Imad's BMW E39
Photography & Words By Wynn
2000 BMW 540i
There's something about a lowriding daily driven car that many who are not in the car scene will never truly understand. There's a craft to what may seem like madness to onlookers. Having to think out your daily route and what obstacles you and your car may come across during it. Having to constantly search the road up ahead for potholes, constantly being terrified of construction areas and of course those terrible bumpy road ahead signs. It really is madness when you consider what you get out of all this frustration. The constant scraping and fear of breaking something costly underneath. Some I'm sure ask is it worth it? Is the occasional thumbs up and approving looks from those who appreciate cars really worth all the worrying and effort? It's a question you have to answer yourself. Personally I'm a fan of this lifestyle, theres something real about daily driving a car the that's 2-3 inches off the ground.
Imad apparently feels the same way with his 540i. For someone who is constantly taking on the harsh roads of Toronto, you quickly begin to realize how impressive this is. There truly is about 2inches of ground clearance underneath this car. Of course with any car that's daily driven on roads like Toronto's there is going to be war wounds that come with it. Imads E39 wears these wounds like badges of honour. As we stood there looking at the car Imad wasn't shy to point out a few of these badges while telling me the story behind them. While Imad told me story after story I thought this is the reason why (I believe) many of us get into or stay in the car culture. Every owner and car has their own series of stories. This (again I believe) is why all the stress, all the constant worrying and struggle is worth it. Imad quickly went about fixing up all the necessary maintenance including replacing the engine. He then decided to add a set of sensible wheels for his daily journeys on these harsh Toronto roads. With a set of 10.5" wheels stretched all around, Imad then decide to lower the 5 series a bit with some coilovers that have this E39 looking very mean cruising down any Toronto strip. He then proceeded to give the V8 an even louder voice. Keeping only two top catalytic converters and straight piping the rest, this 540i has a very beastly exhaust note that is truly astonishing in person. A short shifter and full Air Intake system have of course been added for a bit more quickness. Future plans have this E39 getting a colour change, new wheels and even more lows with some BC Racing Coilovers. Personally this is one of my favourite E39's around. I love the way it's daily driven and has the scars to show it. Too often we see show cars that sadly sit in heated garages and maybe come out for the occasional show. Imad has accomplished a daily car that breaks just as much necks on the regular roads as it would at any car show.
