New car opinions

bubba966 · « **Reply #180 on:** 20 Nov 2005, 09:33 pm »

So Carl, shifter in yet?

Got a chance to take the M5 out again right after he had new thrust bushings installed in it (modified 750/850 style).

The thrust bushings weren't terribly worn out. But after getting the new ones put in that car is a driving experience that I can't even describe.

Hell this was the first time I actually had fun driving a manual tranny. And I like his tranny a lot better now with the UUC shifter in it than I did when it was stock. I'll have to see about getting him to throw that DSSR in as well...

Carlman · « **Reply #181 on:** 20 Nov 2005, 10:12 pm »

No but it's on the list for Christmas... along with everything else UUC sells..

So far, this is the best car I've ever owned.

bubba966 · « **Reply #182 on:** 21 Nov 2005, 05:13 am »

Guess Christmas can't come soon enough for 'ya then, can it?

What else you really looking at other than the shifter (and probably the DSSR to go with the shifter while you're in there)?

Carlman · « **Reply #183 on:** 2 Jan 2007, 07:49 pm »

Well... sorry to dredge up such an old topic but I finally got the BIG Christmas present...
Within the next week or so I'll have the UUC Short shifter w/DSSR, UUC full exhaust, and sway bars installed. Woo-hoo!!!

BTW, I'm still loving the car.

bubba966 · « **Reply #184 on:** 2 Jan 2007, 08:30 pm »

Quote from: Carlman on 2 Jan 2007, 07:49 pm

Within the next week or so I'll have the UUC Short shifter w/DSSR, UUC full exhaust, and sway bars installed. Woo-hoo!!!

You'll have a whole new car then!

Quote from: Carlman on 2 Jan 2007, 07:49 pm

BTW, I'm still loving the car.

And I bet you'll be loving it a whole lot more after your UUC makeover.

Whatever happened to those pics?...

TomS · « **Reply #185 on:** 2 Jan 2007, 08:38 pm »

Carl,

I've had a E39 540i Sport 6-speed with the Rogue Engineering SSK/WSR for a couple years and loved the change. All the slop is totally gone. You're gonna love it. I also did solid tranny mounts and a few other tidbits to make it tighter and didn't have any problems at all with vibration inside. I've also owned an E36 M3 and a much loved E34 M5 (the BEST rip snorting inline-6 motor), so I'm obviously very biased. Sounds like a good Christmas for you!

Tom

Carlman · « **Reply #186 on:** 2 Jan 2007, 10:04 pm »

2006 was definitely a good year, the best I've had in many ways.... I hope it continues! Thanks, Tom! (BTW your Violet's are on their way via UPS, I'll PM the tracking no. shortly.) I wasn't aware of Rogue until recently but it looks like they make some nice parts as well.

To 'round out' the whole upgrade, I'm looking at the Shark injector and Viper CAI now. At a minimum I'd like to get the Shark. Who knows, maybe I'll get a few extra HP... It's funny, the main reason I wanted the new exhaust is because I really liked the tips. Then one thing leads to another... haha.

I just went out to the garage and made sure everything was included.... Ready to install.

Just need to wait on a friend with his lift and lots of experience to help me on this one. I wish I felt a little more comfortable doing this sort of thing... Time is tough to come by as well so I'm (we're) hoping to get it done right the first time.

Thanks,
Carl

PS I never really took any photos... But I WILL since I've had a few other things happen along the way... tint for one... I'll probably photo-document the installation and upload them to the gallery... hopefully in about a week, maybe 2. I'm getting LASIK on Friday so, I'm hoping that won't hamper things too much... we'll 'see'...

bubba966 · « **Reply #187 on:** 3 Jan 2007, 12:12 am »

You might also want to think about this while you're improving your car http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm

TomS · « **Reply #188 on:** 3 Jan 2007, 12:14 am »

yeah, that is a MUST - first thing I did. You can also just drill it out or take it out completely though the dealer may frown on that.

Carlman · « **Reply #189 on:** 4 Jan 2007, 02:14 am »

Cool... I ordered the CDV... Thanks for that suggestion... I'd never heard of it and have always wondered why the clutch felt kind of 'disconnected' to me. I've got a few quarts of Redline MTL lying around also... So, I'll likely change that while I'm at it...

-C

TomS · « **Reply #190 on:** 4 Jan 2007, 03:24 am »

FWIW, I used the Royal Purple that Dave Z recommended which has been great for 2 years. Smooth as silk.

Carlman · « **Reply #191 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 02:19 am »

Well, the friend stood me up but it gave me a chance to flex my mechnanical muscles. So, I installed the short-shifter and exhaust on my lonesome. The good news is, it all works (and sounds) great!

I took it to an exhaust place to have them check it over on a lift... no problems, no leaks. Whew! I had them install the rear sway bar but they didn't have time to do the front.

I will get the front swaybar and the CDV installed Saturday but even now, I can tell the car is revived... It's like having a new car again. Cool!

The shifter is snickety-snick precise and even with just the rear sway in, the whole car seems tighter. The exhaust note is perfectly loud when you're really stomping it and very tame otherwise.... and has a nice little tumbling/burbling when coasting to a stop in gear. Nice.

I think I needed the 'analog' activity of working on a car. I'm glad my 'friend' didn't show up. I took care of it and it came out great... and I feel better for it. (BTW, I've also been sick with a bad cold for almost 2 weeks prior to this weekend...) So, this really snapped me into 'go mode'... Good times.

-C

TomS · « **Reply #192 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 02:26 am »

Nothing like getting your hands a little dirty - instant results. The CDV also makes a huge difference. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I also did the solid mounts while I was under there and shifts are very precise now. Tom

bubba966 · « **Reply #193 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 04:26 am »

Quote from: Carlman on 16 Jan 2007, 02:19 am

I installed the short-shifter and exhaust on my lonesome. The good news is, it all works (and sounds) great!

I took it to an exhaust place to have them check it over on a lift... no problems, no leaks. Whew! I had them install the rear sway bar but they didn't have time to do the front.

I will get the front swaybar and the CDV installed Saturday but even now, I can tell the car is revived... It's like having a new car again. Cool!

Hmmmm, sounds familiar...

Quote from: bubba966 on 2 Jan 2007, 08:30 pm

Quote from: Carlman on 2 Jan 2007, 07:49 pm
Within the next week or so I'll have the UUC Short shifter w/DSSR, UUC full exhaust, and sway bars installed. Woo-hoo!!!

You'll have a whole new car then!

Too bad I can't predict lotto #'s like that...

Now you see why I was trying to get you to slap the Evo3 & DSSR in ASAP.

Se7en · « **Reply #194 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 05:49 am »

Carlman,

I'm trying to sift through all of the posts here but can find which color you ended up with. When do we get to see some pics???

bubba966 · « **Reply #195 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 07:22 am »

I think he ended up with a Silver one. Though it's been awhile since I've read what it was...

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #196 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 08:13 am »

Quote from: bubba966 on 16 Jan 2007, 07:22 am

I think he ended up with a Silver one. Though it's been awhile since I've read what it was...

From Carl's Gallery.....

boead · « **Reply #197 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 12:27 pm »

I’m test driving this car tonight or Thursday. Not particularly fast off the line but the Supercharger has wonderful power from 30mph to 120mph. 185HP/200lbs, 2997lbs of heaven, AMG Sport package.

My mechanic says he’ll chop my hands off so I’d never drive again if I ever buy a BMW – LOL!! He’s partial to MB.

Carlman · « **Reply #198 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 02:17 pm »

Yes, it's silver... or bright titanium.. or something like that...

That's my bro-in-law in the driver's seat. I WILL take some good shots of my car, especially with the new tips sticking out the back.

They are VERY cool. I hope to do that this coming weekend.

Yes, Bubba you have 'the gift'...

I'm actually glad I waited, though... gave me a chance to enjoy my first really nice car as-is... and now it's like it just had a double-shot of espresso.

Tom, I've heard nothing but praise about RP... good stuff. I just have some MTL in the garage already.... no sense in wasting it.

Boead, that Benz looks NICE. You'd never guess it was 7/8 years old. That's the nice thing about them... and BMW's for that matter. I've heard horror stories from both sides of the fence about reliability... I think BMW/MB is just like the Ford/Chevy debate...

TONEPUB · « **Reply #199 on:** 16 Jan 2007, 03:59 pm »

Ive owned both (MB and BMW, currently 2 BMW's) with excellent luck.
I would say the key is to find a good dealer for the occasional service
and everything is ducky. My last Benz was an E320 and it cost me
less to maintain at the dealer than my Toyota RAV 4 did, so don't
believe everything you hear about these cars being expensive to maintain!!

That is a particularly cool car, because you have the benefit of having
a convertible, with the quiet and visibility of a hardtop! Really sweet.

Enjoy!