Goose

Vass, thanks for the useful insight and advice.

Thanks for the heads up on the diff flange, this is something I will be checking as it hadn’t crossed my mind.

I have watched a few of the ShopLife videos already, very helpful. I should be able to manage the wiring side also as I’m a registered electrician, although not working in the trade any longer. Programming still seems a bit beyond me at this stage though!?

I was planning on installing a new master cylinder. I have one that came with the gearbox, but it looks like a rite pain to access, so would rather not find out its no good after fitting everything up! On the clutch switch, am I correct in assuming the purpose of this is to prevent the car starting unless the clutch is depressed? If my assumption is correct, can this option be bypassed / coded out?

25 minutes ago, exextatic said:

Coding a manual conversion on the earlier E39s is a little more of a nuisance than the later vehicles as you have to deal with ZCS coding strings.

You'll need the standard coding tools (NCS Expert, WinKFP) along with Zeko to aid with adjusting your ZCS string; update the ZCS string to remove the auto, write it to cluster and EWS, factory code cluster, EWS, ASC/DSC, PDC (if fitted) and then update the DME to ZB 7539328 (or 7539336 for EU2 emissions standard) and reset adaptions.

😵🤯

I'm not sure I want to practice my (nonexistent) coding skills on my own vehicle for fear of bricking it. Is there an option to send the DME to someone to have this done, or is this best done in the vehicle? Is it possible to be done online remotely? I'm happy to trailer the car to somewhere this can be done too if needed, preferably on the Shore or further North. Also, happy to pay for the rite skills / service. 

Thanks for the expert advice. Still a couple of months of this stage, so have time to get a plan in place.

As per the title, my old E39 540i is going to get the 6-speed manual conversion treatment.

For me, the car is a “Sunday driver” and I just want to make it a bit more enjoyable / engaging to drive. I’m not trying to build a race / skid machine and want to keep the look and feel as factory as possible.

I have the key components already, Getrag 420g gearbox, gearbox sub frame, drive shaft, pedal box, shifter linkage etc. Everything else will be replaced with new parts, clutch, flywheel, hanger bearings, master / slave cylinders, shifter linkage rebuild kit etc. Diff upgrades will come later, probably much later as the “toy account” has taken a hammering with this project so far😭

Keen to hear opinions on clutch / flywheel combos, and where to purchase parts from. I’m 95% certain I will go with a dual mass F/W to keep the factory feel, unless someone can convince me otherwise? I have a “wish List” of parts on ECS Tuning’s website, but would prefer to purchase locally if it stacks up, so open to suggestions on local parts suppliers too.

I’m not in a hurry to get this done and want to make sure I have what I need before starting the job, but planning to have it done and ready for next summer😎

The mechanical side of the conversion I think I will manage ok (have done this myself successfully on my previous E36 328i) but I believe there is a bit more work on the DME / programming / electrical side with the E39, so I will be reaching out for some help in the future around this😵

There will also be a good 540 / M62 auto trans coming out if anyone needs one, happy for test drive if your interested.

Please chime in if you have useful advice info etc. Will keep this updated as I make decisions, collect parts and begin the conversion, plus include plenty of Pic’s where needed. 

Haven’t actually done anything to the car today, but received a pile of goodies for it. 
6speed manual conversion coming up for the 540i!

9 hours ago, Eagle said:

Owned both in manual and auto form and you certainly feel the added weight of the V8, plus steering rack vs box makes a big difference in feel, hard not to notice that. The auto 540i is probably near 200kg heavier than a manual 6 cyl depending on options. 540i is great on the open road when you need passing power but mostly wasted if you doing typical Auckland driving. A M54 in good running condition with working vanos has great torque for a old 3L.

Fair point, there was a few years gap between ownership of the 6cyl and v8, so a little difficult to make a comparison. 
 

As mentioned, the v8 would be my pick if the bulk of your driving is open road stuff and/or if it’s a “Sunday driver” car. This is what I use mine as and I think it suits the application well. 
Stick with the 6cyl if it’s a daily driver IMO. 

Hmm, couple of different ways you could go with this one…….

The E39 chassis is a great platform, if you are prepared to deal with the usual E39 bits and bobs, this is coming from a past 530i touring, + current 540i m/sport owner. 

You could go the tricked up i6 or the relatively standard v8 option. Loads of performance options for the i6, however to wring more power out of the M62tu can be expensive, but your starting from a higher hp / torque level.
 

I currently have a 1999 540i m/sport that I’m about to do the 6speed 420g conversion on (build post coming soon) + a few intake and software upgrades on. This will be more than enough enjoyment for me as a Sunday cruiser. 
 

as far as handling, I don’t think you would notice too much difference between a 530 v 540 on day-to-day driving, unless you like to drive on the raged edge day-to-day. Im too old for that sort of carry on, but the torque from the m62 is pretty intoxicating! As I’m sure the hp from a turbo i6 would be! 
 

If your after max power for minimal effort, go the 540👍
 

current project:  

I have noticed a similar thing with the “your speed” thing on the Waipu straits between my e39 and Landrover Disco. However checked it with a gps / speedo app on phone and both seemed to show 100kph on gps and speedo, or very close to. 
potentially something to do with vehicle shape as those signs use radar / lidar to indicate speed. That’s my best guess?

The owners eyebrows kinda match the “bonnet eyebrows” 😳

Reading this makes me kick myself for selling my e36 328 manual, such great cars! That was ten years ago, around the bottom of the market (around 5,5k🤬)

Great to see tidy and well loved examples getting used, and that B3🤤!

Super stoked with the current e39 540, but still have a major soft spot for an e36 coupe, one day…….

10 hours ago, _ethrty-Andy_ said:

If that includes removal and reinstall, thats a great price.

the other option is finding one at a wrecker in good shape (im out of stock). If its not black, VHT spray it, use 2x cans. Ive done that plenty of times tarting up repos and you cannot tell the difference.

Agreed,  $500 seems good! 
I had the headlining replaced in my wife’s Tiguan recently for $750 (with sunroof) and thought that was fair. 

Great display from BMW Car Club Northland at the Waipu Car Show today. 
That E39 B10 and E28 M6 were so perfect! 
 

Out of approx 1000 cars, Euros were well in the minority. Love looking at that American muscle car stuff, but not sure I’d want to own one. 
 

Might give the old 540I a wash and enter it next year, just for show parking🤣

OK E39 owners, I have some rust appearing around the fuel filler door area on my 1999 E39 sedan.

The fuel filler compartment (inside the door area) has a negative detail, meaning it will hold water inside it and doesn't appear to have a drain in there to remove it, this seems to be the cause of the rust.

It is off to Full Noise Restoration (Totally recommend these guys if your in Whangarei) to have the rust sorted and a full exterior detail next week, looking at installing some sort of a drain while there. 

My question is, is this the norm, or was mine a Friday arvo build and they forgot to put a drain in!? If its the norm, has anyone installed a water drain in there before?

Cheers,

That looks like a great option and all I am after, available locally or just order through website?

Thanks!

Fitted a new set of wheels and tyres to replace the factory Style 66's on the 540i

BBS LM (rep's) in 19x9.5 with Maxxis VS5 tyres. Might need to look at some slightly lower springs now. Wanted genuine BBS LM's but they would have almost doubled the value of the car!

Crap photos as everything jammed in shed currently. 

Great looking 540i M/Sport Taylor, looks very similar to my own 1999 540i M/Sport, I don't have the sunroof though. 

So I'm looking to upgrade the factory radio in my 1999 e39 (Japan) and am looking at the 7" Android carplay units that seem to be readily available at a fair price., link below.

Has anyone on here had any experience with these, any other recommendations or things I should look out for before going ahead with it?

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/lightwavescenic-7-android-auto-carplay-car-multimedia-video-player-radio-bluetooth-gps-navigation-for-bmw-x5-e38-e39-yl1025024/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr4vTzp_MgwMVYoxLBR3dKw04EAQYASABEgKz-PD_BwE

I like these as they retain somewhat of the factory look, I'm not really after the Nav side of things, just looking for a slightly better sound, Bluetooth and hands free functionality. 

Cheers,

So I know this is a long shot, but looking for a Getrag 420g for an E39 540. Ideally a complete “conversion kit” however happy to begin the process of collecting the parts. 
I am aware these are a sort after gearbox, and potentially a waiting list for them etc. 

Failing that, has anyone here had experience purchasing this type of thing out of the US? Seems to be a few available on eBay etc. 

Any advice appreseated👍

Also, the 17" style 66 wheels just dont do it for me, so advice on wheel options would be appreciated! Thinking 19" BBS ch or Apex arc 8's

Hi All,

As the title suggests, I'm new to the forum, but not new to BMW's. After a 10 year brake from the habit, I have just purchased a super clean E39 540i that Im very happy with, will get some better photos soon (its currently in a storage container at my work as doing renos on the house, will be at home in garage soon) If anyone on here knows any history of the car, Id (hopefully) be keen to hear it.

Have also owned a tidy E24 635csi LHD (pretty sure I saw this as a wreck on Trademe recently😥) a tidy E34 535is manual and an E36 328i manual. These were all around 10 years ago, wish I had kept them all now, bloody hindsight! 

Anyway, based in Marsden Point, Northland. Keen to meet anyone else in the group up this way and gain some knowledge on the E39 540's. Would love to do 6 speed conversion, but seems Getrag 420g's are rocking horse 💩

Cheers y'all