M5 UTE conversion - Page 67 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Gustav · 31st August 2009, 21:28

Stuart Appleby is a member on m5board: APPLES

Quote:

Originally Posted by champo

He raced past me a couple months back in his ute and it took me about 30 seconds to realise what I was seeing. I sped up to catch him and it didn't look too bad actually and sounded pretty good. Gave him the thumbs up but he didn't see it as he was turning off just as I pulled up next to him.

Gustav · 29th October 2009, 00:38

Any update apples?

Apples · 29th October 2009, 00:53

What probably would be considered the last application (last ditched attempt) has been sent off to the state authorities to read over.
We found more information on crash regs for that vehicle E39M5 under Australian tests (test mass readings).
Had a bend & twist test done to show chassis stiffness.
Myself and the engineer/s can't present any more info to prove our point then this report.
I'm not expecting them to pass it this time (just like the other report) but fingers crossed.

So I'll have to work on plan "B" after they fail this one.

I do get a few odd (not their personalties) people asking "what the hells that" and some that recognize what it was/is from media in OZ.

Most people don't really take much notice as their are so many ute's in OZ.

I took the NOWACK exhaust off the US M5 and chopped off the tips and pipes (only body of the can left) so I'm taking them back to OZ with me for next week.
Better sound then the race Kelleners (deeper sounding I like V's sharp Kelleners)
I can get away with the sharper Kelleners in the US.

I wonder if the 2 1/5" pipe work in the Ute would make a different sound V's 2 3/4" from what the US car had with the NOWACK's (if the two were exact in every other part I wonder?)

Apples

Gustav · 29th October 2009, 23:24

Thanks for the update APPLES!

So you are saying you arent passing the tests / regulations from Australian authorities regarding the UTE build?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apples

What probably would be considered the last application (last ditched attempt) has been sent off to the state authorities to read over.
We found more information on crash regs for that vehicle E39M5 under Australian tests (test mass readings).
Had a bend & twist test done to show chassis stiffness.
Myself and the engineer/s can't present any more info to prove our point then this report.
I'm not expecting them to pass it this time (just like the other report) but fingers crossed.

So I'll have to work on plan "B" after they fail this one.

I do get a few odd (not their personalties) people asking "what the hells that" and some that recognize what it was/is from media in OZ.

Most people don't really take much notice as their are so many ute's in OZ.

I took the NOWACK exhaust off the US M5 and chopped off the tips and pipes (only body of the can left) so I'm taking them back to OZ with me for next week.
Better sound then the race Kelleners (deeper sounding I like V's sharp Kelleners)
I can get away with the sharper Kelleners in the US.

I wonder if the 2 1/5" pipe work in the Ute would make a different sound V's 2 3/4" from what the US car had with the NOWACK's (if the two were exact in every other part I wonder?)

Apples

MGZ · 30th October 2009, 10:31

Sad. Hope everything works out for you.

LFC09 · 30th October 2009, 13:03

shoot it up here Apples, sure to pass in QLD!

Apples · 31st October 2009, 01:59

The authorities have taken a very detailed look at the build as it got a bit of media attention about 12 months ago and some person brought the "M5 ute build" to their attention.
Or they happened to bump in to it naturally.

I'll find out in the coming weeks what their answer is and go from there.

SA

palantirion · 31st October 2009, 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apples

The authorities have taken a very detailed look at the build as it got a bit of media attention about 12 months ago and some person brought the "M5 ute build" to their attention.
Or they happened to bump in to it naturally.

I'll find out in the coming weeks what their answer is and go from there.

SA

-How do they legislate one-off vehicles for use on public roads? Is there no hot rod industry in Oz? I ask because of course no hot rod built from a 32 Ford could pass torsional rigidity tests like an M5, so why should an M5 Ute that's not for sale to the public?

LFC09 · 31st October 2009, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by palantirion

-How do they legislate one-off vehicles for use on public roads? Is there no hot rod industry in Oz? I ask because of course no hot rod built from a 32 Ford could pass torsional rigidity tests like an M5, so why should an M5 Ute that's not for sale to the public?

1. they don't
2. no, not really
3. they don't know, so they say NO.

If Apples is trying to get it passed in NSW it is tough, Victoria is an even tougher state.
Australian legislation, and Policing is neolithic. Speed Kills. The even slightly adventurous modification of cars is frowned upon.
Apples, let me know if you need some support, power in numbers, I am sure we could rustle up a rent-a-mob (European Car Club).
Have you tried your local BMW Car Club?

Apples · 31st October 2009, 13:49

The ute has to meet the same regs as the M5 did when it was complied to Australian Design Regulations (ADR) back in 98.
Old hot rods only have to meet the regs they got build in, in their day.
If they tested the ute in every manner possible it would have to fall within the same requirements that the stock M5 did.
The "test mass" is the weight the vehicle that it was crashed at and at what speed.

How that relates to the new weight of the ute and now with 2 passengers.
The ute weight has to fall within that "test mass" result weight.
Is it a commercial vehicle as it's a ute, but to be a ute, and to be really called a commercial ute it also needs to be able to hold twice the weight of the two passengers in the rear (180lb per person)
You add 2 guys 180lb and at least 360lb for the rear cargo and now you've gone past the maximum amount the normal M5 was able to hold with 5 passengers and a full trunk and full gas.
If it was designated as a commercial vehicle and could meet the 2 times rule in the rear and come in under the gross mas the M5 could hold then I don't have to play by the same rules for tyre changes.
But as it can't be a true commercial vehicle it's a vheicle for personal use and it's got wheels regs to obey.
I've had to put MIB's Dinan 18's back on as the new total height of after market wheels for private cars can't grow more then 25mm (1") from OEM
This had to be done for the report.
Even a carbon hood is different to OEM, so they really want the cabin and frontal crash area to be stock.
The hood doesn't play much of a roll in crash safety, it's just the engineers don't leave much room for us to move.
The whole wheel issue doesn't exist in the US as you see car that came with 16" wheels running 24's (can't believe they allow those POS cars on the roads)

SA

It's all about VicRoads, the guy's looking at this is an engineer and car clubs won't be affecting his opinion.