HUGE Update
3/14/15
Post #86
Hello Gentlemen,
...Happy to be here. Today I took delivery of my Alpine White E61 535xi. This is my first wagon but
absolutely not my first BMW, I transition from an Imola Red E39 M5 with the elusive M-texture interior, I modded it and enjoyed it. It is For Sale and can be seen here:
E39 (96-03) For Sale CA, Imola Red E39 M5, M-Texture Alcantara, Tastefully Modded, Clean - BMW M5 Forum and M6 Forums enough of that.
Like most of you, I tend to observe and research on forums; one of my favorite things to do it watch the transformation of a car during a build, before and after shots are awesome! In the past, I have never done them, even when I have 100% intention on photo-documenting a mod but always get preoccupied with what I am doing real-time and I don't want to stop to grab my camera and snap pics along the way. I am making a huge effort on this car to document all progress. This will be an awesome build on a very unique vehicle and I think people would appreciate the transition, that and I feel it is time to give back to the community.
THE ESSENTIALS
2008 535xi Touring
72k CPO until 8/14
Auto (Manuals are true unicorns)
All options I care about.
Alpine White
Previous owned by a BMWCCA member
THE OBJECTIVE
I never planned on selling my E39, the car is all time along with the E30 and E46 in terms of timeless styling and appeal. I wanted to run it well past 250k but certain life changes dictate a need for AWD. After researching the options: B5 S4 Avant, B8 A4, C5 S6, C5 All Road, C6 Avant 3.0T, and 535xiT, it was apparent being 6'8" I would only squeeze into the C5 Audi (with the sport seats), the C6 (barely), and 535xiT. The driving dynamics of the Audis left something to be desired in my opinion. The price point of a well maintained C5 All-road kept poking at my interest but I ended up going with my gut and pulling the trigger on the 535xiT. My roommate has a n54 powered 335xi with a 6spd so I had an idea what I was getting myself in to.
My objective is to maintain as much of the driving dynamics and overall experience I can from my E39 while keeping the functionality and practicality the E61 has to offer in tact. The E61 in xi form is truly a do-it-all car, assuming you don't have to tow a boat, you can do it in an awd E61.
THE PLAN
- OEM M5 Front End Conversion (Bumper Fenders etc)
- OEM M5 Mirrors
- Oem M-Tech Skirts
- Umnitza M-Tech Rear Bumper
- BMS JB4 G4
- BMS DCI
- KW V3
- Racing Dynamics Sway Bars
- Many Miscellaneous Interior and Exterior Mods, details, details, details!
- Wheels are still up for discussion as I am reaching out to some companies to see if they would like to be a part of this build but I deep down would love to run Forgestar F14 SDCs all around, the concave style of the wheel will accentuate the bull-dog stance this E61 will have with the M5 fenders.
The E60/1 was always somewhat of an ugly-duckling for me, when it came out I was pretty shocked, the headlights reminded me on the diamond-encrusted glasses an obnoxious grandma would wear. After seeing some aggressively modded I saw the potential; with a wide stance and good wheel fitment the E60/1 questionable styling fell into place, all of the sharp angles and creases started to make sense. Now as an owner, I still don't think it is particularly good looking but I see the aggressive potential waiting to be unlocked... at least the E60/1 headlights look more sorted than the new F10.... oh boy.
The car arrived at noon and after a car wash I was on my way to Trinity Autosport and to see Don Nyugen to get the ball rolling, the car was stock for all of 1.5 hours. Friends don't let friends drive stock!! I will be posting updates on Instagram for those who are inclined, my handle is
Hoburger
Thanks to Top End Motorwerks, Trinity Autosport, and Don Dguyen for the help thus far. On to the good stuff:
______3/14/15_Update________Evan's E61 Build: Pics, Updates, and Wagon Love for All
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