Reshelling an M5

Originally Posted by Steve Wright

As for colour not sure which one silverstone is got a pic??

Sure. The car belongs to someone in the classifieds trying to sell it - it not mine (but would be if I had the loot ). I would love to see a touring done up like this.

I say make it a sleeper. No problems getting hit up for stop light confrontations as you would easily hand them a new one....lol. I say subtle things to hint of the beast you have spawned.

the silverstones got a bluey tinge to it hasn't it? I like it, although i think i want a dark colour, need to see it on it wheels first!!

I do like the sleeper idea, not adding anything aftermarket to the styling as i want it to be subtle, factory look ish!!

Started rear sub frames today, a friend of mine (THANKS NIKY) came round and stripped them down for me, found a small issue with the brakes, the 540's are alot smaller but being air suspension it means the handbrake cable come out in a diffrent place (see pics)
so scribed, cut and welded up we are now ready to reassemble when the sub frame comes back from having the normal touring bushes changed to the m5 ones.

i just keep looking at the pictures and wonder how the heck you know wtf you're doing. taking it apart wouldn't be a problem for me, but don't ask me to button it back up for you, ha ha. looking forward to you posting that it's running and everything is situation normal. incredible undertaking. post some more pictures, i need my fix! good job. the branndon

steve (hah we have the same name. I am in the middle of my project and am on halt due to money. and sure enough you come along with this and blow my project up like nagasaki...(sorry dan, hope u feel better)(probably wrong nationality?)

U sir are a jerk, awesome project u have here, and i am excited to see the end product

anything new there steve-o?

Steve - awesome project, and one a timely one for me. One of my best friends is thinking of this swap, so good to know it isn't impossible! If we start it, I hope you won't mind a few PM's for advice.

As for color, Nogaro silver would be HOT IMHO. Here's a late (and dirty) M635 in that color:

SO I finally stumbled in here...this is an awesome thread!...I can't wait for the end result!

Have made a bit of progress, we are waiting for the parts delivery which will hopefully come in today, the rear sub frame is finished, wiring is nearly finished, we have started the stereo install so i can put in the interior once and for all. The pressure is on a bit as i have had an mri this week and now have to go into hospital for surgery on my back and may have to rest for 2-3 months.....Gutted,
i will do a proper update soon guys and thanks again to everyone for there support, it helps to keep you going knowing that people are behind your project,

Also e24mpwr no probs with the pm glad to help!!

Get well soon and hope things are o.k.

+1 on that. hopefully it doesn't come to surgery, but if so just try to take it easy as much as you can. i hate to see this awesome project halt for a while, but i can't be selfish. lol. keep us posted man, and good luck steve. thanks for keeping us on the edge of our seats. incredible project. the branndon.

Hope your health proves well enough to avoid surgery Steve- take care of yourself first and foremost!

more power to you steve, my prayers are with you so that you wouldn't have to go through surgery.

sadly i dont think avoiding surgery is an option the mri guy said it was the worst bulging disc he had seen in 15years....
Cars coming on well now, hope to finish it before my op although the respray will have to wait till next year...So far we have rear wipers working, front panel is back on with rads, lights and fans, waiting on the handbrake cables and then the rear suspension can go back. most of the speakers have been fitted and wires run to the boot. hope to fire it up next week... I will stick a load more pics up soon, just with doing the electrics it doesn't seem to change much!!

anyone got any advice on removing the bolts that hold the cats to the manifolds?? 3 of mine snapped when the exhaust came off and they will not budge. i know they are tapered and wedge in, but heat, hammers and bearing pulleys will not move them!!

I am absolutely blown away by this "reshelling" project! Amazing work! Not many people would take on such a daunting task! Good luck on finishing it up! We'll need even more detailed pics and videos! Good luck with your back surgery.

OT: have many people taken a 540iT (auto) and done a 6-speed swap? Would it be difficult?

well i have finally put up some more pics!! I hope to have it on its wheels in the next week (subject to parts delivery, begging or bribing my mates to help and my back not giving up on me!! ) so i will post more then.

As for six speed conversions it could be done but you would need alot of parts, diff, drive shaft etc and someone to remove all the automatic gearbox ecu and wiring..

Absolutely amazing work Steve! your an inspiration to us all

your audio system install looks brilliant! very stealth setup and clean as a whistle - great job!

Richie13 Absolutely amazing work Steve! your an inspiration to us all
your audio system install looks brilliant! very stealth setup and clean as a whistle - great job!

Thx dont want anything to show. the boxes are temporary as i am going to make some fibreglass ones molded to the arches when time allows.

cripes man, is there anything you can't do? lol. bet you were hell as a kid, always taking stuff apart and putting it back together. loving it man. the branndon.

I did drive my parents nuts as a kid!! especially before i started putting things back together!!

I have spent all day testing wiring so hopefully everything should work now... Got to figure out how to configure the general module and the lighting module now... so many wires....

yeah, there's a pile of wires in these things. they're everywhere! just waiting for the day you say that you drove it. great project. the branndon

wow

Awesome project, Steve; hope your surgery goes well.

As an E39 Touring owner (mine's a 528i), I'd love to see this on the road. I'll be looking for E5MST when I'm going through Berkshire. What have you done with the spare bits left over from the e39 540i?

Steve,

This is awesome, is there any bits or pieces you are looking for? I can see if I can locate for you. This type of project needs to be supported by the community. Keep the pics coming

ZM

awesome project. can't wait to see the finished work. in the meantime be careful with your back while working on the car.