[intense1]

Hello! I'm kind of a new BMW guy, got my first about a year ago, a e46 325i. I bought this M5 back in Dec kinda on a whim... Not the best decision for me ever, but it sure can put a smile on my face! She's a 135k mile example, she's been in Oahu since new. I've got a 3'' binder full of every receipt for every purchase on the car. Back in the 90's she got a cat-back Supersprint exhaust and a Dinan suspension. That's why she's about an inch lower. And yes, those are real HRE's. Supposedly there is a Dinan chip in there too, but I've yet to verify it. I've had to rebuild most of the suspension, and do a lot of rinkydink stuff to clean it up. The paint is also shot, I'm going to try to get it re-sprayed before the Euro show and shine in June. I put new plugs in the accessory holes in the lower dash, I had to get a new moonroof switch 'plate'. I've taken pics of most of the stuff that I've done, I should have done a more play-by-play, but here's what i've got!

First up, here she is! (I've since removed the silly fender stickers and the[WTF?] Hamann badges.

I took out the springs+struts to replace all of the bushings...

You should note that the springs in the foreground have been cleaned with a green pad... Don't do that. It took all of the shine off, notice the springs in the background? Also, those rotors didn't look like that, here is a before and after media-blasting, prior to paint:

I was told that I needed to replace all of the shocks because they were leaking, I ended up sending only 1 of the fronts back to Bilstein because it wouldn't rebound. They rebuilt it for $75 +s&h. I highly recommend them, great service.

 

[intense1]

Here is the "after" of the rotors:

Much better, no?
The front lower arms were shot:

So I replaced them on both sides:

I had a torn CV boot,

So I replaced it! I forgot to get a picture of that, but rest assured, there is a new boot under there now!
The shift knob was broken and came off on almost every shift

So I got a new one from Turner.

Great service, I now try to buy everything I can from them. They don't have some things, then I have to go to Pelican, but those guys are great too! I spaced out and got a non-illuminated knob, but I'm not that worried about it. Finished product:

You can also see the 2 new block off plugs right there.

 

[intense1]

Here is the front all done! I also put in new upper and lower spring pads, front and rear. Brakes look a lot better with fresh 900degree paint! I installed Turner's SS brake lines, front and rear, and there are Hawk pads stuffed in the calipers, but I didn't get a pic of either those!

I had the car up on jacks in the back parking lot at work, and was doing almost all of the work in the afternoon after I would get off. That's why some of these pics are in the dark... Here is the rear:

You can also see the new 'dogbones' that I installed, I don't know where all of those pics went! I know I took some!

The throttle cable was cracked where it attached above the engine, here's the old and the new. Man was it was a bugger trying to get that little square end through the firewall!

The clutch slave was seeping, so I got a new one from BMW of Honolulu. I need to give a shout-out to Charlie and John in the parts dept, you guys are the best!

I bought a SS clutch line from UUC, it was the only one that I could find. $29 wasn't bad. What I didn't really care for was the shipping. The guy told me that it was "expensive" and that he wasn't gonna charge me "that" it was to much. He was gonna hook me up! You'll notice his "discount" and how much I was charged for shipping. Total BS. I was billed $41.14 to ship a "4lbs" part to me via 2 day UPS. It took 7 days. I weighed the whole package, it weighed less than 1Lb.

Also, it was supposed to be a direct bolt up for the e34 M5, it wasn't. Here's a shot of the clutch-line mount for the slave, you can clearly see that the line is to big for the hole.

I was pissed! But it was late and I wasn't gonna wait to try to get them on the phone and here any excuses, so I just drilled out the mount, and the mount that's attached to the firewall under the car.

Here's the whole unit just before I mounted it under the car:

 

[mottati]

1. you should blur out your address from that UUC bill or you're going to be getting pizza's, tow trucks and escorts showing up at your door!

2. it looks like someone has replaced your center console, you shouldn't have that little part where you have the blanking tabs, and you don't have the M5 specific shifter surround with the little compartments.

Car looks good, like the wheels! Keep posting pics!

 

[intense1]

There was some play in the fan clutch, so I bought a new one of those... You can't really tell in the pic.

And I think that's it so far! I started to get the dreaded 55mph wobble, so I've ordered new stabilizer arm bushings(Lemfoerder, from Pelican) for both sides. I should have done that to begin with! They should get here this week! I also have a bent wheel, I'm going to get it straightened. The tires are bald, so I'm gonna order some from Costco and while they're coming, I'm going to get the HRE's refinished. I can't decide between black or not. When I get it re-painted I'm going to have all of the chrome sprayed black, so I'm kinda into the murder and red thing. I've seen other wheel colors that look pretty good with red though, so help me decide? These are what I'm working with so far:

Any opinions:typing:?

 

[intense1]

1. you should blur out your address from that UUC bill or you're going to be getting pizza's, tow trucks and escorts showing up at your door!

2. it looks like someone has replaced your center console, you shouldn't have that little part where you have the blanking tabs, and you don't have the M5 specific shifter surround with the little compartments.

Car looks good, like the wheels! Keep posting pics!

Done!

Do you have a pic of the real console?

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Try giving HIP a call for parts...Much cheaper the the dealer and the same stuff.

If you get stuck for something PM me I also have other sources that give discounts as well.

 

[stija]

I'd go black wheels. I have a white m5 and I 'if' i decide to buy wheels I am definitely going black. I think it looks better black and you get the added benefit of not having to clean them as often.

The wobble is most likely due to the upper control arm bushings being bad. Is that what you refer to as stabilizer arm?

 

[intense1]

@Bob, I'll have to check them out, thanks! I've been getting the VIP treatment at the stealer, so I don't mind so much...
@Stija, yes, the upper. Pelican Parts calls it a stabilizer arm, that's why I did. I ordered the bushings last week.

 

[MIGHTY5]

great work so far i think youll end up with the right tires no matter what. i would personally choose something classic (no chrome) for your rims. here another idear try putting an AFE intake on it hahahahahahaha j/k!!! cheers and happy moding

 

[intense1]

So I got some of the 2 part leather magic from leatherique, here are some crappy cell phone 'before' pictures. I'm gonna do the 2nd part of it on saturday.

I guess these are actually after I applied the grease, I'll have to use my real camera to shoot the final product.

 

[jorijori]

Aloha! Nice car and nice color! Looks like she is in good hands. Congrats...

 

[intense1]

So I haven't made an update in a while, but I've been busy! I've replaced the bushings on the rear/upper control arms cause they were shot, and I've replaced the front sway bar bushings because I'm still trying to get rid of this soft clunk that I'm getting in the front R suspension. Here are the new control arm and sway bar bushings.

The only things that I haven't replaced yet are the top shock mounts, the sway bar links, and the rear/upper control arms. Any ideas where it could be coming from?

I also got some new underbody fairings because mine were missing:

And I discovered why I think they were missing. The rear fairing doesn't fit over the Dinan bar. You can kinda see the bar touching here:

But also, you can see the Dinan logo that cost me $36 each. + plus shipping. You can better see the bar touching here:

But, not to worry, I'm going to make it work. I miss-ordered and didn't get enough bolts, so when they come in I'm going to wrap that sway-bar in a layer of cardboard and bolt the fairing on, and then hit the offending area with a heat gun until it relaxes. Hopefully we'll get a nice, sway-bar shaped bubble in that rear fairing when it's all over. Stay tuned!

Also on the agenda is refurbing my 3 piece HRE wheels.

It wasn't hard at all to take them apart, I just used a ratchet and a air impact.

I only had to use the ratchet on maybe 3 of the 120 bolts, all of the others came apart with just finger pressure, and then the centers just dropped right out.

You can see on the lip what color they used to be, that's about the level of polish I'm going for.

I don't want bling, I'm just trying to get rid of all the water spots. I've ordered a bunch of polishing tools and supplies from Northern, just waiting on them to come in and I'll be getting busy! Here's some more pics just for fun, I know why HRE's are some much money! They are super light, and very well made. I'd hate to have to buy them new!

And a final shot of the car as it sits on Dennis' wheels/tires. Thanks again man, very generous of you to loan these to me!

 

[intense1]

I also replaced the little clips that hold the front floor mats in place. lovelove Very important little part!:cheers:

 

[Crash & Burn]

Some real good work is being done here Glad to see another one saved for at least the years to come. Nice color as well. Didn't see or heard anything from the engine and tranny part amongst things. How's she doing on that part?

Keep it up...you're doing well!!

 

[intense1]

Engine and tranny are doing great! Im gonna do the cap and rotor soon, and get the valves adjusted. Still have to change the tranny and dif oils too.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Who's doing your valves?

 

[intense1]

@Bob. I'm gonna have Alf do them. Still gotta call him.

Somehow, my car didn't have any bolts holding the upper,interior clutch slave to the firewall(blue dot). So I got a couple from the stealer, like $1 total. I noticed this(red arrow) when I was installing them. Am I missing something?

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I noticed this(red arrow) when I was installing them. Am I missing something?

There's a plastic grommet that goes there....it's a few bucks and keeps the gas pedal from squeeking

 

[intense1]

Hmm. Another chinsy part to buy.