First, that is BS about the Warranty from Dinan. For one thing, it is a Federal law that aftermarket items can be put on a car without voiding the factory warranty (this issue has been discussed many times on the 5 Forum). Also, Dinan replaces the BMW warranty with their own - on the supercharger kit you have to pay extra for the drivetrain warranty. They are simply using scare tactics.

I can tell a noticeable difference with the changes. The chip by itself add low rpm torque (<4000). The cold air induction adds to the middle and top range. I actually had to change the way I drive a little due to the increased torque (not follow so closely in stop and go traffic due the faster surge). I have had zero problems with the chip change. I don't know about the Autothority Chip (I talked to them but it was not ready) but I do believe that the Dinan Chip is pretty much bullet proof. If you want more power, then supercharging is the way to go ($5k with ESS or $12k with Dinan).

I have not seen the Alpina front lip. Where can I go to see one on the web?. I am now considering the Hamann rear skirt due to the fact that I want twin round exhaust tips. The AC Schnitzer rear skirt requires rectangular tips. I am wondering if I need to reaplace the side skirts at all with any change to the front and rear?

As far as the lowering goes, the BMW techical manual says:

740 Sports suspension:

Front Suspenstion lowered 0.8 in - none in back
Firmer springs - (+10% front, +25% rear)
Firmer shock absorbers (+100% front and rear)
Larger front anti-roll bar (22 mm vs 20.5 mm)

The way I see it, the back has not been lowered at all. Maybe the best thing is to just cut the existing springs as suggested by Alpina 740 (Jimmy). I don't know enough about the Dinan Spring/shock combination - maybe somebody out there has tried it - but I would really question Dinan's claim about 50% less role over the alreaday 100% beefed up Sport Shocks. I also wonder about the addition of a rear anti-sway bar and strut tower braces - but so far I have not been able to find any for the 740. I also want to point out that www.tirerack.com recommend a different set of Eibach lowering springs for the 740i versus the 740i Sport so I also question the claims that the drop is only for the standard i/il. They cost less than $300. I just don't know the truth.

I do not have a strong feeling one way or the other on the Supersprint cat-back exhaust (I have a quote for $1250 for the two) due to ignorance. Does anyone out there have any experience with any other type, including Remus. I know that Alpina 740 has AC Schnitzer, maybe he can comment on those.

You can contact me at myers4@home.com if you want to E-mail me

Scott

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Your message is very interesting, since I got delivery of my 2001 740i sport (Cosmos Black/Sand) a week ago, this is my 2nd 740 (had a 1996 Jet Black/Sand il, some time ago and I have also owned 8 M3s, just traded-in my 1998 M3 Coupe to get this car. Anyway I have been researching about body kits/exhausts and springs myself. Here are my findings:

1. I have talked to the technical experts at Dinan and been talking to a salesperson/friend at Bavarian AutoSport. The figures you are quoting 1" front and rear drop are based on the standard i/il, since the 740i Sport already sits 3/4" lower than the standard i/il, with the Eibach pro kit or any other kit, you should only expect a drop of 1/4" or maybe 1/2" at the most. BMW will not honor warranty if anything other than factory or Dinan equipment is used on the car. Talking to the guys at Dinan they stongly recommend a spring/shock combination, they claim that it will reduce the roll by 50%, height drop is still going to be 1/4"-1/2" as with Eibach. If you have any other info about this, I will greatly appreciate.

2. How do you like the Dinan Chip and Cold Air Induction? Do you feel a noticable increase in HP/Torque? I know Bavarian AutoSport is developing a chip in colabration with Autothority, which maybe more aggressive, but the warranty issue may dictate getting a Dinan.

3. Have you considered Remus Exhaust? I am considering that, although I had a SuperSprint DTM tips on my 1998 M3, I liked it.

4. I am considering an Alpina front lip, I like it better than the AC Schnitzer or the Racing Dynamics lip, I think it is alot classier for the 740. Alpina does not sell the rear apron, so I may have to go with one of the other two. Any Comments.

Lets try to keep in touch, we are both trying to do the same thing and can benefit from each others findings.

Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I have a few other questions. I believe that your car is the silver 740i shown below on the forum, not the black one shown in the links. If correct, then your car uses the AC Schnitzer body kit and I assume that you have rectangular exhaust tips. Whose exhaust? If so, have you published a picture of the rear of your car.

I have a 2000 740i Sport Black on Black. I have already upgraded the car with a Dinan Chip and Cold Air Induction and clear lenses I am thinking about the other following changes and wonder what you think of them?

AC Schnitzer body skirts
Addition of a rear antisway bar
Addition of Eibach pro-set springs, lowering front and rear by 1 inch
Supersprint exhaust

I looked at a Supercharger kit, but I believe that the Dinan system is too expensive ($12k) and I don't know of anyone with any experience with the $5k ESS system, even on the 540 forum site, which is more high performance oriented.

You seem to know about body kits for the 7 series. Do you have a full list?

I saw from your E-mail address that you are at Ohio State. My brother is head of the Horticulture Department at OSU.