Y2K DINAN M5 - An S in the making...

I could easily start this article by saying here is another one, or we are at it again with another DINAN Build. However, this is actually one that was done a little while, one of earlier client builds actually. We are talking from back around March of 2019. I've often mentioned in my other posts how these stories about cars are actually stories about people, kinship, friendships and shared automotive passion.... this is an earlier example of all this. As always, this was a fun story to unfold and to date, I am fortunate and honored to have gained another friend within this amazing community.

Oh yeah... She is ALL THAT, and a bag of chips! This is of course when she was all done.

The car we have here is a simply gorgeous Imola Red Y2K E39 BMW M5. This car is today regarded as a true automotive classic, one of the last sem-hand built, naturally aspirated German Sports cars. Sports car you ask? Yes, indeed. I understand that the E39 M5 is a four door sedan / saloon that can comfortably waft four adults around, however until you have sat behind the wheel of one of these beauties, rowed through it's six speed transmission, pressed that SPORT button and hurled her through some twisty roads, the term "Sport Car" may indeed seem like a misnomer. I assure it, it most certainly isn't.

D.L. who is the lucky and deserving owner of this car has taken great care of her since acquiring it. The miles were low, the car was near enough immaculate - so what could it possibly need? Well... it is still a car with moving parts and there are certain wear items such as breaks and such that need replacing. AND.... for added fun, prestige and performance, D.L. would be adding DINAN performance upgrades to this Red Foxy Lady! On her list of upgrades would be DINAN Cold Air Intake, DINAN Free Flow Exhaust, DINAN Stage 1 Suspension, DINAN Adjustable Rear Sway Bar, DINAN Front Strut Brace Bar, DINAN Rear Strut Brace Bar and of course a DINAN Tune. As well as getting this sweet upgrades, she would be getting new brakes, cooling system refresh, Rear Differential Oil Change, Transmission Oil Service, Engine Oil Service, etc. This was going to be like an extended spa visit for our Y2K M5 and she could look forward to leaving with a new designation.

On the agreed to date, the car was dropped off for Phase 1. She got to meet a younger, same colour sister during her first visit. By the way, this is a good time to mention that this M5 made more than one visit to the shop - some of her upgrades were done in stages... and there was a slight, very slight faux pas on my part which I will mention later.. LOL!

Say hello to your DINAN Spokesgirl Younger Sister.

It was SO nice having such a beauty to work on, it brought back fond memories of my old Y2K Imola DINAN M5 that I drove coast to coast back in 2016.

Anyway, she was soon she was stationed inside and ready for work to begin. This was the first phase of this build and Phase 1 would be the installation of the DINAN Stage 1 Suspension - Front and Rear DINAN Spec KONI Shocks and DINAN Springs, along with the DINAN Bump Stop Kit. We also replaced the shock mounts, as well as spring pads and the like.

In addition the suspension, as part of Phase 1, the lucky Red Lady also got her DINAN Front Strut Brace along with a DINAN Adjustable Rear Sway Bar. By the way, this is where my ... ahem.... lil faux pas occurred. Much appreciation to D.L. for his patience and understanding with this.

SO..... when you receive the DINAN KONI Rear Shocks, they come with a "C" Clip on the shock for the spring mount. There are three levels and the M5 is the lowest level. The reason for this is this particular shock is used on more than one E39 Sedan model and the mount impacts the height and spring / damping rates to match the specific model.

Yeah... Smarty Pants here moved that lil clip in the middle.

Well.... when you assemble the rear strut assembly, the spring is initially loose prior to installation in the car which just goes again all my intuition! You guess what I did yet? What happened here? Over thinking, second guessing thought this was an error and of course moved the "C" Clip up a notch. Ahhh.... better I thought - NOPE!

After I had completed the complete installation and put the car back on the ground, the rear looked a little high and gave the car an aggressive forward rake. "Hmm, I thought. Probably just new springs and shocks, she will settle down soon enough." NOPE! She most certainly didn't!

I remember when D.L picked up the car and noticed it as well, I told him the same thing. Well.... a man has know when he is wrong and own it and accept it.

I found out later that I had made an error, shoulda left that "C" clip where it was, as positioned by DINAN themselves. Oy Ve! After explaining to D.L. and talking it through (Again, much appreciate his patience and understanding), we agreed he would bring the car back for me to remedy this in Phase 3 of the build. Yes, yes, yes.... there was a Phase 3. Lucky me got to spend quality time with this Beauty. It was like having a secret affair! LOL!

With Phase 1 of this build done, we were soon enough moving on to Phase 1. Phase 2 came up and it was time to get more work done and more goodies installed on our Gorgeous Imole Red Y2K M5.

She got to meet a couple of relatives during her second visit.

First order of business in Phase 2 was installing the DINAN Cold Air Intake, we then installed her flash tune to get her going.

During this visit, she got her new Brakes, got an oil change with none other than Liqui-Moly Full Synthetic 10W-60 Oil. In addition, we did her transmission oil service as well as the Rear Differential Oil Service.

She also got a full brake flush and new spark plugs too. In addition, she got a coolant system check, replaced a few coolant parts and gave her some new BMW Coolant while we were at it.

It gets messy sometimes in the mad lab

In addition to all this work in Phase 2, she also got her DINAN Free Flow Exhaust installed along with a Rogue Engineering X-Pipe for that extra oopmh in performance and sound.

I must say, the X pipe is a beautiful looking piece. First time I laid my hands one of them. Installing the exhaust system on a Y2K M5 made me really appreciate the sectional exhaust design - YAY!

While the car was in on this visit, she also got updated or face lift Headlights as we say.

Getting there, starting to look cleaner in the mad lab.

These were OEM / Hella Original Euro Spec headlights. Nothing but the best for this here girl!

Soon enough, she was done with Phase 2 of this build, she got to leave with the official title of being a DINAN M5, and she had by now rightfully earned her DINAN Badge.... DINAN CAI, Strut, Tune, Exhaust, Suspension... all gave her more than the needed 10 Points to get her badge. However, don't leave just yet. There was more to come for this young lady - she is afterall only 19 Years Young! Well, as of the publication date of this article she is now 21 Years Young and can drink alcohol! LOL!

D.L. got to take her home again - Phase 3 was in her future, and mine too as I had some reckoning to git done! LOL! Before Phase 3, the car did attend the EC Fest 2019 in San Luis Obispo. What a great gathering of BMW Nuts! It was as always a fun weekend, with a deep reflective tone for us all.

Prior to attending EC Fest that year and before she came back for Phase 3 of the build, the ever roving, ever enabling me helped with the acquisition of an uber rare set of DINAN 18' Champion Wheels. As I said earlier, nothing but the best for this girl.

They were on her when she attended EC Fest 2019. Below is her rolling on her way to EC Fest 2019.

Love Me Those Wheels!!!!!

These three ladies have spent time in the same garage and all bear DINAN

While in attendance, it was all hands on deck for the installation of the DINAN Badge on this beauty.

I have to say a MASSIVE thank you to D.L. for being such a great sport and humouring all of us and the silly ritual we came up with - all in good fun, and what a great sport he was!

Just hanging out with her sister and a bunch of Bimmer Heads

it was a few months after EC Fest before the car came back for Phase 3. Phase was the correction of my earlier Faux Pas with the rear suspension and she also got her DINAN Rear Strut Brace installed along with set of fancy schamtzy DINAN Floor mats... She was a full on DINAN M5 I tell you!

My Penance was paid..... Whew!

It sure took me long enough to write about this car and my experience with her. The build happened a while back, but it amazes me that the memory of the whole project is still fresh - like it was yesterday.

Also, to date, this project has added to my circle of friends within this community - the kinship truly is appreciated - more than I can say. I appreciate the patronage and support and it was my honor and pleasure to help with this build.

So, what next for this Beautiful Y2K DINAN M5? Who knows.... maybe DINAN Brembo Brakes?!?!😃😃😃