m539restorations

There's Been An Accident - Can I Preserve the Original Paint?

Direct link - https://youtu.be/0E-aXm0_iLc

I bet you weren't expecting another episode so quickly. Neither did I! :D

It's not a proper wrenchfest, but I actually filmed most of this back in September. Project Rottweil was involved in a sideswipe accident while it was with a friend. Thankfully, it was minor, no injuries or anything like that.
As a result, the left side ended up with 3 damaged panels, and give...

I Bought The Cheapest & Worst W12 Bentley

Direct link - https://youtu.be/VuAOlX7GZFA

Once upon a time, this was a $275k car brand new. I scooped it up for just $12.5k! How bad can it be, you ask?

Well, we have mold, leaks, shoddy bodywork, rust, electrical issues... What I'm trying to say, it's good. If good meant shockingly bad.

Enjoy! I know my wallet won't. :D

I Made A Dream Spec BMW E39 M5

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/VpJktMCfZQ4

This video has been in the works for over 2 years! I always wanted to mint out my beloved E39 M5 cosmetically, and this year, I finally managed to do that.

I added some essential upgrades, such as new seats, a custom interior, and a microfiber plenum, which made me refall in love with the car all over again. It's my dream spec E39 M5 now. As I'm writing this, I have an...

I've done a thing. It's a car, and it's terrible.

No one asked for it, so here it is – broken, moldy, just awful condition W12 Bentley Flying Turd!

We are in the big leagues now! The proper "04 Rich car". The fastest 4-door in the world back in 2004. Starting price when new jaw-dropping $275k (adjusted for inflation), and I bought it now for, drum rolls, $12.5k (10.9k €)! The cheapest Bentley Continental by a long shot in Europe, the next cheapest one is 20k +.

I wasn't planning or looking for one, but I wanted to have, le...

Salvage Yard to Autobahn - Saving a Cheap Mercedes E55 AMG PT3

Direct link - https://youtu.be/JWxpa8d5U-Q

Here we go, the E55 hits the Autobahn!

I think this is one of the quickest projects we've done. It's everything I hoped for, great to work on, and it didn't need a major engine overhaul! It's now fully serviced & spruced up, and ready to be used.

In other news, I received a deposit for project Rottweil. I didn't think I'd be selling that car ever, but I nee...

Fixing Up The Auction Special Mercedes E55 AMG - PT2

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/tIVIxg-iuwk

The wrenchfest on the Mercedes is a go! We are diving headfirst into the oil leaks, and tackling bigger items first.

I think one more episode and it should be done. I like it a lot so far. I think I will keep it for a while and daily it.
Working on it is like working on a BMW; some things are easier, some not, but it all feels familiar. Minus the repair manual and p...

I Moved the Entire Workshop

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/ZhtLiRMW4b8

New video on the Plus channel! I filmed the whole move vloggy vlogersson style.

This was a lot of work, and the old Dojo wasn't even that big. I truly hope I won't be needing to do that again anytime soon, but it was a good opportunity to clean up and see what I have, and organize better in the new Dojo.

I am editing part 2 of project Mercedes, so I hope this wil...

I Bought an Auction Special Mercedes E55 AMG. How Bad Can It Be?

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/ENr9QWmnwWc

Behold the 2nd non-BMW project on the channel!
Mercedes E55 AMG with one of the greatest engines Mercedes has made, legendary M113K. And it's a Touring!

I always wanted to get my hands on a proper AMG, and given my love for fast Tourings, I was immediately drawn to this one.

In this first episode, we dip our toes in the Mercedes world and fix the body damage....

Rolling Back the Odometer the Right Way - Alpina B10 V8S - PT4

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/__5ztfwVWLg

Finally, a video on the main channel, and it's a good one! We are continuing the restoration of project Suonenjoki, Alpina B10.

The first part of the episode was filmed in the old Dojo, and the 2nd in the new one.
I gotta say, working in the new shop feels so damn refreshing. It's clean, and the space, so much space! I can actually open all doors on the car now. It...

I Found A Unicorn BMW Touring

Direct link - https://youtu.be/lv6waaB-aks

2nd video - https://youtu.be/zaRRgcw_8Ps

Two new videos on the plus channel!

This is a vloggy format and behind the scenes of me traveling to Danville, VA, and driving a very special E46 M3 Touring build, as well E91 335d beast with 600 whp and an 8-speed. Believe it or not, I am considering an...

Round of updates

Hello, good people!

A lot has been happening behind the scenes, so a round of updates is in order.

Let's start with the new non-BMW project. As some of you guessed, it's a 2006 Mercedes S211 E55 AMG! I love me a fast Touring, and after the adventure with Maserati, I thought it'd be smart to stick with German engineering.

I bought it on Copart. It was like 1 hour away from Frankfurt, but in all the chaos, I didn't have the time to go and inspect it, so I played it "smart...

I Got An Exclusive Access to How an OEM+ BMW M5 Engine is Made

Hello, good people!

In between screaming, crying, changing diapers, and not sleeping, I managed to finally edit this beast of a video.

This video is about the S62 engine, which we are going to build for project Skovde.
I want an OEM+ engine that's stronger and more powerful than the stock one, so we are doing a collab with Partee Racing from the US. If you are into the E39 M5 world and/or have been on M5board, you would've heard of Peter.

Once I found out that project ...

Rejuvenating The Rarest Alpina B10 V8S Touring

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/NGVjQTmNRP4

Classic wrench-fest episode on project Suonenjoki! This is the last bit of wrenching in the old Dojo, so I wanted to make it extra special and gave Alpina the royal treatment.

This episode represents why I love what I do. A massive amount of complex work done on the engine, then you turn the key and it runs smoothly - it's so fulfilling and satisfying!

Great p...

I Found a New Workshop

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/ziM2SMWyACk

I give you the Dojo 2.0! 

It's finally happening. A new workshop that not only has heating, but A/C too! Do you know how rare that is in Germany!

It's actually a funny story how I came about this place, and it's all in the video. It's not a perfect place, but I've made my peace that I'll never find a property that ticks all of the boxes. 

The bigges...

Can I Make this Old V8 BMW X5 Mechanically Perfect?

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/txpHDHbDBmI

The wifemobile is now all fixed up, and to finish it off, I made it sound epic! Like an M5!

Pretty nuts how badly this engine was leaking. Literally all of the gaskets were cooked.
But, in the end, it was worth. It now drives and sounds better than it ever did.

I hope you enjoy this one. The next episode will be on the Alpina B10 V8S!

This Is The Most Money I Lost On a Car

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/T6cyysSC2wA

The last hurrah for the Maserati. I finally managed to sell it, but only after taking a big loss.

I had to fix up a few more bits on it to get it fully ready for the new owner, so I thought, might as well film it. Also, a round of updates on all projects towards the end!

The next video will be either on the X5 or the Alpina B10. Working on both at the same time,...

It Needs What It Needs? No. - Alpina B10 V8S

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/d6JmfwYBpOY

Project Suonenjoki is back! The mighty Alpina B10 V8S.
Been nearly 2 years since I got this car. Time really does fly.

My initial plan was to do some light maintenance, get it to pass TUV, and just use it.
Well, that was short-lived. As I started digging in, I simply couldn't leave certain things alone, and now we are doing everything. But let's face it, a special...

I Failed Fixing This Old V8 BMW X5

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/Ke5i58Y5rw4

Behold a classic wrenchfest episode! Start to finish jam-packed wrenching action.
We literally go through everything on the N62 V8 in the X5, but it's still fighting back!

The follow-up episode will come in a few weeks as I'm waiting delivery of one special part.

BUT, I just ordered all of the parts needed to start working on project Suonenjoki, Alpina B10,...

I Drove the New BMW G05 X5 and It's...

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/xJENQIzuhPc

Plus channel time! Normally, not the type of video I'd make, but it's perfect for the Plus channel.

I was on vacation in Key West with Z4M and then in Pittsburgh to attend a wedding. While in Pittsburgh, I got to live with the latest BMW X5 for around a week, so I thought I'd give you my professional assessment of it.

I'm back in the Dojo now working on the E70 X5...

This is Why Mechanics Hate Working on BMW X5

Direct Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeKXMRdNJTo

Hello from Key West, Florida! I reunited with project Seattle, Z4M, and having a little break with the wife who approved the Imola red 2-seater!

I did manage to knock out one episode. It's basically me raging on the X5,so it should be entertaining. I still have some work to do on it upon my return to finish it, so the next part will be com...

Back On the Road After 14 Years - V12 BMW E31 850i - Project Marseille: PT15

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/5kQHA6uM5yk

Here we go! The very first drive for project Marseille after 14 years!

Another V12 saved and back on the road. Can't tell you enough how good this thing drives and sounds. I'm over the moon.
It's the final push now to get it finished, as it's off for paint.

In the meantime, I am off to the US again and set to reunite with the Z4M in Miami, and drive it dow...

I Mechanically Restored This V12 BMW 850i to Better Than New

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/ypPEcuOIUd4

It's been a hot minute, but I think you'll understand that the wait was worth it!

2 and a half years mechanically restoring this magnificent E31 bolt by bolt, and this is the final result! Honestly, once I torqued down the last bolt and stepped back, I couldn't stop smiling. I'm overwhelmed with joy! Once you watch the video, you'll know what I mean.

I'm sorry ...

I Teleported 5000 Miles to Save $17000 on a Rare BMW M Car

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/74-woBE6crg

Another US Road Trip successfully completed! 

The Z4M blew me away in every way! How are not more people raging about is what I'm wondering. 

Thoroughly in love with the Roadster and can't wait to have it in Germany.

More stuff coming along soon. At the moment, I'm catching up with a lot of stuff. 
Still hunting like crazy for a new Doj...

I Fixed a Factory Flaw On a BMW X5

Direct link - https://youtu.be/0N0QhCaK2Mo

Hello from Florida!

Here's a video on the X5 on the Plus channel that I managed to finish prior to my US trip.

The trip in the US is going great. Had an awesome time in Virginia at Partee Racing. Filmed some fantastic stuff on the S62 and AluSil reconditioning.

Currently in Orlando working with Freddy on the E46 M3 and then the Z4M!

Big updates & new project!

Howdy good people! 

It's update time, and I have many of them! 

Let's start with probably the biggest one for the channel. I found a video editor! 

His name is Emin, and as luck would have it, he lives literally 5 minutes away from the Dojo. Couldn't be any better.

We did the trial period, edited a couple of videos together, and I showed him how I do things. Thankfully, he's been following the channel for a while so he's familiar with the style ...

2 Years of Restoration Led to This Moment - V12 BMW E31 850 PT13

Direct link - https://youtu.be/JPJU8pmep4k
Direct link 2nd channel - https://youtu.be/nFD04z64eJA

Howdy! It's been a hot minute. The video was supposed to be out quite some time again, but I was down with the flu the entire last week and couldn't finish the edit. It was hell, 6 days constant fever and coughing, but finally doing better!

An...

NOW I KNOW WHY IT WAS SO CHEAP - ALPINA B12 6.0

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/7ID9TcODD94

My hopes for this project to be a "quickish" one have evaporated quickly.
We learn quite a bit about Alpina B12 6.0 and this #24 example.

Mighty project this is going to be, but it'll have to take a back seat until I figure out the workshop situation as I desperately need more lifts and space.

I do have some more news which I'll post in a separate update l...

I Bought a Holy Grail BMW ALPINA, BUT...

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/ADfwC4wojG0

Project Neustadt is upon us!

Yup, another project, but can you really blame me? It's E38 Alpina b12 6.0!
It's neglected, it's been off the road for 13+ years, it's been desecrated.
Everything you want to see in a rare, expensive V12 limousine.

I hope you like it. Part 2 coming very soon!

Restoring a BMW E39 M5 | 13 Years Off The Road - PT 5

Direct Link - https://youtu.be/U-KIvX-cvk8

Project Skovde continues! Unlike the E31, we are dealing with a rusty chassis here. So we are stripping down the entire underside to have it all fixed up properly.

A few people recommended MBL Classics from Poland as a high-end body shop. As luck would have it, they reached out to me and are willing to take on project Skovde, and project Marseille. They gave a good pr...

I give you the holy grail!

Before you crucify me for pilling up another project to an already pilled-up list of projects, hear me out.

IT'S THE HOLY GRAIL ALPINA! The majestic E38 Alpina B12 with a 6.0 V12 engine! With 430 HP and 600 Nm / 443 lb-ft of torque, it's the largest engine Alpina ever built. This is the one, this is the dream example (for me) - E38 Alpina shorty (SWB). This particular example is finished in Oxford green over a Beige Alpina interior.

Last week I got an email from a subscriber an...