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Thread: I6/V8 rear sub frames the same?

  1. #1
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    I6/V8 rear sub frames the same?

    Someone local to me has an m5 with a cracked rear subframe. I have a 528i I’m about to haul off for scrap...thought I’d give him the rear subframe if it’s compatible.

  2. #2
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    I think some bolt holes need to be enlarged, but same beyond that
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  3. #3
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    RealOEM indicates the M5 has it's own subframe, but does say the I6 and V8 non-M subframes interchange...

  4. #4
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    I just spent a few minutes staring at pix of M5 vs 540i rear subframes and can't spot anything obvious, no additional gussets or anything. Maybe there's some areas where spot-welds are full-bead welded on the M5? Thats the only guess I have...
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  5. #5
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    The M5 and 540 rear subframes are the same except for the sticker, different p/n, and price.
    I bought a complete M5 subframe with everything attached to it to get the LSD, axles, and driveshaft.
    It was exactly the same as my 540 subframe.

  6. #6
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    That’s what I thought. Where the subframe bolts to the car is he same on all the E39’s, and all the stuff that bolts to the subframe is interchangeable, so they should be at the very least interchangeable, if not exactly the same. I just wanted to get some other opinions about it.

  7. #7
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    I think there is only one slight difference on the M5 subframe and that is the bolt size for one of the bolts on the swing arm. I believe I recall something about the non-M5 having 12mm bolts vs 14mm on the M5. I would need to look up more details on that, but I seem to recall that.

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  8. #8
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    Are 528 and 540 subframes totally identical?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bmwe39528i1998 View Post
    Are 528 and 540 subframes totally identical?
    Yes.

    Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

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