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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum My 550i - Upgrade done!
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      07-26-2014, 04:00 AM   #1
mdrobc13
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My 550i - Upgrade done!

Okay so just finished getting my 550i back from the guys in Portland at Matrix where Jeremy and his crew finished my final stages of my 550 upgrade. Back history here is that I got the car in Aug 2012 when I went looking to upgrade from my Audi A7 into something more sporty and that I could drive and enjoy when I want to on the road as allowed. In short I wanted to get my inner hooliganism on. Having traded an e92 M3 coupe that I loved for the 2012 A7 [was told it was time to grow up and get 4 doors - family man] I was just not fully feeling the A7...to technological at times with stuff I didn't need and a great GT but not fun to drive. So when I went looking; I went with the intent of going back to the M division and happiness.

Initial problem was immediate as there were no M5's to be found at least not easily that was unpurchased or unspoken for. So in steps the 550i in Msport guise and a great end of model year deal from the dealer. Was aware of the 550i but never had owned on however research showed it was the same engine and body as the M5 just with a few special changes done over at the M-division. Also showed I could for a reasonable price add some little upgrades to the car to wring out more performance from the car either as a whole or in stages to bring it closer to the M5 at a reasonable cost. But what was most important was I could retain the daily driveability the 550i offers over the M5 in terms of comfort, road handling and driving style [yes the one we do daily that keeps us and are licenses intact and our passengers happy] for not a reasonable price premium. So said 550i was bought and the planning and upgrades began.

My overall goal is to keep the vehicle as basic 550i as I can in that it doesn't look like a modified 550i and draw tons of attention to it...unless you kwow what you're looking for or are familiar with some of the more commons upgrades. Initially it got a Dinan Stage 1 Performance Software tune, H&R springs, and an Eissenman Exhaust and painted rear spoiler. Next up was a Dinan Stage 3 and CF rear diffuser and grille. Still in need of a little more tightening down..Dinan intercoolers were added and M5 front strut bar along with Dinan shockwave software. Next stage added Dinan CF strut brace/air intake and Stage 5 software. Now the car really moved and you took note when you hit the left foot but stopping power as my shop guy assessed and also the folks a Matrix needed an upgrade to handle the power/torque upgrade. As track work is not on my agenda for the car [have other options for that] in lieu of a BBK and the hellified cost I went with R1 cross drilled upgraded rotor [thanks LACASTER] all around, upgraded brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines around all 4 wheels. Finally a Dinan LSD was added last month along with painted calipers and an OEM BMW front splitter and special CF wrap of my OEM sidemarkers [since none seem to be offered for cars with the side parking assist sensors]. On this last stage I did swap out my H&R Springs...not so much because of complains of ride but due to the front being waay too low and fear of ground clearance with the new CF front diffuser....worked well as front end now does not come close to bottoming out but car still is lowered enough for aesthetics and driveability. NOTE: I also obtained a set of Bridge-It driveway curb ramps to ensure clearance - Griots garage or Amazon.com and they work great]. I tied everything together with a rear 650i/550d sway bar and picked up the car last weekend from the Matrix

Impressions. Car feels waay more tied together now. Its the way BMW should have let me spec if from the factory. Flat in corners when I push it but comfortable on the daily drive that you or your passangers just think you're in a regular 535i or 528i and if the don't notice or haven't read this forum that's exactly what happens. Only the Matte black dinan badges and quad exhaust hint that maybe something is different with the car. Inside it is the same and only upgrade has been CF trim set I got from a fellow forum member last year and Baccus's 2014 Nav Maps. Car is hardwired for Escort Passport 9500xi soon to be replaced with Direct Live cord. But inside it looks the same as any 550i. Oh yeah with custom black M anodized metal pedals too. However when you drive it and use your left foot liberally its another story. Car goes like a freight train and pulls waay thru all aspects of the speedometer. It is FAST and can get you into trouble quickly...as in go to jail license territory! But only when you want it too..otherwise its pretty sane and sedate and drives like a 5 series with a little hint of something else. Exactly what I wanted...a true sleeper.

This was demonstrated on my way back from Matrix when some gentleman in a black BMW 5 series [e60 generation] un-badged decided to come up behind me in the left lane while I was cruising at 72-74 MPH. I got out of the way and let him pass...he then proceeded to accelerate said de-badged 5 series "thru the mach" as we call in in military aviation passing thru 80 mph and beyond with me in trail. Soo I decided to see exactly how much effort would be require to stay in proper military wingtip formation as I've been taught. Well I only had to crack the throttle maybe a small bit say less than a 1/2 inch...not even a full depression to the floor before I felt it in my but and my butt was then basically within a few feet of his rear! As he went thru "the 100 mph escape maneuver" I stayed in formation over the next say 1/4 mile before braking away and moving one lane over to the right and letting him rocket ahead at what must have been near 110+ mph which seemed to be his normal driving pace as he closed on me at much the same speed. As he disappeared I continued my journey at 75 mph only to pass a police vehicle with that same black BMW 5 series on the side of the road about 10 miles ahead. Guess he didn't have an Passport Escort MAX for proper radar warning and the bandits got a kill that day. But it was not me.

In any event the vehicle is all I wanted it to be and honestly most of us need and/or can exercise on public roads. It is the perfect car for those who don't need an M or aren't tracking their car but want to be able to exercise the hooliganism form time to time. As long as the possess and exercise a little maturity that such a vehicle deserves and demands; its a great car. Thanks to the guys at Dinan for engineering it and the parts. They really tie the car together...yes they are expensive but if you can work a deal with your shop on them, catch them or sale, or save on the labor it really is worth it in the end.

Also if you're ever in the Pacific Northwest and need your vehicle tuned to your likes or just normal work...check out the guys at Matrix Integrated. They really put customer service, attention, and satisfaction back into the car enthusiast business and even basic stuff. Highly recommend them. Ask for Jeremy or Justin.

Matrix Integrated Inc.
4000 SW Macadam Ave
Portland, OR 97239
503.443.1141 Phone
503.443.1142 Fax
888.249.0013 Orders
www.matrixintegrated.cc
jeremy@matrixintegrated.cc

Oh yeah I almost forgot...some pics of the car! Enjoy and feel free to PM or reply with any questions or comments too. Its a forum so discussion is allowed and encouraged even! LOL
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      07-26-2014, 06:20 AM   #2
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awesome! What a beast you've created.
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      07-26-2014, 07:58 AM   #3
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Beauty! Love the whole "stealth" thing!
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      07-26-2014, 10:16 AM   #4
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Beast!
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      07-27-2014, 09:30 PM   #5
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geez, nice work! If I could only get half way up what you did I'd be happy!
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      07-28-2014, 09:22 AM   #6
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Awesome work! Your review (and others like it) is the reason I went with the 550i as well. The power and beast-mode is there when you want it, but it can also rock you to sleep in Comfort+ when you have it pegged at 85 on the highway cruising. I haven't had a chance to do any power mods yet but my list is growing for those and other cosmetic upgrades. I love my car!
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      07-28-2014, 10:04 AM   #7
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Wonderful work! Tasteful upgrades in the looks department - love the fact that the car still has some amount of wheel travel for real road use, the nice contrasting red calipers, and tasteful amounts of carbon fiber. I think you've met your goal of keeping the car somewhat a sleeper - some indications to those who know (e.g. DINAN badge), but nothing over the top screaming "look at me."
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      07-28-2014, 10:47 AM   #8
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Nice mods. Have done everything except brakes and dinan lsd. Quick question regarding Dinan LSD...do you think it was worth it? Seems like you won't really benefit unless really pushing the car. Please share thoughts. Thx
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      07-28-2014, 10:58 AM   #9
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Looks great! That stance with the beefy PSS is awesome. BTW you think LACASTER can hook me up with some R1's
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      07-28-2014, 06:20 PM   #10
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Looks awesome. Love the color!
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      07-29-2014, 12:28 PM   #11
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Nice!!!
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      07-29-2014, 08:13 PM   #12
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What an awesome car! Congrats OP!
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      07-30-2014, 04:25 PM   #13
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Looks good!
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      07-30-2014, 08:04 PM   #14
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Very nice ride! I'm debating some work on my 2012 550 XDrive MSport. Matrix Integrated helped me out back in the day when a bunch of us on the East Coast were waiting for GIAC tuning for the W8 Passat. I'm glad they are still doing excellent work!
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      08-01-2014, 04:17 AM   #15
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Badass man!!!!
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      08-01-2014, 11:46 PM   #16
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Thanks gents. Goal was to have the car done up in a tasteful style that didn't scream modified or look at me and my mods. So looks like that was accomplished. Thanks for all who helped..yes LACSTER sorry for the misspell. THU the LSD gives the car a lil more grip as I can put the power down more effectively with the Stage 5. Otherwise its hard for the car to link up sometimes with all the hp/torque curves. Dinan suspension and upgraded sway bars really keep it flat and tight in curves. You do still feel the weight of the 5 series but I can push the car very much as far as I want without it with the current set up within reason as the 5 series really is NOT a track car even in m5 form. It can do it but I'd rather have something much dedicated for that purpose.
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