A BMW M5 with a screaming V10 engine sounds like a bargain at $3,000… until you discover why nobody wanted it. For YouTuber Danny Z, that money bought him a 2006 example that had spent over three years abandoned after an unfinished rebuild.
To this day, the E60-generation M5 is one of BMW’s most distinctive performance sedans, thanks to its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter S85 V10. Unfortunately, its complicated mechanical systems can make reviving a neglected example an expensive undertaking.
Danny had already repaired extensive front-end damage and given the car a fresh Interlagos Blue paint job. His latest video on the Danny Z YouTube channel follows the next stage: turning a battered project into something resembling a modern performance sedan.
The transformation would involve nearly every corner of the car, from its suspension and brakes to its exhaust and engine controls. Even after all that work, the M5 had a few surprises waiting.
Three Years Abandoned and a Front End in Pieces
When Danny first acquired the M5, it barely resembled the performance sedan BMW had built in 2006. Its front bumper, headlights, and much of the surrounding bodywork were missing, leaving the V10’s engine bay exposed and making the scale of the project immediately apparent.
With the crash damage repaired and the bodywork restored, Danny turned his attention to the worn-out mechanical components. He replaced all four brake rotors and pads, along with four suspension arms, hoping to address the car’s unsettled handling.
He also installed BC Racing adjustable coilovers, replacing the factory electronically controlled dampers. Wheel spacers helped achieve a lower, more aggressive stance, although the car’s final handling still needed evaluation.
Giving the V10 Its Voice Back
A stainless-steel Valvetronic Design exhaust replaced the existing system, which had previously been modified. Missing center hangers created installation problems, leaving temporary support necessary until proper replacements could be fitted.
Fresh trim, parking sensors, updated taillights, and replacement exterior pieces completed much of the visual transformation. The aftermarket headlights proved controversial, with numerous viewers criticizing their appearance and urging Danny to reinstall factory-style units.
The Throttle Actuator Mystery
The M5’s V10 uses separate electronic throttle actuators for its two cylinder banks, and Danny replaced both while investigating limp mode. Diagnostic testing later revealed that the first bank wasn’t responding, despite the new actuator being connected.
The culprit was a linkage rod Danny had forgotten to attach during reassembly. Once connected, the engine responded properly, and the severe limp-mode warning disappeared, although a check engine light stayed on.
A $3,000 BMW With a Much Bigger Bill
Danny finally drove the M5 and celebrated its distinctive V10 soundtrack but admitted that the car still felt far from sorted. A squealing noise and unresolved faults showed that the restoration wasn’t finished.
He also revealed that he’d spent over three times the original $3,000 purchase price getting the BMW this far. The M5 now looks and sounds like the V10 performance sedan Danny envisioned, but there’s still a way to go before it drives as well as it looks.