Another Project Wagon
#21
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 833
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

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


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
#22
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 833
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

- 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

- 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
#25
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 833
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

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.
#26
New Members
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 1
My Ride: 2007 E91

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.
#27
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 833
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

#28
New Members
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 27
My Ride: 2008 535xI Wagon
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

Last edited by Zero Cool; 02-13-2019 at 06:26 AM. Reason: fixed quote
#29
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 833
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54

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.