E39 facelift

[martyyn 2]

Ive always understood it was Sept 2001 and Im backed up by the e39 ultimate guide in BMW Car and wikipedia (hehe), but Ive been talking with someone who tells me its Sept 2000.

Does anyone have a definitive answer ?

[e] Is it different for Jap cars? Ive seen so many e38's with the facelifted front that are clearly pre-facelift cars its not funny. Do they get the cosmetic changes earlier than everyone else ?

Edited April 25, 2009 by Penry

[Avenged.SSE 0]

Ive always understood it was Sept 2001 and Im backed up by the e39 ultimate guide in BMW Car and wikipedia (hehe), but Ive been talking with someone who tells me its Sept 2000.

Does anyone have a definitive answer ?

[e] Is it different for Jap cars? Ive seen so many e38's with the facelifted front that are clearly pre-facelift cars its not funny. Do they get the cosmetic changes earlier than everyone else ?

I think facelifting is a gradual procedure, it doesn't 'just' happen. i.e. once parts become avaliable, they start using em, hence many 2000 E39s have hella tail/headlights. I haven't seen any prefacelifted 2001 cars, so I think its January 2001, after which all cars were facelifted.

Cosmetically, if the car meets the following criteria it is most likely facelifted; hella tail lights/headlights, multifunction steering wheel and rounded fog lights in front bumper. Obviously there will always be some person out there who will do all of these things to a prefacelifted E39 in the hopes that they can save some $$$, but I don't think they are too common (especially with the rounded fog lights in the front bumper, they are most often the easiest way to tell).

Edited April 25, 2009 by Avenged.SSE

[beemn 50]

I think facelifting is a gradual procedure, it doesn't 'just' happen. i.e. once parts become avaliable, they start using em, hence many 2000 E39s have hella tail/headlights. I haven't seen any prefacelifted 2001 cars, so I think its January 2001, after which all cars were facelifted.

Cosmetically, if the car meets the following criteria it is most likely facelifted; hella tail lights/headlights, multifunction steering wheel and rounded fog lights in front bumper. Obviously there will always be some person out there who will do all of these things to a prefacelifted E39 in the hopes that they can save some $$$, but I don't think they are too common (especially with the rounded fog lights in the front bumper, they are most often the easiest way to tell).

also the wing mirrors changed on the full face lift

[jochen 4]

Ive always understood it was Sept 2001 and Im backed up by the e39 ultimate guide in BMW Car and wikipedia (hehe), but Ive been talking with someone who tells me its Sept 2000.

Does anyone have a definitive answer ?

[e] Is it different for Jap cars? Ive seen so many e38's with the facelifted front that are clearly pre-facelift cars its not funny. Do they get the cosmetic changes earlier than everyone else ?

E39 = Dec-1995 to Sep-1998

E39/2 = Sep-1998 to End of Production in 2003

/2 = 2nd generation = major change.

I'm not sure if this corresponded to what is generally termed a "facelift".

I do know that there are major differences in pre-sep-98 and post-sep-98 E39s.

It is NOT different for Japanese-market cars, they are all built in the same factory. So external appearance is identical apart from minor cosmetic differences such as size of numberplate holders.

Remember also that every year as the car gets older, optional extras become standard fitting, and extra features (like remodelled taillights) appear.

And remember also that on the higher spec models some of the optional extras are standard fitting anyway.

eg: MFL: option on low spec cars, standard fitting on the 540i.

And what is optional and what is standard varies from market to market; Japanese-market cars tend to have more options than NZ-market cars.

So don't use taillights, headlights, or MFL as an indication of facelift.

Use body shape, and bumpers - but be aware that some cars have had bumpers changers, eg due to accident damage.

If you look you'll see pre-98 and post-98 have different bumpers and different side stripes.

Of course, bumpers and body style are different on M-Sport models and the M5 :-)

Edited April 26, 2009 by jochen

[Yuen 16]

And I think you can use the engine as an indication of facelift too, ie: E39 523 & 528 pre-FL, 525 and 530 FL? Hard to go by the headlight/tail lights as especially in other countries where cars are more pricey the importers puts the facelift lights on to make the car more saleable.

[Driftit 2069]

US info but still relevent in most applications.

Changes by model year (US)

1996

The 1997 model year 5 series E39 was introduced into the US market in late 1996. Models available were the 528i with a I6, and the 540i with a M62 V8.

1997

In 1997 the E39 went through minor design changes. The on-board computer, called the Multi-Information System (MID), was upgraded in mid '97.

1998

In 1998 optional rear side airbags became available, and both models also gained BMW's exclusive new Head Protection System, which consists of two tubular bags that inflate upon a side impact and pop out just above each front door. A new Sport Package for the 528i and 540i, as well as an automatic transmission 540i were added options. The Sport Package included black body trim (standard models had chrome around the top of the windows), a sport-tuned suspension, and 17-inch (430 mm) wheels and tires. In September 1998, the 540i's M62B44 was updated to the M62TUB44, adding 15 ft·lbf (20 N·m) of torque.

1998 BMW E39 540i Executive Sport Edition

The high-performance M5 sedan returned to the BMW fold. Built in limited numbers, the M5 used a 400 hp (300 kW) V8 S62, and came with a firmer suspension, 18 inch wheels, a 6-speed manual transmission, and exclusive interior trim. Lower-body rear side airbags were standard on the M5, remaining optional for other models.

1999

1999 saw the introduction of the Touring (station wagon) body style and joined sedans in both 6-cylinder and V8 editions. Added options for 1999 were brighter xenon headlights, Park Distance Control that warns of obstacles when backing up, and self-leveling rear suspension for wagons. Standard on V8 models and newly optional for 528i versions was BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, designed to aid control in fast turns.

2000

In 2000, rain-sensing windshield wipers and xenon headlamps became standard on the 540i, and were newly available for 528i models. The "M Sport" package was added (replacing the standard sport package), and included the M Sport steering wheel, door sills, and shift knob. The 528i versions also gained the 540i's standard stability control system. All models now had daytime running lights, and fog lamps.

2001

For the 2001 model year, BMW updated the E39 with newer, clear-lens tail, side marker, and headlights which first displayed the now-popular "angel eyes" (Hella, the OEM, refers to these lights as "CELIS"). Rear tail lights and marker lights were changed to LEDs, while the rear turn signals were changed from yellow lenses to clear. The black trim was now painted to match the body color, and the front bumper now featured rounded fog lights. Internally many changes were made to electronics; items such as window regulators and the air conditioning were updated. The 528i was replaced by the 530i which had a new 168 kW (225 hp) M54B30 3.0 L inline-6. A new entry-level 525i was introduced featuring a 137 kW (184 hp) M54B25 2.5 L I6 and a slightly cheaper price. The available navigation system was changed to a wide screen version.

2002

Updated E39 sedan (US)

In 2002, BMW Steptronic-equipped E39s had their manual shift direction switched to match BMW's SMG. Also, in 2002 the 540i V8 32V engine power was increased from 210 kw (282 hp) to 216 kw (290 hp) and 310 to 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m). All models got a standard in-dash CD player, 6-cylinder models added a standard power passenger seat, and the 525i received automatic climate control standard. Consumer Reports declared the 2002 BMW E39 the best car they had ever reviewed.

2003

2003 marked the last year for the E39 platform; they were differentiated by the addition of extra chrome trim on the trunk (boot) and on the sides of the body. In all 6-cylinder model 5-Series add a standard sunroof. The optional navigation systems upgraded from CD-ROM format (8 CDs to cover the entire USA and Canada) to single DVD-ROM. The optional sport package on the 540i carried parts from M-technic. This included a full M-tech ground effects, M-tech II suspension, 18 inch wheels, and a variety of M badging. The 2003 540 M-Sport is the highest overall performance BMW ever made with an automatic transmission as it had the same 4.4 liter M62 V8 as the 740i, 740Li, but in the smaller body. The E39 wagon (touring / estate) was continued into the 2004 model year until the touring version of the new E60 5 Series was released.