DMG.Media's B8.5 S5 Build Thread

[Dmg.media]

Just recently picked up a B8.5 S5 in one of my dream specs. The car is a Technik 6MT with sport diff, adaptive cruise and rear comfort package (heated rear seats, power rear sunshade). Monsoon grey on black Nappa leather with lunar silver inserts and aluminum trim. I bought it out of Kingston, ON where it had been sold and serviced at the local dealer almost its entire life. The car had just over 125k km (~78k miles) when I got it and I've been racking up miles pretty quick since getting it. I am the third owner, with the previous owner having done a bunch of mods (some more tasteful than others), but I've been slowly making it my own and adding new parts. This thread will follow my build process

First shoot after getting it:



Progress at the time of starting this thread:







Updated Mod List
Performance
Integrated Engineering Stage 1 91oct
CTS Turbo CAI
Tires, Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ 255/35/19
Wheels, Superspeed RF05RR 19x9.5 +33
15mm ECS Tuning Spacers (all around)
H&R Red Sport Springs
Brakes, Hawk ceramic pads and Stoptech braided brake lines
JHM short-throw shifter
Custom Catback Exhaust w/ RX400h damper to reduce rattle

Exterior
RS Quattro style grille
Carbon rear diffuser (Carbon Imports V1 Style)
Carbon rear spolier (Highkick)
Carbon fog surrounds (Carbon Imports style)
Blacked out fog grilles
Black badges
Carbon side mirrors
Orange painted calipers

Coming soon/On order
Carbon dash/gauge surround trim by Tyler Hays

Removed
Black ABS side skirts (probably eBay)
Front lip (probably eBay)
Black front badges
Tires, Michelin Pilot Super Sport 255/35/19 (summer '21)

Scroll to the bottom for the latest look!

Car's ig (@monsoon.s5) has the most updated photos

[Iceman502]

Lucky to get one that already has a tune but was kept at stage 1! Did the seller give you the dongle too? How many miles are on it?

[Dmg.media]

The previous owner had it tuned at a IE dealer for 93. So I ended up purchasing the dongle so I could switch to 91 as getting 93 is inconvenient where I live. It has a bit under 79k miles (127k km).

Thanks!

[Dmg.media]

A little update and some better photos of the 5. Orange calipers

[hahnmgh63]

Nicely optioned car to begin with and tasteful mods. If you decide to go with a Stage 2 (I upgraded over the holiday sales in Dec). I highly recommend 034 Motorsports tune with the TCU tune. The transmission shifts much better in Sport mode, Youtube forums show the 034 TCU tune as hands down better than APR. Nice thing about their tune is with their Dongle you can flash it from home and they give you multiple options where APR won't. The problem I had with IE was I wanted to remove my SAI system and they would not do a custom tune, said they won't do a tune that removes Cats or any emmissions. Plus the forums shows 034s TCU tune was the best. Most of the tuners have sales around the holidays so that's always a good time for upgrades/parts. I'm sure there will be another come the US Memorial day weekend at the end of this month or 4th of July. Nice car.

[Dmg.media]

Nicely optioned car to begin with and tasteful mods. If you decide to go with a Stage 2 (I upgraded over the holiday sales in Dec). I highly recommend 034 Motorsports tune with the TCU tune. The transmission shifts much better in Sport mode, Youtube forums show the 034 TCU tune as hands down better than APR. Nice thing about their tune is with their Dongle you can flash it from home and they give you multiple options where APR won't. The problem I had with IE was I wanted to remove my SAI system and they would not do a custom tune, said they won't do a tune that removes Cats or any emmissions. Plus the forums shows 034s TCU tune was the best. Most of the tuners have sales around the holidays so that's always a good time for upgrades/parts. I'm sure there will be another come the US Memorial day weekend at the end of this month or 4th of July. Nice car.

Thanks for the info about the different tuners. I've heard a lot of good things about 034 and would've definitely considered going with them if my car wasn't already tuned. My car is a 6 speed so a better TCU tune won't be of much benefit for me. I'll still consider them for if/when I decide to go stage 2 but IE makes it easier for me to upgrade ($100) to move to the next stage.

[dbtong]

I love the look of the exhaust. What components were used?

[Dmg.media]

I love the look of the exhaust. What components were used?

I’m not entirely sure of the exact parts, but it’s an xpipe into a pair of Vibrant bottle resonators out to a set of ‘Cherrybomb’ mufflers. I’m pretty sure it was just made from steel 2.5” piping.

IMG_1224.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Dmg.media]

Some updated photos from late in the summer with all-black badges! Still on the fence whether I prefer black or silver rings on the front, it depends on the lighting whether one looks better than the other.

Photos

[300zx2g35]

Any clips of the exhaust?

[Danteb5s4]

Very nice build :)

[u2nelson]

There’s a huge bug on your front bumper!! Other than that nice build, thanks for posting.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Dmg.media]

Figured I'd post some updated pictures. This will most likely be the final form of my b8.5 s5 as I will hopefully be in a new car by the end of the summer. Luckily, this is my favourite look to date.







Updates done recently:
Back to silver front badges (but with the black quattro lower grille logo)
Michelin ps as3+ to replace my worn pss on the superspeed's

Currently having Tyler (@s5.tyler on ig) wrapping my dash/gauge surround trim in real cf. Will install and post pics soon hopefully

[carrrnuttt]

Figured I'd post some updated pictures. This will most likely be the final form of my b8.5 s5 as I will hopefully be in a new car by the end of the summer. Luckily, this is my favourite look to date.







Updates done recently:
Back to silver front badges (but with the black quattro lower grille logo)
Michelin ps as3+ to replace my worn pss on the superspeed's

Currently having Tyler (@s5.tyler on ig) wrapping my dash/gauge surround trim in real cf. Will install and post pics soon hopefully

I love the look honestly.

But I guarantee that your car will improve both thematically and stylistically if you blacked out the chrome window trim.

I did mine myself using some vinyl pre-trimmed for this exact purpose. It's relatively simple.

[Chare34]

wow, my compliments, I enjoyed your progress, I have been looking for S5s for a while and found essentially the same spec as yours, though stateside it is a prestige. same exterior and interior cflors. I was seeking black on black, but am close to pulling the trigger on the monsoon with panda interior. Needed a 6sp and has the options I wanted, just wasnt sure about the colors, your thread has helped!

[Dmg.media]

I love the look honestly.

But I guarantee that your car will improve both thematically and stylistically if you blacked out the chrome window trim.

I did mine myself using some vinyl pre-trimmed for this exact purpose. It's relatively simple.

100% agree with you about the trim being blacked out! I actually dropped it off at a shop and was ready to have it done last fall, but the shop ran out of gloss black and I haven't gone back since. I've done some vinyl work before, but can't say I'm great with it.

How does the pre-trimmed vinyl work? I'd be interested in trying it myself if it's already cut.

[Dmg.media]

wow, my compliments, I enjoyed your progress, I have been looking for S5s for a while and found essentially the same spec as yours, though stateside it is a prestige. same exterior and interior cflors. I was seeking black on black, but am close to pulling the trigger on the monsoon with panda interior. Needed a 6sp and has the options I wanted, just wasnt sure about the colors, your thread has helped!

Thanks so much! Crazy coincidence that I had just replied to your FB post. I really do love this spec and primarily these seats. As I think I stated in my original post, this interior was the main thing I was searching for above almost everything else since we didn't get any of the Alcantara interiors in Canada on the b8.5 (until the dynamic edition cars). It's super unique and makes driving it feel super special. Everyone who rides in it compliments it and I am super excited to get in everytime.

If you end up buying that monsoon car that would be awesome! If you need build inspo I have curated lots of photos/owners with different wheels and suspensions.

[Chare34]

I’ll update if I do!

[carrrnuttt]

100% agree with you about the trim being blacked out! I actually dropped it off at a shop and was ready to have it done last fall, but the shop ran out of gloss black and I haven't gone back since. I've done some vinyl work before, but can't say I'm great with it.

How does the pre-trimmed vinyl work? I'd be interested in trying it myself if it's already cut.

Sorry for the late response as I have been crazy busy the last two weeks.

This is what I bought: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QNLZTQC?th=1

Essentially pre-trimmed for window trim work so you don't have to cut out strips yourself from a larger piece. I mean, you'll still slice off extraneous pieces, but it'll be a LOT easier to work with as strips.

I went with satin but wouldn't have minded the matte. I'd personally go for either option instead of gloss, since they look more "natural" as window trimming.

Here's a shot of how mine came out:

[Dmg.media]

Sorry for the late response as I have been crazy busy the last two weeks.

This is what I bought: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QNLZTQC?th=1

Essentially pre-trimmed for window trim work so you don't have to cut out strips yourself from a larger piece. I mean, you'll still slice off extraneous pieces, but it'll be a LOT easier to work with as strips.

I went with satin but wouldn't have minded the matte. I'd personally go for either option instead of gloss, since they look more "natural" as window trimming.

Here's a shot of how mine came out:

Wow that looks great! Yeah it's definitely something I'll do if I decide to keep the car.

I was always a bit worried on the S5's of doing that upper piece since there are no seams in the trim from the front all the way around to the back. Are you able to do it in one piece or did it take multiple?

[carrrnuttt]

Are you able to do it in one piece or did it take multiple?

Multiple.

You cut off and layer them on the sharp corners. At least that's what I did, but I'm far from being a pro at this.

I didn't even look at videos or anything. I just went and did it knowing I could peel it off if I didn't like it. Got it done first try.