Today marks exactly 4 years I have had the privilege of owning my dream car and what a journey it has been.. I still remember quite vividly the experience of braving all things COVID, just so I could finally have this car home and the drive down was certainly worth the risk taken! I said it before and I will say it again, having had the car for many years – Meeting my hero, did not leave me disappointed.. If anything I have gained a greater appreciation for just what this car can offer the true enthusiast. Its only apt that I pay homage to the post 4 years ago, with a picture of a place the car loves the most.
Post the last update, I am disappointed to mention that I didn’t follow through on what I had said, around just sticking to routine maintenance.. Having had the exhaust done, I knew the annual service was due and contacted TuneTech to book the car in for the oil change to be done. Whilst chatting I mentioned the car had an exhaust done and was immediately advised that I do software, regardless of anyone telling me otherwise, simply because the operating parameters had changed with the addition of the performance exhaust. I was told that they would do a tune for me, when the car was booked in, but I prefer to deal with only one company when it comes to software. I had also purchased my service items off a fellow forumite some time back and wanted TuneTech to use these for the service, but that was something they wouldn’t allow since all M car oil had changed to Motul 5W50, which left me to ponder on my Liqui Moly 10W60 specification.
I called my trusted tuning house
@Xcede Performance and was also advised of the same feedback, to which I quickly reconsidered my choice in modifying the car’s exhaust system… The subsequent use of the car quickly remedied that situation and I had decided to just go ahead with having the car tuned, as I did not want the stock system back on. I arranged to pop past the shop for a read and saw them doing quite a bit of maintenance work on a whole variety of cars, I just decided at that point to have the oil service done whilst I was getting the car flashed. The read took a solid 2 hours, I had honestly thought Juvan was kidding when he told me it would take that long.
The brief for me was simple, I didn’t need to win any dyno wars and I just wanted something that enhanced the hardware already on the car, whilst keeping in mind the need for long term reliability. Sherwin has probably done in excess of 60+ S65’s and knew what I was looking for, the file was ready a few days later and I booked the car in for a quiet December morning. I requested we do the tuning prior to the service, so the car was duly strapped to the rollers for a base run and then the map was loaded. With no adaptation time or additives, I was quite chuffed with the results – Even Sherwin seemed to agree, just judging from his response in the video. The dyno graph looks pretty good and highlights the way the car feels, I really think at the coast this would be quite a force..
Having come so far, the only other mod left was a performance drop in and I got my hands on a BMC filter. The small induction noise adds a subtle something to the whole package and car definitely feels like it breathes a bit better, placebo or not.
With the service done, I have been using the car to get some mileage in, super happy with how the car feels now and everything just seems to work together for the better. The sad truth of altitude robbing NA engines does have an effect, but the car feels nice and linear. The tune definitely refined the overall drive and the improved burbles on the overrun are the cherry on top. Quick parts run to ABM to get some items for the X5 back in Feb.
I also needed a brake fluid flush a few weeks ago and had the car booked in at JSN. Viz has been great to deal with, always good sharing petrol-head conversations and seeing what is in the shop, whilst the car is being worked on. I especially like the way Silverstone looks in different lighting conditions and the colour has not grown old, at least not for me.
I popped by the Dyno Day at Xcede this past weekend and I had hoped to put the car on the dyno again to see what difference adaptation time and the drop in filter would make. Sadly I wasn’t able to make it work timing wise for the car to be dyno’d due to family commitments, but there is always next time. What an awesome event and the turnout was stellar, ran into some of the OG’s and met some new faces. I guess with that, the last picture of the car on the dyno will have to do.
At this point I believe I am done, but I know better than to trust myself with sentiments like these.. My exploratory plans for a larger garage, should keep me (hopefully) busy for a while.
Privileged to have been part of this journey and see this V8 beast transition. Videos and pics don't do justice!
