2011 · E70 · 3.0L diesel
The X5 BMW never built
2011 BMW X5 35d X5M Conversion
Overview
Lucas found this 2011 X5 35d on Facebook Marketplace listed at $6,000 and paid $4,200. It has 432,000 km on the clock. The pictures looked better than the car, but it had been well maintained until it was parked a few months earlier, it was already fully deleted, and it mostly needed a brake booster and brakes to get driving.
Episode 1 was a clean bill of health: a brake switch fix, the 20% tint stripped off every window (windshield included), white cluster LEDs, an oil change, and pads and rotors at all four corners. Vapor Auto finished it with a full detail and a surprise badge delete.
Episode 2 is the conversion. With Nick, Lucas replaced the rain trays and start/stop button and stripped the front end and sides. They pulled an all-nighter on bodywork, then wrapped the car, fitted the X5M bumpers, skirts, grilles and ducts, and built a quad-exit exhaust from the stock pipes. Lucas calls it the world's first diesel X5M, done in just under a week. A lift kit, wheels and tires come next.
Parts & tools
Everything Lucas has named on this car. ▶ jumps to the moment in the video.
| Part | Category | Video | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake light switch adjustmentThe switch wasn't touching the pedal after the brake booster swap. | Brakes | ▶ 2:12 | No link |
| Brake boosterReplaced to get the car home to Ottawa. | Brakes | ▶ 2:16 | No link |
| Window tint removalThe previous owner had 20% on every window, windshield included. | Exterior | ▶ 2:59 | No link |
| White cluster LED conversionDone by Dylan; climate control stays amber. | Interior | ▶ 3:15 | No link |
| Oil filter kitComes with a new O-ring and crush washer. | Maintenance | ▶ 4:28 | No link |
| 5W-30 engine oilAbout 8 quarts; 5 L in first, the rest with the car on the ground. | Maintenance | ▶ 5:45 | No link |
| Front brake pads and rotors | Brakes | ▶ 6:07 | No link |
| Rear brake pads and rotorsThe new pads' clips sat recessed, so the old, shorter clips went back in. | Brakes | ▶ 10:50 | No link |
| Stainless brake linesECS TuningAlready installed by the previous owner. | Brakes | ▶ 7:45 | No link |
| Rain trays (aftermarket)Cracked trays let water pool on cylinders 5 and 6 and foul injectors. About $70 on Amazon vs. far more from BMW; the center OEM piece was reused for its better seal. | Maintenance | ▶ 1:34 | Shop · Amazon |
| Start/stop buttonThe original was faded. | Interior | ▶ 2:06 | Shop · Amazon |
| Interior detail and badge deleteVapor Auto | Exterior | ▶ 17:55 | No link |
| X5M exterior conversion (bumpers, side skirts, grilles, trim)BMW | Exterior | ▶ 2:15 | No link |
| Full vinyl wrap | Exterior | ▶ 11:23 | No link |
| X5M front air ductsBMWThe X5M feeds a secondary oil cooler; the diesel only has the duct. | Exterior | ▶ 22:12 | No link |
| DEF system removal and wiring cleanup | Electrical | ▶ 22:29 | No link |
| Turn signal polarity swapNeeded on the 1 Series conversion; not needed here. | Electrical | ▶ 15:56 | No link |
| Custom quad-exit exhaustNick PStock pipes cut at the muffler, the 45° sections reused, a Y-pipe welded in and tips made from leftover 3-inch pipe. | Exhaust | ▶ 17:42 | No link |
| Fusion All-In-One spray paint, gloss blackKrylonUsed on the inner grilles and exhaust tips. Lucas has never had it crack or peel. | Exterior | ▶ 19:29 | Shop · Amazon |
| Trim removal tool setSaved Lucas more than a couple times. | Tools | ▶ 2:24 | Shop · Amazon |
| 240-piece push clip assortmentTitanAbout $20; replaced the spinning bumper bracket studs. | Tools | ▶ 17:14 | Shop · Amazon |
| Fishing lineCuts through the double-sided tape behind the door blades. | Tools | ▶ 4:29 | Shop · Amazon |
| Torx bit set (T8 to T45)T45 for the caliper sliders, T30 for the fenders, T25, T20 and T8 for trim. | Tools | ▶ 7:11 | Shop · Amazon |
| E-Torx socket setE18 for the front caliper brackets. | Tools | ▶ 7:25 | Shop · Amazon |
| Metric socket and wrench set17 mm drain plug and wheels, 14 mm exhaust, 13 mm skirt brackets, 10 mm and 8 mm trim bolts. | Tools | ▶ 4:16 | Shop · Amazon |
| Impact wrench | Tools | ▶ 6:07 | Shop · Amazon |
| Brake caliper piston compressor | Tools | ▶ 8:22 | Shop · Amazon |
| Brake caliper grease | Tools | ▶ 8:39 | Shop · Amazon |
| Anti-seize compound | Tools | ▶ 12:20 | Shop · Amazon |
| Fluid siphonLowers the brake fluid level before pushing the pistons back. | Tools | ▶ 13:12 | Shop · Amazon |
| Sandpaper (180, 320, 600 grit) and red scuff pads | Tools | ▶ 9:04 | Shop · Amazon |
| Wrap squeegee and heat gun | Tools | ▶ 14:33 | Shop · Amazon |
| Silicone lubricantHelps slide the exhaust hangers back on. | Tools | ▶ 20:09 | Shop · Amazon |
Wheels & suspension
- Brakes
- New pads and rotors front and rear; ECS stainless lines (previous owner)
- Suspension
- Lift kit coming in the next episode
- Wheels & tires
- New set coming in the next episode
Gallery
