DIY - M5 bumper conversion

[jvcajita]

It's been almost three months since I had ordered this bumper...and finally I found time to install it. we have many write ups of how to do the DIY on this forum, but nothing really was detailed. most of them are actually bits and pieces of the whole conversion...this afternoon I installed the m5 bumper, active autowerkes brake vent, and a retrofitted pair of 8000k HID fogs..

here goes nothing!
0. washed the car and took pre-conversion pictures...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3345.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3356.jpg

1. prepare all the goodies...made sure the bumper is laid on bubble wrap to avoid scratching...also placed the the fog light housing and border (bulb not yet) and the aa brake vent onto the spikes that hold the vent all around...don't worry about it falling, itll eventually be held tight by the radiator vent.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3381.jpg

2. then unscrewed two bolts. one located on each fender liner...i then snapped off the moldings, which can easily done with a screwdriver wrapped with a paper shop towel (to avoid scratching the paint on the old bumper).
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3384.jpg

3. there are 6 visible plastic rivets and 4 rivets underneath the bumper. push in the middle inserts of these rivets, then pull out the remaining.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3383.jpg

4. to take the foglights off, remove two plastic rivets on each brake vent by pulling out the middle parts then pull the main rivet. then pull the plastic vents off from top to down. unscrew the 2 bolts on each fog light. unplug the light from the h7 connector.

5. for the main event, i suggest pulling one side of the bumper after the other. make sure you have bubble wrap or a towel below for a safe landing. set the bumper aside. remove the weather seal from the top portion of the old bumper and place them on the new bumper.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3385.jpg

6. cut the h7 connector and replace it with 9006 connectors. this portion of the process was the trickiest for me since i was also doing an HID conversion. i then had to place the HID ballast as close as possible to the fog light locations. for the right side, i was able to find a bolt right above the brake vent area to attach the ballast harness. on the left side, i found a bolt to secure the other HID ballast harness right behind the bumper's main frame.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3387.jpg

7. did all the proper connections and tested the lights if they worked.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3388.jpg

8. time for the new bumper! i have my lights prepped with the bulb already attached to the main fog light housings and fog light borders. since i worked alone, i had a difficult time. prior to adjusting bumper on the securing side hooks, i had the fog lights connected, dangling, and already attached to the bumper...i screwed one bolt on the right side. once centered, i screwed the other bolt on to the left fender liner...i had much difficulty with the latter side so i decided to remove headlight housing for a better snug fit, then placed the headlight back on. i then placed the rivets on from center and slowly worked my way to each side...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3390.jpg

8. i then covered up the rivets by popping the new moldings on. pretty hard if working alone. but i suggest working with another buddy to get the centering of the bumper faster!

9. pull out a cigarette and just stare at the final product. voila!
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3395.jpg

[edirty9]

very nice work my alpine brotha

[jvcajita]

thank you =) compliment well taken especially coming from one who despises my rims, lol =P

[Patrick]

Nice write-up! :thumbup:

The air ducts for the brakes are outstanding.

If I didn't hate my E39 Touring so much, I would add the M5 bumpers all around.


.

[jvcajita]

if you add the bumpers all around, i guarantee you that you'll start loving it! by the way, that'll be my next project...rear mtech bumper with the ac schnitzer underfloor wing!

[barbers528]

Great write up. Looking good man.

[bmwm3coupe]

Very nice write-up :thumbup:

[philippek]

:wow: nicely done :thumbup:

[Kingster5]

Great Job and write-up JV!! :thumbup:

[thaichi808]

Looking good bruddah!:thumbup: Hope to see you at the carbon canyon meets on the 20th and 28th.


cheers,
thaichi808

[la528it]

I love it... now it's time to update that picture in your sig!

[kmiecmonster]

outstanding; gives me hope about the updates/upgrades I want to do to my 530i

[NFS]

Wow, makes me what to do the conversion too.

[franka]

[QUOTE=jvcajita; my next project...rear mtech bumper with the ac schnitzer underfloor wing![/QUOTE]

Where do I surf to to see the mtech and ac sch..?

[Steve Wright]

Looks amazing, the rear will finish it off nicely!!

[franka]

Is it true that the only place to get the M tech rear, with the fake diffuser in the center, is the dealer or other OEM only sources?

[Solidjake]

oh s***, that is freaking hot man. great job!!

[Touring Dude]

Looks great!
Where did you get the bumper from, was it pre-painted and how much was it?
And what are you going to do with your old splitter?

I liked the way your rear license plate looks so much (ceptinfer the screws through the plate) that I finally got around to figgering out what brackets I needed to make so I could delete my rear plate surround!
Finished it up yesterday.

[Swift]

Very nice work and loved the detailed post. :)

[Bob M. Wiggins]

Great post and great looking bumper. I missed which maker is was...OEM?

[Fulltone74]

Wow, makes me what to do the conversion too.

You have the same style bumper spoiler as the what the thread starter had. I actually like that style. My 540 is black as well like yours. Actually I think I may have met you once at a Bay area E39 meet.

You actually have the same mods I want to do -- bumper lip, angel-eye upgrades, '01-'02 style 540 wheels.

[jvcajita]

Is it true that the only place to get the M tech rear, with the fake diffuser in the center, is the dealer or other OEM only sources?

Firstly, the website you can find the ac diffuser is from cecwheels.com. Theyre only certified distribtuor for AC Schnitzer in North America. The mtech rear for the sedans can be bought as knock offs from ebay, but the tourings rears are only available from the dealerships. The diffusers can also be bought from ebay.

[jvcajita]

Looks great!
Where did you get the bumper from, was it pre-painted and how much was it?
And what are you going to do with your old splitter?

I liked the way your rear license plate looks so much (ceptinfer the screws through the plate) that I finally got around to figgering out what brackets I needed to make so I could delete my rear plate surround!
Finished it up yesterday.

I got it from a vendor from taiwan. It was pre-painted. I bought it $600 Shipped, but had to pay extra $115 for customs/broker fees. The old splitter? already going to be shipped out to a fellow fester. I didn't know these things would sell like pancakes.

Good for you with the europlate! post some pics! id like to see!

[jvcajita]

Great post and great looking bumper. I missed which maker is was...OEM?

The bumper isn't oem. I work for BMW of riverside and the guys at the parts dept told me to just go for this bumper. It came out much more economical and was made with the same material. I wouldve not gotten this if it was prepainted. $715 all in all is not bad. But all in all I also spent $300 for the AA vent and about $100 for the HIDs.

[jvcajita]

To everyone, thanks for all the compliments! Hope this thread helps out with your future projects!

Steve, definitely! That'll be my next project...hoping that I don't get tempted to do the pioneer avic-d3 gps setup first! lol...

James, for sure I'll see you this coming 20th! Hey save me a parking spot beside if you get there first. I'd like to take a frontal pic of our two cars side by side...black and white, lol!

[jvcajita]

Looking good bruddah!:thumbup: Hope to see you at the carbon canyon meets on the 20th and 28th.


cheers,
thaichi808

I love that picture man!!!! When and where was this???

[thaichi808]

Da pic was taken at Bimmerfest 07. See you at Carbon Canyon!

[edirty9]

hows the colormatch i might wanna go the same route forthe front... can i get a website???

[JBss]

wow that looks 10x better, great job!

and that is an awesome pic thaichi

[jvcajita]

the matching was perfect. here's a link to a bumper he's selling now. make sure u make proper arrangement for the shipping. i had to wait for a long time because my t's weren't crossed nor all my i's dotted.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAINTED-BMW-E39-SEDAN-4D-M5-FRONT-BUMPER-MTECH-525-530_W0QQitemZ110157167957QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33640Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

[sefosdad]

Where did you get the front bumper grill with the air vents ? Can this be installed in other m-5 front bumpers? Your ride looks real good!

[franka]

Did yours ship from Tiawan or the US? It looks like a good deal.

[jvcajita]

Where did you get the front bumper grill with the air vents ? Can this be installed in other m-5 front bumpers? Your ride looks real good!

I got them through a california vendor for active autowerkes based in florida. you can check it out through beastpower.com. it is intended only for m5 bumpers. thanks for the compliment!

[jvcajita]

Did yours ship from Tiawan or the US? It looks like a good deal.

it was shipped from taiwan. almost always except for this exerience, i would recommend a product when i'm happy with what i pay for. BUT...the frustration of constant emailing to and fro, burnt out my excitement for the economical advantage. 3 months was a bit too long. i mean, the deal was $600 and about $50 in customs declarations...i didn't know you had to have a broker to get it out from customs, get a handling forwarder to deliver it as well. at first, i was being charged by the forwarder around $235 but i demanded from the seller to pay a portion of it.

[Solidjake]

It's time for someone to update their sig... ;)

[franka]

it was shipped from taiwan. almost always except for this exerience, i would recommend a product when i'm happy with what i pay for. BUT...the frustration of constant emailing to and fro, burnt out my excitement for the economical advantage. 3 months was a bit too long. i mean, the deal was $600 and about $50 in customs declarations...i didn't know you had to have a broker to get it out from customs, get a handling forwarder to deliver it as well. at first, i was being charged by the forwarder around $235 but i demanded from the seller to pay a portion of it.

What a hassle. Thanks for sharing. I will steer clear and pay a bit more for service and hassle free delivery.

[jvcajita]

It's time for someone to update their sig... ;)

lol, been busy with work! sold an m6 over the weekend. day off is on wednesday. sig will be updated by then! =)

[jsayreshepherd]

If I didn't hate my E39 Touring so much, I would add the M5 bumpers all around.


.

Why do you hate your e39 touring?

jvcavita - car looks awesome!!:thumbup:

[jvcajita]

anyway i just finished washing the car and promised others of daytime pics...here are some and more are coming...

the gaps that is starting to annoy me...very subtle, but you know its there...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3404.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3405.jpg

grrr....
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3406.jpg

meow...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3410.jpg

and just for kicks, wanted to share with you guys a future master tech/pit crew head...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3403.jpg

[jvcajita]

one more...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3407.jpg

[chivas]

VERY NICE! i like the exhaust tip.

time for a new sig. :)

[jvcajita]

VERY NICE! i like the exhaust tip.

time for a new sig. :)

thanks dan!! yup remus has nice choices! the new sig is coming soon...

[jvcajita]

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3421.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3417.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3415.jpg

[laidback]

Your wagon is really coming along...Congrats:thumbup:

[jvcajita]

Your wagon is really coming along...Congrats:thumbup:

thanks chris, it just never stops!

[Touring Dude]

thanks dan!! yup remus has nice choices! the new sig is coming soon...

What size is your exhaust tip? I really hate the look of my stock one and need to upgrade soon, just can't decide on size - your fits really nice.
Thanks

[jvcajita]

What size is your exhaust tip? I really hate the look of my stock one and need to upgrade soon, just can't decide on size - your fits really nice.
Thanks

it's a 4 1/2 inch diameter...

[JBss]

time for BBK and VF s/c ;)

[Touring Dude]

time for BBK and VF s/c ;)

And all it takes is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:yikes:

[jvcajita]

im actually thinking of turbocharging the car...through horsepowerfreaks.com...we'll see. i need to do more research...i'm focused on doing an aftermarket double din navi conversion now, then the rear bumper...and then a performance upgrade =)...

[JBss]

have you seen the hpf 750 e46m? it's insane!!! pulls on an m5 like it was nothing!

EDIT: http://youtube.com/watch?v=I9n58H2j1uo

[jvcajita]

im going to have an m5 with 750 horses to the wheels one day...i promise i will...

[Steve Wright]

Looks Stunning!! Love the idea of a turbo, lots of tuning potential then!!

[jvcajita]

Looks Stunning!! Love the idea of a turbo, lots of tuning potential then!!

will you be doing it to your touring steve? :D

[vidiusproject]

Your car looks amazing jvcajita! I'm planing to rebuilding my 528I so I'm just curious if you purchased your bumper with the precut holes or did you do that yourself? If it was purchased, may I ask where could get one? :D

[jvcajita]

Your car looks amazing jvcajita! I'm planing to rebuilding my 528I so I'm just curious if you purchased your bumper with the precut holes or did you do that yourself? If it was purchased, may I ask where could get one? :D

thanks man...you have a nice car to have a project on! what do you mean by bumper having precut holes? did you mean the grille having those brake vents? those are active autowerke's brake vent grille which is readily available at www.beastpower.com

[Steve Wright]

vcajita
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Wright
Looks Stunning!! Love the idea of a turbo, lots of tuning potential then!!
will you be doing it to your touring steve?

tempting.. maybe i could get the docs to sell one of my kidneys when they fix my back!!
:thumbup:

[jvcajita]

tempting.. maybe i could get the docs to sell one of my kidneys when they fix my back!!
:thumbup:

LOL!!! by the way, when is the big day for your surgery sire?

[Steve Wright]

by the way, when is the big day for your surgery sire?
Not long now got untill the 6th Nov. trying to decide what to do to keep my sanity for the 2-3 months i am supposed to rest!!

[jvcajita]

building a turbo won't take 2 months :woot:

[Steve Wright]

Do you think it would be unreasonable to build it in my hospital bed?? Not sure the wife would be keen.. clean sheets...and also it probably does not techically qualify as resting!:p:p:p

[vidiusproject]

thanks man...you have a nice car to have a project on! what do you mean by bumper having precut holes? did you mean the grille having those brake vents? those are active autowerke's brake vent grille which is readily available at www.beastpower.com

Awsome, thank! Yea, this project is going to take me a while. I got everything just about back to stock and I'm thinking about an m5 conversion soon. :D

[jvcajita]

Awsome, thank! Yea, this project is going to take me a while. I got everything just about back to stock and I'm thinking about an m5 conversion soon. :D

m5 conversion!? wow! another aspirant like me...it will be tough since itll take a lot of time, money, and effort. check out steve wright's e-shelling an m5 thread...its insane molding a 540it into an m5...it would be more difficult with a 528...

[mrfva]

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o161/jvcajita/m5%20bumper%20conversion/IMG_3395.jpg

So fresh and so clean -very nice, well done. Great write-up too.

[franka]

Am I getting this right, someone is going to convert their 540Touring into an M5Touring?

[Dynamictype]

Nice Job..

[Touring Dude]

Am I getting this right, someone is going to convert their 540Touring into an M5Touring?

Almost right, not "is going to" but "has done" - he finished it last week. See: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210794

[franka]

That is one heck of a lot of work.

I do not agree with those who say it will never be right. Sure it will unless the touring had been hit in the side too.

There is no reason for it not to be right and if he put in new bushings and ball js everywhere it should be just as tight as new.

[Touring Dude]

That is one heck of a lot of work.

I do not agree with those who say it will never be right. Sure it will unless the touring had been hit in the side too.

There is no reason for it not to be right and if he put in new bushings and ball js everywhere it should be just as tight as new.

I think he was talking about fixing the M5 that was hit, that it would never be the same. It's way better now!!!:thumbup:

[franka]

I think he was talking about fixing the M5 that was hit, that it would never be the same. It's way better now!!!:thumbup:


I figured that was what he had in mind.

[jvcajita]

man, i miss this car...

[iBimmer]

Very nice :D. So CLEAN. I'm thinking about doing the same thing...

[LerouxBMW]

jvcajita

Great job with the bumper. I am now thinking of doing the same on the 528, but a little afraid that I do not have the skill set to put it off....

[jvcajita]

don't be worried my man! it's fairly easy!!! just have a friend to help you! and if you need a bumper, let me know i can get it for you!

[Jo@EuroDyne]

oh memories....lol...$715 for an bumper and paint? man...lol, crazy.