lemusa 86 Report post Posted August 29, 2020 Grill swapped. Was much more of a pain that I anticipated but got it done. The M5 grill supplied by FCP has the brake ducts blocked except for some small holes, not sure of the reason but it's not a race car so I'm not too worried. It was also a good chance to clean some of the grime off the bumper but that just revealed even more stone chips ? Also removed the rear badges. I've got more M badges coming in chrome and in black. I think I'll wait until I see them before deciding which to use. My plan for the car cosmetically is to black out as much as I can so leaning towards black. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
str8_6 275 Report post Posted August 29, 2020 Weirdly, the e39 M5 doesn’t have brake ducts from factory. At least not the euro spec cars. Both of mine have not had them. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted August 29, 2020 That is a bizzare engineering decision by our German friends. I'm guessing it's the same for US models as well as FCP would be supplying US spec parts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
str8_6 275 Report post Posted August 31, 2020 US vehicles have different brake specs so not sure? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted August 31, 2020 Pretty sure all e39 M5 worldwide do not have break ducks (sorry I just had to do that...) 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 1, 2020 I did a google and didn't realise that the M5 brakes are quite a bit bigger. I guess bigger brakes + bigger wheels < ducks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 2, 2020 Poor mans euro plates ? 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.M.W Ltd 950 Report post Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) Still a hell of alot better than dealer plate surrounds Edited September 2, 2020 by B.M.W Ltd 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted September 5, 2020 or paying 100's of $ for a slightly longer piece of alloy 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3341 Report post Posted September 7, 2020 On 8/29/2020 at 10:55 PM, str8_6 said: Weirdly, the e39 M5 doesn’t have brake ducts from factory. At least not the euro spec cars. Both of mine have not had them. It's a well-known fact that e39 M5 drivers spend less time on the brakes. ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 11, 2020 I was just going through some old pics tonight of my old E39. I still miss it. Was super clean and gave me no trouble. I purchased the car back from insurance for $1000 and parted it out. The front chassis rails were toast and the trans mount had sheared the bolts off. Engine was still running after crash and only damage that I could see was the waterpump pushed back into the timing cover. Once I had the engine out I also found a crack in the torque converter and I still can't figure out how that happened! From memory I recovered around $7k from it. That, plus the $10k insurance payout, came at a great time cos at start of 2015 I made it official with the Mrs and we brought our first house. I sold the engine and rear subframe assembly to a guy not long after the crash. Not long after we moved into our house I ran into him at the end of my driveway. Bear in mind this was probably 9 months later. As chance would have it he lived 3 doors down from us! I took a couple of pics of his project as it progressed, wish I'd taken more. He had an E34 so there's a small chance he's on here??? Unfortuntely he moved on at some point so I never got to see it finished, if it ever was. Would of been a scary ride though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 18, 2020 Haven't driven her for a couple of weeks now but this afternoon I turned her around to tackle the parcel tray. Got two coats on tonight, it's going to take a lot more coats that I thought but if I recoat a few times tomorrow it should be good to go back in on Sunday. Also picked up some touch up paint. My main focus is going to be front bumper but that's a tedious job for another day! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 19, 2020 Done! Ended up doing the C pillar covers as well as they had a bit of fade. I also took the opportunity to reglue some of the material back on the pillar covers with F2 spray. All up this was probably a 4hr job but I'm very happy with the results. Used 2 cans of spray. 6000k LED's for the angel eyes also turned up so threw them in. I think my next project is to track down why the radio reception is so bad. It tunes fine but the sound quality is noticeably worse than when playing CD's. I checked the connections when I had the C pillars covers off and there was nothing obviously wrong. I'm not sure what's what in the boot so will look into that more. One unit is sitting loosely in there but I can't see how it would fix to the bracket unless that bracket has been bent. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 408 Report post Posted September 19, 2020 Rear deck looks great. One of the first thing’s I did on mine also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted September 20, 2020 The actual radio module is probably at fault with reception. It's the silver box to the left in above photo, the loose one? I found a BM54 module out of a 2007 X5 that plugs straight in. Nice looking rear tray as well, what product did you use? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 21, 2020 I'll pull it out and check if there's any visible damage to cables. I have no idea how long it's been rattling around there so maybe something simple. Do you know if they are the same across all years? I used this stuff for the tray: 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 408 Report post Posted September 21, 2020 i used this on mine also, its the sh*t 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted September 21, 2020 The radio modules varied across the years and probably the markets, but a good working BM53 or BM54 from 2001 up to (I don't know) should do the trick I think they are a "world tuner" also so can be configured for the MHz range... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted September 21, 2020 (edited) The monitor option radio module appears to be the same but without the tape\cd interface but i can't confirm. Good chance you can use a tape deck\Business CD module\amp as long as it matches the pin layout ie round vs straight Obviously you'd have to cut it down or mount it differently if it worked. Ive got one but its got earlier round pin connectors, maybe you can find a later NZ new tape unit one etc and try it. BM53\54 units are quite expensive last time i looked. Edited September 21, 2020 by Eagle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 21, 2020 Thanks all that gives me some googling material. If it was going to cost real money I'd rather go aftermarket which would set me up with a more modern base to work from but I'm guessing that's asking for trouble. In the meantime I've ordered a bluetooth adapter so I can at least stop relying on my CD collection from my teenage years ? I forgot to look in the boot tonight but my aliexpress kidney's turned up so threw those in. I need to get this thing clean and out in the sun for some better photos! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted September 22, 2020 Aftermarket has plenty of good options. Avin unit is probably what I'd go for. Problem is with monitor optioned cars will you have to buy and run the extended wiring loom to the radio module in boot. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz 1062 Report post Posted September 22, 2020 What Bluetooth adaptor did you go for? I'm looking at options for the new daily hack Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 22, 2020 The cheapest I could find! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33019020569.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4ac04c4diEgKjE I'll post back when I get it to let you know how it goes. I won't get steering wheel controls etc but all I want is to be able to hit play on a spotify playlist and drive. If it was a daily I would probably invest in something more integrated... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted September 23, 2020 That's all I use in my cars. Need to make sure you have the correct connector. Being post Sept 02 your car will be wired for Aux input behind the monitor (though not necessarily aux capable on the radio module) so the linked BT module is correct connector. Finding a power supply up front is fun, I used the torch charger supply in the glovebox eventually... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lemusa 86 Report post Posted September 23, 2020 (edited) So if I'm understanding correctly this needs additional 12v power? That does sound like a fun one to figure out... Edit: Yes it does need power, clearly didn't have my eyes open when I purchased haha Edited September 23, 2020 by lemusa Blind Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
