Another Project Wagon
Thread Starter
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...MW-535xi&mg=25
Thread Starter
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
We have entered the final stages of the build and with most of the mechanical maintenance and upgrades done it is time to tidy up some loose ends, to me this means fixing some of the visual eye sores which are out of place on the wagon. Previous owner had kids and dog and used the wagon as a daily driver (rightfully so!) but this meant there was extra wear on the rear seat and cargo area.
I went back to the dismantler who was parting out the E61 I got the panoramic roof cassette from and picked up a few more interior parts.
Original rear seat cushion

Replacement cushion

Much better.

Replaced some broken cargo floor hinges

Replaced child seat anchor covers

Replaced cargo hook covers

Saggy elastic strap replaced

Both thigh supports on the front seats were inoperable. The motors were working but the cushion was not responding to electronic adjustment. Turned out both plastic gears were shattered. Thankfully repair process was cheap and easy, $10 and 15 minutes per seat.

Needed to find a solution to get the gears ofer the metal lip at the end of the worm gear

My solution was to Dremel down the metal enough for the plastic to slide over and into position. I ended up taking off more material than shown in this photo but it worked like a charm.

10mm socket makes for a nice press base

Plenty of grease in the assembly to reuse and relube the gear

Yellowing plastic from UV is never cool so I applied some Plasti Dip to visually refresh and protect the plastic


The Style 167s had some very minor curb rash repaired. For the record these wheels fit in the back on an E70 X5 perfectly!

Refreshed wheels with full polish on the faces.

Up next is cleaning the undercarriage, then onto mild paint correction and interior/exterior detailing.
I went back to the dismantler who was parting out the E61 I got the panoramic roof cassette from and picked up a few more interior parts.
Original rear seat cushion
Replacement cushion
Much better.
Replaced some broken cargo floor hinges
Replaced child seat anchor covers
Replaced cargo hook covers
Saggy elastic strap replaced
Both thigh supports on the front seats were inoperable. The motors were working but the cushion was not responding to electronic adjustment. Turned out both plastic gears were shattered. Thankfully repair process was cheap and easy, $10 and 15 minutes per seat.
Needed to find a solution to get the gears ofer the metal lip at the end of the worm gear
My solution was to Dremel down the metal enough for the plastic to slide over and into position. I ended up taking off more material than shown in this photo but it worked like a charm.
10mm socket makes for a nice press base
Plenty of grease in the assembly to reuse and relube the gear
Yellowing plastic from UV is never cool so I applied some Plasti Dip to visually refresh and protect the plastic
The Style 167s had some very minor curb rash repaired. For the record these wheels fit in the back on an E70 X5 perfectly!
Refreshed wheels with full polish on the faces.
Up next is cleaning the undercarriage, then onto mild paint correction and interior/exterior detailing.
New Members
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
From: Portland Or
My Ride: 535xi hud night vision
Model Year: 08
Awesome, they are great vehicles, make sure to maintain it properly and it should be a relatively headache free experience.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...MW-535xi&mg=25
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...MW-535xi&mg=25
Thread Starter
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
New Members
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 654
Likes: 73
From: Abbotsford, BC
My Ride: 2009 535xi Touring 6MT, 2019 i3s
Engine: N54
New Members
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
From: Portland Or
My Ride: 535xi hud night vision
Model Year: 08
Thread Starter
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
New Members
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
From: Portland Or
My Ride: 535xi hud night vision
Model Year: 08
Thread Starter
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
Made it to the BMW CCA Clean car show in San Diego. Great event where you get to drive right onto the grass a Spanish Landing Park right on the edge of the harbor, couldn't ask for a better location. The wagon was well received and grabbed it's fair share of attention.
Will be going again next year but will be bringing board shorts so I can take a dip in the harbor between eating some grilled brats, chatting with people, and enjoying other's builds.
These are also the first pics showing the style 167s wheels with fully polished faces, I was a little worried they might look too much like chrome but am happy with how they turned out, clean!
Quick wash and clay bar.

Love the Grigio Telesto

Wagon providing a seat + shade. Hanging with my good friend, volleyball bad-ass, and fellow BMW enthusiast - Matt Anderson.

Polished faces popping


Girlfriend made it too and we were able to sneak in the X5D.

Hard to beat this venue

Will be going again next year but will be bringing board shorts so I can take a dip in the harbor between eating some grilled brats, chatting with people, and enjoying other's builds.
These are also the first pics showing the style 167s wheels with fully polished faces, I was a little worried they might look too much like chrome but am happy with how they turned out, clean!
Quick wash and clay bar.
Love the Grigio Telesto
Wagon providing a seat + shade. Hanging with my good friend, volleyball bad-ass, and fellow BMW enthusiast - Matt Anderson.
Polished faces popping
Girlfriend made it too and we were able to sneak in the X5D.
Hard to beat this venue


