Performance BMW — September 2017

62 PERFORMANCE BMW

“I’ve removed the backing plates from the

discs,” says Nick, “for better airfl ow and

better cooling and I’ve fi tted braided hoses

but they’re located behind the suspension

legs, away from the discs, to help minimise

heat transfer,” he explains, and he’s also

fi tted Cool Carbon pads up front and EBC

Redstuff items at the rear.

As Nick likes subtle mods, he’s kept his

M5 looking fairly stock both inside and

out, but there are a few choice additions

that make it stand out. While he was

initially looking to change the wheels, he

says the standard 20s have grown on him

and the black looks great against that bold

blue bodywork, as well as tying in nicely

with the various black elements around

the car, such as the matt black grilles

and wing vents. At the rear there’s a Top

Speed drag-type spoiler, which fi nishes

off the boot lid nicely, while below the

rear bumper sits the extremely sexy and

aggressive carbon fi bre diffuser. Finally, on

the inside, there’s carbon trim on the dash

and steering wheel along with Autotech

extended carbon shift paddles.

It’s fair to say that Nick has built an

awesome M5. It might look relatively

subtle from the outside but there’s nothing

subtle about the way it sounds, or the

way it goes. This car isn’t so much a

sledgehammer as a wrecking ball, capable

of demolishing absolutely anything

that dares to get in its way. There are

more mods planned, and alongside the

aforementioned chargecoolers and JB4,

Nick is also planning to fi t some larger

turbos, which will push power even further

into the stratosphere. Well, when you’ve

come this far, why not go all the way?

Besides, Nick has no intention of selling

his M5 anytime soon, so it’s money well-

spent. “I looked at other cars, but there’s

nothing better than this,” he smiles, and for

someone coming from a modifi ed Japanese

background to say that about the fi rst

BMW he’s ever owned tells you everything

you need to know. ●

H&R lowering

springs at the

front give this

M5 a raked look

One gallon

tank for meth

injection kit

PBMW217.f10_m5.ed3.indd 62 07/08/2017 08:28