MD13 496 Report post Posted March 4, 2023 So Christmas just past I dashed off to West Auckland to buy this - e39 535i with 3 pedals from factory. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 4, 2023 (edited) This will be a reminder (blog?) of the things it needs doing etc. Done so far: Replaced headlight adjusters to get a WOF Bellar's replaced the camshaft sensor to fix a start issue Things that need doing: Suspension... -done Windowscreen rubber has perished - Done No FM radio reception... Instrument cluster pixel fix - Done! Headunit replacement/Speaker refresh TYRES! Dent magician or similar Fix lower front bumper split - cable tie... Done for now. Front seat refresh? Boot lid struts This list will grow... Edited July 13 by MD13 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
balancerider 779 Report post Posted March 4, 2023 Nice one. Think it'll be better on a nice set of Style 32's once you've put the suspension back to stock? Surely part of the appeal of a cruiser like this is that it rides properly. Manual V8 is always a win though 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 4, 2023 (edited) Yeah style 32 or 37 would be my pick depending on cost but as you say need to sort the suspension first. MagnTurbo lowering special sadly. Originally came on style 33 (still has one as a spare) - butt ugly. I don't actually hate the wheels. Will look to find some sport springs and new shocks/struts. Then replace the chengshi tyres... Edited March 4, 2023 by MD13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) So suspension... I've never needed to do this on previous cars - I've usually just bought motorsport type versions and left it at that. So I "think" I need something like these: springs shocks or shocks But I'm guessing (e.g. US sites don't list 535's but I guess 540i is the same?) so help would be appreciated! Criteria: Lift the ride height so the wheels clear the guards, make it comfortable to drive. Edited March 6, 2023 by MD13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
balancerider 779 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 54 minutes ago, MD13 said: So suspension... I've never needed to do this on previous cars - I've usually just bought motorsport type versions and left it at that. So I "think" I need something like these: springs shocks or shocks But I'm guessing (e.g. US sites don't list 535's but I guess 540i is the same?) so help would be appreciated! Criteria: Lift the ride height so the wheels clear the guards, make it comfortable to drive. Assuming it's a non-sport PFL 535i Front shocks https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/product/3764-new?product=31311096848 Rear shocks https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/33521094467M-meyle-shockabsorber Have a look on Real OEM with your VIN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) Not sure I'll like the result if I go back to standard ride height hence looking at H&R/Koni's... Also like sites that allow buying a 'package' instead of everything single - hopefully then I don't end up buying 3rear/1front etc... Also do I need to buy sundry items? Bumpstops etc in addition? Edited March 6, 2023 by MD13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 Guess it depends what you are after and what you are using the car for. I think Koni and higher end Bilstein overpriced these days. IMO B6\B8 Bilsteins are rubbish ride quality on average NZ road without being re-valved. Im pretty happy Eibach Pro-kit (slightly lower and firmer than Msport springs) with and OE spec TRW struts\shocks on my E46. Rides and handles very well without sacrificing ride quality and they are cheap. They have their drawbacks in certain conditions compared to higher end products, but most people arent driving the car like that. H&R's are much firmer spring. https://spareto.com/products/eibach-suspension-kit-coil-springs/e2063-140 https://spareto.com/products/trw-shock-absorber/jgm239t https://spareto.com/products/trw-shock-absorber/jgs160t Yeah you will certainly need new bump stops, strut mounts, dust boots and maybe spring rubbers for the front end. Rears parts dont seem to fail on E39's but id probably buy new rear bump stops and they degrade over time. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) This look about right then? Wow is approx. $500 shipping "normal"? Edited March 6, 2023 by MD13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted March 6, 2023 I probably skip the repair kit or just get new bolt and locknut for the strut if you are concerned. I dont think the rest is really worth it (front mounts come with locknuts?) and washer are very re-usable. Shipping is usually priced fairly well but never ordered that once at once. Im guessing its the combination of struts\shocks and springs. Try splitting those up and see. Sometimes certain parts add a lot of shipping for no real reason, not just on this site. The springs were nearly 100 euro shipped with a couple of other small things when i got mine. Still ended up way cheaper than anywhere else. So i know where the other 200 euro is coming from? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 598 Report post Posted March 7, 2023 Saw you driving in Albany the other day driving past Palmers Garden Centre. Good buy, I had it on my watchlist, was tempted but I have way too many cars already... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 7, 2023 Yeah I'm in Browns Bay. Think you might have posted the listing originally so thank you! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vass 867 Report post Posted March 7, 2023 On Spareto, when you're on the shopping cart page (after you've entered your shipping details) and click on the shipping price it'll give you a breakdown of shipping price per item. Bigger bulkier stuff will naturally be more expensive to ship but if something looks disproportionally out of whack then you can always shoot them a message and have it rechecked. $500 for shipping does sound a bit ridiculous. Spareto's prices are usually really good but when it comes to bulkier items it might be worth looking at other suppliers, I think FCP for example cap their shipping cost at US$100 or something, so even if the items themselves are a bit more expensive, it might come out cheaper overall. Demon Tweeks is also worth checking out, I ordered some of my stuff from there. As an example, I got 2 rear shocks and one front one (for some reason the price of the front left shock was twice that of a front right one so ordered that one from FCP instead) + Eibach springs, came out to $590 + $265 shipping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 598 Report post Posted March 7, 2023 1 hour ago, MD13 said: Yeah I'm in Browns Bay. Think you might have posted the listing originally so thank you! Glad you got it, special car for sure. Was worried it would go into the depths of South Auckland for skids, never to be seen again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palazzo 479 Report post Posted March 7, 2023 19 hours ago, MD13 said: This look about right then? Wow is approx. $500 shipping "normal"? The VAT portion will disappear which will help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted March 9, 2023 Placed an order with spareto for springs and some misc parts - still shopping on shocks. Hopefully unrelated but fraudulent credit card transactions started turning up 3 hours later... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1072 Report post Posted March 10, 2023 I've ordered from Spareto MANY times and never had card issues, so probably coincidental 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palazzo 479 Report post Posted March 10, 2023 13 minutes ago, Allanw said: I've ordered from Spareto MANY times and never had card issues, so probably coincidental Ditto. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted April 15, 2023 Parts all arrived in a very timely fashion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted April 15, 2023 Had them fitted yesterday. - mechanic showed me photos of the existing setup saying it looked like a 5 year old had assembled... Springs weren't seated correctly and able to be spun. Scary! Haven't driven the car much yet but ride home was lacking the usual boat creak when steering and the wheel was more centered. No longer pulling to the right either. Next step is new tyres - or new(used) wheels and tyres. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
balancerider 779 Report post Posted April 15, 2023 Pictures please with the new suspension setup? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted April 15, 2023 Yeah would great to see what the spring\strut combo drives like on a E39. Too bad you arent close. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 408 Report post Posted April 16, 2023 On 4/15/2023 at 1:31 PM, MD13 said: Had them fitted yesterday. - mechanic showed me photos of the existing setup saying it looked like a 5 year old had assembled... Springs weren't seated correctly and able to be spun. Scary! Haven't driven the car much yet but ride home was lacking the usual boat creak when steering and the wheel was more centered. No longer pulling to the right either. Next step is new tyres - or new(used) wheels and tyres. Good to hear another E39 getting some proper maintenance and TLC. Too many get "ghetto fixed" and end up total sh*t boxes. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted April 17, 2023 Some photos - could use a wash... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1679 Report post Posted April 17, 2023 Height is perfect amount for me. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
