After years of learning how to do body and mechanical work I think I’m almost done building her.
Posted by Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 81 comments
Started this back in 2018, posted years ago on an account I lost access to. 2007 328xi. First car I’ve done body work on let alone cut up fenders. Not perfect but love seeing it, strikes up conversations with cool people on the rare occasion I do take her out and hopefully finished before winter.
CarefulParamedic3266@reddit
Beauty
Bootato@reddit
Really nice work, it looks great! I'm curious what your experience has been like increasing the track width that much. What would you say is the most noteworthy difference in how the car behaves? Any challenges you've had to work through, apart from just the straight up fabrication that went into it?
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Umm in a straight line don’t notice much, full lock turn does seem to be wider but still smaller than my X5. Big thing is wheel fitment in front. Have to hammer in the frame’s pinch welds so that your wheels can even turn if they’re wider. Some wider builds go as far as to straight up cut chunks of the subframe off and patch weld but I don’t wanna die haha. Current stretched 245 tires in the front allow for full lock turn now, my original 275s could barely turn before hitting the frame. They likely can now but I’ll install them some other time.
a-pretty-alright-dad@reddit
You did it right, so badass.
DPileatus@reddit
Toit, like a Toigur!
isthatsuperman@reddit
Do you have any videos of you doing the flares?
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately not. The fenders were cut as close as possible to the flare lines, flares were riveted in, stupid amount of cutting and reshaping these as they were meant for the E92 coupe, urethane and bondo for molding the kit to the body. Any particular questions you had in mind?
isthatsuperman@reddit
No questions just wanted to see the process. It looks well done!
HelloYouSuck@reddit
Very nice
Jaded-Synic@reddit
I wanna LS swap a BMW Wagon so bad it isn’t even funny. Beautiful car man…
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Hahah brave, I’d be too scared to even swap an N55 in here!
abhisheksamuel@reddit
What a beaut! What mechanical work did you carry out in addition to the body work?
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Basically maintenance and some mods so replace corroded grounding straps, 3 stage intake manifold with DISA valves (have yet to code it, may just clone a 330i ECU), brakes, starter, crankshaft position sensor, vacuum lines, various fluid changes.
That said, not all was done perfectly, broke some mounting brackets here and there on the way deeper into the motor lol. But it’s not my daily driver so I’m not sweating it.
climb_something@reddit
Bimmerlabs has a 330 tune you can load into your ECU. Easy peasy.
Source: my e91 with three stage intake :)
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
I read briefly about this, may need to dm you for more info!
buttrapebearclaw@reddit
Oo.. I changed the oil in my truck and made some minor cosmetic modifications, I’m going to start telling people I built it
hoytmobley@reddit
Thank god for not copping out with a set of bolt on flares. This looks really good
AngryScottish@reddit
100x agree. Tired of the gaudy riveted fender flare look. Love the OP's efforts, looks great and more finished.
lmkwe@reddit
Same. Except there's one car that I want to build where they were like that in the 70s, so I have to do it to be true to the car.
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Yeah 240z or 280z Nissans seem to look great with the bolt ons and the fender-mounted side mirrors for sure.
LionelLutz@reddit
Also SL/R 5000 Toranas look fucking sick with the bolt on flares
lmkwe@reddit
A good friend has a 280z with wide body and whale tale, it's awesome..
I'm talking about an Alfa Romeo GTAm from the 70s that raced in TransAm, though.
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Don’t make me start a new project 😅
AngryScottish@reddit
You wouldn't do it.
Please do it
lmkwe@reddit
Dude. I have so many projects in mind, don't get me started. Haha
Also, I had an e39 wagon, and gf had an e91 on coilovers.. I should have widebodied em. I used to race as a mechanic and crew chief... lots of ideas...
404-skill_not_found@reddit
Yah bolt-on has its place (and time). I agree this isn’t one of them.
hoytmobley@reddit
Old datsun Z cars are pretty much the only good one I can think of off the top of my head lol
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Haha I was so torn between the two then after getting it out of paint I knew molding was the right choice.
Gold_Ad4984@reddit
damn wtf. poor car
checkpoint_hero@reddit
don't be like that
Gold_Ad4984@reddit
it looks terrible tho. and it’s an xi. would’ve been way better if he left it stock
checkpoint_hero@reddit
Share your ride if you‘re going to talk shit
Gold_Ad4984@reddit
I'm too broke to have my ride looking how I want it. It's a work in progress. Mine is a lower trim than his but at least it's rwd. And you gotta agree, those fender flares are atrocious.
checkpoint_hero@reddit
Living in glass houses throwing stones.
GNARBEQUE@reddit
YOU MADE A CAR I WOULDNT LOOK TWICE AT INTO A NECK BREAKER. GREAT WORK
Fickle_Assumption_80@reddit
Looks like it belongs in euro tuner. I like it... It needs a couple of kayaks on the roof
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Haha I was considering the typical Thule box on the roof.
Fickle_Assumption_80@reddit
Classic look.
Jdjxhcjsjxjcbhx@reddit
Never seen more perfect wheels for it. Which model is this?
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Forgestar F14. Custom built to order, very reasonably priced.
Jdjxhcjsjxjcbhx@reddit
I meant which model is the wagon lol. But I didn’t know they were custom built tho, is that if you order from forgestar?
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
2007 328xi. Good enough power stock but I installed all the 3 stage intake manifold and gonna flash a 330i ECU onto it. Thinking of converting to RWD as well.
Yeah but I ordered from one of their Canadian vendors. You can order directly from them for US thought I believe.
Jdjxhcjsjxjcbhx@reddit
Dam, she looks so modern and clean! Never would have guessed an 07. Idk a whole lot about bmw, but man, I haven’t seen many cleaner, fantastic build bro
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks man! In my opinion it’s the best gen (E90/E91/E92/E93) when they last had NA inline 6s and very solid hydraulic steering. Tight vehicle. Arguably E46 before it is the most iconic but I’ve never owned one.
that_guy_who_builds@reddit
Perfect setup
rummmmham@reddit
I am getting major Ontario vibes from these pictures
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
👀
TunaOnWytNoCrust@reddit
I impulsively whispered "damn" when I saw this post.
Inside_Name1054@reddit
This looks amazing I love the e93 wagons.
ZaMelonZonFire@reddit
Fuck yeah. -From a Volvo wagon guy!
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Love your V70R, that Gen is so clean.
ZaMelonZonFire@reddit
Thanks man!
Nutella_Zamboni@reddit
Now, let's see a burnout!
Comprehensive_Dog731@reddit
I really like this. I've always loved wagons, bmw and a nice wide body lol. You did amazing and it looks mean af but still has so much class. Well done 👍
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Appreciate it the kind words!
efronerberger@reddit
Fenders go hard!
Special-Catch-8947@reddit
Sick car man! I love what you've done!
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Appreciate you!
Alcoholverduisteraar@reddit
Not a fan of the black on black look but the fenders are very 👌
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Fair, this was originally wrapped in satin purple metallic but then went through revisions. Was going for midnight purple 3 but struggled with the mix and the materials was so expensive so settled for its OEM colour. Wheels I’d be fine with going for an OEM silver as well. There was no great plan for this, very freestyled lol.
Classic-Historian458@reddit
Thanks, now I need to change my pants...
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Says the guy with the cool Tacoma!
Classic-Historian458@reddit
Oh stop it you 😏
TheLeafBlowerr@reddit
Gooooodaaaaamn, looking good🔥
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
whatisthiscrap2020@reddit
Dope !
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Confident_Main_147@reddit
I love a wagon. Not gonna lie
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Luckysnowshu@reddit
Very nice! BMW wagons give me life
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Haha yeah, the kit was for an E92 coupe which I was initially looking for then saw the wagon and cancelled all those plans. This project woulda been done in 2018 if I went with the coupe though haha.
UrMomGoes_To_College@reddit
Bruh. This looks awesome. Soooooooo much better than those bolt on fender flares
Fuckin beautiful!
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks! It’s funny I bolted them on, then molded, then shaved it off to bring back bolt on, then molded while filling the rivet dips on the kit lol. So much decision paralysis.
UrMomGoes_To_College@reddit
It looks absolutely fantastic!!
truenapalm@reddit
Looks dope! Is it some sort of sport suspension kit or just wheel spacers/wider rims or both? Just curious how to achieve smth similar
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Custom Forgestar F14s. They have concave variants all the way to ultra deep concave with offsets as high as +50 to -81. I’m on stock suspension, shaved a ton of the kit inside to dial in wheel fitment. Some odd angles cause rubbing so maybe coilovers are something to consider.
QLC459@reddit
This looks incredible. Great work
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
khutuluhoop@reddit
Looks awesome!
Western_Kangaroo_517@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Aberk20@reddit
ParisHilton.gif