yng_750 247 Report post Posted August 27, 2013 e39 cigar lighter plug stays active even when ignition is off so a $30 solar charger from supercheap can be plugged in here and left on the dash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted August 28, 2013 e39 cigar lighter plug stays active even when ignition is off so a $30 solar charger from supercheap can be plugged in here and left on the dashExcept my car's parked in an underground car park most of the time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yng_750 247 Report post Posted August 28, 2013 Except my car's parked in an underground car park most of the time park outside like the rest of us you posh fu... if you have 240v available you can run a trickle charger, most people prefer solar as its free and no cords but only works outside. you do get a tiny amount of solar power off artifical light but only like 5% of normal sunlight so not usually worth it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1878 Report post Posted August 29, 2013 Or just disconnect the battery. I had mine disconnected for 6 weeks last year when I was in Europe. She started first go when i returned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted August 29, 2013 park outside like the rest of us you posh fu...Ha! Car park comes with my office - which is 5 mins walk from home - crazy not to use it and a garaged car is a happy car!Or just disconnect the battery. I had mine disconnected for 6 weeks last year when I was in Europe. She started first go when i returned.Was always my intention... I just forgot. Fortunately, it will be a long, long time until we can afford for the family to go back to Europe. About time the rellies visited us!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted August 29, 2013 Something's not right there - I was away for about a month once and the car started first pop when I got back. Something must be draining it more... Or, put in one of those battery disconnect switches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted August 29, 2013 (edited) Auxiliary ventilation? I checked both timers were switched off but noticed this morning that there were a couple of patches of unfogged windscreen, suggesting the car had been up to something overnight. Is there another way to switch it off? Edited August 29, 2013 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yng_750 247 Report post Posted August 31, 2013 could just be natural airflow, deep in the dash the temp doesnt change as much as the rest of the car overnight, nice dry warm air rises. Just watch out with a disconnected battery can you still open the boot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmase 19 Report post Posted September 1, 2013 Just watch out with a disconnected battery can you still open the boot? Should be able to with the key, at least that was the case when I flattened my E39 battery due to being away for 2 months Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 2, 2013 All good since recharging the battery and yes, I can still open the boot with the key, just not the doors (which I could on my 528). Car flew through its warrant yesterday so I'm happy. It's running very well since Ray completed the double vanos procedure. Fuel consumption - particularly when cold - is much improved and the rough idle when cold is all but gone - just the very occasional stutter if it's been very cold and wet but it lasts nary a minute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Here's my to do list. Since I've got another couple of years' mechanical warranty which will be voided if I tinker with the performance mods, I'm going to focus on the mods I can do myself and the remaining cosmetic bits. Exterior Fix all dents and scrapes Touch up all stone chips, etc Affix ACS spoiler from 528i Replace front and rear windscreen gaskets Front lip/splitters Power dome Interior Replace/paint/wrap dash trim Recolour leather seats and door cards <-- I've got the Pellecare kit to do this, just haven't got round to it yet. Maintenance Replace front door gaskets Vanos overhaul <-- Many thanks to Ray @ HellBM for this. Was their first double Vanos M62 but they've done a great job! Valve cover repaint and replace gaskets <-- Should be pretty easy to get these off now all the gaskets have been replaced so will try and do this myself in the next few weeks. Just going to degrease it, clean it up, sand and paint with crinkle black Transmission fluid flush and change Replace spark plugs and ignition coils Repair dead pixels on the instrument cluster <-- Still has 2 vertical lines I just can't get to work but otherwise perfect. Performance Big brake kit (or upgrade OE pads and rotors) Stainless steel brake lines - got some, not fitted yet. Performance brake fluid Dinan auto transmission software upgrade Cold air intake Free flow exhaust De-cat or high flow cats Stage 2 tune <-- As an interim until I can afford the supercharger Headers High flow Mass Air Flow meter High flow throttle body Supercharger Stage 5 tune Anti roll bars Love this wagon as an inspiration for the bonnet and splitters. I can source the dome and splitters pretty cheaply but fitting the dome's going to cost a bit so will have to wait. Still very keen to get this Strassentech lip and even found a supplier in Thailand that can ship to NZ but just not convinced it wouldn't rip straight off the first time I parked in the underground car park at work! I know it's not to everyones' tastes but keen to hear thoughts. There's also a hole in one of the catalytic converters so going to see if it can be patched up. Might fit a slightly noisier, freer flowing exhaust at the same time if I can rustle up enough $$$s. EDIT: Smaller pics - sorry. Edited September 3, 2013 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted September 3, 2013 Nice project you've got going here - re hole in cat, why not just 'delete the cats', which is what I'm going to do.......??? Unless it was first registered in NZ after Nov 2008, I'm lead to believe there's no real need for them to be there....... Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 3, 2013 Nice project you've got going here - re hole in cat, why not just 'delete the cats', which is what I'm going to do.......??? Unless it was first registered in NZ after Nov 2008, I'm lead to believe there's no real need for them to be there....... Cheers. Yep, thinking about it but have to find a solution for the post-cat O2 sensors which would probably cause the car to go into limp mode if left as they are. Ray (HellBM) is going to try and dig up some defoulers to 'space' the sensors so they just get a whiff of gas but aren't in full flow - this worked on his S62 M3. If I delete them I'll replace with a couple of y resonators which should help keep the noise fun but bearable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted September 3, 2013 Rodgey that - I vaguely remember reading somewhere (might've even been in here somewhere.....??) that the ECU can be reflashed with a South Africa spec program too, as they have no cats on e39's over there..... Mines e34, so no post cat sensors..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Yep, I've heard/read the same. Would prefer not to have to recode the ECU if possible though. EDIT: I had an E39 528i previously with no post sensors but I found deleting the cats to be smokey and a bit too noisy in the car (it was a bit of a drone not a pleasant rumble!). Edited September 3, 2013 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 16, 2013 Bought a set of 17" style 65s for $300 with tyres. Pick them up today. Will get them balanced and use them as a spare set to keep my RSIIs in mint condition. Might do some skids. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lord_jagganath 421 Report post Posted September 18, 2013 ^ Holy moly, where did you get them from? Reckon they'd have any older BMW rims around? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 26, 2013 ^ Holy moly, where did you get them from? Reckon they'd have any older BMW rims around? From TradeMe... Think it was a one off but I'l check with the guy I bought them from. What are you looking for? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lord_jagganath 421 Report post Posted September 26, 2013 ^ E34 16"/17 rims. Any style (as long as stock) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 27, 2013 I'll check with the guy I got mine from, in the meantime you could look at these: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/wheels-tyres/alloy-wheels/auction-642355136.htm Or ask this guy if he's got any wheels: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/bmw/interior/auction-643517458.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted September 27, 2013 Bugger. Discovered today that the headlight adjusters in the passenger side headlights have broken which will have to be sorted before the next warrant. Anyone attempted to replace them themselves? It looks a bit of a PITA http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/19732-headlight-adjusters/?hl=%2Bheadlight+%2Badjusters+%2Be39 - don't mind giving it a go but if anyone knows anyone that can do it cheaply, I'm all ears! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yng_750 247 Report post Posted September 27, 2013 i did mine on the pre facelift non hid headlights, wasnt majorly hard, i took the oppertunity to properly polish the lenses etc as they were starting to fade. major issue with hid is the front is glued on so has to be heated up and pryed off, early ones have clips and they pop apart quickly. where the new adjusters clip in its quite stiff and feels like they are going to break, i lubed them and gave a short sharp shove and they popped in ok. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted October 6, 2013 Been looking for a Strassentech splitter (below) for a while but they're hard to come by and very expensive. Recently picked up a set of Vorsteiner-style CF splitters which finally turned up this week. Haven't installed yet but taped them on to see what they look like. Fitment's good and I think the style looks good but I'm not 100% sold on the carbon fibre on my black 540i. Painting's an option but they'd look weird unless they were properly blended and made part of the bumper which is going to cost $$$s. Interested in what the community thinks... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted October 6, 2013 I think the CF works .. At least it isn't massively contrasting like if it were on an Alpine White. Look very CSL-esque! Perhaps it's an excuse to order some other carbon accents After Kyu's comment awhile back in another thread re: Strassentech looking like a dustpan I can't get the image out of my head Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1560 Report post Posted October 6, 2013 I think the CF works .. At least it isn't massively contrasting like if it were on an Alpine White. Look very CSL-esque! Perhaps it's an excuse to order some other carbon accents After Kyu's comment awhile back in another thread re: Strassentech looking like a dustpan I can't get the image out of my head Interesting, it was the lack of contrast that I wasn't so sure about... I think they look great on white. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
