Uber's 540i/6 Build Thread

[Uber Soldat]

Please let me know if any pictures aren't showing.

What the car looked like when I got it way back in 2007:





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Swapped the M-Pars and clears from my other car:







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Swapped the interior from blue to black:
Link to thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...Swap-Version-2

Before:










After:







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Fitted a removable Tow Bar:



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Acquired some H&R sport springs:

Before:


After:


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Found some ACS bits and pieces:








Took me awhile to find the rear bumper, Thomas (thespeedfactory) solved my dilemma:



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Converted the car to a manual (5 Speed). A 3.64 lsd was added at the same time:
Link to thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...of-my-autofail








Celebratory pictures with the Schnitzer boot spoiler and 17mm spacers:

[Uber Soldat]

Fitted a custom exhaust, some sport seats, tint and an awesome steering wheel from Sskoda :














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Tried on some different shoes (Rondell 58's):




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Swapped in a 6 Speed gearbox with a 545i short shifter:






Took out the one on the left and replaced it with the one on the right:




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Found some more M5 sport seats in much better condition than the ones I had:




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Bought an M5 license plate surround:



The difference between the boot locks (M5 left, original right)

[PorscheH6]

Excellent.....every newcomer should see this thread for inspiration.

[bfp9]

Damn. I came in here expected just a paragraph of hopes and dreams. I'm very impressed. Great thread and good progression.

[sbeckman7]

Fantastic work and a beautiful car to show for it!

[BruinBimmer]

Didn't know automatics had the shifter position so much farther over than manuals... Guess I don't look at auto's enough. Job well done sir, kudos to all your hard work.

Loving the interior... makes me think I should target that next.

[Cheche]

bravo! gorgeous car!

[Sneezy]

Very nice transformation.

ugh, I didn't realize until just now that the actual lockset was different for the cars with the plat surround. I knew there was a grommet trim bit for the lock, but not that the lock itself was different.

Always. Something.

[Uber Soldat]

Thanks for the comments. Has been a long time in the making with a lot more stuff still left to do.

Will post pictures of the electric rear headrests later tonight.

@Sneezy - Was a tad irritating finding that out only when I wanted to put the lock surround onto the lock. Fortunately a friend had a spare one lying around.

[Schneider]

I love how the car looks in this shot. And that interior is stunning!

[uk525td]

gorgeous car good work
cant imagine how costly it is to convert at SA prices :S i understand BMW parts are very expensive

How is a 540/6 on a 3.64? i assume 3500RPM @70 in 5th? that must be very rapid

[Uber Soldat]

Strange enough, parts weren't that expensive. The major problem is finding them. We only got 72 original 540i/6's (The gearbox in mine is from one), a handful of E39 6 speeds, but a fair amount of E39 M5's. The problem is, if it comes from a M5, people think they're made of gold.

The acceleration is awesome. I'm at around 3400rpm at 120km/h in 5th. When in 6th at 120km/h, it sits at a more comfortable 2800rpm.

[uk525td]

yer sounds right, thats what i get in the 525 on the same diff
Although my acceleration is nothing like that :P traction issues till 4th? :P
I want a 6th gear :S its on the cards

[Uber Soldat]

Not much has happened with the car. Trying to save up for a respray.

Some recent pictures below:

[Sankekur]

Still one of the e34's with best "presence", and really awesome pics.

[Leonator134]

Wow.

[Oldkoole34]

Love the interior.

[Uber Soldat]

Finally had a respray...















Looks pretty good methinks:





Test fitted some wheels:

[BleedsBlue]

Choice, my friend. Great thread.

[papa t]

Beautiful car. I really like the lighter interior wood trim. Is that an option or did you have to refinish the original?

[Uber Soldat]

@Bleedsblue - Thank you sir

@Papa T - I acquired it from a good friend.

[MkII]

Damn this is coming along really well, good work!

[Uber Soldat]

It has been a minute since I've updated this thread.

In March 2017, I was asked to display my car at the launch of the G30 5 series in George.








Unfortunately on the way back from the coast, the car was moved onto a different car carrier and the paint was damaged. Ended up taking it to a panel beater recommended by a friend.





This is where the rubbish started. After 7 months and not much work being done, said panel beater was evicted from his premises. Hadn't bothered to pay rent etc. Was lucky enough that nothing had been sold off mine, put it back together and drove it home. Lost a fair chunk of change and got back a half finished car.







After two months of sitting, was referred to an epic panel beater:





Took about 5 months to complete, but would rather them take their time and not rush things.
Its finally home again. Few trim pieces to put back and bumpers to be realigned.

@Moroza - Finally had the bonnet aligned correctly after all these years

[theBMWbeast]

I have nothing to contribute, I can just admire

[prash]

Beautiful car. Great job man. I'm from SA originally. Go there regularly.