Best in Show - BMW E60 M5

Five Days. One Goal. A BMW M5 Completed to Win.

When our customer arrived at STASH with his BMW M5, the brief was simple: prepare the car to compete in the BMW SuperFest Show N Shine category with the goal of taking home the win.

There was to be no shortcuts, no fixed budget, and no compromises. The goal was to do whatever was required to present the car at the highest possible standard.

Alongside the vehicle, our team, Leighton in particular who would be managing this detail, was provided with the official judging criteria for the competition. This became Leighton’s roadmap, every detail, every surface, and every hidden area of the car needed to be considered. The judges weren’t just looking at the paintwork, they were looking everywhere. Behind wheels, inside the engine bay, underneath trim, and in every area most people would never think to clean.

For us, that meant approaching this M5 exactly how we approach every vehicle that enters STASH, with care, patience, and an obsession for the details.

Perfecting the Paintwork

The process started with a complete wash and decontamination to prepare the vehicle for paint correction.

Using AMMO Foam Paint Cleanser, the vehicle was thoroughly cleaned before moving onto decontamination with a clay bar. This removed embedded impurities including tar, bugs, and imperfections sitting within the paint surface.

The goal from here was simple: get the paint as close to perfect as possible.

Leighton undertook a full two-stage paint correction using AMMO Shear Cutting Pads paired with AMMO X-Foliate Polishing Fluid for the initial correction stage, followed by AMMO WAFL Finishing Pads to refine the finish.

This wasn’t a quick machine polish. Every panel was individually worked over a three-day period, carefully correcting imperfections and refining the paint until it reached the standard required for competition.

With the car destined to be viewed under direct sunlight, there was nowhere for defects to hide. Every swirl mark, scratch, and imperfection would be visible.

The result was a flawless finish, a deep, clean, reflective surface that allowed the M5’s paintwork to truly stand out.

Wheels, Arches and The Details Most People Miss

Next, the wheels were completely removed from the vehicle and treated individually.

Each wheel was cleaned using AMMO Brute Wheel Soap followed by AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner, removing brake dust, road contamination, and any marks from both the face and barrel of the wheels.

Once cleaned, the wheel faces and barrels were polished using AMMO WAFL Pads before being protected with AMMO Gelee pro wheel coat.

This not only enhanced the finish and depth of the wheels for judging day but also provided long-term protection and made future maintenance easier.

The wheel arches were another key area highlighted in the judging criteria. The requirement was simple: a judge should be able to run their finger behind the guard and find absolutely no dirt or contamination.

Every part of the wheel arch was scrubbed, cleaned, and inspected. Suspension components, hidden surfaces, and areas normally ignored during a regular detail were all meticulously restored.

The brake callipers were polished and coated, while the plastic arch liners were finished with AMMO Oleo Trim Dressing to restore depth and provide protection against future dirt and water contamination.

Engine Bay Restoration

Moving on, the engine bay received the same level of attention.

Anything that could be safely removed was removed, including sections around the front of the vehicle, allowing access to areas normally hidden.

The entire bay was cleaned using AMMO Titan 12 Degreaser, removing built-up contamination and restoring the original finishes.

Painted surfaces, engine components, and surrounding trims were carefully cleaned before being finished with AMMO Oleo to bring back depth and richness to the black surfaces.

The objective was simple, there couldn’t be a single area of the vehicle that looked overlooked.

Interior and Hidden Areas

Inside the M5, every surface was meticulously cleaned using AMMO Lather Interior Cleanser and a combination of AMMO brushes, including the scrub brush and two-tier handheld brush.

The leather seats, plastics, and interior trim were all carefully scrubbed before the leather was treated with AMMO Mousse Interior Conditioner.

This restored the leather to a rich matte finish with a smooth, supple feel, exactly how it should leave the factory.

The carpets and floor mats were shampooed using AMMO Shag Fabric Cleaner, removing marks and stains, while the interior glass was cleaned to a crystal-clear finish.

The boot was also completely stripped down. The full toolkit, spare wheel, and hidden storage areas were removed and detailed.

This was another important part of the competition criteria, the aim was that no matter where the judges looked, every section of the vehicle would be immaculate.

The Final Preparation

After five days of work, the M5 received its final checks.

Every surface was inspected, tyres and wheels were dressed, and the final touches were completed before the vehicle was handed back to the customer ready for BMW SuperFest.

The finishing step was two coats of AMMO Reflex Pro II, providing additional protection while enhancing the depth and clarity of the finished paintwork.

The Result

The outcome was everything we set out to achieve.

The BMW M5 took home Best in Class and Best Overall Vehicle of the Show, with more than a handful of points separating it from the next closest competitor.

After five full days of preparation, every detail had been considered, every surface refined, and every area inspected to meet the demands of the judging criteria.

The customer walked away with two trophies and the confidence that the M5 had been presented at its absolute best.

For STASH and Leighton, seeing the hours of meticulous work rewarded with a result like this was a proud moment, a true reflection of the time, patience, and attention to detail invested into the build.