BMW E39 M5 Touring build

[bolidemichael]

Well done Barry, disappointed that it sold as you won't be able to continue updating this thread. How much would it take to convince you to build another?

[puttything]

BSSBMW said:

Back in mid September I managed to source a replacement Getrag 420g gearbox to sort out the 3rd gear synchro issue. The box came from a lowish mileage E46 M3 SMG so after swapping over the bell housing from my M5 420g gearbox it was swiftly swapped over the evening before the final shoot.

Is there any special sauce involved here? I'm in the same boat with crunchy second and a replacement M3 SMG box. I was pretty sure it was a go-er, but I've been reading about re-setting the preload of the integral bearings in the bell housing, did you need to do anything like that? TIA

Great photos, I'm intrigued what one of these would sell for given the prices of decent E39 M5s of late..

[Mr Tidy]

Wow, your former car looks stunning in those photos - I just hope you don't regret selling it!

But then you may be one of those owners who enjoys the journey more than the destination.

At least it seems to have gone to somoeone who will appreciate it.

[Stick Legs]

Stunning build. Lots of people talk about a ‘factory’ look but this was done properly.

I’m sure the new owner understands exactly what he has and appreciates the thoroughness of your work.

A stunning car & a reference for anyone else attempting the same thing.

[Chunkychucky]

bks it's a shame this wasn't advertised, a swap i've considered a few times and finished to a lovely standard too

Congrats on the sale, fingers crossed it comes up for sale again in similar condition at some point..!

[BSSBMW]

puttything said:

Is there any special sauce involved here? I'm in the same boat with crunchy second and a replacement M3 SMG box. I was pretty sure it was a go-er, but I've been reading about re-setting the preload of the integral bearings in the bell housing, did you need to do anything like that? TIA

Great photos, I'm intrigued what one of these would sell for given the prices of decent E39 M5s of late..

Nope, no issues at all and in fact its no different than all the SMG to manual conversions going on at the moment with people swapping bell housings around on E46's.

Having said that, I spoke to Neil at All Gears in Worksop who is one of the few people in the UK who can rebuild the getrag 420g box and he said it would swap over fine.

[BSSBMW]

Chunkychucky said:

bks it's a shame this wasn't advertised, a swap i've considered a few times and finished to a lovely standard too

Congrats on the sale, fingers crossed it comes up for sale again in similar condition at some point..!

Thanks!

I rarely advertise cars when I sell them on, they usually go by word of mouth.

I doubt this will come up for sale again any time soon but the current owner has given me first refusal.

[BSSBMW]

Thanks everyone else for the kind words!

[puttything]

BSSBMW said:

Nope, no issues at all and in fact its no different than all the SMG to manual conversions going on at the moment with people swapping bell housings around on E46's.

Having said that, I spoke to Neil at All Gears in Worksop who is one of the few people in the UK who can rebuild the getrag 420g box and he said it would swap over fine.

Thanks, great tips

[Scho]

Absolutely in awe of your skills. Bravo.

[Alfred Pina]

What a car, Barry. I would have loved to own that. With a young family, there can be no better car than the one you just built. Congratulations on making the cover. Well deserved

[BSSBMW]

Thanks for the kind words!

Link to the full article in Straight six

https://www.turnandclipit.co.uk/post/mlife-goes-li...

[DanG355]

Thanks Barry - enjoyed reading the Straight Six article. Agree it looks factory fresh and very true to what an official BMW car would’ve been.

[JakeT]

Spotted today heading south on the A43, Barry. Made some nice noises before the heavens really opened.

[Jonny-Jimbo]

It's a shame you sold it, but I fully understand the concept of the fun is in the building.

However, go on, scare me. How much would it cost to have one built?... you know, just in case we get a win on the Euromillions this weekend.

[BSSBMW]

Jonny-Jimbo said:

It's a shame you sold it, but I fully understand the concept of the fun is in the building.

However, go on, scare me. How much would it cost to have one built?... you know, just in case we get a win on the Euromillions this weekend.

The cost of the donor M5 has risen a lot in the last 12 months so that would have an effect on the cost.

I think with current times if you are paying someone to do all the work a build like this could easily be £40k.