- Unici Design grafts an M4 grille onto a 1999 BMW E39 Touring.
- The prototype features widebody modifications and is set to hit the market soon.
- The internet is divided on the radical transformation of the classic wagon.
The BMW E39 is widely considered one of the most iconic generations of the 5-Series, but one US tuner clearly thinks it needs a jolt of modernity. Unici Design has taken the radical step of grafting the G81 M4’s infamous oversized kidney grille onto an E39 Touring, and topped it off with a full-blown widebody kit.
The project began with a few viral renderings showcasing the bold transformation. After many hours of work, the digital model has become a real-life prototype, albeit still in development. Notably, Unici Design doesn’t plan for this radical E39 to be a one-off; they aim to bring the kit to market.
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The donor car for the prototype is a 1999 BMW 528i Touring. The kit features a custom-made front bumper with M4-inspired kidney grilles and intakes, along with a matching hood. The original E39 headlights are retained but partially obscured by the new hood. Unici Design plans to upgrade the halogen units with LED graphics, aiming to make the car look less like a heavily modified Dodge Charger LD.
The tuner also intends to slap on wide fender extensions, a double spoiler on the tailgate, and some fake vents over the rear glass. Air suspension or KW coilovers will fine-tune the stance, topped off with a set of aftermarket alloy wheels.
The resulting model (right) is a BMW E39 5-Series with G81 M4 (left) styling cues.
The prototype is set to be completed in the coming months. Crafting the entire bodykit by hand is a labor-intensive process. Once finished, Unici Design will announce pricing and availability for the tuning kit.
We’ll be glued to Unici Design’s Instagram to see if this controversial creation finds any takers. The internet is a divided house on this one, with equal parts adoration and abhorrence. All we have to say is while the result is undebatably unique, it is definitely not an improvement over the timeless look of a stock E39 5-Series.
The G80 M3 and G81 M4’s gargantuan grilles ignited a firestorm among BMW enthusiasts in 2020. Curiously, BMW resisted the urge to slap the same monstrosity on the G90 M5 or any other M car, only doubling down on the divisive design with the facelifted M3 and M4.