To date, we have exhibited 2 examples of the best Japan has to offer in respect to premium luxury vehicles (Lexus GS400 and Lexus LS430), it was time to search for a platform to demonstrate our expertise in the European tuning arena. After careful consideration it was decided that a flagship sedan would be the final choice. With that, we had to narrow the final decision down from the w220 Mercedes S-Class (w221 was not yet availible), AUDI A8, and BMW 7series. For a plethora of reasons, the e66 745LI got the nod, the Alpine White paint presents a excellent canvas to showcase wheels, aero, etc modifications while maintaining a tasteful overall aesthetic. The brilliant shine and depth of the paint is courtesy of the master detailers at Xtreme Auto Salon in Brooklyn, NY .
As always the first 2 areas to receive attention to date have been the wheels and suspension. Our philosophy on plus sized wheels is they are unacceptable if the proper suspension tuning is not applied in conjunction. This could not be more true than when considering the 7-series platform and 22" wheels / tires, in many cases the overall demeanor of the vehicle can be ruined when it is simply "jacked up in the air" on 22" wheels and left there! While the custom crafted 3pc forged 22" wheels are being machined, we mounted a set of 1pc application specific wheels to assist in suspension tuning. The wheels are X1C VIP, 22x9.5 / 22x10.5, Chrome Finish, they feature 3.25" fr / 4.25" rr lips, and they require no hubrings or spacers. These wheels can also accept the OEM BMW centercaps. For tires the CONTINENTAL CS2 was chosen.
With the wheels mounted, it was now time to address the suspension tuning. Although there are plethora of lowering springs availible for this platform, the inherent limitations of springs ruled them out for use on our project vehicle. In many cases when springs are used, if the desired ride height or ride quality is not acheived, there is nothing that can be done, aside from cutting and heating which are absolutely unaccepatble on a vehicle of this caliber. What we needed was comprehensive adjustment capabilities including independent axle height, dampening, and rebound. This lead us to the KW VARIANT 3 Coilover System. KW Suspension is a premier German manufacturer of components for BMW / Porsche / Mercedes / Ferrari and much more. The coilover system includes custom matched springs, shocks, ajustment perches, helper springs and a durable outer casing finish. We adjusted the ride height to about 2.5-2.7" lower than stock height, and tuned the dampening / rebound to full soft. The aesthetic benefit is obvious in the pictures below, but the ride and handling improvements are also astounding! The vehicle is simply as solid as a rock and attacks corners with vigor that no 203" long sedan should!! The handling inspires confidence and security witin the driver now. The ride also has remained well damped and is not at all "bouncy".
Another minor detail that assists in completing the overall exterior execution is the window tint, so another call was made to Xtreme Auto Salon, and our usual tinter installed 35% tint on all windows including the windshield. The tinted windscreen really gives the entire car a more uniform appearance, while also cutting down on glare and improving visibility.
UPDATE - 4/20/06
The latest round of updates include a full Aerodymamic Package and Custom Exhuast. There are a plethora of aero packages availible for the 7series, however our goal was to give the car a smoother and more uniform appearance. With that said, we did not want to add any aggressive wings, or scoops or anything to the cars already complex shape, if anything the lines of the vehicle needed to be "toned down" a notch. After extensive searching, we chose the AUTO-COUTURE Package. AUTO-COUTURE is a premier aftermarket tuning company from overseas and they specialize in full program tuning for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Bentley, and Lexus automobiles. We imported the kit and the first thing noticed was the overall quality of the product, the coating and finishing of the upainted parts were as smooth as paint! This kit also addresses a major aesthetic shortcoming of the 7 series which is the seriously undersized foglights. The replacem ent lamps match up well with the overall size of the car and provide great illumiantion. The car now has a very understated and classy demeanor, rather than overly aggressive, and that is exactly what we had in mind! To date the D2-AUTOSPORT AUTO-COUTURE BMW 745 is the sole one in the US, which is a distinction that we take great pride in!
Another glaring omission on the 7series is related to the exhaust. These cars are only equipped from the factory with one muffler on the driver's side, and the vehicle is way too large to only have one exhaust tip. To address that we made a call to Erik and Russ at RPM Racing North in Hicksville, NY for a custom crafted exhaust system. RPM non only crafted a custom dual exhaust for the car, but they also installed their MultiPhase feature as well! The Multi-Phase Exhaust system features custom fabricated piping and electronic valves for exhaust flow control. The entire system can now be manipulated from 100% OEM quiet to 100% NASCAR open in less than 5 seconds! And all of this from a single button mounted in the interior of the vehicle. We are very pleased with this exhaust as it lends a all new sense of presence to the vehicle yet still allows oem levels of cabin quietness during cruising.
Please check back regularly for updates.
FEATURES / SPECS:
-
AUTO-COUTURE FULL AERODYNAMIC KIT (FR / RR BUMPERS, SIDESKIRTS, REPLACEMENT FOGLIGHTS) - Currently the sole example in the US!!
- A.C.S Roof Spoiler
- X1C VIP WHEELS (1st Configuration)
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22x9.5 / 22x10.5
- FULL CHROME FINISH
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3.25"fr / 4.25"rr Lip
- MODULARE M2 Wheels (2nd Configuration) -1st and only set in 22"
- 22x9.5 / 22x11
- FULL CHROME FINISH
- 3.5" fr / 5.0"rr Lip
- CONTINENTAL CS2 Tires
- KW VARIANT 3 COILOVERS
- RPM M.P.E. VALVETRONIC EXHAUST - Can be adjusted to 100% open or OEM closed at the touch of a cockpit mounted button.
- ANGEL-i-BRIGHT Fiber Optic Halo kit - Upgrades OEM "Angel Eyes" to 4200k Zenon Match
- 35% TINT ON ALL WINDOWS (Including Windshield)
- MORE TO COME!!
