California’s Dinan Engineering has developed a new tuning program to suit both the BMW 550i and 550i xDrive.
Beginning with the engine, Dinan installs larger turbochargers, along with air-to-water intercoolers, a free-flow exhaust system and carbon fibre cold air intake before remapping the ECU. Those tweaks see output from the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 rise from 294 kW (400 hp) and 609 Nm of torque to 398 kW (542 hp) and 795 Nm – enough for a 323 km/h (200 mph) top speed. A limited slip rear differential was also added.
Other upgrades in the S3 package include new front camber arms and low compliance rear control arms, shorter springs and bump stops, and remapped EDC (Electronic Damper Control) software. The lightweight forged 20-inch HRE P43S alloy wheels, which minimize unsprung mass and rotational inertia, are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, while the carbon fibre front spoiler, mirror casings and rear spoiler all come from the BMW Performance range.
It’s a nice conversion, but with all the whistles and bells costing $38,773, added to the price of a 2013 BMW 550i at $62,625, you’ve got a less powerful 5 Series than the M5 – for more of the folding stuff.
[Source: Dinan Engineering]