New BMW Enthusiast

[stehno]

I'm new to the BMW scene. My very first BMW was/is a 1998 740i purchased in June of 2007. Then I purchased this 2000 M5 in August of 2007.

The M5 has 40k miles and came with the stock wheels and a DINAN package that supposed beefs up the engine to 470hp.

The exterior color is Carbon black with black and Imola red interior. Also came with AC Schnitzer's carbon fiber eyebrows, rear window air foil, and deck spoiler. I removed the eyebrows and rear window air foil ASAP and have considered removing the rear deck lid but I'm afraid of what it may do to the paint.

I first purchased the newer model M5 19" wheels for my 740i and it really changed the entire look of the 740. But since they were intended for the M5 and that's where they are. I think these newer M5 wheels are among the most beautiful wheels I've yet seen and it's amazing what they do to update the car.

She's a real pleasure to drive.

-John

[stehno]

Forgot to include a pic of the engine compartment.

[BeastPower]

Welcome to BeastPowerForums.com!

Your M5 looks great and is very clean for a 2000. The rear trunk lip doesn't look great since it seems to be an inaccurate copy of the original AC Schnitzer item. It is most likely connected with double-sided tape or some other adhesive, and should be quite easily removable. You may want to carefully run some dental-floss under one of the corner pieces to see if it cuts through the double-sided tape. If it does, and the piece comes off, you should be fine. If there is tape residue on the trunk, you can take it off by rubbing it with your thumb or with 3M adhesive remover (search on this forum for the exact type; it comes in a red can and is safe for the paint - (disclaimer: use at your own risk)). The only reason not to remove the lip is if there is a chance that the paint under the lip is less faded than the pain on the rest of the car. If the car looks nice and shiny (not faded), then you shoul be fine.

Also, regarding the Dinan upgrades, I don't see the carbon fiber Dinan cold air intakes which are one of the first things that Dinan modifies, so you may want to get some documentation from the previous owner that shows which Dinan mods were installed. The Dinan package that you seem to be referring to is called "S2" and your car should have a serial number plaque if this package is installed.

Cheers, Daniel.

[stehno]

Hi, Daniel. I appreciate your feedback. Yeah, I'm not overly thrilled by the rear deck spoiler but since it's the only real body altering mod, I'll probably just leave it. Although I generally enjoy the lines of the original. I'm pretty sure it's AC Schnitzer (I know the rear window air foil was and it seems to fit the car well although I've given it a few yanks to see what might happen.

As for the DINAN pkg, I speculate that it was done a la carte. I know for certain it has the front and rear strut braces, the cold air induction system, the exhaust, and a chip. I do not know for certain what the other mods may be. The previous owner stated there were $14k in mods done to the car but thus far I'm not seeing it.

Where does DINAN usually put their plaque or name plate? If I don't have one and I call DINAN/BMW in Santa Barbara, CA should they have an inventory on this car?

Thanks for the tips,

-John

[BeastPower]

Originally Posted by stehno

Hi, Daniel. I appreciate your feedback. Yeah, I'm not overly thrilled by the rear deck spoiler but since it's the only real body altering mod, I'll probably just leave it. Although I generally enjoy the lines of the original. I'm pretty sure it's AC Schnitzer (I know the rear window air foil was and it seems to fit the car well although I've given it a few yanks to see what might happen.

As for the DINAN pkg, I speculate that it was done a la carte. I know for certain it has the front and rear strut braces, the cold air induction system, the exhaust, and a chip. I do not know for certain what the other mods may be. The previous owner stated there were $14k in mods done to the car but thus far I'm not seeing it.

Where does DINAN usually put their plaque or name plate? If I don't have one and I call DINAN/BMW in Santa Barbara, CA should they have an inventory on this car?

Thanks for the tips,

-John

The Dinan name plate is usually placed in the engine bay in front of the radiator (under where the BMW emblem sits when the hood is closed). However, it could be elsewhere. As for the cold air intake, it does not seem to be Dinan since you still have the stock air fiter boxes. You may have the larger Dinan Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAFS) housings, but I am 99.9% sure that you don't have the Dinan intakes. Here is a photo of the Dinan carbon fiber intake tubes (this is the only version of intake that Dinan sells and is pretty much their most basic performance modification, so it is doubtful if other performance mods were made without the intake being installed):



You may want to visit your local BMW dealer and ask for a printout of all the service work done on the car. This should also show you exactlt which Dinan products were installed and who installed them. You can also call Dinan (www.dinancars.com) and give them your VIN so that they can check their records. Dinan products can only be purchased through authorized BMW dealers and directly from Dinan, so it should be quite easy for you to check all of this.

You should also quality for the "DINAN" trunk emblem which you can order (it is free) from an authorized Dinan BMW dealer) upon providing proof that you have sufficient Dinan products to qualify. This badge is worth about $300 (based on past eBay transactions I have seen) so you might as well get it if you are entitled to it. I own a Dinan S2 M5 which is why I am very familiar with Dinan.

Cheers, Daniel.

[stehno]

Daniel, you're just cheering me up with every post. But I appreciate it. You appear correct about the cold air induction system. Mine does have the trumpet intakes inside the grill in the lower front but as you noted I have the stock air filter housings.

But yes, I need to get with DINAN or BMW to see exactly what I have and don't have. My local BMW here is not DINAN authorized. In fact, the service manager told me a month ago that BMW had just ceased its relationship with DINAN and AC Schnitzer and was doing all mods and parts in-house only. I've not heard that anywhere else so I think it's a bit of mis- or dis- information.

I do have the DINAN lettering but the previous owner removed it from the back but with each post that I read from you I find I have less and less reason to put it on if you know what I mean. I was going to leave it off at least until I decide for sure where to keep or remove the rear deck spoiler.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

-John

[BeastPower]

Originally Posted by stehno

Daniel, you're just cheering me up with every post. But I appreciate it. You appear correct about the cold air induction system. Mine does have the trumpet intakes inside the grill in the lower front but as you noted I have the stock air filter housings.

But yes, I need to get with DINAN or BMW to see exactly what I have and don't have. My local BMW here is not DINAN authorized. In fact, the service manager told me a month ago that BMW had just ceased its relationship with DINAN and AC Schnitzer and was doing all mods and parts in-house only. I've not heard that anywhere else so I think it's a bit of mis- or dis- information.

I do have the DINAN lettering but the previous owner removed it from the back but with each post that I read from you I find I have less and less reason to put it on if you know what I mean. I was going to leave it off at least until I decide for sure where to keep or remove the rear deck spoiler.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

-John

I am just trying to help you determine which mods you have. Dinan also sells velocity stacks, larger throttle bodies, headers, lightweight flywheel, clutch, short-shifter and software which you might have on your car, so it is worth it to try to get historical information if possible, as most of these items are not visible without some wrenching. The Dinan badge is something that can be installed when you reach a certain number of points, so if you have it, it is most likely that you have some additional Dinan items installed.

The most important thing is that you have a very clean low mileage M5 in a very desirable color combination.

Cheers, Daniel.

[bigian]

Welcome i almost bought a set of those wheels for my e34 but have just bought set of e39 style42's