ucsbwsr

The center console I got with the M5 part out was a little rougher than I was hoping with some scrapes, dents, and the leather bubbling/lifting in one area so I sourced some new pads/armrests. Some might consider these a "downgrade" since they are made of the same material as the dashboard and not wrapped i leather but I did the same swap on my white E61 and love them. I like how it matches the texture of the dash but more importantly, it's comfortable, and much more durable than the leather. For a high wear location like the console it makes sense.
BEFORE


AFTER


I collected and installed the remaining black lower seat trim and rail trim, with it installed the interior has undergone a nice transition, door cards and black seat backs are the only items left to do.

BEFORE


AFTER

ucsbwsr

- Installed H&R Sport springs in the front and lowered the rear via coding.
- Built custom OEM+ rear door panels
- Replaced cooling expansion tank
- Changed oil and oil filter
- Replaced cabin air fliters
- Inspected and cleaned from end with bumper removed
- Adjusted Front Bumper, Headlight, and Hood fitment

Removed front bumper to inspect and clean items. Ended up correcting some of the wiring harness routing.


Cleaned the fins of the trans cooler and intercooler


Adjusted headlight brackets and removed RPI scoop.


Unused metal bracket: 0 OCD: 1



The old expansion tank clearly had seen some heat sitting above the turbos.


Oil Change and new Bosch filter


New cabin filters


I bought some used black door cards and built some "custom" OEM door cards by transferring over my leather inserts. A nice finishing touch are the Dirac (Individual Audio) speakers grills from an M5 which show off the DSP HiFi woofers behind.

This is my second time doing this project and using a sharp chisel + hammer is about 2-3 times as fast as using a Dremel or cutting tool, plus it's a lot cleaner.


All plastic rivets cut


Old leather insert removed


Speaker grill swapped


How I reassemble





Before


After


#DETAILS


Installed some H&R Sport springs up front


Coded the rear air

ucsbwsr

New stance, might lower the rear a tiny bit more.

pocholin

Great job, any plans for cross drilled rotors? Those would look nice, even if you don't do calipers.

ucsbwsr

No, no plans to touch the brakes as they have like-new rotors and pads currently installed. If I did any changes to the brakes it would be an E60 M5 conversion but brakes are low on the pecking order since this wagon probably won't see power over Cobb Stage 1 which is sneeze over stock levels.

triax37

Looking great! Did the H&R springs replace OEM suspension, or were there coilovers previously? The stance in your first photos looked pretty good to me, maybe a touch high, but not awful.

ucsbwsr

H&R springs replaced stock springs, stock struts remain. Giving it a shot to see "how bad" the ride quality is. I just ordered a set of KW V1s (rwd) for my white E61 to complete my M5/RWD front subframe conversion which means I will have my AWD V3s available if I need to put them on the grey wagon.

Zero Cool

i will be eagerly awaiting a review of those.
are you going to document the subframe swap somewhere, even though you have already done it with the non-M subframe?

ucsbwsr

I probably won't do a formal DIY write up on the swap but it will be covered in my build log for the white E61. Assuming it goes off without a hitch then I foresee if being a pretty easy conversion with the hardest part being a correct parts list.

mboat

Nice attention to detail! Wish I was in the market for another BMW. I think whomever ends up with this car will have a good looking, solid, reliable, and fun car on their hands.