An E91 M3 Wagon Build thread...

[LeddyMotorsports]

Hi everyone,

I know I'm not the first, but finally decided to share what I have been working on over the past year plus. This is by no means a complete how-to, but I would be happy to share what I have learned as I tackled this project. All parts are OEM BMW M3, with no expenses spared.

The Wagon is a 2007 BMW 328xi Auto with 207k. I scored an incredible deal on the car through a mutual friend, and set about this project soon after..

The first phase of this build plan is to complete the exterior.

Initial Test fit: Poor...



More test fitting...



Panel Gaps need work...



I've discovered this is not a bolt on solution...



The lighter side...



Where you need to start to do this right...



The Core support, Front bumper brackets (made of Carbon fiber!?!?) and foam impact absorbers installed:



And a few hours later. (more like days, but who's counting....)



Starting to look like it might be worth it....



OEM Fit is very good, just some minor adjustments...



At this point, I had to wait for an OEM hood to be shipped in, so the project had a few weeks of downtime. When the arrived, I could not wait - immediately installed it, lined everything up to close it.... and promptly discovered the Hood Latch brackets are completely different...



The M3 part is on the left...



But oh so worth the wait...



A few more details completed...



As of now the car is running, driving, and very enjoyable, but by no means complete:



This winter the car will be back in the garage for more work, so will have more updates soon.

What it still needs:
-Rear bumper and supports
-Flare rear quarter panels to meet rear bumper solution and match the M3 Skirts:

This part of the project has been waiting because I am not sure how I want to go.
I am torn between OEM look and This:

http://www.hardmotorsport.com/hard-m...-e91-body-kit/

I'm still not sure. If anyone has already completed either aspect on another project, please share photos.

So that has been my garage year... how has yours been?

[Scrippy]

Good luck on those rear quarters man, that's a big job. So far it looks great! I really wish there was an E93 M! It would love to meet up at a light with a Dodge wagon and show who's boss I think!

[Dlpfcb]

Man thats gonna be a lot of work. I gibe you some mad credit for taking on something like this. I get nervous taking 1 bolt off. Haha I look foward to the build and please keep sharimg the progress.

[romemmy]

Are you planning on transplanting in the S65 engine and associated components? Or just going for the M3 look? There are other options for bringing the power up to M3 levels without the V8 too (even going Japanese)..

Thanks!

S.

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by romemmy

Are you planning on transplanting in the S65 engine and associated components? Or just going for the M3 look? There are other options for bringing the power up to M3 levels without the V8 too (even going Japanese)..

Thanks!

S.

+1, but - the alternative engine... S65 or nothing!!!

Edit: the S85 would be the only other worthy candidate

[LeddyMotorsports]

Originally Posted by romemmy

Are you planning on transplanting in the S65 engine and associated components? Or just going for the M3 look? There are other options for bringing the power up to M3 levels without the V8 too (even going Japanese)..

Thanks!

S.

That will be phase 2. I'm debating about what I want to install for the repower. I initially bought this 2008 M3 this spring



to be the donor for the project, but instead been using it as my Daily. Just can't bring myself to cut it up...

I've been talking with Jim Colley (the owner of Fastattack Motorsports) about converting to an S85 instead. Lots of decisions to make before spring...

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by Darkduke

That will be phase 2. I'm debating about what I want to install for the repower. I initially bought this 2008 M3 this spring



to be the donor for the project, but instead been using it as my Daily. Just can't bring myself to cut it up...

I've been talking with Jim Colley (the owner of Fastattack Motorsports) about converting to an S85 instead. Lots of decisions to make before spring...

Oh man, there are plenty wrecks that would make great donors, don’t kill a perfectly good ///M

BTW, killer project!! This will be pretty amazing when done! I will be following this for sure.

[srmast1]

Nice!! But I vote s85! That will be absolutely, the most bad ass wagon on the road!! A v10 wagon!! NOTHING else like it unless you happen upon an m5 wagon. Crazy awesome

[tlow98]

Nice work, OP! The wagon looks great.

Whole lotta work, but it should be worth it :-)

[fred340]

Nice project, always had a sweetspot for wagons.
This is going to be the best daily ever!
Subscribed

[New2Roundel]

Very cool project. I agree with the others about scouring for a wrecked M3 and use that instead of tearing apart a decent M3. As far as engine, of course the S65 would be great, but I'd also support the use of any BMW v8 (or the ubiquitous SBC, hmmm...) that would be "easy" to hook up and fairly cheap to purchase. The cool thing about this project is that you basically have a blank slate that you can use to keep the car authentic to the e9x M3 or do things a bit differently for a unique experience.

[spazzyfry123]

[Banana Hammock]

Sick! E91 M3 conversions are the coolest thing ever.

[BOOF-M3]

Another member did the same thing including carbon fiber roof if I recall. Can't remember the members name. He was given a lot of crap about it at first due to him calling it an E91M as opposed to E91M clone. Turned out that the member is the real deal like OP and everyone warmed up to him. Wish I could link his thread here.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Another member did the same thing including carbon fiber roof if I recall. Can't remember the members name. He was given a lot of crap about it at first due to him calling it an E91 as opposed to E91 clone. Turned out that the member is the real deal like OP and everyone warmed up to him. Wish I could link his thread here.

Was it the one that got rear ended a couple months ago?

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by pasghetti

Was it the one that got rear ended a couple months ago?

No. His member name started with OCH OR OBIOBAN or something like that. Smart guy.

[blue-mw]

If you can make it work, the S85 would be wicked.

[LeddyMotorsports]

Thanks E90Mario - Mirrors are exactly what I needed!

Weekend installation fun begins....

[DreamTime]

This is just awesome. Can't wait to see future updates. Keep up the good work!

[HerbNRacer]

Originally Posted by Darkduke

Thanks E90Mario - Mirrors are exactly what I needed!

Weekend installation fun begins....

Those mirrors are gonna totally change the look! Nice 👍🏻

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by Darkduke

I'm still not sure. If anyone has already completed either aspect on another project, please share photos.

So that has been my garage year... how has yours been?

I imagine you've seen this thread on an E91 quasi-M3 conversion (not full drivetrain). The first part of the thread is subject to photobucket issue, but further down there are lots of direct posted pictures of the body work and all.

Good luck with the project! I'd love to convert my E91 with the full M3 drivetrain but leave all the body work OEM E91.

[LeddyMotorsports]

Originally Posted by HerbNRacer

Those mirrors are gonna totally change the look!

Thanks! Installed drivers side already, will have the Passenger's side done today...