M5 UTE conversion - Page 21 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

FredW · 26th December 2006, 15:07

This is fun to watch. Apples, good luck in the upcoming season!

Gustav · 26th December 2006, 20:52

Club Lexus discussing it:

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255488

Apples · 27th December 2006, 00:12

I knew a long time ago that it was always going to be easier to get more money then find more sence.... How do I get smarter?
I'm proving this with the M5 ute for sure.

I had a visit with Shane the other day and she looks just like the pics, really coming along.

Next is to work on the wheel wells and the tub floor.
We need some swing up access floor panels in the place of the old back seat, so the fuel pick up points can be serviced and all of the electrical gear that was in the rear trunk (boot) can be got to if necessary.
The rear spare wheel section (very odd shape) will also hold the battery and be customized a bit for some storage area (a can of goop for punctures)

It's final rear width looks like being about 60mm wider at the rear wheel arch fenders then the stock M5.

Shane will be getting me the measurements for wheel size and off sets in the future.

We've got to work on getting the suspension sorted on how high the top hookup points will end up sitting in the wells, if we stay stock they will be too high visually.
Shane would like to drop the top point down about 100mm to get a better effect visually, and the function still needs to be there.

I've given the ute about the same ride height as my US M5 (640mm from top of the wheel arch's to the ground, front and rear same) and the issue is that that's leaving very little movement for the drive shafts to move vertically under compression (lock out) as it's only got a few inches to move.
Not sure on how much wheel movement that translates to, but I'll find out soon.
That being the case and the US M5 has been like that for ages I've not noticed any issues with it, it could all be fine?
I'll have to look under the car and see if there have been any bump marks or if all is clear and the shaft angle locks out without hitting a thing....not good if that's the case.
Much better idea to have the rubber bump stop on the shocks to take any potential knocks then the chassis or shaft.

Waiting on the GTR hoods for the US M5 and Ute, that will decide on how the carbon look will work with a black car and if I can take that theme onto the roof (aka CSL) and then over on to the rear tub lid?
I know the Vorstiener work will be of a high standard so I potentially would like them to be making the other two components for consistency.
The crunch time will be to see the clear coat CF next to a black painted piece of metal to visulize the overall look, and go from there if it's got the right feel, if not then we can paint the GTR hood and go to plan B.

The real only two things that could slow up the Sept completion would be going an all CF roof and rear lid if that happens and waiting for wheels to be made, otherwise a completion in Sep would be idea for me.

APPLES

Gustav · 27th December 2006, 01:45

Some fellow Aussies discussing it:

http://secretdrift.ipbhost.com/index...opic=9186&st=0

http://www.performanceforums.com/for...#post839693444

http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/...ic=181112&st=0

Apples · 27th December 2006, 11:34

I knew this project was going to attract some encouraging comments at times (didn't expect a total following), but I'm sorted of miffed by the lack of electrical activity upstairs by some members in SOME of these web forums out there.

It's very easy to delve in to the quality of a forum by it's members comments.

It's so easy to just hit the "reply" button and start typing nowadays.

One reason I liked the M5 board so much was the membership, 99.9% of the time understand the point of expression when it comes to their cars and others.

APPLES

D_C_R · 27th December 2006, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apples

would be going an all CF roof and rear lid

Apples,

How will the CF roof effect you getting the car through compliance?

Performance forums and it is a good forum if you dont want to take yourself to seriously. Plenty of knowledgeable people on it and plenty of those who are more off topic than anything else. Like all forums, you soon weed out the ones to listen too and the ones not to.

Cheers
Dave

Gustav · 27th December 2006, 14:31

Yes. I think many are simply jelaous or just think too little before posting. This is great your project and I think the majority feels that

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apples

I knew this project was going to attract some encouraging comments at times (didn't expect a total following), but I'm sorted of miffed by the lack of electrical activity upstairs by some members in SOME of these web forums out there.

It's very easy to delve in to the quality of a forum by it's members comments.

It's so easy to just hit the "reply" button and start typing nowadays.

One reason I liked the M5 board so much was the membership, 99.9% of the time understand the point of expression when it comes to their cars and others.

APPLES

6spd · 27th December 2006, 18:12

Quote:

I'm sorted of miffed by the lack of electrical activity upstairs by some members in SOME of these web forums out there.

I thought the same thing after reading a few of those comments.
Just looking at the car getting built you can see Shane has added strength to the chassis.
Then there was the WHY! Its going to be used for feeding the animals on a farm.
Just how many bails of hay can you fit in it?

Apples · 27th December 2006, 22:45

The compliance of the roof if I end up having it made in CF isn't an issue.
Shane knows his stuff so the roof strength will be very much secondary to the torsional stiffness in the adjustments he's made already.

I've got an engineer looking at all aspects of the job so it is totally legit when done and to a very high standard.

APPLES

Sebring NL · 27th December 2006, 22:54

Apples

Don't listen to those who don't matter.

To be honest, even if I would dislike the project ( which I don't) I would still have to admit that the work is done beyond any comment. Professionally is an understatement.

"At first, I was not sure how this project would come out , but now it seems that its working out very well for everybody and I am pleased with the results so far* "

I have seen ALL the pictures many times now, and I must say there's not a single point of critic that sprung to mind. And I am being told to look at bodywork a bit different ( read = psycho

) than the next guy

*Ten bucks for the first that calls that quote! Hint; its from the chopper scene

Wout