The G99 M5 Touring might be the first long-roof M5 to come to the US, but it is far from the first one ever built. While we were stuck with sedans, the rest of the world got E34 and E61 with a back hatch. The E61 is the one that really stings, especially since Mercedes was importing an E63 wagon at that time. A 507-hp V10 powered wagon would have been the perfect family hauler in the US, and maybe it would’ve stopped or slowed the onslaught of performance SUVs.
That hasn’t stopped a number of people from creating the BMW wagons they wish existed. A new E46 wagon build seems to pop up every week, and E39 wagons aren’t an uncommon sight either. There seem to be fewer E61 conversions, though, likely because of the complexity of the drivetrain. That’s what makes this one that just sold on Bring-a-Trailer for $69,500 so appealing.
It started life as a 2010 535i xDrive wagon with a six-speed automatic and remained that way until 2023. That’s when the owner decided to make some very substantial changes. An S85 V10 was sourced and installed, and it was linked to a six-speed manual from an E90 M3. No SMG here. And that’s not all that was done, as per the listing:
The car is finished in black over black leather upholstery, and it features an E60 M5 front bumper cover, a custom rear bumper cover, LCI headlights and taillights, and 19″ Style 166 wheels as well as an M5 steering wheel, gauge cluster, and front seats. Further equipment includes an Eisenmann exhaust system, Dinan intakes and throttle bodies, cross-drilled brake rotors, KW front coilovers, KW rear shocks, and Ground Control rear coil springs along with a short-throw shifter and a later-model infotainment system with Apple CarPlay connectivity.
That’s pretty much everything you’d want to make a compelling E61 conversion. And while I’ve seen other conversions that use an entire E60 M5 drivetrain, including an SMG transmission, it’s awesome that this one is linked to a manual. It seems like an incredible build. No wonder it sold for nearly $70,000. That’s $45,000 more than another E61 conversion on BaT that had an SMG. Whoever the new owner is, you’re very lucky.
Check out this detailed video that the seller posted below. It’s nearly an hour, but I think you’ll be okay with that once you hear how the engine sounds.
