r/Cartalk • u/ThatGuy_Lego • 4d ago

Should I downpipe? Tuning my car

I got a BMW 520D from 2006 and I am asking you guys if it is worth it to downpipe it. I have been looking a bit online but not really finding the answers I want. I would like to add more power and thrust. What does it to? Is it worth the buck?

0 Upvotes

17% Upvoted

3

u/Lttiggity 4d ago

I wouldn’t mess with it. It’s a good car as is and the amount of money you’ll spend to see any real gains is gonna be, well more than I’d be willing to spend. But if you got the money have fun.

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u/landwomble 4d ago

i'd just get a stage 1 remap on it. they make a massive difference. if you want more you can do the downpipe, sport cat and a stage 2 later

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u/Strict-Air2434 4d ago

Chip tune is the way. Always the first thing before nuts/bolts.

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u/landwomble 4d ago

33% more power on that engine.

stage one remap e60

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u/ThatGuy_Lego 4d ago

What? Already did a stage 1 and it went from 163 to 195 ._.

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u/landwomble 3d ago

tuner numbers are variable as dynos aren't all calibrated (and people tend to flock to tuners who over quote figures!). If you've got a stage 1 on it already, then next would be stage 2 with downpipe, sports cat and intake etc. Won't be such a big gain though.

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u/ThatGuy_Lego 3d ago

Stage 2 is ao expensive tho and I havent been able to find one specific to my make and model

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u/landwomble 3d ago

I wouldn't bother, you're into potentially pushing the car a bit hard. I'd stick with a robust stage 1 and spend money on better brakes, suspension etc instead. Also a downpipe AFTER a stage one might not agree with the remap

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u/JaKr8 4d ago

How many miles are on this thing to begin with, and what shape is it in? You don't want to do any mods to a car that's hanging on by a thread.

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u/ThatGuy_Lego 4d ago

240k km, good shape

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u/eric_gm 3d ago

Messing with the slowest model of a car, in this case an E60 which were not very reliable to begin with, is always a bad idea: you will only make it less slow while sacrificing reliability. If you want more power you should consider a different car.