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AJ's '08 E61 6 SPEED
Hi everyone,
My name is AJ and this is my ’08 E61 I recently purchased. It’s a Tiefgruen Metallic (green) with a LCNG interior (black carpets, brown seats, grey headliner,) 6 speed manual, and the sport package. A one owner car out of Florida with all dealer maintenance records meticulously kept. Does have some minor cosmetic damage, 8/10, it is nothing that can’t be fixed. Being a long roof lover in addition to loving anything inline 6 with turbo/s I had to jump on this. Plus I grew up around some fine German machines and it made sense. When I picked her up from the dealer https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...e7cafea0a1.jpg Minor exterior damage and interior scuff on driver seat. There is a couple more scratches and scuffs but we will see what everything looks like when I get the chance to hit it with the clay bar. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...a4e4a5aeb1.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...ac05dd60b0.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...8fd92c8ddc.jpg I got it with about 66k miles and drove it to Vegas where my folks live. I had to get a family photo and it was “sort of” on the way back NW. Also stopped at the new bridge at Hoover Dam. Family photo includes '94 E31 CSI and a '07 E60 M5. Sorry for some of the filthy photos, it was a long drive. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...2fb994ee06.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...446e56036e.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...38237ca287.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...abbbd1d64a.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...1389181152.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...ad495d33e7.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...a7b3fa1da8.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...113f8b6736.jpg Another shot of the 8 https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...aecdff3682.jpg I can't leave out the German machine that started the rabbit hole though. She's got a broken axle otherwise I'd pull her out. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...8910c1fcfe.jpg I ended up leaving the wagon in Vegas for a few weeks to get the windows tinted and a full inspection by a trusted mechanic. Tint is 20% front two windows and the back five are 5%. Don’t worry, the sun strip is coming off the windshield, it is a little bit in my line of site on the left side and it drives me nuts. I will end up needing to do some sort of reverse light mod. It can be a bit difficult to see backing up with the cloudy weather up here. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...a82a796678.jpg Finally got her up home in the NW. I installed MHD flasher on my trip back from Vegas and monitored all the gauges on the way prior to flashing Stage 1. Just wanted to make sure everything was perfect before I began to put more power through it, and the wagon did great! I flashed Stage 1 and I couldn't believe how much it woke the car up. I also installed some OEM rubber floor mats for the front and rear as the cloth ones were already getting gross from the rain up here. Plus the driver side cloth mat was missing so I needed something. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...a293116456.jpg The lever to access the spare tire lid was broken and needing replacing. Fixed that up real quick. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...294c676287.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...3aad2f2bbf.jpg Next (short term) Mods I am planning are: - Hardwiring the Valentine one through something in the headliner/rear view mirror. I'll do this once I get the windshield replaced next week. Big chip/crack from the drive 5k mile drive. - Get a M-tech front bumper and have the body work done on the front end. - BMS DCI or inlets relocation. I am thinking of Frankenstein-ing MMP relocation inlets and some custom tubes for an intake. Maybe something similar to Evan's or "rkreimer10" on n54 tech. Still haven't decided - Roof rack for the snowboards, though the season is coming to an end here soon. Those Whispbars on Evan's build have my eye. Long term plans include: -Summer wheels and tires. I'm thinking Rotiform. Make the stock 18's my winter wheels. I think I will eventually want M5 fenders and bumper so this may be put off for a lot longer. - Chargepipe and Tial BOV - VSRF 7" HD IC or a PSP IC - I want AR d0wnp!pes but will might end up buying VSRF - Reverse light mod - JB4 - M5 hybrid suspension - M5 brakes - Heated seat mod - Bluetooth mod for A2DP play. Tired of the whole Aux cord when I have the ability to make calls through the existing Bluetooth. There is probably more that I am forgetting but that is most of it. Looking forward to adding to the E61 builds here! -AJ |
Welcome to the forum, beautiful E61! Same goes for the other cars in your collection. Congrats!
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Manual wagon and that 850 :heart:
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Great story and thanks for sharing the pics! :welcome:
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Great pics! I actually was the first to call about this car, and put a down payment on it because I'm also across the country. Guy at the dealership told me to come by within a month. He called me back about 4 hours later, said he had 10 people who wanted the car, and their sales manager wanted to see a copy of airline tickets in 24 hours. I asked for the inspection report, he balked a bit and finally sent me something that showed main seal leak, pan leak, and rear diff leak. I backed out, as I already have a couple of projects.
I wondered later if they fabricated the inspection report once they realized they had a unicorn, just to scare me out of the car and re-offer it for more than the original $11K. AJ, did it end up having the leaks? Did they crank up the price? Either way, seems like a great car and well worth a bit of work to get it sorted. I'm having major non-buyer's remorse looking at your pics. |
Very nice!
I have similar plans for my newly acquired E61 as well. Torn between VRSF and AR DP's as well The price point makes the case for the VRSF and their rep has been great with my onslaught of questions. I am hesitant with the MHD. Just being a newb with tuning which makes for unfamiliar territory. Played around with the Carly adapter today. Basic lightning coding among other things. Clean looking wagon. 6MT's are lovely to see. Welcome! |
Thanks everyone for the love!
I was fairly busy this weekend. Ended up replacing the coolant expansion tank as it had a micro crack in it. Caught it before it sprayed fluid everywhere. Going to put off relocating it to the other side until I am ready to get a CP and inlets/intakes. Hardwired the V1 into the rear view mirror wire loom. Much better than having a wire run from an outlet up. I HATE WIRES! Still seeing how I like the position of the V1 then I will post final pics of that when I stop moving it around. Windshield was also replaced. I will be getting another sun strip installed as I don't like how much light comes in and the ability to see the V1 from the outside doesn't sit well with me. Wont be as large as the last one. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...80d9880eb1.jpg De-badged the rear and ended up needing a clay bar to make it look right. Decided to clay bar the whole car and what a difference! After all the detail work I see I will be needing touch up paint for some areas. Will get around to that when I go to replace the front bumper and maybe the rear. ;) @umnitzahttps://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...721ab30799.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...359b0abc35.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...1c060e0c4c.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...76fbf3578f.jpg horstdepp Great pics! I actually was the first to call about this car, and put a down payment on it because I'm also across the country. Guy at the dealership told me to come by within a month. He called me back about 4 hours later, said he had 10 people who wanted the car, and their sales manager wanted to see a copy of airline tickets in 24 hours. I asked for the inspection report, he balked a bit and finally sent me something that showed main seal leak, pan leak, and rear diff leak. I backed out, as I already have a couple of projects. I wondered later if they fabricated the inspection report once they realized they had a unicorn, just to scare me out of the car and re-offer it for more than the original $11K. AJ, did it end up having the leaks? Did they crank up the price? Either way, seems like a great car and well worth a bit of work to get it sorted. I'm having major non-buyer's remorse looking at your pics. Called one the current one and got the your next in line blah blah blah. Next morning they call an say original buyer backed out and it mine if I wanted it.They warned about the leaks etc. But they had sent me a few pictures as well as the carfax. I looked at it this way: - Car was a one owner. owned by a dr.'s wife. So probably never driven hard. - dealer maintained whole life - Immaculate interior, other than seat scuff - Stock - 66k miles Seeing it in person confirmed what I thought. Then finalized the purchase. Worst thing that would happen on that drive back would be the dreaded water pump failure or the coolant expansion tank IMO. I don't think they made anything up. My trusted mechanic in Vegas confirmed the oil pan leak but not to worry until 100k. He knows I'll be in there before then too. The "rear main leak" was brought up because of the pan leak but nothing we could confirm. No diff leak. I didn't pay more than what the original listing was posted + taxes and fees. Sorry about the non-buyers remorse. At least the wagon went to a good home! ETAction Very nice! I have similar plans for my newly acquired E61 as well. Torn between VRSF and AR DP's as well The price point makes the case for the VRSF and their rep has been great with my onslaught of questions. I am hesitant with the MHD. Just being a newb with tuning which makes for unfamiliar territory. Played around with the Carly adapter today. Basic lightning coding among other things. Clean looking wagon. 6MT's are lovely to see. Welcome! MHD was easy! I had a spare Samsung Note 3 lying around so there was my android device. I didn't want to use my main phone though I can if the battery dies on the Note 3. Took me about 2 hours to get it all flashed, gauges selected, and cable somewhat hidden. Really was just plug and play. That power difference over stock is quite significant, mainly throttle response. My wagon is 100% stock other than that. Gotta do some cosmetics before I get more speed parts lol. Carly is on my list of things to get as well. |
36 Attachment(s)
Well all, I’d first like to apologize for not sharing every step along this journey. I’ll try to recap a bit but I am sure I am missing some things along the way. A lot has changed in the last 4 years and 30k miles. (Photo is before coilovers)
Attachment 165166 Shortly after my last update, I threw on some bolt ons. Upgraded chargepipe and AR downpipes. Attachment 165167 I was preparing for a 7.5” VSRF intercooler so I also starting fitting a Umnitza 1m conversion bumper. I’d like the looks of this over the OEM M5 bumper and wanted something a little different. Fitment is OK and after I had the body shop tweak it once it was paint time, it was better but not OEM but I am happy with it. Attachment 165168 These things are boats and the need for some stopping power began to set in. Went with the OEM BBK and found some used M5 brakes and ordered new rotors from FCP. Only did the fronts for the time being until more power came. Needed some bigger wheels to clear the brakes and picked up some AC Schnitzers in 19x8.5 et 43. Attachment 165169 Attachment 165170 Attachment 165171 Attachment 165172 Attachment 165173 Attachment 165174 Found some OEM M5 front fenders. Did some test fit of my own and off to paint it went. Attachment 165175 Attachment 165176 Attachment 165177 Attachment 165178 Attachment 165179 Attachment 165180 Finally picked up a VSRF intercooler and was “FBO” Attachment 165181 As time went on, the wastegate rattle on the factory turbos was driving me up a wall. Ended up picking up some Steam Speed 19T turbos. Also threw on a phoenix racing intake manifold with port injection and a JB4. Built a similar intake system to Evans to let the turbos breath but space is tight! Attachment 165182 Attachment 165183 Attachment 165184 The increased power required some necessary supporting mods. Upgrade the rear brakes, KW V3’s, RD Sport rear sway bar and installed a DKM twin disk. Also picked up some Style 128 reps. Front are 19x9 et24 and the rears are 19x10 et 14. Tires are still square with 255/35's. The rear certainly needs a bit more width. I was originally going to go with a SPEC ET iron twin disk but the DKM design makes it really easy to install and is the way to go IMO. Attachment 165185 Attachment 165186 Attachment 165187 Attachment 165188 Attachment 165189 After 3 or so months of driving on the Steams, went to do a pull on the way to work and well, one turbos had left the chat and the other was on the way too... Attachment 165190 Attachment 165191 Attachment 165192 After going back and fourth with SteamSpeed, I decided enough was enough and decided to go big. Big single that is! As far as I know, I believe this is the first E61 with a single turbo build. Speedtech top mount with a Garret GT35R. Ripped out the JB4 and will be wiring in a Motiv Reflex to control port and will be moving the ABS unit to the factory M5 location. 10/10 would work with Speedtech again. Had my local shop do the install and fab work as the kit wasn't made for the E61 but Speedtech was helping the whole way. The manifold was an easy and clean fit but the factory ABS unit is right in the way. We were able to bend some lines out of the way and still keep it there but it will need to be moved to the M5 location. Attachment 165193 Attachment 165194 Attachment 165195 Attachment 165196 Attachment 165197 Attachment 165198 Attachment 165199 Attachment 165200 Attachment 165201 I must say, the single lives up to the hype. Turbo lag is present but when it lites, it is worth every penny. Big thanks to the fellas at 22RPD. If anyone is in the Seattle area and needs work done, I highly recommend. |
Amazing build. I can't believe those turbos got mangled up like that.
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Wow, nice build! Subscribed
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