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Here we go again.. E38 M7 project. Alpine white/38k

149K views 537 replies 103 participants last post by  TexaZ3 
#1 · (Edited)
I was going to do this to my estoril car but ended up selling that one before anything happened. Have pretty much regretted the decision ever since. I tried to keep a stock car again by buying an 07 E63 AMG with 34k miles but I quickly got bored with the stock'ness and refused to mod that car. It was the nicest stock car I had ever owned but I just wasn't satisfied. Anyone who knows me knows my obsession for modding cars.

So Friday I picked up the latest project car. 2001 BMW 740i M sport one owner Alpine on tan with 38k miles!!!!

The car was transported to Paul (blackknight530i) yesterday and he will be swapping the carpet to black, installing the NBT retrofit along with his black 750 dash, lower, console and front door cards. Brian (Redshift) will be dying the lower dash, door panels and seats caramel.

I ordered Apex ARC-8's in 19x9.5/10 with Bridgestone Potenza S-04 pole positions in 255/40 and 285/35/19. Got H&R spacers, wheel stud conversion kit and will be doing H&R II springs. Also bought a used Brembo GT BBK for the front with 355x32 2 piece rotors and silver Brembo 4 pot calipers. Same kit I have on the wagon.

Paul has built me a grey faced M5 cluster with white LED's. Apparently I am the first to request that combo :)

Ordered gloss black kidneys, new passenger headlight lens, cowl panel and both engine bay seals.

Waiting on Adam to find me a nice S62/6 speed/diff and then eventually, will do an ESS supercharger. It's going to be epic!





















 
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#194 ·
Kinda slow though. No meth, or 9psi, or custom tune. So sad! Lol. Brandon you should get my shop to tune it for you while you are in town


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#213 ·
So let me get this straight you had the interior completely re-dyed with the carmel or what exactly happened here?
 
#198 ·
Huge props to Trevor - I'm just pondering here how amazing it is that he had this thing literally torn down to the metal and then Paul goes and drives it home long distance less than 24 hours after completion. This was a massive undertaking and bugs are to be expected in a build of this size, but he was able to drive the car all the way home. Amazing.
 
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#200 ·
Paul and I have done 4 other much less major builds in the past 2 years and they have all had their issues. This is a different level altogether, but since Trevor has the unique experience on the E38 platform I think that definitely helps. He's in a class like nobody else when converting E38 to S62. That you can even drive the car so fast after the completion is amazing. I had way more issues on my S54 swapped wagon which is a fairly straightforward job most of the time.
 
#202 ·
That's how we roll, LOL.

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#205 ·
In a word, IMPRESSIVE!

Regards,
Jerry
 
#209 · (Edited)
RVAE34 said:
Just got home!!

I cannot say enough great things about the car. I was all smiles the moment Paul pulled up. I was in awe of everything. No aspect of the car was left untouched. The interior is absolutely spectacular. I mean like nothing I have ever seen before. I am extremely picky and OCD and Brian absolutely blew away my expectations.

Since it was so busy at the airport, I just hopped in the passenger seat and we didn't get more than 500 yards at a top speed of 25 before I commented on how amazed I was by the ride quality. It only took two bumps for me to know that this is hands down the most impressive ride quality of any lowered car I have driven period. I am so picky about it and it's perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. In fact, I bet it's a lot like what a new M3/4 probably rides like in sport mode. It's firm but forgiving. Very comfortable over bumps and pot holes. The sway bars really help to keep body roll to a minimum.

The brakes feel good but there is some light vibration on initial bite. I have experienced this before and I imagine they just need to be properly bedded and arguably need new pads. There was too much stuff in the trunk for me to bed them correctly so I will tackle that tomorrow.

Now to the engine. So far with just limited throttle, I am blown away yet again. Smooth, fast and linear. The craziest thing about the whole car is because I kept the stock exhaust, you literally don't hear an exhaust note at all. Just induction noise. When cruising, I could close my eyes and I am driving a prius. As much as I thought I would hate that, It's actually quite the opposite. It's way F'ing awesome! When you get on it, you hear the induction and the supercharger. Then when you lift you get that subtle flutter of the recirc valve. I will still get diverters soon but will very much enjoy having the option of both silent and muffler delete. This car will be one hell of a sleeper. I kept it fairly cool as I break it in and averaged 29.7 the whole way even while getting on it here and there. It's a highway monster, that's for sure. Around town speed runs are extremely limited by the temperatures and you get tons of wheel spin even into 3rd :rofl

The NBT is gorgeous but I need to get the controlled mounted and learn how to use it! It totally modernizes the interior IMO. The gauge cluster is splendid and the white LED's at night look crisp and incredible. Especially when paired with the NBT.

This is truly the greatest car I have ever owned thus far. It checks all the boxes of everything I have come to love out of the 30 or however many cars I have owned. I can't wait to take some proper photos and enjoy the car.

Wheels will go on tomorrow when I get home along with light smoked clears and Osram CBS bulbs. I ordered Nokya 2500 yellow H3's for the fogs.



Now I need to go to sleep















It was fantastic seeing you, Brian and Asim again! The NC crew is great! Brian and Asim were amazing enough to help me knock out a few things at Brian's house. We also went to dinner at a terrific place with a great philly steak sandwich and some Bell's Two Hearted IPA.

I wish I had got a chance to see and personally thank Trevor for all his hard work but sounds like he will be up here next month and then again at my RVAE34fest in April or so.

Trevor did a phenomenal job on the swap. More than just that, he did the suspension, brakes, diff, sway bars etc. Everything is like factory and I couldn't be more impressed. No noises, vibrations etc (other than the minor brake issue which I hope will be fixed with proper bedding procedure). This is Trevor's 4th swap I believe and he has it down to an art. For anyone considering a swap, I highly suggest letting Trevor do the work (if he wants to do another) :rofl.
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#210 ·
Car looks awesome Brandon. Great team effort to make it by xmas! These guys know their stuff so well. Amazing. Enjoy the car but time for family now.
 
#218 ·
Paul did you do the NBT retrofit on the E38? I assume you did. How hard of install is this if you have the correct components? Can you still use DSP system or you have to rewire and amp the system from scratch?
 
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#223 ·
My system does sound amazing, all thanks to Paul. People who have listened to it are amazed at the amount of sound quality for the dollar.

I upgraded my M3 wagon with a Dynavin, hidden sub, and BSW front speakers, and it still leaves me thinking it sounds muddy compared to the M5 wagon.
 
#242 ·
Wheels Look great as a compliment. What are the sizes of the ARC8 wheels Diameter and width?
 
#277 · (Edited)
WinterPock Grocery? I thought that building looked familiar. :)

Beautiful car. Personally I think the black grilles really pop out from the paint.

If you don't mind me asking -- where did you get your lift from? and brand? I've been wanting a lift for years and may finally be able to get one late spring. Did you have to get a hi lift kit for the garage door?

PS. What will you do about the front plate?
 
#230 ·
Looks awesome! I love the grilles!

My only suggestion is to marry some BMW center caps with the Apex wheels.

--Peter
I completely agree on the BMW centercaps.

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