BMW M5 E39 Touring in USA is here

HartgeM5 Discussion starter · Feb 10, 2009

E39 M5 wagon

Besides the one BMW made and mine, I've only found two others. I'm sure there may be a couple more.

Gustav · Feb 11, 2009

Member HartgeM5, WELCOME!

Did you see the British BMW M5 Touring: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...lletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/101597-project-e39-m5-tourer-8.html#post1180599

VetteRacer · Feb 11, 2009

Very sweet! I assume you got all the interior bits as well?
I would have done a few things different, but thats just personal taste things.
As much as my wife hates wagons, if they made the M5 wagon I probably would have one instead of the sedan.

Matt

MPD47 · Feb 11, 2009

Get rid of that HIDEOUS mesh grill, then it will be awesome

mad dem21 · Feb 11, 2009

I love it!!! With M5 part cars all over the net, and the cheap price of e39 wagons $3-10k I wouldn't be suprised to see them pop up slowly. CONGRATS:goldcup:

adevera86 · Feb 11, 2009

that is awesome and unique!

zarnd · Feb 11, 2009

Awesome! Not too keen on the front mesh, but hey it's different and certainly stands out! Anymore details on your car?

cheers

Hdhntr23 · Feb 11, 2009

To me the mesh makes it!!!

Love it.

HartgeM5 Discussion starter · Feb 12, 2009

Don't mess with my mesh. The mesh covers the brake cooling ducts. I don't like the two round aluminum ducts you see sticking out of the front grille on some of the cars that have this modification, and I wanted something other than a black grille (if the car was a lighter color I would of kept the black grille). I think the car needed a menacing smile. Besides Most people will never see the front of the car, only the back.

Here's the story on the car. It was built 9 years ago from a 2000 528iT with 115 miles on it. Auxillary fan fire required replacing the wiring harness and some other parts. Well those parts came from 2 donor M5's. Drivetrain had 11K miles. Entire M5 wiring harness was transplanted (no cutting). Every part that could be transferred. Was. Spare tire area was replaced with sedan bodywork, so battery is now in the middle like the sedan. Leaving room for the M5 exhaust to be run properly.

I had been bugging the original owner/builder to sell me the car for the last 8 years. Last year he sold it to me. But that is just the beginning. The car was never finished. The interior and all touring functions needed attending to. The body needed a really good paint job.

I took the car apart, got a wiring harness from a wrecked touring and spiced all the features back in with the correct colored wire. Now the rear hatch, wiper, sprayer, soft close all work. All the rear interior parts are new. Suede headliner, rear seats are sewn with M5 inserts so they match the front M5 seats. Wide screen nav, DSP, HID, etc.
I even had to buy new seat belts for the rear because the interior was originally tan.

In December I took the outside of the car apart and sent it to the paint shop. I got it back last week and am in the process of putting everything back together. Now I can't use it for Home Depot any more (roof rail delete moldings).
Also filled the phone antenna hole.

I need help with two things:

Suggestions for stereo speaker upgrade and the suspension is just not right. It has H&R springs at all four corners, M5 front struts and Koni (non adjustable) sport shocks in the rear. The rear feels a little bouncy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will probably try to email the owners of the other M5 tourings to see what they have done.

The only non stock modification I have done so far is the UUC short shifter. It seems I can't shift without it.

CSBM5 · Feb 12, 2009

HartgeM5 said:
I took the car apart, got a wiring harness from a wrecked touring and spiced all the features back in with the correct colored wire. Now the rear hatch, wiper, sprayer, soft close all work. All the rear interior parts are new. Suede headliner, rear seats are sewn with M5 inserts so they match the front M5 seats. Wide screen nav, DSP, HID, etc.
I even had to buy new seat belts for the rear because the interior was originally tan.

Wow. I can only imagine the details required for such a wiring task sort-out.

HartgeM5 said:
I need help with two things:

Suggestions for stereo speaker upgrade and the suspension is just not right. It has H&R springs at all four corners, M5 front struts and Koni (non adjustable) sport shocks in the rear. The rear feels a little bouncy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will probably try to email the owners of the other M5 tourings to see what they have done.

Maybe Redshift, Brian, will chime in about his suspension mods on his iT, but the first thing I thought of was the rear subframe bushing mounting issue on tourings and whether you have changed them out for new ones. The second thing is does this car really have regular springs in the rear? I thought all tourings had air springs in back? Also, aren't the rear Konis adjustable? (but you just have to take them off the car, remove any bump stop, compress the shock fully and engage the adjuster)

Since this was originally a 528iT, I assume the whole M5 front subframe was swapped into the car?

I think Brian has changed out speakers and added a nice aftermarket sub in his iT also.

Chuck

Mike (Austin) · Feb 12, 2009

This car is awesome! :thumbsup:

Wagons rule!

HartgeM5 Discussion starter · Feb 12, 2009

Yes, The entire front subframe was installed from the M5. Even the steering column was from one of the donor M5's. I had to get a touring wiper switch and wire it.

The rear air suspension was removed. The Koni shocks are not the adjustable ones. I've been thinking of changing the entire suspension, but a kit for a touring would not work b/c the front struts are from the M5 and I'm not sure inserts will fit.

I have been to BSW and there stuff is great, but this car has drained my bank account to the point where I might be sleeping in it soon. I want it back together so I can drive it again. Octoberfest will be in Atlanta this year and I want the car ready for it.

Here are some pictures of the wiring nightmare, lots of late nights.

CSBM5 · Feb 12, 2009

Wow, I can only imagine the nightmare. Good job though!

Re suspension...I think one problem with the iT is that the shocks and springs are located up top differently? i.e. one mounts to subframe and one mounts to chassis? That can lead to some interesting stuff I would imagine once you stray from the factory design. Perhaps Ground Control could help out with some advice.

See you at O'fest this year. I plan to go again...must win the autox again in the M5's class...

Chuck

Halston Pitman · Feb 12, 2009

Hey Scott!

I see it is coming together! I actually took photos of it when you were here at BSW the first time! Let me know when your ready for the audio and the stealth subwoofer!

firebird400 · Feb 12, 2009

Wow, that is one awesome grocery getter :haha:

Seriously, great job on the whole project. Enjoy the M5T!

Infamous Q · Feb 12, 2009

Love the car!!!

IslandS62 · Feb 13, 2009

Looks and sounds like an awesome (and not cheap) project. For suspension you might consider the Ground Control coilover setup for the M5. The Konis will be damper ajustable to suit your preference, and in my experience Ground Control is very helpful in sourcing custom rear spring rates, which might be helpful since the increased weight on your rear wheels might require some fine tuning over the sedan setup.

I have thier c/os in another car of mine and have been happy with thier product.

HartgeM5 Discussion starter · Feb 13, 2009

E39 M5 touring

Thanks for all the input. I'm pretty new to E39 M5 ownership. But I have had my 93 3.8 M5 for 9 years. So I am very familiar with E34's. I have a lot to think about concerning the suspension. It's not bad right now (considering the front is basically M5 with H&R springs). When I drove this car years ago before I bought it, the suspension was fine. The rear Koni's must be the problem. I think they wore out faster b/c of the H&R springs in the rear. I was thinking of putting the factory sport shocks in the rear from BMW. My 02 525iT stock sport suspension is amazing. I will also change the rear subframe bushings and see if that was the problem.

Another month or so and everything should be back together. I just insured it with Travelers for stated value.
Hagerty wouldn't do it, Condon and Skelly said it was too new. Cost me about the same as insuring it as a 528iT but with a stated value, and I can drive it like a normal car, anywhere I want to.

155plus · Feb 13, 2009

This is just so very, very nice!
Wagons are the way to go. Shame people in the US are confused and think "luxury = SUV". Same story for Audi RS carsd, Mercedes E class as well.

Seisup · Feb 13, 2009

Well done...I agree with 155plus, wagons rule...

Redshift · Feb 13, 2009

Sorry I'm late to this party. You have built the car I was attempting to build, but could not afford to do while still staying happily married. So I still have a 2003 540iT as it came from the factory with some bolt-ons:

Anyway, I have done a full Dinan Stage 3 suspension (which is basically front shocks and springs and then front and rear bars with poly bushings), Powerflex thrust arm bushings, 18x9.5" OEM M5 wheels (from my '01) all around with 295/35/18 tires, M5 mirrors, tint, Magnaflow muffler, etc. I also have a BSW subwoofer which goes very nicely with the stock "premium" audio system when mixed with DICE and iPod.

Let me know if you have any questions I can help with, but I think my knowledge level is well below yours judging on this thread

Seisup · Feb 13, 2009

Pure dopeness Redshift....Im gettin' one asap

Redshift · Feb 13, 2009

Thanks - I need to add that the M bodywork came with the car from the factory. All 2003 540 with sport package (wagons included) came with the M-Tech bodywork. I didn't add that so I'm not a poser!

Car also has Dinan stage 2 engine s/w and trans software plus cold air intake. It's no M5, but it's good enough for around town and taking the family (and baby due any day now) on trips.

HartgeM5 Discussion starter · Feb 14, 2009

Very nice touring. Me likey.

When I bought this car, the previous owner had removed the air suspension. I also have M5 struts in the front so it's kind of a Frankenstein right now. I think all I need are the right shocks in the back. Otherwise it rides like a M5 (with a lot more room in the back).

Here are some pictures of it before it was painted and while the interior was out of it (except for the driver seat of course).

Seisup · Feb 17, 2009

Dude...MartgeM5, that color is so sweet....I just gotta find a wagon now....its a must

Kelleyo · Feb 17, 2009

I know a guy here in Kennessaw GA that built an M5 Touring. He put an entire M5 drivetrain and suspension into the Touring. I have tried to get him to come here but he has been busy.

Thunderbird · Feb 17, 2009

Great Looking Car, I would suggest a BSW speaker kit for the sound. It uses all the original wiring connectors, fits perfect and sounds great. As for the suspension; does the car still have the 528iT suspension setup if so then you should look into a Dinan setup it will give it great performance to put all that power down. I have the stage 2 and it is awesome.

corneredge · Feb 18, 2009

Congrats on the car Scott, looks awesome. Definitely has me dreaming of more for my 02 525it.

-Russ
'94 M5

BMW M5 E39 Touring in USA is here

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