We complete the rebuild of our E60 BMW M5 by reassembling it after paint, refreshing and upgrading the suspension and brakes, and test fitting 3 different sets of wheels on it to see which one we (and you) like best.


Speed Academy is a website and YouTube channel based on making things go fast and enjoying cars. Peter Tarach and Dave Pratte are the forces behind Speed Academy.

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An AI-produced summary of the transcript, edited by a staffer, is below.

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Summary: $7,500 BMW E60 M5 Build Finale

The transcript documents the final stage of a $7,500 BMW E60 M5 project, focusing on completing the suspension, brakes, wheels and tires after the car received fresh paint and power upgrades. The goal is to transform the neglected M5 into a more capable and visually aggressive performance car. 

Suspension overhaul:

The entire front suspension is removed and replaced with KW Variant 1 coil overs, configured for a moderate ride-height reduction intended to balance handling, ride quality and appearance. The aging factory suspension arms show cracked and deteriorated rubber, so the build receives a comprehensive overhaul using Pro Series OE+ components designed to meet or exceed OEM standards. A Dinan roll-control kit and rear sway bar are also installed to reduce body roll, increase mechanical grip and improve the car's overall balance. 

Brake upgrades:

The braking system is refreshed with Zimmermann rotors and TechArt brake pads as part of an FCP Euro package. The builder also highlights a custom brake bolt supplied with the package, intended to eliminate some of the common difficulties involved in removing the factory hardware. 

By the end of the mechanical work, the car has the KW coil overs, Pro Series rear control arm, Dinan sway-bar end links and a 21-mm Dinan rear sway bar installed. The builder considers the latter particularly worthwhile for E60 owners looking to improve handling, even on non-M5 models. 

Wheel and tire experimentation:

Much of the episode revolves around deciding which wheels best complement the freshly painted M5. Black wheels initially seem like the likely choice, but several alternatives are tested.

The first alternative is a set of BMW Style 359M wheels, which look good with the car but are being tested with incorrectly sized tires. The silver finish ultimately provides a more attractive OEM-plus appearance, although the rear spacer setup is judged too aggressive. 

The final choice is a set of Advan RZDF2 wheels in titanium silver with a polished lip, paired with Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 tires. The front wheels are 19×9 with a 12-mm spacer, while the rear wheels are 19×10.5 and ultimately use a smaller 5-mm spacer to achieve a more balanced fitment. The builder is particularly impressed with the concave design and the way the silver wheels complement the new paint. 

The finished combination dramatically changes the car's character. The narrator believes the silver wheels make the car look more dimensional and aggressive, giving it something of a Japanese tuner aesthetic while retaining an OEM-plus feel. 

Remaining problem:

The build isn't completely finished. The iDrive/stereo system still has an issue: the iDrive controller was initially unplugged, but after reconnecting it, the problem was traced to an updated CIC unit that isn't communicating with the controller. A pre-LCI module has therefore been ordered to resolve the issue. 

Final assessment:

After all the work, the builder considers the M5 a major success. The new color, suspension, brakes and Advan wheels turn what began as a rough $7,500 E60 M5 into what he considers an aggressive, highly personalized performance sedan. The next stage will put the finished M5 through a dyno session, racetrack testing and a comparison with a Lexus GS430. 

Bottom line: The episode is essentially the transformation's payoff: rather than simply restoring the E60 M5, the builder gives it a modern performance-oriented setup while retaining an OEM-plus character. The suspension and brake work improve its dynamics, while the silver Advan wheels provide the visual finishing touch.