6-5-23 update
My apologies for ghosting this thread, my attention was drawn away for personal reasons.
However, I have managed some time to work on the M5 a bit more lately.
Like I mentioned there was no service history other than Dr. C’s verbal regarding the fuel tank, etc. Everything is a review and discovery.
The M5s first life was in LA where I think she was dressed for the ball.
Her second life was in South Dakota where I believe she saw her share of back roading.
Here is the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The Good
- No rust. Doors sills, undercarriage, etc.
- Leather seats are in excellent shape
- Dash perfect no cracks
- Mileage at about 80K
- Paintwork not bad, just a couple scratches and dings
- Motor, tranny, cooling no issues, stable for over 1K miles now
- The NLA M5 grill badge is in good shape
- AC Schnitzer side skirts
- Not a 'breadbox' style rear seat (or maybe this is a bad/ugly thing)
The Bad
- Evidence of prior front end incident. The hood has been replaced and has a different VIN than the rest of the car.
- Undercarraige covers missing
- The trim panel on the front bumper is not the M-Technic that came on all M5s.
The Ugly
- Headlight/foglight glass is pitted pretty badly
- Paintwork needs a full detail
- A/C doesn’t work
- Glass-pack exhaust - cherry bombs
- Dirt everywhere in every nook and cranny (South Dakota backroads I presume)
- Evidence of street mods (LA boulevard cruiser I’m guessing)
- Aftermarket head unit, amps and speakers
- Hofco alarm and Hettel 100 park brake lock
- Shadowline trim appears to have been wrapped at one time
- Brake calipers were once painted ‘gold’ easy to see now that the flat black is flaking off
- Window tint good but slightly faded to a purplish hue
- AC Schnitzer side skirts
I had some shop time scheduled for the suspension refresh including the input drive shaft seal on the diff that was leaking. The Bilsteins remained unavailable so I opted for Koni Yellow Sports with the H & R springs. While only some suspension parts were obviously worn, I replaced all wear parts as a ‘while you're in there’ thing, now I know it’s mostly all new – I didn’t replace the beer cans.
The SLS shocks and accumulators are out. Ride height with the Konis and H&Rs is much better, some lowering but not too much.
As for wheels and tires, my plan is to refurb the M-system style 20 turbines so in the meanwhile I located a set of BBS style 5s and mounted PS4s. I gotta say they give the car that retro gangster look. I like it! Reminds me of Tupoc's murder car.
After review I’ve decided that I will not move toward a ‘stock’ set-up here. The car has been modified before so I decided a return to the former Resto Mod type refurb is the best plan moving forward.
Meanwhile in the garage I went after some other minor function and cosmetic details.
- New gas shocks hood and trunk, they were failing
- New under body covers, they were missing
- New wiper blades
- Various caps and covers in the engine bay
- Painted some plastic trim pieces and grills
- Replaced front bumper guards with euro style no side marker lights
- New headlight units, darked out style, while I try to refurbish the originals
- Clear corner/blinker lights with amber stealth bulbs
- New lighted ///M shift knob, the old one was in pretty rough shape
- Full detail, paint correction, sealant, glass polish, door handle gaskets
- Re-traced and encapsulated the amplifier wiring in the trunk
- Replaced the old ‘purpled’ tint with Llumar 15
- Leatherique treatment of leather seats.
- Fresh badges and roundels
Apologies for the long wordy post, but if you've read this far...let's look at some pictures.
I found this mess in the trunk. That crossover with an index card and duct tape - really?
In the glove box I found this EQ installed.
I replaced the worn and damaged shift knob here
New brakes and suspension parts
I replaced the cherry bombs with a new Super Sprint Exhaust system
At the shop with the Z3
Next a needed step detail. My Porter Cable RO developed a bad bearing so I upgraded to the Griot's garage G8 and G9 RO polishers. I can now run 2,3,5 and 6 inch pads. I also used their BOSS system polishes and wax/sealants. I'm very satisfied with this upgrade
More details. I painted the plastic grill and trunk pieces. Turned out great.
More shots
By the way, I've road tested the audio system, all stock speakers have been replaced and I am please to report that this set up sounds frickin' awesome! From Led Zeppelin to Robert Cray Band. WOW! OK the fact that I'm cruising down the highway in an e34 M5 might have something to do with it. I'm glad I don't have to dick around with re-wiring and/or replacing speakers.