Is it the car, or me? 97' 540i/6

[blackfalcon]

I recently bought a very nice, well maintained 97' 540i/6. The car felt hugely fast for the first few days I owned it, but after a week or two it felt like a little of the pep, or the push you back, seat-of-your-pants acceleration, was gone. The car is still very fast, mind you. I checked the ICV and it was very clean. Is there anything that could have happened, or did I simply get accustomed to the cars power, throttle response, learn how to drive it smoothly, and a bunch of factors that made the novelty wear off?

[hdhillon90]

Compression?

[newton22]

Assuming the change wasn't significant, it's probably you. Everything seems slower over time, even an M5.

[mattmartindrift]

how many miles on the car?

have you checked the simple stuff like:

spark plugs
air filter
vacuum leaks
etc. etc.

[Cyrix2k]

It's probably you. Mine feels the same way but if I drive another car for a while and jump back in the 540, it feels pretty quick again.

[Redtallman]

or low octane gas:D:D

[dareckibmw]

It's probably you. Mine feels the same way but if I drive another car for a while and jump back in the 540, it feels pretty quick again.

Yeah! that's why I drive my wife's Neon sometimes :D

[Ballard540]

Dareck where did you get the front bumper. I love it

Well the lip mainly. The bumper is what a 2001 and up 540?

[PutterMcGavin]

Assuming the change wasn't significant, it's probably you. Everything seems slower over time, even an M5.

This is true. My 540i always seems "quick" after I drive my DD E30 :D

[MA3HOK]

Yeah! that's why I drive my wife's Neon sometimes :D

lol so true :)

[MtnGntx]

Try cleaning the MAF.

[zakario]

x2 on the MAF theory. But I know what you mean about getting used to it. I daily my 540i and when I take people for 0-65 runs, their gasping for air reminds me how quick these cars really are.

[Philboski]

I found a big difference when I changed the oxygen sensors, the air temperature sensor, and the coolant temperature sensor. These talk to the computer, and made the acceleration on mine feel more robust.

[540iboy]

x2 on the MAF theory. But I know what you mean about getting used to it. I daily my 540i and when I take people for 0-65 runs, their gasping for air reminds me how quick these cars really are.

this.

i think its you, i agree with everyone who says drive another car, then yours again. i drive the girls audi a6 some times then get in mine, huuuuggee difference.

[newton22]

Also drive something much faster like a E60 M5 for a day and jump back into your car. Your 540i will feel stupid slow. :D

[dareckibmw]

Dareck where did you get the front bumper. I love it

Well the lip mainly. The bumper is what a 2001 and up 540?

Heheheh, I like it too as a matter of fact but ....
The bumper was actually my design in photoshop, upper part with black strip is original '99 540, the lower part I think it was 2001, and I modified that lip to make the car look more mean .... I think it works, not sure. :D

[mattmartindrift]

Also drive something much faster like a E60 M5 for a day and jump back into your car. Your 540i will feel stupid slow. :D



I don't know, the E60 is deceiving in that it doesn't feel that fast. E39 M5s feel faster to me, until you watch the speedo.

[Ballard540]

Man i really do like it. I like the way it looks. It def does make the car look mean. Id buy it!! hahaha

[blackfalcon]

If this helps, i've notced that the engine seems to really come on cam around 4000 rpm, almost like a vtech kicking in, but sometimes it doesn't have this sensation and it doesn't seem to pull as hard.

Has a recent tune up, cats, fuel filter, etc. I have all the service history and it was kept at no expenses spared, but it does have 160k..

[Kevin Da Clean1]

Assuming the change wasn't significant, it's probably you. Everything seems slower over time, even an M5.

I agree. My M5 feels quick most of the time, but my 04 COBRA was 300lbs lighter & had 100hp more. What you4 540i feels like is fairly relative. When you are in a good mood (don't laugh) the car can feel like it responds better & is a tad bit quicker.