[Aussieatlarge]

I know of a few E9x Utes around the world but was wondering if one had ever been built in Australia. I assume our stringent licensing rules would be somewhat of a challenge.

In my mind a E93 would be a great platform since the frame bracing is already done and the existing front roof section could probably be repurposed. I am not suggesting it would be a single weekend task but I also don't think it would be too daunting. The bed wouldn't be much smaller than the current dual cab pickups' (i drive a Wildtrac). My guess is that the final weight might even be less than an E93.

Any thoughts....

[ADEe92]

BMW did it themselves with an M3 that looks to use the e93 chassis or at least the roof panel. The B pillar on the M3 leaves a bit to be desired shape wise, but that could be sorted with some good bodywork. I've always thought a BMW ute would look better with a small rear-side window that still incorporated the hoffmeister kink - like a Commodore ute.

If you measured it up, the C pillars off the e93 roof might be able to be used, or maybe even the Commodore ute B-pillars and bulkhead might be able to be modified to fit.

Stuart Appleby had an e39 M5 ute built which pretty much nailed it & it incorporated a small rear-side window + a stretch of the tray area to give decent proportions.



The M3 ute:

[Aussieatlarge]

Originally Posted by ADEe92

BMW did it themselves with an M3 that looks to use the e93 chassis or at least the roof panel. The B pillar on the M3 leaves a bit to be desired shape wise, but that could be sorted with some good bodywork. I've always thought a BMW ute would look better with a small rear-side window that still incorporated the hoffmeister kink - like a Commodore ute.

If you measured it up, the C pillars off the e93 roof might be able to be used, or maybe even the Commodore ute B-pillars and bulkhead might be able to be modified to fit.

Stuart Appleby had an e39 M5 ute built which pretty much nailed it & it incorporated a small rear-side window + a stretch of the tray area to give decent proportions.



The M3 ute:

I am just concerned about rego in Australia.

[ADEe92]

If you're serious about it, speak to an auto engineer - it will need to be engineered anyway to pass rego.

The guidelines for modifying your car in NSW are here:

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents...ifications.pdf

Each state is different, but for all of them you apply to modify the vehicle before you start, telling them exactly what you intend to modify and they'll give you a list of documents you must produce and tests you must do to pass rego.

Looking at the body modification section from the document above & given you'd need to add a bulkhead of some sort to close in the back of the cab, then it would need certification. If you're not radically altering the chassis structure of the car as it's already reinforced it might be relatively straightforward to get passed with an engineers report but it's best to ask an engineer directly what they think.

[Aussieatlarge]

Just googled E93 Ute and found my old post. My company is taking back my wild track and giving me a car allowance. Been looking at a f 340i (four doors etc) and since I won’t get much fir the E93 and since I have seriously over capitalised on the engine mods / maintenance and body mods, and because I could use a Ute every now and again, i started thinking about this project again.

[ADEe92]

In that case, maybe try speaking to Southern Rod & Custom in Deniliquin - they built the Appleby M5 ute. & the e93 should be easier in some ways. Here's a Street Machine article on it:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/features...e39-bmw-m5-ute

There's also a set of build photos on the Southern Rod & Custom website:

https://southernrodcustom.com/m5-bmw-ute/

[Aussieatlarge]

Originally Posted by ADEe92

In that case, maybe try speaking to Southern Rod & Custom in Deniliquin - they built the Appleby M5 ute. & the e93 should be easier in some ways. Here's a Street Machine article on it:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/features...e39-bmw-m5-ute

There's also a set of build photos on the Southern Rod & Custom website:

https://southernrodcustom.com/m5-bmw-ute/

Thanks AD. They went to town on the M5. I have to wonder how much easier it would have been, had they not lengthened it.

[ADEe92]

Originally Posted by Aussieatlarge

Thanks AD. They went to town on the M5. I have to wonder how much easier it would have been, had they not lengthened it.

I think what you have in mind would be a lot easier to achieve.