Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 26, 2017 (edited) Well this is coming up to 200k on the clock and instead of selling it I decided to give it a facelift and a refresh Decided to replace all bushes, arms and joints in the front and rear suspension. Then into a full groom, just some of the cleaning produces required for the job Start under the bonnet Edited October 26, 2017 by Kiwi_BMW added to 8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 26, 2017 Some of the additions and retrofit items that are planned are the addition of front pdc, hid headlights, auto on headlights, led taillights, M5 servotronic steering, new shocks front & rear, M5 front swaybar, undecided as to if I fit a M5 rear bar or Eibach. I'm looking for a set of E38 sport/comfort seats (anyone??) Also have a set of 18" mpars but do like the look of the Schnitzer type III's 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 26, 2017 just to give you an idea Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted October 27, 2017 Great work. How is it mechanically? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 27, 2017 Mechanically it is excellent, I've owned it since 99k (3rd private owner + 2 car sales) and most of it's running since I got it has been hot running trips, ie Dunedin to ChCh, Dunedin to Nelson etc Cooling system is on it's second replacement, all fluids changed every 12 months if needed or not. Given the long trips the service lights have almost never come on, I left it once and did 3 services before the lights said I should service it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted October 27, 2017 2 hours ago, Kiwi_BMW said: Mechanically it is excellent, I've owned it since 99k (3rd private owner + 2 car sales) and most of it's running since I got it has been hot running trips, ie Dunedin to ChCh, Dunedin to Nelson etc Cooling system is on it's second replacement, all fluids changed every 12 months if needed or not. Given the long trips the service lights have almost never come on, I left it once and did 3 services before the lights said I should service it. Awesome. I love it when these cars are cared for properly. Have you done the vanos seals or the timing chain guides? I have noticed good improvements on doing the vanos seals on m52 and m54 engines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 27, 2017 It's pre vanos so no need to do that. All the parts sitting on the shelf for the timing chain guides, all oem. Even have all the tools. I made all the tools for replacing the subframe and diff bushes 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SRacin 44 Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Where did you source all your suspension parts from? Im looking to do this for my 540is also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 30, 2017 (edited) Time for some elbow work.............the results a few days latter I removed all the trim while I clayed, cut and polished the paint. How's that for a clear reflection Think I need a new bonnet emblem Edited October 30, 2017 by Kiwi_BMW 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 30, 2017 On 28/10/2017 at 6:04 PM, SRacin said: Where did you source all your suspension parts from? Im looking to do this for my 540is also. I sourced everything out of the US and Europe, all the parts purchased have either been genuine BMW, Lemforder, and FAG wheel bearings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m325i 709 Report post Posted October 30, 2017 More pics! Such a classic shape car. Big fan! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) Well the swaybars, bushes, arms, ball joints and steering box have been done. While the wheels were off I cleaned them...........all the brake dust staining is gone........then I waxed them with wheel wax, lets see how easy they are to clean next time. While I still have to replace all the shocks, spring rubbers, mounts etc I have to say the car does feel a lot tighter and with the M5 steering box upgrade it feels as direct as the 530i M/sport, this has to be one of the best additions yet. The car is flatter in corners but not quite as harsh riding as the e39 530 m/sport, it will be interesting to see what it is like once all the shocks are replaced. Edited October 31, 2017 by Kiwi_BMW 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 How many can tell me which part is which vintage of E39? 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 wow that is tidy! the pfl kidney grilles look good too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 But keep guessing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 whats the question? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 which part is which vintage of E39, there are a few parts that are pfl and others that are fl, lets see who can get most/all of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) Fl : headlights and tail lights pre fl : front bumper (these were offered on pre fl m-tech spec’d cars) Also rear bumper, no change for fl/pre fl. The rear acs lip, spoiler and mirrors are acs specific. Does the front pdc actually work? If so that’s a fl feature afaik. Is it manual? Edited October 31, 2017 by BreakMyWindow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 4 hours ago, BreakMyWindow said: Fl : headlights and tail lights pre fl : front bumper (these were offered on pre fl m-tech spec’d cars) Also rear bumper, no change for fl/pre fl. The rear acs lip, spoiler and mirrors are acs specific. Does the front pdc actually work? If so that’s a fl feature afaik. Is it manual? Pretty close Martin, front bumper is FL.......take a close look at the pdc sensors in the front bumper. The pdc will work once the switch is wired up. M/tech was not offered in prefl E39's prefl were "sport" which was different components compared to fl which were M/tech. All 6 speed manual 540i's were equiped with the "sport" package. Pre fl sensors in a fl bumper rotates the sensor 90 deg. Pre fl never had front & rear pdc only fl had that. You missed the acs skirts and rear window trim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, Kiwi_BMW said: Pretty close Martin, front bumper is FL.......take a close look at the pdc sensors in the front bumper. The pdc will work once the switch is wired up. M/tech was not offered in prefl E39's prefl were "sport" which was different components compared to fl which were M/tech. All 6 speed manual 540i's were equiped with the "sport" package. Pre fl sensors in a fl bumper rotates the sensor 90 deg. Pre fl never had front & rear pdc only fl had that. You missed the acs skirts and rear window trim But ‘99 MY cars with pre-fl lights came with your same front bumper sans the front pdc. Edited October 31, 2017 by BreakMyWindow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 1 hour ago, BreakMyWindow said: But ‘99 MY cars with pre-fl lights came with your same front bumper sans the front pdc. Remember the E39 M5 was introduced in 1998, the M/tech front bumper was just a restyled grille in the M5 front bumper. Also you will find the "sport" package was replaced with the m/sport package in 1998, while Europe and Asia got the M/sport package USA/Canada didn't get this package until 2003........the final year of production. So really the m/sport bumpers are pre facelift and post facelift and the difference between the two is the "sport" package and M/sport package Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted November 1, 2017 Anyway nice car, is it manual ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted November 1, 2017 57 minutes ago, BreakMyWindow said: Anyway nice car, is it manual ? Yes it is manual 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted November 1, 2017 8 hours ago, Kiwi_BMW said: Yes it is manual Nice, i can see the appeal for giving it a new lease of life. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted November 1, 2017 2 hours ago, BreakMyWindow said: Nice, i can see the appeal for giving it a new lease of life. Can't imagine anyone who would waste time on an automatic eh! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
