Arma

If you manage to get a hold of these from a store / order online let me know from where as I'd also like to get these :-)

Cheers guys, thats awesome Andy, really want one for the front as well as it has the big Euro size mount.

They're already the 19"s Arma! They don't look too small do they??

Haha, that would explain why they didn't look too small then . I agree with AJ, keep the 19's, they look great.

Welcome! That's a great looking car dude. SMGs <3

Those 18" don't look *too* small imo, but the 19" do indeed look good if you plan on installing some in the future.

it will only "upgrade" the noise, there is no performance upgrade

Wouldn't better air intake have some effect other than just the noise though? Although I'd accept that it wouldn't be any noticeable performance gain

Did a bit more searching - any idea whether this would fit the 520i (it's listed for 525i):

aFe Pro Dry S air intake e39 525i/528i

If anyone might know, what kinda extra mods might be required, if any, to fit that into a 520i opposed to a 525i?

If you're expecting to go faster with such an upgrade you're better off to just sell the car and get an E39 model with a bigger engine, at least a 528i.

Will be getting a new car next year for the bigger 'grunt'. For now just doing minor upgrades to this one - and CAI are fairly cheap and easy for DIY.

I was hoping for more throttle response than expecting it to make my car fast.

I think member "Jeffbebe" has one for sale. Look in the "For sale" forum under "e39 bits and pieces for sale" I think

Edit: Found it for you. Link here: Forum topic: E39 Bits and Pieces for Sale

Oh yeah, I saw that thread earlier. That CAI was taken out of a 96 e39 with m52 engine and I was not too sure whether that would still be compatible with a m54 engine or not - which is the main reason I looked away.

If anyone has input / knows about CAI compatibility between different e39's please let me know . Don't want to end up getting one that doesn't suit the engine.

Thanks for looking though Andy!

Wow. I don't know how you guys managed to be so patient with these guys - they sound as bad as it gets in terms of customer service and bad work results at the end too. Guess this will be a very clear warning to steer clear of them.

There's also a few other imperfections, areas of rough matte paint etc, will post pics when I get around to it. I've tried calling his shop and his mobile to tell him that I'm not happy with the finish but there was no answer, so I've sent him an email explaining it. Just waiting on a reply now.

Hope you can get that sorted!

Heya,

I'm looking for cold air intake for my e39 520i (2.2l m54 engine).

Tried searching @ beastpower.com but they seem to only have CAI for 525i+ . I'd prefer the short (e.g. like these) - unless I can get a hold of something that protect against hydro locking (not sure if this is common, have not experienced it, but better to be safe than sorry).

One I've found on beastpower, but for the 525i, is:

aFe Stage 1 Cold Air Intake System Type Cx for the BMW 525i and 528i (e39)

Anyone know any other places where I could order some decent CAI for the 2.2l e39 520i from?

Thanks guys

Any plans to modify in any way?

I've still been thinking - even considered forced induction, but on a 520i won't be worth spending money adding SC or turbos. Wanted to get some new mag wheels too, although bigger wheels might be a bit annoying especially with the already alarming weight to power ratio of a 520i. I should make up a list - interested in seeing if I can get a hold of any good eisenmann sport exhausts for e39 as well, and maybe some m sport front n rear bumpers. Won't jump right into these yet though - will live with stock for a couple months beforehand. Just bought a house, so scared to touch my wallet for at least a month .

Hi guys and gals,

Just joined, as I recently got a e39 520i 2001 with the m54b22 engine. I'm based in Auckland. It's my first BMW in NZ and wanted to get something with a relatively small engine so I can give it away to my parents when they move back to NZ next year, by then which I'll be getting something with a bit more kick hopefully (330i, 530i, 335i twin ts, we'll see). The car was in pretty good condition - though the electronic display on the dashboard seems to be a little corrupted in some places (numbers show jumbled up ), will have to see if it's possible/worth getting that fixed. Been driving it around a lot lately and really liking it, but don't think the 2.2L will cut it for me forever.

Either way, I may look into applying some small mods to this one - won't be able to resist - but nothing too crazy. Still need to figure out whether parts are worth importing here, or whether there are specific shops that sell BMW parts for not-so-ridiculous prices. Will do some research.

Anyway, here are some photos, (edit: resized photos):