adro 1083 Report post Posted August 19, 2017 (edited) I recently purchased @Aphexic's E39 540i. Overall it's in pretty good condition, with a tonne of service history dating back to 2009. This thing has had some money spent on it over the years. The car has just ticked over 200,000 km's. Here's some photos of it in it's new home. Things I'm intending to do as time and money allows: OEM Msport style 66 wheels (hurry up and post them @oldskool ? ) New tires: Potenza RE003 235/45/R17 Front and RE050A 255/40/R17 on the rear. Bulbs: Angel eye bulbs and H7 low beam bulbs Thermostat and coolant. Has had cooling system overhaul at 180,000 but thermostat seems to be all over the shop. Chain guides and timing chain + waterpump. Thrust arm bushings - has a strong vibration around 90+ km/h MAF - randomly when stopping at an intersection or lights it stalls and today it was hunting like it had a vacuume leak but then later on it idles perfectly. Tow bar Drivers door seal new water jet hoses Edited December 18, 2019 by adro 8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted August 19, 2017 I'm going to add new driver's door seal to your list. What a stunning looking car. I love how it has the dark headliner, so much better than the beige most of our BMWs come with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted August 19, 2017 50 minutes ago, NZ BMW said: I'm going to add new driver's door seal to your list. What a stunning looking car. I love how it has the dark headliner, so much better than the beige most of our BMWs come with. Thanks, yeah it's super worn! good spotting. I agree, anthracite headlining option is good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted August 19, 2017 9 hours ago, adro said: Thanks, yeah it's super worn! good spotting. I agree, anthracite headlining option is good. At least they're relatively cheap to deal with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldskool 4 Report post Posted August 20, 2017 22 hours ago, adro said: I recently purchased @Aphexic's E39 540i. Overall it's in pretty good condition, with a tonne of service history dating back to 2009. This thing has had some money spent on it over the years. The car has just ticked over 200,000 km's. Here's some photos of it in it's new home. Things I'm intending to do as time and money allows: OEM Msport style 66 wheels (hurry up and post them @oldskool ;-) ) New tires: Potenza RE003 235/45/R17 Front and RE050A 255/40/R17 on the rear. Bulbs: Angel eye bulbs and H7 low beam bulbs Thermostat and coolant. Has had cooling system overhaul at 180,000 but thermostat seems to be all over the shop. Chain guides and timing chain + waterpump. Thrust arm bushings - has a strong vibration around 90+ km/h MAF - randomly when stopping at an intersection or lights it stalls and today it was hunting like it had a vacuume leak but then later on it idles perfectly. Tow bar Drivers door seal Hey Nathan, Sorry, crazy week last week . . . On their way tomorrow !! Have a few spare hours in the morning so it's top priority !! Cheers for your patience . . . Ta Grant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusteee 52 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 This car looks awfully familiar ? good to see shes still in good shape. Congrats on the purchase, it definetly had a lot of attention (money haha) put in to it in the time I had it 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmithyInWelly 212 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 It's a beaut looking car, well done! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 looking forward to seeing this one, Adro! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 7 hours ago, rusteee said: This car looks awfully familiar ? good to see shes still in good shape. Congrats on the purchase, it definetly had a lot of attention (money haha) put in to it in the time I had it Cool, glad its still in the bimmersport family. oh man......the receipts look like this thing has bleed people dry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusteee 52 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 Yeah you havn't even got half of my reciepts ?. Hopfully treats you well, its such an awsome car to drive and a stunner to look at. Does it still have that big sub in the boot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted August 22, 2017 1 minute ago, rusteee said: Yeah you havn't even got half of my reciepts ?. Hopfully treats you well, its such an awsome car to drive and a stunner to look at. Does it still have that big sub in the boot? Yeah still got the sub in the boot. Yeah I love it, just need to iron out a few gremlins... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted September 15, 2017 (edited) Little update. Got new headlights, decided I wanted it to look more modern so got some LED's Before: After A smoke test revealed a failed grommet in the back of the intake manifold, hopefully that is the reason it stalls when returning to idle. A scan revealed the airbag module is faulty along with the oil level sensor. Parts are on there way... Got an OEM tow bar complete with towing module from Ray. It's in, just need to extend the loom to make it to the LCM. Edited September 15, 2017 by adro added more photos 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 203,000 KM Finally got the rubber on the rims... OEM Msport style 66 wheels courtesy of @oldskool New tires: Potenza RE003 235/45/R17 Front and S001s 255/40/R17 on the rear. New Hella fog bulbs to match the now whiter headlights. New oil level sensor Oil change + filter New OEM window washer lines and pump....I never new how crucial window washer jets were until I didn't have them! 7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusteee 52 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 Damn that is a fine looking beast! Good job with all the works 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldskool 4 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 Looking good man, like the wheels . . . know your pain with the washers, had to do them on my 535i msport. Washer bottle was full of some seriously nasty gloop . . . managed to get it out without taking the wheel off though. Enjoy it, you bet me to it . . . so making do with a 303km replica of yours . . . love the extra omph of the 540i over the 535i Cheers 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Compactlife 3 Report post Posted November 16, 2017 On 10/9/2017 at 8:04 PM, adro said: 203,000 KM Finally got the rubber on the rims... OEM Msport style 66 wheels courtesy of @oldskool New tires: Potenza RE003 235/45/R17 Front and S001s 255/40/R17 on the rear. New Hella fog bulbs to match the now whiter headlights. New oil level sensor Oil change + filter New OEM window washer lines and pump....I never new how crucial window washer jets were until I didn't have them! Good to see that she's still going !!! Heres a photo when i had her Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. M 10 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 Nice E39! That was a good wee cruise through Newtown this evening. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 9 minutes ago, Dr. M said: Nice E39! That was a good wee cruise through Newtown this evening. Thanks. Yeah man, You coming to the meet in Churton Park next weekend? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 (edited) 205,000 KM replaced front wheel bearings with OEM FAG 31221093427 with new bolts: Genuine BMW 31206779384 Old and the new The weird clicks/pops I was hearing when driving in and out of driveways or when the front was loaded up on the brakes coming to a stop have gone. The vibration at 100km has also reduced dramatically. Although while I was in there I noticed a lot of play in the thrust arm bushings so they will be next on the list. Finally used it for what I bought it for... Bit more work horsing Edited December 10, 2017 by adro extra photos 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusteee 52 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 Be keen to see if those bushes are knackered, as they were supposed to be superior to the lemforder equivalent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 (edited) Yeah, visually they look fine, and the tie rods, swaybar end links are all in perfect working order. But the thrust arm seems to move without alot of pressure applied to it. Now I have the bearings in I'll get an alignment and see if that makes a difference. Edited December 10, 2017 by adro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. M 10 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 9 hours ago, adro said: Thanks. Yeah man, You coming to the meet in Churton Park next weekend? Hopefully, some family visiting but will come if I can! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted December 11, 2017 On 10/12/2017 at 11:43 PM, adro said: Yeah, visually they look fine, and the tie rods, swaybar end links are all in perfect working order. But the thrust arm seems to move without alot of pressure applied to it. Now I have the bearings in I'll get an alignment and see if that makes a difference. If you mean the thrust arms can be twisted a bit by hand then that’s normal. I can do that to my ones and i’ve just replaced the bushes about 2 weeks ago. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted December 12, 2017 11 hours ago, BreakMyWindow said: If you mean the thrust arms can be twisted a bit by hand then that’s normal. I can do that to my ones and i’ve just replaced the bushes about 2 weeks ago. OK cool, thanks for the info @BreakMyWindow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1083 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Took it up to Auckland for Xmas and then over to Raglan for New Years and then back to Welly. Didn't miss a beat and got to stretch it’s legs. Stopped in and met @Lucan and picked up the roof racks he was selling a while back. Back down to Welly and gave the new snow foam lance a go Thought it was a gimmick but it's really good. At 208,000km I have just replaced: - Timing chain guides - Timing chain - Oil seperator (returned to OEM setup as PO had installed a catch can system) - Vanos Seals - Valley Pan - CCV - Water Pump - Thermostat - Coolant temp sensor - Engine mounts - Upper oil pan gasket - Lower oil pan gasket - Crank seal - Fuel Filter - Oil Filter - BMW coolant Thanks @Etwenty1 for hiring out his timing tool. Now that this is all done I will hopefully make it to the next Wellington Club meet. This ended up being a lot more time consuming than I thought and ended up having the car off the road for the last 7 weeks using spare hours here and there to get it done, learnt a lot and had to ask lots of questions from more mechanically minded mates but got there in the end. Here’s a few pics from my journey. I don't think I actually took a finished engine bay photo...but you get the idea. I do really regret not painting the rocker covers but I was pretty over it being in bits at this point... Edited September 7, 2018 by adro photos added 12 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
