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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics DIY Guides & Discussions M5 Diffuser Install with Comfort Access F10's
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      02-24-2014, 09:20 AM   #1
Alan l.
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M5 Diffuser Install with Comfort Access F10's

Credit goes to AndT for figuring out the bumper adapter needed to cleanly and properly mount the M5 diffuser on a regular F10 with Comfort Access without the need to hack up your car. His thread here - http://f10.5post.com/forums/showpost...56&postcount=1

Credit also goes to M535 for his DIY on how to remove the bumper cover. You only need to remove one side of the bumper cover to be able to swap out the bumper insert. Use this thread here for bumper cover removal - http://f10.5post.com/forums/showpost...81&postcount=1

I did this swap myself in preparation for the M5 diffuser/exhaust setup and it takes about an hour. Very easy to do but I took my time making sure nothing was damaged or scratched up during the process. I am making this thread because there is questions that pop up every week about how to install this on a non M5 and it is hard trying to search all of the related links that you need. Consolidating all of the information here as well as some tips that I learned during my install process should help others unsure of doing this swap.

First off you need to order two parts from BMW. I get all of my stuff from Tischer BMW because of their great prices and service.

1) BMW M5 Diffuser with center insert -
http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

2) BMW M5 Adaptor/Absorber - Part # 51128053585

This is the part you need to replace for the M5 diffuser to swap right in if you have comfort access. Top is the M5 one and the bottom is my stock Msport one with comfort access


Once you follow the instructions above and remove just the passenger side bumper cover you can reach behind there to pull out the old adapter. It is NOT screwed on at all. There are tabs that you need to push down on to release it and you just pull straight out afterwards. Looking at the new M5 adapter carefully would help you figure out exactly where those tabs are. Once the old one is out the new one goes back in just by pushing it in. Reinstall back the bumper cover.

Keep in mind that you also need to remove one of the taillights to gain access to one of the bumper bolts during this process. The taillight is held with just three nuts. Two of the easier access nuts needs to be removed completely. The one further recessed on the side does NOT need to be fully removed. You just need to loose the nut about half way and the whole light assembly slides out. This tip is crucial because it is very hard to remove/install the 3rd nut without dropping it given its location. I learned this when i swapped lights on my previous F10 with someone.

You will also notice that the two control boxes that normally mounts to your stock diffuser no longer has a spot for it on the new one because BMW moved the location on the M5. I ended up using some 3M locking velcro tape as well as a heavy duty zip tie to secure my sensors on the new adapter. Looks completely factory and it isn't going anywhere. Once you are done with these steps the M5 diffuser just snaps in by pushing it inwards and you are done!

Alan
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Last edited by Alan l.; 02-24-2014 at 09:38 AM..
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      02-24-2014, 09:55 AM   #2
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Great write up! Now send me your old diffuser
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      02-24-2014, 09:58 AM   #3
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Its already in the new owners hands
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      02-24-2014, 02:22 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
Its already in the new owners hands
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      02-24-2014, 03:11 PM   #5
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I still need to do this.
Such a simple part yet a huge visual impression.
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      02-25-2014, 11:34 PM   #6
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I appreciate the props... Im glad my dyi is bring put to
Good use :-)
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      03-12-2014, 06:14 PM   #7
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How do you know if you have comfort access?

Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question.

I want to get the diffuser but want to know if I need the other part.
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      03-12-2014, 10:24 PM   #8
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If you could lock/unlock your doors simply by having the key on you and touching the door handles then you have comfort access. If you could wave your foot under the rear bumper to automatically open the trunk then you have comfort access.

Alan
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      03-12-2014, 11:03 PM   #9
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My doors will open if locked, as long as the keys are on me

But I didn't know about the foot/trunk deal

So it's best I get the other part as well?


How much is it?
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      03-13-2014, 09:49 AM   #10
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Part was less than $30 from Tischer BMW so better be safe to just get it. Sounds like you have comfort access if you can just unlock the doors by having the key on you (without pressing any buttons)

Alan
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      03-16-2014, 09:35 PM   #11
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Just did the install following alan's diy and it was a breeze. Snapped a couple of pics to supplement Alan's wonderful guide

OEM diffuser


Remove the OEM diffuser by undoing 5 push pins on the bottom and then pull the diffuser outward.


Undo the passenger side bumper to get access to the adaptor and swap in the M5 one.


All the wiring and comfort access strip transfers over to the new adaptor with no problem. However, there are two sensors that do not have a spot on the new M5 adaptor so I just used 3M double sided tape and taped it behind the locations in the red squares.


Install the insert onto your M5 diffuser. I painted mine gloss black to match.


Snap the diffuser/insert combo back onto your OEM bumper and start putting your bumper back together. The diffuser/insert has 3 screws on the bottom that can only be screwed on once the bumper is re-installed onto the car.


Have a beer and admire your new diffuser
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      03-17-2014, 08:32 AM   #12
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Nice work Jz! How did you move your Remus inward yourself to accommodate the M5 diffuser?

The M5 diffuser makes the rear end of the car look SO much more aggressive. I love it.

Alan
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      03-17-2014, 04:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
Nice work Jz! How did you move your Remus inward yourself to accommodate the M5 diffuser?

The M5 diffuser makes the rear end of the car look SO much more aggressive. I love it.

Alan
I never modified the fitment of the Remus at all. If you notice from the pictures with the stock 550i diffuser, the Remus sat much closer to the inside from the get go. (I wonder what diffuser Remus used to come up with their fitment) The clearance for the M5 diffuser was literally just a few mm. After installing everything, I just used my hands and pulled the mufflers towards the center a bit and now it sits just perfect.
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      03-17-2014, 05:01 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
Nice work Jz! How did you move your Remus inward yourself to accommodate the M5 diffuser?

The M5 diffuser makes the rear end of the car look SO much more aggressive. I love it.

Alan
It's a shame that the Challenge center piece defeats the comfort access, or else I'd totally get the add on to complete the look

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/bran...enter-diffuser
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      03-17-2014, 06:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
Part was less than $30 from Tischerone BMW so better be safe to just get it. Sounds like you have comfort access if you can just unlock the doors by having the key on you (without pressing any buttons)

Alan
I used the part number in the tischer website
but nothing came up for the adapter that goes below the diffuser.

I think I'm plasti dipping it. I saw another member who did it and looked good.

I'm going to order this week but want to get everything in one shot


Plus I tested the foot deal and it worked on all three cars.
It was cool to find something I didn't know we have
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      03-17-2014, 06:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MELLOWYELLOW06 View Post
I used the part number in the tischer website
but nothing came up for the adapter that goes below the diffuser.

I think I'm plasti dipping it. I saw another member who did it and looked good.

I'm going to order this week but want to get everything in one shot


Plus I tested the foot deal and it worked on all three cars.
It was cool to find something I didn't know we have
Go on tischer's site and search in parts. Put in 2013 BMW M5 and part # 51128053585 it'll show up
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      03-18-2014, 08:44 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jz View Post
It's a shame that the Challenge center piece defeats the comfort access, or else I'd totally get the add on to complete the look

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/bran...enter-diffuser
Its nice but $900 for two little fins added to the middle is a bit much for me. Especially if it defeats the comfort access too.

Alan
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      03-18-2014, 03:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jz View Post
It's a shame that the Challenge center piece defeats the comfort access, or else I'd totally get the add on to complete the look

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/bran...enter-diffuser
Its nice but $900 for two little fins added to the middle is a bit much for me. Especially if it defeats the comfort access too.

Alan
Just gotta wait for some other company to make a cheaper version that solves the comfort access problem
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      04-01-2014, 04:44 PM   #19
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Does anyone know the part number for the 4 black plugs/bolts that attach the insert to the diffuser along the sides? You can see them in this picture:

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      04-02-2014, 09:23 AM   #20
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Its the same black plugs that is used to install the stock Msport diffuser. I just reused them on my M5 center insert.

Alan
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      04-21-2014, 11:48 AM   #21
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Great guide Alan and Jz!

Does anyone know if you can order an OEM or non-OEM M5 diffuser that is already finished? I want one that matches my 550's M-sport diffuser color (grey/black).
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      06-01-2014, 10:09 AM   #22
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