Cadeez’s 2009 BMW 550i M-Sport Project Thread

I’m starting this project thread mainly so I can keep track of maint/mileage/dates, etc., but also so I can still be part of the ZHP gang, in spirit. The E60 550i is a wildly different animal than the ZHP, in literally every way. But I’m finally getting used to the bigger, more luxurious, automatic, V8 5 series. And my mods are coming along nicely. What’s good and bad about the E60 platform however, is the aftermarket for these cars is almost nonexistent. Good because it’ll save me $$, but also bad because when I run out of parts and/or projects…that usually means it’s time to sell. Also the gas mileage is atrocious! I’m all city, only driving a few miles at a time, hardly any freeway miles which doesn’t help. But all in all, this thing is pretty freakin badass.

I've always loved the E60 550i M-Sport's, it's almost an M5 but without the unnecessary V10. I found this one by accident through a friend in the biz, so he and I shot up to Kirkland (which is a suburb of Seattle for those who aren't familiar) the following day and I came home with it! Car is a one owner and was serviced it's whole life at BMW Seattle. It is FULLY optioned with gadgets and electronics quite foreign to me living in the E46 world. Heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, eleventeen billionty way adjustable front seats, heads up display, etc. I got a print out of all the options on BMWVIN.com which is pretty cool

The reason behind the purchase of this new ride lies sadly in the below link/thread…
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...374#post559374

Summary
Year: 2009
Model: 550i Sedan M-Sport
VIN: WBANW53589CT55595
Build Date: 10/9/08
Exterior Color: Platinum Gray Metallic (A68)
Interior: Black Dakota Leather w/ Anthracite Bamboo Trim
Transmission: 6-speed SAT (S2TBA) w/ paddle Shift
Engine: 4.8L V8 N62
Output: 362 HP/ 361 FT-LB
Purchased Date: 3/24/18
Purchase Price: $11k (friend deal)
Mileage at purchase: 100,186 miles

Mods & Maint
4/7
RPI V3 Ram Air Induction Scoop
Gloss black kidneys
Gloss black 550i badge
Black aluminum ///M pedals
LED halo bulbs
LED license plate kit
Passenger fog light
Painted calipers & hubs anthracite metallic

4/10
PPI (post purchase inspection @ Matrix Integrated)
Pass rear seat heater fixed

4/14
Grille ///M stripes
Plasti-dipped rear diffuser
Aquapel windows
Custom E39 M5-esque brake duct holes

4/28
K&N Air Filter
Charcoal filter delete
Clean MAF
Body color roof spoiler
Body color trunk spoiler
Clear side markers w/ mirror bulbs
Xenesis Xenon fog light bulbs
Passenger cup holder
Rear floor mats

5/19
Roundel

5/31
ECS 17.5mm wheel spacers - rear
NGK Spark Plugs 4294

In the mail / On the workbench
GodSpeed tow hook license plate holder
Door handle recess trim

Misc Maint Items on the List...
Update DME software
Transmission fluid/filter
Paint lower grill
Leatherique seats & wheel
Driver seat rear rail trim
NAV DVD
Owner’s manual/books
Paint front fender reflector inserts A68
Clay bar, polish & wax
Front bumper crack
Rock chips



Purchased at VW of Kirkland, WA
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Quick purchase mileage shot
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Somewhere along I-5 on the drive home
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Post first wash photo shoot
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Options List...
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E39-esque lower grille brake duct intakes. These are "hand fabbed" using marine (boat) cup holders with the bottoms cut off, and hose clamps. Mine will be the only E60 on the road with these, and I think it looks sweet

BEFORE
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/790/4...17bbbdde_b.jpg
AIR DUCTS
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/797/2...8aa5b58c_b.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/894/2...ca8bc214_b.jpg
AFTER
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/792/4...45f8431d_b.jpg

Gloss black kidneys with ///M stripes, of course. Opted for the new double slat style and I think they look great.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/864/2...720d587e_b.jpg

Aluminum ///M pedals, in black this time
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/2...56f50421_b.jpg
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Gloss black 550i badge
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Xenesis fog lights installed, only driver side in this pic for the comparison, but even in the daylight you can tell how much whiter it is than stock
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Plasti-Dipped rear diffuser – Some may think this is ghetto, but honestly it looks great and you’d never know it was sprayed on. I checked the cost to get it wrapped in Satin black and it was like $200, plus I have to remove the bumper to get the diffuser off. I looked into a CF replacement, cheapest I found was $250 through Mod Bargains. So I spent $5.50 for a can of satin black Plasti-Dip and viola! Very happy with the results. Little tough to see in the pics, but in the sunlight its sweet. Subtlety was the look I was going for.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/793/2...c3999b8c_b.jpg
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ABS plastic trunk & roof spoilers awaiting their color. These were dirt cheap Amazon buys, got both for $100 and the fit is fantastic! Brand is Ikon I believe. Both even came with 3M mounting tape and some adhesive, bargain of the century!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/902/2...7c3f2e21_b.jpg

Congrats on the purchase. That is one sharp-looking 550. I've always loved the wheels on these cars.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cornercarver

Congrats on the purchase. That is one sharp-looking 550i. I've always loved the wheels on these cars.

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Thank you! Me as well, that's actually what drew me to these cars originally.

Congrats, man. I see Comfort Access in the list. That’s my favorite feature on my 335i. :thumbsup

Great to see you getting right back into it! I believe that's the same engine that was in our X5 4.8is we loved it!

Love this

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Those are some aggressive cupholders. They look great. :thumbsup

Hot damn! Nice pick up! I'll have to swing by to see this thing. I can imagine it's completely different from the ZHP. I remember switching for the first time from my father's E39 540i to my car and I just thought "oh...where is the power?" but then I thought "oh, this thing can handle." Trade offs, but man do I miss the GT-esque comfort of the E39, and I'm sure the E60 is even more so.

I am also very envious of that heads up display.