White interior. I´m located in Gothenburg. You´re right about the MPPSK. I did some research today, and it made me sad to hear that it is no longer possible to fit the silencer due to the new Petrol Particulate Filter. I can still get the Power Kit, but i want the sound too! |
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02-19-2019, 12:41 PM | #37 |
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Champagne quartz, fantastic color!
It was what I ultimately wanted but stayed away from because of potential resorts issues down the road... Luckily you won’t need to repair body work since that color is almost impossible to match. Sorry about the MPPSK! Do get the power kit if you can. Does that still include the torque converter? |
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02-19-2019, 01:33 PM | #38 |
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It sure is an amazing colour, and with a ceramic coating it will be outstanding!
Yes, i think i´ll go for the Power Kit anyway. Not sure if the torque converter is included, but i guess it is. |
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02-19-2019, 01:43 PM | #39 |
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02-19-2019, 01:55 PM | #40 |
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I´m working with car detailing so i can deal with most of the problems related to our Winters.
Stone chips and damage to the paint is something else though, and bodyfence would be a good protection against that. |
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11-28-2021, 07:47 AM | #41 | |
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11-28-2021, 08:32 AM | #42 |
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