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Obioban's 2001 LMB M5 DD project

160K views 612 replies 103 participants last post by  Sailor24 
#1 · (Edited)
So, my situation changed such that I'm street parking every day and not driving far enough for the car to get up to temp. I was looking for a beater, but stumbled into an M5 for a price that I couldn't say no to. So, this cars goal will be comfort, civility, and reliability... while still having sufficient driving dynamics to not make me want to put into a tree :confused3.

The S62 has enough torque to work better in the cold than the S54 (needs to be revved out) and I'm going to run the newly S62 (and S54/S65/S85) approved (by BMW) castrol edge professional 5w-30 in it in winter months for the constant cold cycling.

This is going to go quickly at first, as I'm copying/pasting posts from M3forum, and then slower, as you guys get stuck in real time.

The car:







Needs euro dash ASAP to regain the lost leg room!







forgot how awful MKIII/early software nav is! Will be getting MKIV and a custom OS shortly...

Project list currently to bring her up to DD spec:

Cooling system
replace breather system
diff/trans/oil
SSK removal and new shifter bushings
euro dash
oem bluetooth
MKIV retrofit
intravee
misc coding options
misc ecu changes
secondary air system delete
Beisan vanos fixes
timing chain guides/tensioner
diff mounts
clutch line (slight leak)
interior rear view fix (fluid about to dump)
get a snow wheel/tire setup
space saver spare/jack retrofit
X5 thrust arm bushings
replace missing underbody panels/bolts
replace center climate vent (cracked)

Car already has a stoptech front BBK (keeping) and tubi exhaust system (selling).
 
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#2 ·
Threw her up on the lift today to see what needed address. Some good news, some bad news.

Good news: full cooling system looks to be new!

Bad news: Lots of bushings, ball joints, and seals need replacing...

clutch line is leaking:



realized I need to get a wheel lock key from the PO



ball ball joint here



and here



didn't get a good pic, but all 3 diff mounts need replacing



one of the 6 exhaust hangers is failed



differential input shaft seal is leaking



another ball joint



and another (both on steering linkages)



missing body screw mount



and a missing nut



missing side skirt pin



and for some reason I took this picture. Can't remember what it was supposed to be of, for the life of me...



Was also blown away by how much space the non M audio takes up in the trunk (have previously only seen M audio cars).




Overall, a wash in what I need to do. Thought I would be doing the cooling system but I won't be. Thought the bushings/ball joints would be good, but they aren't.

Big old box of parts coming my way from thebmwpartsstore :parrot:
 
#3 ·
Had a couple hours and made some slow progress on small things...

Pulled the mirror and sent it to radar mirror to get fixed (filling up with fluid)



Pulled out whatever used to be hardwired into the headliner. Also ordered a new V1 while will be hardwired, as well as a stealth one will be going up here.



And pulled some misc wires out that I don't know what their function was...





Pulled the CD changer and some sort of FM modular iPod system.



Hollowed out the CD changer and added some alpine components...



and reassembled...



The car is going to have two iPod, and will select the correct iPod based on which key is used to unlock it. That way my wife and I can each have our own seat/mirror/steering wheel/radio presets/climate control/ipod settings, and whoever gets the car will get all of the above automagically adjusted for them.

I left the nav out for now because I'm swapping to MKIV, so no point in putting the MKIII back in. Also changing the nav mounting bracket to the one that can hold the bluetooth module, as that'll be going in soon.

Also came upon this plug, which I've never seen before and looked unlike any BMW plug I've seen before!



Which turns out is pretty straight forward to turn into the standard BMW bluetooth plug...

 
#4 ·
Today's micro update....

Discovered a mystery switch.



And more wiring to remove behind it. I believe this ends the aftermarket electronics delete (before I add my own) :roll:



Also discovered the car was too old to have a 6 pin connector for the cd changer/intravee, so ordered an adaptor that'll make one



Took some pics of the zhp knob/z3 shift lever, as I'm hoping to no cost trade it for stock and stock...



And pulled the evolve tune so sal could tweak things to my wants (car came with an evolve tune already on it/with cable)

 
#8 · (Edited)
Installed the MKIV with the new bracket with TCU mount last night, as well as the intravee. No pics yet :(

Also compiled a list of things I'm going to code onto the car, though I'm open to additional suggestions:
fogs stay on with high beams
windows can be rolled up by holding lock
brake force display (brake lights strobe under ABS stops)
key used to unlock car chooses driver options
rear airbags turned on
Alternate hazard light pattern
increase DRL brightness
disable fog light bulb check (so it won't pulse them when I convert them to xenons)
add tcu to build order
auto lock at 15 mph
auto relock car if not touched within 2 min of unlocking
auto defrost when cold

Nav wise, going to add perspective view, night mode, and trapster database with audio warnings

And, using the intravee:
Automatic clock setting through GPS
mirror folding when holding lock on remote
data logging on how car is driven
tripple blink turn signals
recirculate on reverse, previous setting when removed from reverse
auto map zoom based on speed
diagnostic screen enabled

And through Evolve
top speed limiter remove
possibly lower the redline to 6800 since I'll be using 5w-30? Undecided on that.
Servotronic assistance adjustment
secondary air/carbon buildup system all deleted
Alpha N for AIT relocation
cold startup sequence disabled
dyno limiter off
sport button memory enabled
sport mode throttle response set to be the same as not sport mode
93 octane tune

That's all I can think of right now; I'm sure there will be more :p
 
#12 ·
Installed the MKIV with the new bracket with TCU mount last night, as well as the intravee. No pics yet :(

Also compiled a list of things I'm going to code onto the car, though I'm open to additional suggestions:
brake force display (brake lights strobe under ABS stops)

diagnostic screen enabled


That's all I can think of right now; I'm sure there will be more :p
I would be interested in how you're planning to and actual implementation of code the brake lights to strobe.

By the "Diagnostic screen is that the intravee or for emissions faults?
 
#15 ·
Pretty cool.

I'm liking this build thread. You seem very meticulous and I like that. Seems the car is in good hands.

Quick questions though... why remove the exhaust and go back to stock?!
 
#16 ·
Very cool - congratulations!

One question - aren't you worried about not getting the S62 up to full warm on your drive as well? Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I try not to drive the M5 anywhere that will not result in full operating temp, as I thought that may contribute to carbon build up. I do drive the M coupe (with S54) at times to destinations that don't result in full warm up as CBU does not seem to be a problem with that engine.

In any event, I'm enjoying your build!
 
#17 ·
I'm not concerned about carbon buildup because I'm nixing that system from my car completely.

I'm not driving the M3 for a couple reasons:
1) I'm the original owner of the M3 and I've never driven car I like better at any price point (and I've driven some nice stuff). I'll be keeping it till I crash or die. Above all other cars, it's the only I want to keep nice.
2) I'm going to run the S62 on 5w-30, which will let it better survive the cold weather than it would with 10w-60. The S54, imo, is much more in need of 10w-60 with its high (8200 rpm in my case) red line. I'm debating lowering this M5's redline to 6800 as I feel like 7000 may be too high even with 10w-60, and even more so if running 5w-30.
3) The S62 is much more capable at the low revs, where I'll be driving it when cold. The S54 needs revs to come into it's own.
4) The S54 is a much more stressed/exotic engine. The S54 is half of an improved maclaren F1 engine. The S62 is an improved M52. My S54 is making well over 100 wheel horsepower per liter-- the only factory car that matches that is the Ferrari 458.
 
#21 ·
sounds like my beast. i plan on restoring it and modding it as i go along. im local too, so if you ever need help give me a shout. im waiting for my refurbished vanos board to show up tomorrow so i can get rid of my P0022 and P1526 codes. mine is in need of a suspension refresh and a few other bits but the end result will be worth it.

do you have access to a lift? i dont know when ill have time to do my thrust arm bushes and id like to do them soon.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Yes to lift, but what I don't have yet is a bushing press :1zhelp:

I've never been able to get quite able to motivate myself to buy one because my indy has always been amazing about pressing them for me for extremely reasonable feels.

dude why would you dump a tubi for those stock boat anchors! if you wanted to keep the exhaust quiet there are other options out there that change the tone but don't really add volume, plus weighs much less than the stock cans. hell i have a set of supersprint magnum can's in nice shape i can sell you. give a nicer tone and and reduce weight but don't add much if any volume.
The 03 has a SS magnum (albeit custom ordered with SS race tips) and it is NOT quiet. Although, I do have to admit that (a) it sounds amazing and (b) some of that volume might be from the Evolve headers and/or SS mids. Still, the purpose of this M5 is to be quiet/comfortable/civil daily driver!

 
#22 ·
dude why would you dump a tubi for those stock boat anchors! if you wanted to keep the exhaust quiet there are other options out there that change the tone but don't really add volume, plus weighs much less than the stock cans. hell i have a set of supersprint magnum can's in nice shape i can sell you. give a nicer tone and and reduce weight but don't add much if any volume.
 
#25 ·
You know a car is good when guys buy two of them ;) Hell, even my PO had two E39 M5s.

Congrats on the pick up and the TLC. PM me with what you're asking for the Tubi. I'm sure my friend would like to buy it, he's been looking for Eisenmann/SS and had no luck.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Yeah... I'm trying not to go down the mod road again. If I do just a little, I could lose all control :roll:

Obioban, where did you purchase your intravee from? I too am looking for one to complete my ipod install on my LMB M.

Thanks
Toysinyourcar.com
 
#33 ·
Had some unexpected time today, so got some work done on the M5.

Updated intravee firmware to latest (no pics)
updated nav OS to modded latest (no pics)
switched to nav disk with trapster database (no pics)
set up all my intravee options/special features (no pics)

Replaced the missing underbody clips so the underbody panels are securely attached.



Removed the stock exhaust and contemplated running a 540i muffler and switching out the right side for a spare tire. Maybe one day...



Tubi out and up for sale.



Pulled out the Z3 shift lever and installed a stock on in its place. Fresh cup, greased up :)



Replaced the rubber boot because the old one was torn

.

And installed the old school serial bus type plug to new TCU plug adaptor (no pics).

She's coming along, slowly but surely.

Also went for a brief drive with no muffler or resonator. That's not quiet :D
 
#38 ·
Okay, mini update. I've been wanting to try some 3D printing for a bit, and finally figured out an excuse to do so. I "need" a mount to snugly hold two iPod touches in the trunk while taking up minimal space and allowing easy access if necessary. Has to sit low enough that the trunk sidewall door can easily close over it.

So, mapped up in solid works (extra holes are to reduce material ($) needed and reduce print time, can't be seen once done):



Or, non wireframe view:



70(!!!!) hours of 3D printing later...

Freshly printed (needs structural stuff removed):



structural building stuff removed:



Two iPod touches mounted up



mounted in car



and wired up...



Ready for wireless syncing when they're in my home wifi network (which they are when I park) :D
 
#39 ·
Wow that insane dude!!

Love it.
 
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