Dimi - BMW M5 build thread and maintenance diary

[dimi_108]

This thread will serve as my online maintenance diary.

Current state - 18th February 2013
Restoration progress: 80%


Thread contents

1st update - The beginning of my M5 journey.
2nd update - New factory badges, Finned diffuser, New clutch.
3rd update - TV in motion unlock, New headlight covers.
4th update - Gearbox oil and differential oil change, Rear main seal additive, Proma MBL8 additive, door screw cap replacement, Factory torch replaced, Cam position sensors replaced, E46 M3 oil cap, Intake hoses replaced, BMW coat hanger, E34 M5 front grill badge, master list of maintenance parts.
5th update - Number plate lights, headlight adjusters, Nulon engine oil, New air flow sensors, facelift Celis tail lights.
6th update - Muffler delete then re-install, new radio module, annoying sound fixed, best fuel consumption so far, NSW blue slip registration, New number plates.
7th update - Facelift Hella Angel Eye headlights installed.
8th update - Meet with the old JDSMT and Toyota Chaser crew, Meet with Phil from the M5 Board/Australian M5 mailing list.
9th update - Meet with Phil from the M5 Board/Australian M5 mailing list.
10th update - "M5" interior badge, Ben's 500hpEvolve Tuning M5 with new wheels, DIY ignition switch rebuild, Photos.

From Forza 4...


To keys in my hand...


I've always had a soft spot for German muscle cars.

At 29 years of age, I decided it was time to find my very own.
So i started my search and after months of research and inspiration from Ben's E39 M5 build thread i finally came across one on Carsales (and Ebay) which was in need of restoration.




It was listed at an attractive price (anything advertised for less than $40,000 is considered cheap for an E39 M5).
With just over 200,000kms on the odometer i didn't mind the higher mileage considering a lot of the M5's in the U.S have more than 500,000km's on them and are still running strong.


After closer inspection, it was in satisfactory condition but was in need of some exterior and mechanical work to restore it.
So we came to an agreement as a cash sale and it was sold.

It was time to pick up the M5 so i bought a plane ticket to Melbourne.




After a quick 50 minute flight, i arrived in Melbourne at Tullamurine airport.


Jumped in a cab and asked the driver to take me to Reservoir.


Did a quick check that everything was intact.


Loaded the CD player up.


And started my 1000km journey back home.


I was warned by the JDMST boys to watch out for point to point speed cameras on the way home so I stuck to the speed limit most of the time.


Until a souped-up 535i wanted to go me so i blew him.
And blew myself too in the process not knowing how much 400 horsepower felt like.


This truck driver gave me the thumbs up when i passed him.


After five hours of driving, the sun started to set.


9.6l/100km and nearly 700km to the 70 litre tank on the highway.


The sun was long gone and it was time for me to fill up.


I got to the petrol station and started tripping out. I couldn't find the fuel door opener. What the fuck man. So i messaged Ben.


Phew. Thanks bro.


Back on the highway heading for Sydney again.


10 hours later i'm back in Sydney.


Parked in mum's old garage for now.


The next day i did a thorough inspection of the car and took some photos.










The two front heated seats are electronically adjustable in almost every way possible.


Memory settings for the front seats.


First aid kit that sits under the passenger side seat.




300km/h speedometer.


The tachometer's lights are illuminated when you turn the car on. As the car warms up, the orange bars slowly disappear to signal it's safe to rev to where the light illuminates.


On the multi function steering wheel, the left hand side functions control the Hi-Fi system.
The top arrows are to skip tracks, radio stations or channels when watching television.
The bottom "+ and -" buttons control the volume.
I'm not sure what the button underneath with the lady shouting does.


The right hand side functions control the cruise control.
One button to activate the system and you can use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease speed.


Front cup holders.


Brushed Aluminum. It looks nice and is always "cool" when you touch it.

[dimi_108]

Rear seats.


Rear ashtray which is part of the optional "Smokers Package".


BMW Professional Hi-Fi system with Cassette player and Michael Jackson Dangerous tape.
The unit has 12-speakers, two factory subwoofers mounted in the rear parcel shelf and a 6-cd changer in the boot.


S62 5.0 litre V8.


///M Power.


On the weekend i met with Ben and also met Nick from the M5 board for some schooling on the car.




They listened to the engine, checked my engine light error codes and gave me a quick run down on what needed to be done to restore her.




The error codes basically indicated that the car needed new CPS (Cam Position Sensors) and a good service.


After fiddling around with mine, it was time to have a look at Ben's 500hp Evolve Automotive M5.


On full throttle this M5 sounds like a German touring car. Insane.




The replica Angel Eye headlights i found in the boot that Ben said were shit lol.


After our meet, the fellas decided to go for a drive and they were off to meet with a few other M5 Board members.






I had an appointment at the smash repairer to start getting quotes on what needed to be repsrayed and then i was off to a mate's house.


Around town, the car averages 12.5-14.0l/100km.


On the way to the opera house with a lady friend of mine.
Nah just kidding, we were actually driving to McDonalds.

[fire]

Looks ridiculously clean for a 200+km car! Congrats on the sweet pick up man, can't wait to see this at a meet soon.

[JSLK]

Nice writeup and pictures, especially that caltex one, looks epic. how do you manage to take pics whilst driving haha.

That warmup rpm light thing is cool! Would really be useful.

The filler cap thing happened to me. I spent a good 5 minutes pulling every lever and button popping open the boot and the hood and everything to find that all you had to do was press down on the filler door.

[91led]

My car came from Melbourne as well, except mine was way out in the sticks and cost a shitload less. The drive back is bloody long when you leave at 4 in the afternoon...

I've always been a sucker for the E39 shape, especially the M5. There's none of that "look at me" bull that most Aussie performance cars seem to be draped in (I love 'em, but jeez them bodykits get ugly).

[dimi_108]

@Adrian - Thanks man. Yeah, it's a bit rough around the edges right now. I need to respray the rear bar and replace a few parts here and there but it'll be all sorted soon Btw, lol'd at your signature. So true.

@Jason - Glad to hear i wasn't the only person who couldn't find the fuel door opener haha. Btw, nice Merc. Hope to see it at the next meet?

@Luke - Thanks mate. Yeah it's a bit of a drive home aye? You left at 4:00pm? Haha you must've got home at like 2:00am?

[Rob32R]

Nice detailed build thread Dimi. It sound's like you picked up a gem and I can't wait to see it at the next meet you've still got my BMW service contact.... right?

This car really is the ultimate saloon. Subscribed

[JSLK]

Jason - Glad to hear i wasn't the only person who couldn't find the fuel door opener haha. Btw, nice Merc. Hope to see it at the next meet?

Thanks haha, I should put up a thread about it soon. Iv been to every meet except the first and should be at the next one too. Did you go to the EQ one on rooftop? I remember turning into the carpark and there was an M5, I was in a toyota hire car tho.

[e30eric]

Have always loved the e39 M5! Lol the fuel door thing has happened to me too.

[*bj*]

Awesome Dimi! Car looks great, as has been said looks super clean for the kms! Sweet pics & story too.

Especially love the car phone LOL have you sussed out how it works?