tl;dr: guy who likes three pedal BMWs buys another one with the longest roof you can get. 2019 edit: bought another wagon. 2021 edit: bought a third wagon.
This started as a journal for my unicorn, a Black Sapphire 6MT RWD M Sport E91. I have since added another E91 in 2019, a Sparkling Graphite automatic RWD Sport Package. In 2021, I bought an E39 touring which was 5MT and M54B30 swapped. I definitely gravitate towards an OEM+ style and tweak little bits here and there.
2011 E91 328i
Quick Synopsis: this is meant to be my keeper wagon. I spent a few years looking for the right specs: 6MT RWD M Sport, ideally with HarmonKardon and Xenon but without iDrive and Comfort Access. I used it as a fair weather weekend car and try my best to enjoy it while preserving, maintaining, and modifying it.
Factory Specs
• Black Sapphire metallic
• Black leather
• RWD
• N52K
• 6MT
• M Sport Package
• Harman/kardon Surround Sound System
• Adaptive Xenon headlights
• Roof rail delete
Modifications
Engine and Drivetrain
• 3 Stage Intake Manifold
• AA Software
• BMW Performance Exhaust
• E46 M3 Transmission Mounts
• BMW Performance short shift lever
• 1M/M3 CDV Delete
Chassis
• ST Coilovers
• M3 Front Sway Bar
• Dinan Camber Plates
Wheels and Tires
• BMW Style 260 + Michelin P4S4s
• 12.5mm rear spacers
Exterior and Interior
• OEM Euro amber taillights
• OEM "335is" kidney grills
• OEM "335is" pedals
• OEM roof bars
• Body Colored Reflector Deletes
Awaiting Installation
• OEM Euro front bumper
• 335i brakes + F30 backing plates
Future Plans
• M3 Mirrors
• Euro airbox
• LSD
• Post-pandemic road trip!
2007 E91 328i
Quick Synopsis: my wife's Jetta lease was ending in 2019 and she grew to love my E91. This car been a great family hauler and daily for us. Maintenance and reliability is the priority while it fills this role. Unfortunately with our growing kids, we may need a larger vehicle and will likely replace with a Mercedes S212. We both love the utility and driving dynamics of wagons so hoping to continue with the trend if forced to make a change. If we end up with a new family daily, I'd like to transmission swap and facelift this car.
Factory Specs
• Sparkling Graphite metallic
• Black leather
• RWD
• N52K
• Automatic
• Sport Package
• Adaptive Xenon headlights
Modifications
• BMW Style 161 + Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
• OEM Euro amber taillights
• Red taillight film
• M3 steering wheel
• LCI high-gloss shadowline mirrors
Awaiting Installation
• Koni S/A with OE shock and strut refresh kit
Future Plans
• 6MT and "LCI-ish" facelift if the automatic transmission dies
• Daily as many miles as possible!
2002 E39 525i
Quick Synopsis: A good friend of mine here in Vegas bought this car about 5 years ago to replace his former daily E36 M3. He completed the transmission and engine swaps several years ago. I bought it from him in early 2021 as he wanted to consolidate into a new Tacoma. I've always loved E39s between the one my mom had (I learned to drive in her E34) and my time working at the dealership when they were in production. The direction I go with this one is up in the air and it'll either evolve into a track rat or a restoration. For now the focus is getting it caught up on maintenance and cleaning up the car.
Factory Specs
• Titan Silver metallic
• Gray leather
• RWD
• M52B25
• Automatic
• Sport Package
• Xenon headlights
• Self leveling rear suspension
• M leather steering wheel
Modifications
• M54B30 swap
• 5MT swap
• M5 front and rear brake conversion
• Fortune auto coilovers
• Replica M5 front bumper
• OEM M Technic rear bumper
• Halfway to black interior swap
• Loud magniflow exhaust and eBay headers
• Style 124 wheels
Awaiting Installation
• Oil pan gasket
• Hood struts
• Hatch struts
• Rear bumper diffuser
Future Plans
• General maintenance
• TBD - track rat or restoration???
• BMW Style 37 or APEX wheels depending on direction
• Have fun!