The idea is to convert this 535iS into a M5, while at the same time converting to Euro bumpers with an OE M5 chin spoiler and M-tech flares. Interior wise, the original plan is to use most, if not all of the M5's leather upholstery, as well as the map light mirror, heated seats, illuminated vanity mirrors, etc.
I'd have to find my older phone to get photos of what the car looked like prior to stripping, but here's what's been happening so far:
Project car on the left, it's been sitting for a while while we were busy doing a manual swap on another 535iS. The engine in the project car had already been taken out by then to give life to another car as well. The comfort seats made for a very comfortable couch during breaks.

Initial stripping revealed a very nice body with solid sheet metal, minus some rust along the trunk seal area.


Further stripping the car and preparing the sheetmetal to accept the M5-specific tabs/mounting brackets while cutting away those related to the 535i.

Drilling out the old spot welds to replace the sheetmetal with the M5's - Note that this has an indent on the metal to accommodate the battery box.

Swapped over the front calipers - At the same time, we serviced the pistons by replacing the rubber boots and o-rings inside.

A little surprise message underneath left on some of the heat shielding!

The front sway bar has been upgraded since a Dinan stage 3 kit was installed by the previous owner - In addition, the rear sway bar mount had been reinforced as well.

Swapped over the S3.73 and added a new differential mount.

The trunk and engine bay come back from painting; the exterior's been sprayed with filler/etching primer.




The S38B35 awaits its new home, eventually once the engine bay's been tidied up a little more...

Scraping off the old underhood foam insulation was tedious, but came off easily thanks to the 3M specialty adhesive remover. With the swap, we'll be using the M5's one piece hood liner.



The existing firewall insulation was crumbling, so we decided to add some aluminum-lined heat/sound insulation. Thoughts?


Replaced the clutch master; the previous owner had already installed the pedal box reinforcement bracket.

Added Ed's steering box reinforcement dowel and welded the bracket, in preparation for the M5's quicker ratio steering box. In addition, we swapped over the M5's front subframe since it already has the mounting brackets for the head shield, as well as the slight difference in the steering lock.



The interior's getting stripped out for some wiring and paint prep. The carpet had to be lifted to route the main battery cable, as well as adding the wiring that enables the heated seats.


Battery box welded in and painted. Note the M5's specific mounting tabs for the trunk carpeting. Test fitting the carpet as well.




Car received paint. Still needs some buffing/polishing to eliminate the orange peeling effect.



The engine bay as it sits at the moment; I still need to install the AC drier and metal line, as well as finding the L-bracket that sits right behind the ignition coil that supports one of the A/C hoses. Note that for the oil cooler lines, the M5 had a cut on the radiator support compared to the 535i. After that, the pressure accumulator and lines need to be tightened into place...


