No problem with plane janes, as long as they know they are plane janes, and there is a SERIOUS difference between them and the supermodel M :)
No problem with plane janes, as long as they know they are plane janes, and there is a SERIOUS difference between them and the supermodel M :)
Just drove down to LA to pick these Sparco Chronos. I was going to run a fixed back seat which would have been lighter but I think these are more appropriate for the M5. 32lbs, OEM is 72lbs.
Very excite to get these bolted up. It was a hard decision, the stock seats are really good. Mine were just in pretty bad shape. If this M5 was in better shape I would never take them out. Thankfully my car is not that nice so I can mess with it all I want.
Also, I was totally off about the 12mpg. Checked it today actually very impressive MPG!
Installed the seats with Planted seat brackets and sliders. Unfortunately the slides and brackets added a bunch of weight to the light seats.
I used a airbag seat airbag seat occupancy bypass and used part of the harness so that I don't get a seatbelt light. Halfway through the project I started to feel really guilty about pulling out the stock seats. They are really comfortable and great looking. I need to commit to the fact that this car is never going back to stock.
Very happy with the way they feel. Firm and good bolster support.
If I were you I'd keep the stock seats around and have them recovered in new leather, but I suppose if you really are going to strip the car down to nothing for lightness then it might not be necessary.
Today I picked up my 7 pound trunk sent from axis power racing. People may know them on here from their carbon Miata parts. The quality is excellent, it just needs some block sanding and primer to get it ready for paint. I will leave the inside raw. It has a small duck tail built into it. I believe I can bolt everything from the original trunk over, I may leave out the actuator.It is amazing how light this thing is!
That trunk lid is seriously cool. Any idea what the original trunk weights? I'm also curious about what something like this might cost.
Surprisingly I think the original is around 25ish - not a HUGE difference but I think everything all added up will have a positive effect.
Not sure what this would cost. I bought it from Axis Power at a big discount at $400. they custom built it for a race car that was crashed before it was installed. I love picking it up. It feels like a sheet of paper.
Wow, sounds like a mega score at that price. How you found that is a mystery to me. Definitely jealous about that.
Your car is way too nice to do this to, I am only doing this frankenstein project because my M5 is not really wort restoring.
OjaiM5 said:Pulled out the seats today, some of the heaviest seats I have ever moved. I think a fixed back is going to be a nice upgrade. Have my eye on the MOMO Start or Sparco Evo. It should pull 150lbs out of the car. I still can't get the Vape and car air freshener smell out. I vacuumed and used an ammonia based upholstery cleaner. Still smells like cotton candy pina colada unicorn farts.
Attached the splitter rods to the upper bumper support and to a long piece of aluminum that I mounted under the abs lip. It's looking really racer boy
Love these a BUNCH.....the 'smells' including the smell of 'death' can be eliminated with several 'granny smith' apples quartered and placed in various floor spaces through out the cabin....good night....
Just pulled out 25lbs of audio, sat nav, phone equipment, brackets - still need to pull out the speakers.
It is about as much weight saved as the carbon trunk!
I am planning on putting in a very basic audio system. A bluetooth amp connected to good quality front components. I think this will be a neat set-up.
*edit, antoher 6lbs with rear speakers removed
In reply to OjaiM5 :
Nice ride, source some 18 way contour sport seats form an e38. Much more comfortable and supportive than m5 seats. One of my all time favorite own seats
I did a test fit of the new trunk and boy is it UGLY, haha! The body lines just don't make any sense. The good news is that everything bolted up just like stock.
Weighed the old trunk right around 34 lbs - 28 pound savings
pulled the two trunk struts, good for 1.3 lbs
Bought some resonator mufflers to put in place of the stock one that is missing - It's too frikin' loud
made a little filler panel for the radio and will be putting stuff in it as needed - already got a cool little 2 port usb charger to put there
and no more orange "flair"
Few new things
Bought a metal sunroof from Latvia. Was thinking of mounting it solid in the place of the glass or welding it in and finishing it smooth. Leaning towards welding
Got this cool usb charger with a handy volt gauge. Love it, cost $10 on ebay - can't wait to add more flair to the panel
Had the rotors surfaces - $15 each, what a bargain. This is definitely a place in the future I can loose some weight. Stock rotors are very heavy - Would like to get some 2 piece rotors in the future
While I had everything apart I installed a wheel stud kit. I really like the look and also they really make it easy to get the wheels on.
Just installed this killer little buletooth Soundstream amplifier. It is a really good option for race cars or older cars than need some tunes.
All I use is an iphone to control the volume, music ect.
I have owned the M5 for a year now, it's been awesome.
Today I started a project that I can't wait to have all finished up. I pulled out the sunroof and mocked up the metal one to be welded in. I adding 1/8" flatbar all the way around the sunroof to fill in the gasket area and give some good meat to weld to. I am pretty stoked to take a bunch of weight out of the roof.
My last few cars have not had sunroofs and ironically I just bought a manual Cayenne with out one as well. I just don't have the hair for it : )
In reply to OjaiM5 :
After your hood and trunk lid I'm surprised you didn't opt for a carbon fiber roof panel. What is your plan for the headliner?
Haha, Yeah I wish. I'm not working with that kind of budget. I think I will either make a plug and cover it with alcantara to match or have the whole thing redone. It felt so good to rip out all the drains, motor, and cartridge.
Sunroofs are a pain in the arse!
In reply to OjaiM5 :
I've always heard that the sunroof cassette it were the bulk of the weight comes from so there's not a ton to be gained by going with the carbon option. My sunroof was acting up last time I tried it, hoping a cleaning of the drains and tracks will sort it out. If not I might be looking into removing it altogether.
Just out of curiosity have you weighed the rear seat?
I have not, however I have pulled them out a few times and they are not very heavy, plus my kids would miss being picked from school up in it :)
I did remove some hardware that was beefy like the baby seat anchors.
Next time I have the rears out I will weigh them.
I was just wondering in case that would be another easy weight reduction option. Obviously NOT an option since you have kids!
Semi-Slicktop (with a little bit of goop!) - can't wait to get it into primer. I will have to do a larger area glaze coat of the green evercoat. Love that stuff.
I forgot how much I hate sanding. I did it for 6 years working at a car prototype shop when I was younger.
I reused the alcantara from the sunroof slider and made a masonite plug
TGFP
Thank God For Puddy - No more hard a$$ Bondo.
I did the "sink drain mod" this evening. In my case I wanted to get a little cheeky and did the gold poker table cup holder instead of the insinkerator ring. In the e39 M5 community and maybe other BMW models there is factory brake ducts and also snorkels for the air boxes that end right behind this area. It is a common mod to cut this out and supply fresh air. I bet Dinan or someone probably sells expensive ducts but most people go to Lowes and get 4" sink drains.
Also, finished up the Slicktop, rebuilt the headlights, and painted the ducktail trunk. Will post some pictures after I clean up the car. Managed cracked my windshield-yea!
I'm doing a proper job of ruining this gentlemanly car
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