Road trip story & Project thread: 2001 Titanium Silver e39 M5

[Sreten]

Thank you, Fredo!

Neeeeed opinions. This is how the interior of the Touring looks now.

https://i.postimg.cc/3r22xNgh/20200914-164423.jpg (https://postimg.cc/nMcXdHRS)

https://i.postimg.cc/NjjXDxZG/20200914-164519.jpg (https://postimg.cc/yk2WY0V2)

https://i.postimg.cc/ZKc36Q7D/20200914-164543.jpg (https://postimg.cc/CzRzgcVj)

https://i.postimg.cc/Qt1KCYKm/20200914-171557.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zbDGPjjH)

https://i.postimg.cc/GpZscnt9/20200923-190654.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Z9xqcgrh)

Mighty fine but the base seats are killing me, 0 support and plain uncomfortable when driving for longer than 15 seconds.

I'm having the hardest time finding a nice set of Sport seats in gray, plenty of black ones but gray seems to be impossible to find in Germany.
Anyway, I stumbled on a set of black Nappa individual seats for the Touring. The drivers seat needs love but can be fixed relatively easily and the price is really good at 200€ ($232).

https://i.postimg.cc/zGKsdnhM/57.jpg (https://postimg.cc/4Y42yHBb)

https://i.postimg.cc/jq1Bt8Qm/57-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/kDxTyvHv)

https://i.postimg.cc/vH6kBW0B/57-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ppRqcnbb)

https://i.postimg.cc/NjqVr5nx/57-3.jpg (https://postimg.cc/6yczk5t7)

https://i.postimg.cc/QdQzgjGZ/57-4.jpg (https://postimg.cc/0zNZPRyV)

I'm thinking to snag them up, but I don't want to rip out the carpets and convert the whole interior to black. Plus, I don't mind gray.

So I'm thinking how to go about making the interior two-tone. Was thinking to do what member Phillips0417 did and make door panels two-tone (I have all of the necessary parts).

https://i.postimg.cc/t46s2m2j/J9Cncu5l.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Then throw in these seats with a black armrest and call it a day. I'm just unsure if it'll look out of place, I have an image in my head that says it'll look good but wanted to hear opinions.

[dannyzabolotny]

I think it would look nice, and worst comes to worst you’ll just swap a few more bits to black and it’ll be fine. The seats will be an upgrade that you would appreciate every single time you drive it. The non-sport seats are awful.

[PdZHP]

Do it

[holyc0w]

I think it would be fine even without the door cards. There's already several black bits on the interior. Though I prefer cloth seats. :D

[fredo]

I think it would be fine even without the door cards. There's already several black bits on the interior. Though I prefer cloth seats. :D

+1. Swap the seats and armrest and leave everything else as is.

[BMWCurves]

https://i.imgur.com/D3POubY.gif

[t.er]

+1, do eeeeet

[Will]

+1. Do it. It'll make for another interesting video.

But, I'm a sucker for nappa leather, so there's my bias.

[PdZHP]

Me too. Found these locally for my wagon

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37305&d=1601004537

[Hornung418]

Personally, I hate the flipped look with schwarz on grau I'd much rather just install the seats, be comfortable, and then when the right set of grau sport seats pop up, snag em and keep the grau interior. If I was feeling really ambitious, it would be a full black interior swap, as grau shows the dirt so badly. I had two e46 with grauleder, shit was trashed both times.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[t.er]

Me too. Found the locally for my wagon

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37305&d=1601004537Daaaayum lucky!

[Sreten]

Thanks, fellas! Appreciate it!

I'm probably going to pick them up tomorrow. The thing is I do like the gray interior, it's brighter inside and has a certain welcoming feel to it, and both E38 and M5 are completely black so this is a nice change. Downside is that the leather needs to be cleaned often but that's not a big deal.

So I'm gonna put them in and see how I like it. I really hope I do like it as I don't want another car that has an entirely black interior.
Additionally, I can transfer the black carpet from the parts car that I got if the two-tone is not working.

These seats are also electric so I'll need to retrofit that as well but from what I read, it's relatively easy.

I also ordered Koni Special Active shocks for the Touring that are coming in November and I'm also shopping for a different exhaust.
I asked Koni if they would consider providing parts for the project and they said nope, we don't do that for anyone and can only sell them to me. So they gave me a small discount and I bought them, they are currently out of stock and the first batch lands in November.

Man, things got out of hand quickly here and cheap daily driver this no longer is, lol.

[Galapolis]

Have you considered signing up on the German E46 forums? I've tried to teach them about the benefits of the American ways (like Koni dampers) but everyone there is stubborn and set in their ways. Also, what exhausts are you looking at? I've been researching that too in preparation for when I return and the situation looks really bleak. The best I could find is the full Eisenmann catback (very expensive). Borla, aFe, Corsa, AA, Dinan etc. are all illegal.

[Sreten]

Nah, I don't speak German and I barely have time for it as it is. Germans be Germans, Koni FSD (Special Active) is simply the best thing you can get for E46. Ever since having them on my 330Ci, I've been dying to get them again.

Well, Eisenmann gave me a good deal on their Sport exhaust at 460€ ($535). But, I don't like their large flat tips on E46, I want rolled tips (like stock) but they can't do that.

Supersprint ignored my emails, despite trying few times.

I also reached out to Schmiedmann - https://www.schmiedmann.de/en/bmw-E46/18245-new?product=SCM5446R276

Their exhaust is made in Italy by the old Hartage and Racing Dynamics factory, has a nice deep sound and rolled tips so that's my favorite right now. They can't provide it for the video but gave me a 100 euro discount from 450 to 350€ ($407). I told them I would do a nice before/after video, installation process, Insta posts, etc... but a lot of commitment from my side and not a lot of savings. In the end, I'll like go with it cause I think it's a great value for the money.

Btw, Carly offered me $2676 to future them in my videos which is a nice chunk of money, especially considering that my last E46 video made a dismal $265 (yt revenue sucks!), but in the end I told them no. They sent me the adapter, I was playing with it and it works nice and easy but it's a gimmick, not a tool I'd use when working on these cars. Their aim is at people who just want to code simple stuff and read codes and that's fine.
But I can't get over the fact how freaking expensive it is - $80 plus shipping for the adapter and then $7 monthly subscription. That's just ridiculous and I don't see the value in it when you can buy INPA, ISTA or PA soft for a lot less, have it permanently, have BMW specific diagnostic and do stuff that their app can't. Not to mention complaints from some users that Carly bricked their modules.

Told them I won't advertise or recommended stuff I wouldn't buy myself and that was that. I just wish it was easier to work with companies I actually want to work with like Koni and Schmiedmann and some other parts suppliers but it's never that simple. I'm lucky to still work with Liqui Moly, Colourlock and Retrofitlab who have been of great help and sending me their stuff which helps with overall costs with these projects.

[johnrando]

Good stuff. Why noy maybe get the exhaust and replace the tips?

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[t.er]

Btw, Carly offered me $2676 to future them in my videos

https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2a5k25fzu1rqfhi2o1_400.gif

Jesus H. Christ... no wonder I keep seeing all these youtubers featuring them, that's insane! Good on you to staying true to your values even though it's a good chunk of change. Given what we can do with a $20 K+DCAN cable and free BMW software readily available online, I always knew iCarly was up to something when everyone was promoting it

[Sreten]

Good stuff. Why noy maybe get the exhaust and replace the tips?

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I thought about that but something about chopping up a brand-new exhaust just doesn't sit right with me.



Jesus H. Christ... no wonder I keep seeing all these youtubers featuring them, that's insane! Good on you to staying true to your values even though it's a good chunk of change. Given what we can do with a $20 K+DCAN cable and free BMW software readily available online, I always knew iCarly was up to something when everyone was promoting it

Yup, they spend a ton of money on marketing which is why are you seeing them everywhere. Even though it would come a long way for buying parts for the E60 M5, I just can't push a product on people I don't believe in.
Most YouTubers don't give 2 shakes about it and just roll with it, but I can't blame them either, yt revenue is pathetic most of the time and when this is your main income, you have to survive.

[az3579]

I would definitely two-tone that interior the factory way. The grey can look great if done like that, the way the Natural Brown interior was done. For something cool and unique, I'd go all out, if it was a keeper:

Black headliner and pillars
Black dash
Black carpet
Door cards, black outside, grey centers, black armrests on door panels
Black armrest
Black center console
Grey seats with black button trim

I've never seen someone do 100% of it, only some mix & match. I think it would be sweet if you did. Just saying. :)

[Sreten]

I know exactly what you mean and that would look awesome, but I just can't find gray Sport seats here.

I picked up those black individual Nappa seats and they are awesome.

https://i.postimg.cc/hPcDWGkv/20200926-154559.jpg (https://postimg.cc/WtYL0sbc)

https://i.postimg.cc/3rChBTkT/20200926-184826.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JtnSrS36)

https://i.postimg.cc/qR2TWfQ2/20200926-184836.jpg (https://postimg.cc/34rVDcsw)

https://i.postimg.cc/yNgBX3ZQ/20200928-173434.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2qDPC6Th)

https://i.postimg.cc/tgKbrRdX/20200928-173438.jpg (https://postimg.cc/sB4bxr08)

https://i.postimg.cc/fyZNNHgp/20200928-173444.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ZBfgPLmx)

Did a test just to see how they'll look and I think black carpets will be a must. Otherwise it'll look unfinished.
The plan is to install black carpets, these seats, black armrest, two-tone the door panels and leave the center console and dash gray. In my head, that should look good, but we'll see. I have a whole parts car so I can mix and match as I desire.

I also picked up something that I didn't even know was an option on E46, leather door grab handles. The door panels will look so good.

https://i.postimg.cc/K8TJPZY7/57.jpg (https://postimg.cc/nXH4ZfBM)

[t.er]

What trim is that? Doesn't look like black cube

[holyc0w]

Looks alright now, but I'm lazy. Any pictures from the other side with the door card in sight?

[az3579]

What trim is that? Doesn't look like black cube

BMW calls it Sieblack Grau. We didn't get it here.

[Sreten]

Yeah, it's a trim found only on Euro-spec cars. Looks nice on pictures but it's that rubber-coated crap so it's scratched up in few places. I bought black alu cube trim to throw in.

Well, I got screwed over for the door panels with leather handles. I paid for them weeks ago and the guy sent me a pic of them packed in the box only to tell me the next morning that his brother sold them to someone else. Really ruined my day and I searched everywhere since then, and they are incredibly rare to find.

So for now I settled for these individual factory two-tone door panels.

https://i.postimg.cc/jSyWYJyL/m-konversation-anhang-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/ZqZWbKLj/m-konversation-anhang-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Saves me the trouble of making my own and they'll go along nicely with what I want to do.

One simple cleaning of the drivers seat bottom.

https://i.postimg.cc/0N2c6xkd/20201001-202716.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XrmwhRyp)

https://i.postimg.cc/zXZ7CTDf/20201001-205407.jpg (https://postimg.cc/grs3dXZ9)

I removed the bottom part to take it to the upholstery shop to have the middle stitched up and I'll also need to replace the foam as it's disintegrating.

https://i.postimg.cc/rytgRfkb/20201001-212630.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Rq4wjQqQ)

https://i.postimg.cc/BbDgWnps/20201001-212637.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PvXZYh0F)

https://i.postimg.cc/7Y3Vmbbn/20201001-212707.jpg (https://postimg.cc/SJKCKS6n)

[johnrando]

Like that!

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[Vas]

Watched the last e46 wagon. Great content

Btw are the euro rear clear tailights still available from the parts car? I'm having a hard time sourcing a set here in the states.

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[Sreten]

Thanks! Yeah, I still have them. They are plentiful here and I had no interest in them. The inner ones are pretty faded, been meaning to remove them and try polishing them. Send me a PM and I'll get you some pictures.

Here's the video. I'm really enjoying the Touring more than I imagined.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoMZphrQSqs&feature=emb_title

To be totally honest, I'd love to stick S54 in it one day, but that would be a huge project and would defeat the purpose of a cheap runaround. Now it's not fast which makes it fun on the backroads whereas with the M5, I hit the speed limit pretty quickly.

[Will]

Another great video, Sreten. Those seats look great after some cleaning, and turned out nicely after the refinishing. Looking forward to the next episode - I really like how we got a preview of what's to come in your posts here, too.

[t.er]

Looking forward to seeing the M-Tech II kit on the car as well - but man, assuming those have to be painted, not so much of a budget project anymore as you said lol

[Sreten]

Another great video, Sreten. Those seats look great after some cleaning, and turned out nicely after the refinishing. Looking forward to the next episode - I really like how we got a preview of what's to come in your posts here, too.

Thanks, Will!


Looking forward to seeing the M-Tech II kit on the car as well - but man, assuming those have to be painted, not so much of a budget project anymore as you said lol

It got out of hand quickly. It's so expensive to paint stuff here, next week I'm dropping it off to sort out the rust on the rear right quarter panel, $470. The rust needs to be cut out and new piece welded in. To repaint both bumpers and side skirts, $1200, yup! If I try to find cheaper than that, the quailty will be awful. I'll have bumpers repainted come spring time.

[Will]

Great to see your latest videos, Sreten. Fantastic progress. Makes me want a e46 Touring, and leather covered arm-rests. Looking forward to the next ones.

For those that haven't seen them yet:

Part 5,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-rn0GcyhMs

Part 6,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPWmmPyzqI0

[t.er]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the M-Tech II bumpers on it! It'll totally transform the look, I've always found the design of the standard bumpers kind of odd

[holyc0w]

Catching up on the videos. Project Dubai looks minty fresh.

[Will]

Great video on the conclusion of Project Dubai. The comments on Youtube are spot on, looks like a BMW advertisement towards the end of the video.

[fredo]

I wonder why OP stopped posting updates here. :dunno

[Pilot05]

Sreten and his channel got a big plug from automotive journalist Dan Neil in today's Wall Street Journal p. D7...

Dan was reviewing the new 2021 M550i sedan and spent the first 1/3rd of the article singing Sreten's praises...Way to go...

[fredo]

Good find.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/2021-bmw-m550i-a-sedan-that-wont-put-you-to-sleep-11608734040

[t.er]

Nuuuuuuuuuu Sreten come back!

[Sreten]

Very sorry for disappearing boys! I just don't have as much free time as I had before, but I'll try to stay active.


Great to see your latest videos, Sreten. Fantastic progress. Makes me want a e46 Touring, and leather covered arm-rests. Looking forward to the next ones.

For those that haven't seen them yet:

Part 5,

Part 6,



Thanks for posting these, Will!


I'm really looking forward to seeing the M-Tech II bumpers on it! It'll totally transform the look, I've always found the design of the standard bumpers kind of odd

Can't wait for them too.


Catching up on the videos. Project Dubai looks minty fresh.

Thank you! I actually sold it today. It's going a great guy from the UK who has a small collection of nice cars.


Great video on the conclusion of Project Dubai. The comments on Youtube are spot on, looks like a BMW advertisement towards the end of the video.

Thank you! Took a lot of work to make that video but I'm really proud of it.


I wonder why OP stopped posting updates here. :dunno

Sorry Fredo, I suck at managing time, lol.


Sreten and his channel got a big plug from automotive journalist Dan Neil in today's Wall Street Journal p. D7...

Dan was reviewing the new 2021 M550i sedan and spent the first 1/3rd of the article singing Sreten's praises...Way to go...

Thank you for posting this! I had no idea about it until I saw the notification from your comment. Indeed really amazing and totally unexpected.
I was trying to find WSJ papers here but couldn't find them in Germany. I have some screen grabs, that's the first time I received such a public shoutout so pretty exciting stuff!


The next video will be on the Touring and I have more stuff cooking, E31 6-speed from France, 2 E32's actually and I left my job a month ago. Going full-time with fixing junk from March and I finally get to do what makes me happy!

I put Eisenmann/Reuter motorsport exhaust on the Touring and got pretty disappointed. The sound is pretty dull and the drone around 2000 rpm is unbearable so I won't keep it. I'm really craving for UUC Corsa exhaust I had on my ZHP, that thing was glorious so if anyone knows of a use one for sale, let me know. :)

[Galapolis]

The Corsa would be illegal in Germany since it has no e-number. Was it the Eisenmann catback or axleback? Eisenmann catback sounds quite exotic and pretty good IMO. BMW Performance exhaust is another option.

[fredo]

BMW E46 325i Touring - Project Cologne: Part 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n_7NMBN8Qo

Wheels style 135 are in this Touring's future.

[t.er]

Wheels style 135 are in this Touring's future.

Along with a B30 swap. Looooool definitely spiraled into a proper project instead of just a beater runabout

[Galapolis]

You can lower the front by 10mm by using Z4 strut mounts. It's one of the most popular mods in Germany.

[Pilot05]

Along with a B30 swap. ........

Along with an upgrade to a 6-speed...It's time Sreten does a drivetrain swap....

[Will]

Along with a B30 swap. Looooool definitely spiraled into a proper project instead of just a beater runabout

Rabbit holes run deep! Lol. Will make for good content.

I'm seriously impressed that Sreten's doing all of this in Germany without fluently speaking German.

[RUS_ZHP]

Sreten, I haven't been posting here for a while. I kept watching all your videos and I love your projects, proper restorations and giant amount of time that you spent across all cars.
Project Dubai is fascinating! I am honestly shocked that you spent "reasonable" amount of money. I thought the total bill is at least %50 bigger, considering how many parts were purchased, plus paying for the paint job.

The touring project is definitely becominga money pit. I love it! You said that you're not going to throw money on it since it is your daily. That is a total prove that you're a very crazy person. In a good way of course.

Lastly, project Karlsruhe is probably going to be my favorite. I have a soft spot for e34 and e32 models and dreaming of buying one. Yours is V12, which makes it very rare and interesting. Good luck with that beauty!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[t.er]

As featured on Misha's channel!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljx2BW8bG_Q

[fredo]

Skip to 7:50 if you need to save some time.

[Sreten]

Part 3 of project Karlsruhe! The beast is up and running!

https://youtu.be/C9fUhHpPtPI

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[t.er]

Part 3 of project Karlsruhe! The beast is up and running!

https://youtu.be/C9fUhHpPtPI

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Ugh. All the mistakes the previous mechanic made are why I do my own work. I had a similar experience - when I got my Redish RACP plates welded in, I elected to have the shop replace the subframe bushings, RTABs, and diff bushings "while we're in there". They ended up doing all but the diff bushings, so I called them out on it and after a couple of weeks of heckling they refunded me $600. I then installed the bushings myself in 1 evening which ended up saving me money, but if I didn't check these details then I would've gotten scammed like the PO of your car did

[Will]

New e31 850ci 6MT arrived:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdsT6DqR9i4

The videos keep getting better.

[Whammy]

Part 3 of project Karlsruhe! The beast is up and running!

https://youtu.be/C9fUhHpPtPI

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It's running! You frivolous bastard!

LOL!

[Sreten]

Ola fellas!

Finally started working on the E60 M5.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMDTXlgZeV4

[t.er]

Faaaack I'm in a stupid online training session I have to take notes for but I'm watching that immediately after

[Will]

Another great episode, Sreten. I'm really enjoying the long form format and your commentary. I'm digging those Hazet tools, they look so nicely made and probably feels great in the hand.

[t.er]

Glad to see you doing so well Sreten!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aly27qvQ5C8

[BMWCurves]

https://i.imgur.com/CiwsqNJ.gif

Very exciting news, congrats!

[ZHPizza]

Man I picked a good video to jump back into this madness with. Thanks for posting it up, Tim. And congrats on our favorite Serbian for committing to what he loves and building it into something great!

[fredo]

+1. That sounds great !

[zhpnsnv]

Glad to see you doing so well Sreten!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aly27qvQ5C8

Yes, fantastic and can't wait to see the rest of your progress/journey!

[Will]

Fantastic to see his channel growing.

[Sreten]

Thank you, fellas!!!!

And sorry for not being active lately. This is my favorite forum and I love posting here. I just don't have the time as I used to and I also suck with time management :D

Thanks again and try to be more active!

[wstr75]

Sreten, love your videos! I live vicariously through your adventures.

There were two times in the E60 video that were alarming to this farm boy and later factory guy. I knew folks who died in farming accidents involving clothing and rotating components. Similarly, factory accidents occurred at my Fortune 500 company involving clothing and rotating components. It happens so fast

The two safety items: The first was when you initially fired up the engine for a few seconds and later when you ran the fully assembled engine bay. Both times your hoodie string/rope dangled down into where there were external rotating components at the front of the engine. You are known for practicing excellent safety techniques. With the hoodie string situation, string capture by a pulley could pull the head/neck down with sufficient force to do irreversible damage to head, face or neck “components “. I encourage everyone to either pull off the hoodie shirt/jacket or tie up the drawstrings to where they cannot reach a rotating component.

All the best.
Bill

[Galapolis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfLSnFFfyck

Great video as always! Having gone through a similar process on my E46 (base model to full MSport) I could really relate to a lot of your journey (both the joys and annoyances).

I may be getting ahead of both of us here but if you end up getting rid of the exhaust I would be interested in buying it. I don't think the TÜV will appreciate my California catback and your exhaust sounds similar to my current setup, which I didn't think I would be able to replicate back in Germany but perhaps this might be the way.

[cakM3]

Thank you, fellas!!!!

And sorry for not being active lately. This is my favorite forum and I love posting here. I just don't have the time as I used to and I also suck with time management :D

Thanks again and try to be more active!

Sreten, you always get a pass as far as I'm concerned[emoji1417] You have been making lots of awesome very informative YouTube videos. Just happy to see you here[emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone 11 Pro Max using Tapatalk Pro

[t.er]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfLSnFFfyck

Great video as always! Having gone through a similar process on my E46 (base model to full MSport) I could really relate to a lot of your journey (both the joys and annoyances).

I may be getting ahead of both of us here but if you end up getting rid of the exhaust I would be interested in buying it. I don't think the TÜV will appreciate my California catback and your exhaust sounds similar to my current setup, which I didn't think I would be able to replicate back in Germany but perhaps this might be the way.

When are you headed back to the motherland?


I also enjoyed that video - actually I can relate as well, since I'm getting my rear bumper painted. I found a one-man show shop with 45 years of experience and perfect reviews, and the guy uses the colour code only as a base, to which he tests it out on spray cards (like you have shown Sreten) and tints by eye until it matches. Quite a time-consuming process, but very necessary to get a perfect match without blending!

[Galapolis]

When are you headed back to the motherland?


I also enjoyed that video - actually I can relate as well, since I'm getting my rear bumper painted. I found a one-man show shop with 45 years of experience and perfect reviews, and the guy uses the colour code only as a base, to which he tests it out on spray cards (like you have shown Sreten) and tints by eye until it matches. Quite a time-consuming process, but very necessary to get a perfect match without blending!

Sometime next summer. I should probably have things planned out better but I feel like your 20s these days is just wandering around the world with a vague sense of what you're actually supposed to do.

I used to have a full replica set of bumpers, and before anyone says anything Taiwanese molding and plastic quality is shockingly good these days (some of their parts surpass OEM quality), but I had them painted at the cheapest body shop in my area. They looked good for the price but more like Sreten's first set of bumpers in terms of color match. My side skirts were "eBay painted" and are quite far off but they are always so dirty that you can never tell. When I smashed my front bumper I got a genuine one that I had refinished and painted at a very reputable body shop that works on a lot of classic cars, and they did a really good job with the match using just the paint code. Makes my other bumpers look a lot worse. I might use this as an excuse to also get a genuine rear bumper one day but that's a low priority.

[t.er]

Sometime next summer. I should probably have things planned out better but I feel like your 20s these days is just wandering around the world with a vague sense of what you're actually supposed to do.

I used to have a full replica set of bumpers, and before anyone says anything Taiwanese molding and plastic quality is shockingly good these days (some of their parts surpass OEM quality), but I had them painted at the cheapest body shop in my area. They looked good for the price but more like Sreten's first set of bumpers in terms of color match. My side skirts were "eBay painted" and are quite far off but they are always so dirty that you can never tell. When I smashed my front bumper I got a genuine one that I had refinished and painted at a very reputable body shop that works on a lot of classic cars, and they did a really good job with the match using just the paint code. Makes my other bumpers look a lot worse. I might use this as an excuse to also get a genuine rear bumper one day but that's a low priority.

Yeah, I haven't really looked into importing my car to the US, can't imagine the logistics of having it shipped across the pond. I'm sort of hoping I don't have to get a US cluster, but I'm doubtful, since the Canadian cluster is basically the Euro one, so just km/h.

How much was paint for your genuine bumper, do you happen to know what paint is used? I got a quote to get a new euro front bumper painted - $575 CAD, and he uses Sikkens paint which is one of the best from what I've read. Minimal prep work though since it's new

[Galapolis]

Man too bad we don't know anyone who has imported a Canadian ZHP into the US.

*cough* 38144 *cough*

Whoops, how did that get in there?

Anyway, not sure what California is like but whatever you need to initially get done, I'm pretty sure that nobody will care what you do after that. I know NC is probably quite different but man the stuff that I've seen people drive around here. It's like inspections don't even exist.

The genuine one was $450 to paint. It was in very bad shape with a lot of deep scratches, dents and missing chunks, so the fact that it looks like new now makes me feel like it was really worth the price. No idea what paint he used though. You might enjoy going through the shop's Facebook page, the owner posts a lot on there: https://www.facebook.com/Youngsautobody/

[t.er]

Man too bad we don't know anyone who has imported a Canadian ZHP into the US.

*cough* 38144 *cough*

Whoops, how did that get in there?


:rofl



Anyway, not sure what California is like but whatever you need to initially get done, I'm pretty sure that nobody will care what you do after that. I know NC is probably quite different but man the stuff that I've seen people drive around here. It's like inspections don't even exist.


Yeah, the Canadian cluster will be going back in - looks much cleaner and it was fine for me 4 months when I was over there. But somehow I did see @704sw mention in his thread, how he didn't actually need to swap in the first place, which seems odd. More so I'm just lazy if I need to swap, then there's going to be a slight difference in mileage for the short time the new cluster will be in there and whatnot... can probably code it properly, need to look into it



The genuine one was $450 to paint. It was in very bad shape with a lot of deep scratches, dents and missing chunks, so the fact that it looks like new now makes me feel like it was really worth the price. No idea what paint he used though. You might enjoy going through the shop's Facebook page, the owner posts a lot on there: https://www.facebook.com/Youngsautobody/


That's a great price for the quality of work done! I was actually thinking to go with the cheapest shop in town I found on fb marketplace, at $450 CAD for both front AND rear bumpers to be refinished. My front is the same, tons of rock chips, a scrape on the top corner and lots of scrapes on the underside. In the end I was worried about durability and matching. Also coupled with the fact that I have more $$$ coming in it just made sense to go to a proper shop

[fredo]

Man too bad we don't know anyone who has imported a Canadian ZHP into the US.

*cough* 38144 *cough*

Whoops, how did that get in there?

LOL ... too funny !

[fredo]

Our friend Sreten bought another M5. He has 2 now.

Part 1 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZUAsqcSvv0

Part 2 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHBkEUiF9w

[t.er]

I'm certainly jealous of the ability to legally max your car out in 'sausage-land'!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLAjg7FPZ0w

Also I see that you have a new DIY headrest camera mount - much better than the tripod that kept tipping over! I did the same with a bit of PVC pipe, and a couple of u-bolts.

[fredo]

New project : Alpina B7. This car is from Chicago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVM3xeCWuY8

[cakM3]

Sreten does amazing work on his projects...that's for sure!! [emoji41]


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[holyc0w]

The truck driver certainly gave it a whirl. :eeps

[cakM3]

The truck driver certainly gave it a whirl. :eeps

Yeah he was revving it pretty good until Sreten yelled at him to stop revving the car.... then he apologized and explained why you don't cold rev the car...

[PdZHP]

https://youtu.be/Ty-4RX-X8Mk

Felt like a punch to the gut watching this one.

[cakM3]

https://youtu.be/Ty-4RX-X8Mk

Felt like a punch to the gut watching this one.

Yeah I saw that episode. I know how Sreten felt. Been there myself. He put in lots of hard quality work on that car and it was stunning...

[Vas]

That bmw dsc was non-existent on the E30. Sad to see it smashed.

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[05Imola]

Just finished watching the e30 video. Heartbreaking.

Didn't realize Sreten was on here although makes sense haha. Main reason I bought my 3rd zhp after my e86 sold.

[BMWCurves]

I cringed. Most important that he came out unharmed, but still sad to see another beautiful car crashed.

[cakM3]

Sreten said he owned this and that he will fix this so there will be more videos of him as he get's this car repaired and back on the road again... looking forward to seeing him put this car back together again :thumbsup

[RUS_ZHP]

Absolutely horrible situation. I feel so bad for Sreten. That happens right before holidays and by Murphy's law, with this amazing and super rare survival.
Car still going to be amazing after he restores it.


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[fredo]

New project: 2011 E92 M3 in very broken condition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyqZoNwKeOM

[san]

An article about Sreten on road and track!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a41574767/m539-restorations-sreten-milisavljevic-interview/


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[Vas]

He is currently stateside with a new car. Any guesses?

[san]

He is currently stateside with a new car. Any guesses?

Hmm, no clue honestly…

Guessing something that’s not available in EU if he’s come all the way here to buy it…


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[PdZHP]

He's visiting the east coast, probably hunting for another project.

https://instagram.com/m539_restorations?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[holyc0w]

An article about Sreten on road and track!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a41574767/m539-restorations-sreten-milisavljevic-interview/


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And it was a one-owner car, had 120,000-something miles, and I think the guy was asking four [thousand] or something like that. And back then I was still kind of smart, so I asked for a pre-purchase inspection...

:rofl

[fredo]

https://youtu.be/Ty-4RX-X8Mk

Felt like a punch to the gut watching this one.

Sreten fixed the E30 he crashed. A body shop in Poland did the work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGunn6YvKfc

[fredo]

Project Salt Lake Part 1: buying and fixing broken BMW E46 M3 5,200 miles away from home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a9rCI2zfPM

[cakM3]

Yep, saw it. The brake fluid they initially took out of that M3 looked exactly like the brake fluid I initially cycled out of my ZHP. It looked like engine oil. Never understood how people could allow brake fluid to degrade to this level . . . SMFH

[John in VA]

Has anyone else used Sreten's choice for manual transmissions Lubri-Moly Top Tec ATF 1100?
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/top-tec-atf-1100-g-p000244.html

[Vas]

Has anyone else used Sreten's choice for manual transmissions Lubri-Moly Top Tec ATF 1100?
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/top-tec-atf-1100-g-p000244.htmlSame result as redline d4 atf that is sold here in the states. Highly recommend it over mtf

[t.er]

Would've been nice to meet up! I don't really use instagram so I wasn't aware there was a meetup planned in North Bay

[Galapolis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gSDNZ2skXs

[san]

That’s fantastic!


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[John in VA]

We knew him when!

[fredo]

This video was posted yesterday, already at 250k views.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAjiDk-UI7A&t=1218s