Hello All,
I have been a long purveyor of the forums yet have never posted. Given the uniqueness of the in-process build / project, I thought if there was ever a perfect time to make my existence known, now would be it. I will preface the following with what will become quite obvious, namely that this is an entirely impractical project that gives little to no consideration to the price to value ratio. I departed from a very simple premise; why not? My current Bimmer stable includes a 2016 X5M SG, 2013 F10 M5 SingG, 2013 e92 M3 IB, 1994 e34 M5 AW and the point of this post, a 2008 X5 3.0si. All except the X5 3.0si are heavily modified. As a matter of fact, it is bone-stock, which is something of a miracle considering my proclivity to modify just about anything.To take poetic license with George W. Bush's educational slogan, "no car left behind." And so it begins.
The objective of the build is to create a relatively high-performing, relatively fuel-efficient, aesthetically appealing (and perhaps confusing, e.g. "what is that?") daily driver. I anticipate several responses to the post that suggest I would be better off (1) acquiring an X5M (already have one, owned several), (2) acquiring a non-M F15 (I would simply buy an X5M, refer to postulate #1) et cetera. To potentially appreciate the project, one must accept the overarching premise of impracticality. Generally, we're departing from an excellent base as the car is top-mechanical and cosmetic shape, age-adjusted of course.
Let's start with the body work and exterior cosmetics:
The color is Titanium Silver Metallic; I actually like the color. The plastic bumper trim and fender flares is of the most offensive styling BMW has ever produced. For the 4 years I've owned the vehicle, I've pathologically concluded that it didn't exist and that the car was properly monochromatic. We are therefore:
1. Upgrading the fender flares to the newer M-sport version that actually flare with a lip
2. Painting said flares bumpers and running boards
3. Painting and installing rear and front aero-kit
4. De-badging X5 decals, 3.0 si decals and removing that god-awful door trim
5. LUX adjustable angel eyes kit
6. Black kidney grills
I know several on this forum, past and present, have done this modification. I'll restate what has been said severally: not cheap, primarily due to the texture differential between the polyurethane components and the metal body. There is also the added complexity of rendering a paint job that will actually last more than 2-years. Tear down begins Monday the 27th. I will have the body shop take as many pictures as is reasonable. To this end, a massive plug for RJ's body shop in Pleasanton, CA; in my opinion, the best shop in the Bay and the only one who has touched any of my vehicles, Bimmers and otherwise. If possible, I will post mid-job pictures as an update herein.
Onto the suspension, wheels, tires and brakes:
There aren't too many options in the way of sway bars and like given the nearly non-existent market for this vehicle, so we may improvise a bit for Stage-II.
1.KW V3s - we will go as low as is practical given the variables of stance, agility and comfort. I suspect we will be experimenting here for a few months
2. Velos S2 wheels; Hand Brushed Triple-Dark Windows finish (22"x10.5", 22"x12")
3. Vredstein Tires (295/30/22, 335/25/22)
4. StopTech big brake kit, front and rear, cross-drilled rotors (red rotor color)
I am hoping the darker contrast of the wheels to the body color will create the subtle yet distinct look desired. We shall see. I really tortured over the wheel selection as ALL of my cars sport HREs, but have long been a fan of Velos. Portfolio diversification has its advantages, maybe... This work will begin when the body work is complete and the wheels arrive. We are attempting to expedite the order with an associated fee. I admittedly have the patience of a gnat.
Onto the engine & exhaust:
The N52 is a bit of a dog, especially given the girth of the X5, despite its relatively high-revving proclivities. While there are ECU tuning options that yield a modest benefit, my reaction to such was more or less to yawn. Forced induction then. While we could design an entirely bespoke turbocharger system, that is most likely what I would consider as a Stage-II modification assuming Stage-I does not produce the desired results. There are supercharger options for the N52, however no kits specifically for the e70 X5. After researching the issue exhaustively, we settled on the ESS kit for the Z4, which should be adaptable to the X5 with a bit of, ahem, creativity. Gains to the crank are expected to be around 100HP, which should make a noticeable difference, especially in the lower RPM regimes. As for the exhaust, it will be a custom design that eliminates the mufflers and resonators. This work will also begin concurrent with the wheels, suspension etc. Someone may correct the assumption, but if successful, this may be the first supercharged 3.0si. An achievement of no distinction of course, impracticality...
Lastly, the interior:
Carbon fiber wrap on all panels, custom mats and the M-sport steering wheel upgrade. Lighting will also be upgraded to LEDs throughout. Ok, that's enough for now, back to the corporate grind. Would love to know of your thoughts and I look forward to updating the journal over the next 6 - 8 weeks.
3.28.17: **UPDATE**
Parts have begun to arrive. Below are the Stoptech front and rear kits featuring cross-drilled rotors. ESS Supercharger, KWV3s, Velos, Akra Exhaust tips are all en route (allegedly). The paint and body work is scheduled to conclude by the week's end. Once I am in receipt of photos, I will post them sequentially demonstrating the laborious process. Enjoy!
4.4.17: **UPDATE**
The paint and body work are scheduled to conclude Thursday and I should take receipt of the vehicle on Friday. RJ snapped a few images of the painted components and reassembly process which are found below. The craftsmanship employed is superb. I cannot over emphasize the high-quality nature of RJ's services. he is a perfectionist (which sometimes results in him holding my cars hostage for weeks on end until he is satisfied with the given job
). Even half-assembled, the aesthetic transformation is evident. I hope to provide another update this weekend with images of the completed and assembled vehicle. We could begin the mechanical phase of the build as early as next week!
4.18.17: **UPDATE**
At long last, the paint and body work phase of the build is complete. The weather in Northern California has been abhorrent, and as such, I only have iPhone photos taken indoor, pre-detail, to showcase the work. The final product exceeded my expectations, which were lofty to begin with. To recap the work done:
1. Bumpers replaced and painted - all texture removed from polyurethane black components
2. Fenders repainted
3. Hood repainted
4. Upgraded OEM fender flares, de-texturized and painted
5. OEM aero kit, de-texturized and painted
6. Running boards de-texturized and painted; metal running board insert painted matte metallic grey-black
7. Door bump trim de-texturized and painted
8. Vehicle de-badged
9. Matte black front kidneys installed
The vehicle was transported to GMP yesterday to begin the mechanical phase of the build. As we are still awaiting delivery of the KW V3s, we will begin with the supercharger and exhaust installations. I also received proof of life from Velos on the S2s (which like HRE, seemingly take an eon to manufacture). I have posted said image below as well. I suspect a 2-3 week cycle time to complete the balance of the project. I endeavor to get better pictures of the current state this week. Additionally, I will post Hi-Def sequential images of the paint and body work as soon as I have an opportunity to retrieve the files from the body shop. Getting closer. Patience is overrated!
4.27.17:**UPDATE**
All parts arrived this week (except the wheels, of course), importantly the ESS SC, which is pictured below. Engine bay tear-down began yesterday, as did exhaust fabrication. The targeted critical path is as follows: SC installation (I predict that the coolant reservoir will have to be relocated, as well as a few other minor components - this installation promises to be tricky), exhaust, coilovers, angel eyes, brakes, wheels. It is within the realm of possibility that all work will be completed within one week's time, but then again, we are already 3 weeks behind my original schedule. Closer yet...
5.5.17:**UPDATE**
ESS SC installation underway. As expected, some customization is required to fit the kit; specifically, the relocation of the power steering reservoir. ESS has taken a keen interest in the project given that this is the first known attempt to super charge the N52 on the X5 platform, and have proven quite helpful to the shop performing the work. The exhaust fabrication efforts is also underway. The project should be completed next week upon the installation of the BBK, coilovers, wheels and angel eyes upgrade.
5.9.17:**UPDATE**
The SC installation continues. In addition to relocating the power steering reservoir, we had to move the positive terminal and fabricate a custom coolant reservoir. The fabrication work is quite nice. Filling said reservoir will be a bit burdensome, but it can be accessed from the top. Thus far, no impediments to a successful installation have been identified. Oh and the wheels have yet to arrive; they are now 8 weeks delayed to the original delivery date
But alas, such will all be forgotten upon project completion.