I normally don’t write about auction automobiles that have already sold unless they went for a very large sum of money. However, I’m making an exception in this situation since I can’t believe it exists at all. Someone did chose to acquire a 2017 BMW 535i Gran Turismo, one of BMW’s most overlooked vehicles, and give it a Stage 1 Dinan tune. Why would somebody do such a thing? I’m at a loss for a response, so I thought I’d look to you, the readers. Would you be interested in this Dinan-tuned BMW 535i Gran Turismo?
To begin, let us define the 5 Series Gran Turismo. It was essentially a long-wheelbase 5 Series with a functional humpback trunk. To put it mildly, it was difficult to look at and was severely ridiculed for its outside style when it was new. However, in its defense, it was an excellent automobile. It had a lovely interior, comfortable suspension, and made a superb grand touring automobile, thus the name. But it was never a vehicle for enthusiasts.
Until someone decided to put a Dinan tune on it, increasing the output of its 3.0-liter turbocharged “N55” engine from 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft to 345 horsepower and 379 lb-ft. It was mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and drove all four wheels. Even with that obviously hefty power boost, it probably wasn’t much quicker or any more enjoyable to drive.
The only other changes are minor. It features tinted windows, a hardwired radar detector, and wood trim that has been sprayed silver to seem like metal trim at some time. While the metal trim looks nice in the vehicle, the painted trim does not.
To be fair to the BMW 535i Gran Turismo, it does look nice with its roof racks and has respectable power. But it’s still a large, frumpy-looking oaf of a vehicle that I doubt many enthusiasts would desire. One did, apparently, as it went for $25,500. But I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you desire such a vehicle.
[From Cars and Bids]
