Mercedes nut got an 05 4.8is and loves it!

[MB_Fahrer]

Hello all,

I'm new on here, but I've been dealing with BMW's for quite some time. I have been racing E36's for a few years, and I've been a car junkie my whole life. For the time being, I'm living in Colorado. Moved here from southern California. I've been stuck in some Mercedes-Benz rut recently, but it seems I may have finally broken that trend with the IS I just snagged. Beautiful car. Manufacture date is 06/05, Lemans Blue over black with 53k miles as of current. Only two owners before me. The car is immaculate. The truck has been cared for very well, and I'll continue the trend. Seems to have just about every option too (cold weather package, pano, bluetooth, adaptive headlights, adjustable rear seat backrests, etc). I figure I'll primarily use it to drag my 996/M3s to and from the track in the summer and as my DD for the winter months.

I am truly amazed with it so far. The other contenders on my list were: 06/07 RR Sport Supercharged, MB G500, MB ML63 AMG, and the 06 Cayenne Turbo S. The G500 is simply too slow, the Cayenne Turbo handles horrifically on track, the ML63 is still depreciating like a rock, and the RR SS just didn't win my heart over (only color it looks good in is silver over black, and I've already got two other cars in the same color scheme. Just didn't need a third). I am very glad I chose the E53. It is the clear winner. The ride is wonderful, it handles great, has lots of power, the pano roof is just awesome period, on and on and on.

I do have a few mods on the way already
-Stoptech 355x35 4 pot front kit (zinc plated, cross drilled rotors)
-Passport 9500ci radar kit will be mounted (going to be installed by a professional. I hate wiring.)
-Dinan throttle body
-Stage II AFE intake (may switch over to the Dinan CAI at some point to just compare dyno results)
-LED interior lights from Bimmian (the stupidly expensive "ultimate LED kit")
-Euro medical kit
-Inpelle leather floor mats all around including trunk liner (inpelle auto accessories dot com)
-Lowering links for both the front and rear

Other things on my list:
-Trailer hitch, lights, brake wiring
-X-Pipe to delete resonator
-Maybe a rear Stoptech BBK? I have a feeling the front kit will do just fine
-SMG paddles on the steering wheel is a must--at some point
-Re-code the nav to German language
-Sub, speakers, etc from BSW

Pictures for now. I'll take more once I detail it properly.












Cheers,
Ricky

[Ricky Bobby]

solid looking vehicle and looks in great shape, Good luck with it, I love lemans blue

[TerminatorX5]

welcome to board!!! Beautiful truck!!!

[SlickGT1]

Welcome. I can't see the pics.

You can lower the truck with GT1 software.

Interior lights are not monitored, so any ebay or other LEDs work just fine.

Trailer hitch, make sure you get the OE bmw one. Everything is included, and it is installed like no other. Fully integrates into the car.

[epdarks]

Nice looking 4.8!

Curious why you went for the Dinan TB? You'll need the software now, right?

I would add some wheel spacers to the list, IMO one of the best mods.

Enjoy it.

[MB_Fahrer]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I always appreciate feedback and your thoughts on things. It's nice to have a second or third opinion, so chime right on in!

[MB_Fahrer]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Welcome. I can't see the pics.

You can lower the truck with GT1 software.

Interior lights are not monitored, so any ebay or other LEDs work just fine.

Trailer hitch, make sure you get the OE bmw one. Everything is included, and it is installed like no other. Fully integrates into the car.

Glad to hear about the LED's. There are quite a few light options for the E53's it seems. Nice to have some different options if the Bimmian kit doesn't turn out as well as it should.

I was looking at the oem hitches. I'm glad you say it's the one to go with. I'll have the dealer order a hitch and the wiring harness. ECS offers them, but the kit is back-ordered for the time being.

[MB_Fahrer]

Originally Posted by epdarks

Nice looking 4.8!

Curious why you went for the Dinan TB? You'll need the software now, right?

I would add some wheel spacers to the list, IMO one of the best mods.

Enjoy it.

Thank you! Do you have the 380mm Brembos? If so, what's your opinion? Are they worth the price?

I went with the Dinan throttle simply because that's about the only one available. To be brutally honest, I've never been all that impressed by Dinan's offerings. They made good products, but nothing completely outstanding (like RENNtech). Now I will admit that I haven't searched Europe/Germany for e53 upgrade yet, but I will. Maybe I'll find a goldmine. If I do, I will post up links.

Regarding the software... Technically speaking, I shouldn't need the Dinan software--I could be completely wrong though. The Dinan TB flows better than stock. I am looking at Technica Motorsports and G-Power for the ECU tune. Their tunes seem more towards my idea of a performance tune. Dinan doesn't even make any claims as to power gains with their stage III software. G-Power claims 30hp and Technica was going to do a semi-custom tune for me. I am all in favor of bouncing around with different tunes until I find the best. Same with the airbox. I've had great luck with AFE intakes in the past, so I really doubt the Dinan box is that much, if any, better than AFE's Stage II.

I was debating wheel spacers..... What size would you recommend? I should also mention I am going to run wheel studs. If I can't find long studs, that will kill the spacers on the spot. I'm always fiddling with something or another, so studs are a must for such massive wheels--gotta love having 315's on an SUV.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Nice truck

I don't know if you drive in snow, but with bigger brakes, you won't be able to install smaller wheels (18-19) for winter tires.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by MB_Fahrer

Glad to hear about the LED's. There are quite a few light options for the E53's it seems. Nice to have some different options if the Bimmian kit doesn't turn out as well as it should.

I was looking at the oem hitches. I'm glad you say it's the one to go with. I'll have the dealer order a hitch and the wiring harness. ECS offers them, but the kit is back-ordered for the time being.

Call or email this guy for the hitch. He had the best price and offers huge discounts to clubs. Tell him you are from Xoutpost. As a matter of fact, I order all my stuff here. Last time I checked, he still had 3 hitches left.

Pete Santos
Fixed Operations Director
BMW of Bloomfield
Direct 973-780-9551
[email protected]