Chris' E39 M5 Wagon Conversion - In-Depth Build Videos (Youtube)

[coolpersob]

Hello all!

I'm super excited to share with you my journey on the quest to create an E39 M5 wagon. My name is Chris, and I come from a BMW technician background, so I hope to share some of my knowledge with you as we get into wiring, timing the s62, and other technical repairs that go into putting together a functioning BMW.

I'll use this build thread to keep you up to date with the latest videos and pictures from the build! You'll get a little more detail than what I share on Youtube, if that means anything.



Here's a couple pictures of the wagon we're doing the operation on. Bought her for $300 with 0 wheels. Had to pick up a set of e39 wheels from someone else on craigslist on the way to the car. Not running.


Knew from that moment what I wanted to accomplish with the car, so a couple weeks later I flew to Atlanta and picked up the following Rebuilt title 2000 M5, and the project began:


Hoping to get some of your feedback and suggestions on content for the channel, and recommendations for the build!

**Latest Video Below**


- - - Updated - - -

So a little more catching up to do, and then I'll just do a photo dump. What already been done to the 528it chassis:

• Cleaned the fuel tank
• Swapped to the M5 front subframe and suspension
• Full Interior swap, including carpets.
• Took the hood and front fender from the M5 since the silver body pieces had damage.

- - - Updated - - -

Ended up recycling the rebuilt m5, I couldn't find anyone locally who wanted it. Had the rolling chassis listed for $300 on Craigs, but nobody wanted it after finding how gutted it was... Didn't have a single M5 badge left on it lol


The only photo I have of the two of them together... This was post-subframe swap.


- - - Updated - - -

Some more stuff to bring you up to date on the build. Machine was sent to the machine shop, cylinders honed, heads rebuilt, everything was glass-bead blasted, including the oil pump.

Before/After:


Decided to paint the engine bay in a Silverstone finish with clearcoat. I know this doesn't look OEM, especially since it doesn't match the silver paint currently, but I did this as an homage to the car that gave up its life to power my grocery getter. RIP never forget.

Before/During/After:



Big thanks to Einhorn Industries (Jed) for his rental Subframe bushing tool, which made removing the old bushings super easy:


And if anyone is looking for a great all around bushing tool, I found the following on Amazon which did a great job:




Took the opportunity to pressure wash both subframes


Also replaced rear wheel bearings, cleaned the hubs, installed rear M5 rotors and calipers, axle-shafts, differential.

Old:


Shout out to Tim (@flipdaskript) for making me paranoid and urging I do the differential mount reinforcement. Better now than when it breaks.

Before/After:

[balidawg]

No one wanted the M5 front and rear bumper covers?

[coolpersob]

Rear was damaged, front was non-OEM and has screws in it (into the paint). Car was on craigslist for an entire month as a part-out car!

No one wanted the M5 front and rear bumper covers?

[coolpersob]

Finally got the rear subframe back in the car, wheels on, and the car on the ground. Tried using a couple of HF wheel dolleys on both rear wheels, but that quickly took a wrong turn. Exciting to see what max low height will look like on the air ride to come, combined with the E39 wheels:


So now we move on to painting the motor! Black on the block, and old's gold on the head, oil pan, and timing covers. I like the race look, and the contrast on the block will make spotting leaks easy.

[edjack]

Nice to have a hobby. Hope it's worth the time and money. When you are finished, you'll have an elegant and pristine bastard.

BTW, "motors" are generally electric; "engines" generally burn fossil fuels directly. Just sayin'.

[effduration]

Nice to have a hobby. Hope it's worth the time and money. When you are finished, you'll have an elegant and pristine bastard.

BTW, "motors" are generally electric; "engines" generally burn fossil fuels directly. Just sayin'.

Wrenching on BMWs is a great hobby....keeps me out of trouble.

Not for nothing but the last E39 M5 wagon bastard sold for $25k on Bring A Trailer two years ago.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m5-11/

[GenericUserid]

Wrenching on BMWs is a great hobby....keeps me out of trouble.

Not for nothing but the last E39 M5 wagon bastard sold for $25k on Bring A Trailer two years ago.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m5-11/

There was a black supercharged one that sold for $85,000 last year


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[ChrisMelnyk]

Really impressive project


I'm also surprised that more of the shell of the M5 wasn't taken, especially the rear view mirror. The cheapest I've seen them sell on ebay is $100 USD...

I remember the price a few years ago always being around $300

[blackknight530i]

There was a black supercharged one that sold for $85,000 last year


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It was $72k and wasn't supercharged. I helped build that car. It eventually cost about $85k as the new owner asked Brian (Redshift), the seller, to redye the interior a customer color and use new leather on the seats (he runs a Fibrenew franchise). It was black sapphire metallic and started out as a 03 M-Sport wagon that he owned from very little miles.

OP, if you feel you need a bit of a reference for the swap, check out my DIY: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...39-525-530-540. I did this in my 530i sedan and did a write-up for it, along with the aforementioned 540i M-Sport M5T build. The 528it might be slightly different regarding wiring, but I doubt it's very much.

[coolpersob]

Thanks, appreciate the additional info!

It was $72k and wasn't supercharged. I helped build that car. It eventually cost about $85k as the new owner asked Brian (Redshift), the seller, to redye the interior a customer color and use new leather on the seats (he runs a Fibrenew franchise). It was black sapphire metallic and started out as a 03 M-Sport wagon that he owned from very little miles.

OP, if you feel you need a bit of a reference for the swap, check out my DIY: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...39-525-530-540. I did this in my 530i sedan and did a write-up for it, along with the aforementioned 540i M-Sport M5T build. The 528it might be slightly different regarding wiring, but I doubt it's very much.