e61 wagon - looking for tasteful upgrade advice!

[atownusa]

I just picked up a 2010 535i x-drive wagon, with m-sport package and would love any suggestions/advice for some tasteful upgrades. This is my dad wagon and daily drive so I want to keep ride quality, but add a little power, lean into the M-ness, and keep, or even improve gas mileage.

Here's what I'm considering, but open to all:

1. Wheels - would love suggestions on m-styles that look good. Keeping ride quality
2. Suspension - ?
3. Flash tuning - MHD
4. Exhaust - not too loud, good sound, less backpressure
5. Downpiping - suggestions on which?
6. Dual Cone Intake - BMS DCI
7. Apple CarPlay - MMI Prime retrofit

Anything else? Thanks in advance!

*This was an upgrade from my e46 325xi white wagon that I will be selling soon, if anyone is looking. Very well loved and overall a fantastic car.

[longroofm5]

Beautiful wagon. I have a near twin.

For wheels, I personally think the style-135s are hard to beat, especially considering the offset considerations that severely limit your options in the front. I have 20mm spacers in the rear and 5mm in the front, which I think help with the look.

For suspension, I think the ride quality is excellent with B6s and OEM springs. I previously tried H&R lowering springs to reduce the wheel gap but felt the ride quality suffered. I think if you want to get rid of the wheel gap and maintain ride quality, you should bite the bullet and go for KW-3s.

My car came to me with a Dinan tune. As you would expect, it is MUCH quicker than stock.

I added a Dinan cat-back exhaust. It is fine. A nice low rumble but not overly impressive. I wouldn't encourage or discourage.

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add on the topic of downpipes or the intake that you mentioned.

Hope you are enjoying it.

[Code Monkey]

You could add the steering wheel from the E60 M5 or M6 with paddle shifters and add a MotiveMods paddle shift kit. This way you can cycle through D-S-M modes without touching the shifter. Makes the car a bit more enjoyable to drive.

My E61 came with a heated steering wheel and I used these parts:

E60 M6 M Sport heated steering wheel (32342283935)
E60 M6 SMG shift paddles (61317836558 and 61317836557)

[aade]

I would humbly suggest keeping it as original as possible. That's a classy ride.

[atownusa]

Originally Posted by longroofm5

Beautiful wagon. I have a near twin.

For wheels, I personally think the style-135s are hard to beat, especially considering the offset considerations that severely limit your options in the front. I have 20mm spacers in the rear and 5mm in the front, which I think help with the look.

For suspension, I think the ride quality is excellent with B6s and OEM springs. I previously tried H&R lowering springs to reduce the wheel gap but felt the ride quality suffered. I think if you want to get rid of the wheel gap and maintain ride quality, you should bite the bullet and go for KW-3s.

My car came to me with a Dinan tune. As you would expect, it is MUCH quicker than stock.

I added a Dinan cat-back exhaust. It is fine. A nice low rumble but not overly impressive. I wouldn't encourage or discourage.

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add on the topic of downpipes or the intake that you mentioned.

Hope you are enjoying it.

Hey, thanks for the notes!
Would you mind sharing some images of the wheels with the offset? That's a good suggestion to add a little bit of agressive, but mostly stock.

Did your suspension lower ride height at all?
I don't think I want to lower it as it will always suffer something, and I also like taking my wagons up to the mountain in the winter with snow tires.

[atownusa]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

You could add the steering wheel from the E60 M5 or M6 with paddle shifters and add a MotiveMods paddle shift kit. This way you can cycle through D-S-M modes without touching the shifter. Makes the car a bit more enjoyable to drive.

My E61 came with a heated steering wheel and I used these parts:

E60 M6 M Sport heated steering wheel (32342283935)
E60 M6 SMG shift paddles (61317836558 and 61317836557)

Good suggestion! I personally hate the shifter so this could kill two birds. I also have the heated wheel so this can keep that function?

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by atownusa

Good suggestion! I personally hate the shifter so this could kill two birds. I also have the heated wheel so this can keep that function?

Yes, you need a heated steering wheel from an M5 or M6. The heating will work in the wagon, no additional coding or wiring required.