Advice on e39 Bits and pieces

[VictorMike]

Hey all,
so last friday I picked up the e39 540i that FJD was selling. And I am LOVING this machine.

Now, I need some advice.
There are a couple of things that I want to replace.

The first being the front bumper. There is nothing technically wrong with it, but there is small damage underneath and although I dont mind now, I know that its going to start bothering me more and more. Furthermore, I just dont like the look of the pre-facelift (<1999) e39 front bumper. Its too shallow. I see that AutoStyle has the e39 M5 front bumper, but I have had some bad experience with them and would rather go somewhere else, and I was thinking of maybe even fitting a post-facelift item. Does anyonw here know where to get one and if the mounting points are the same?

The second item is the wood finish panel around the gearbox. It is starting to flake and I want to replace it. I know I can go to BMW, but I am scared of what they are gonna charge me. An alternative suppliers name and contact details would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[zaleonardz]

Congratz on the car dude.

On the bumper, if its not plastic, you dont touch it, this Carbon fibre mixed breed stuff,you look at it skew and it cracks. One speedbump you take too quickly and your in pain

Mounting points will be the same, just get a good panel beater to fit it.

As for the trip, your best bet would be to either find a good set in a scrapyard, (clutchplate might have actually) or look at importing them, lots of guys that do aftermarket brushed alloy's and stuff like that, and your right, going to the dealers = you walking funny for a while.

Good luck

 

[VictorMike]

Thanks man. Will pm clutchplate, and will look at local scrap yards.

 

[P1000]

The wood piece around the gearlever will be between 2500 and R3000 at the stealer, but it should be easy to find at a scrapyard for a tenth that.

 

[VictorMike]

:dropjaw::dropjaw:

---

Oh, forgot to ask.

The car beeps when I reach 60km/h. I have looked in the manual, and I could not find how to disable/change this. Any ideas?

 

[Sankekur]

:dropjaw::dropjaw:

---

Oh, forgot to ask.

The car beeps when I reach 60km/h. I have looked in the manual, and I could not find how to disable/change this. Any ideas?

---

That is the car's way of telling you you shouldn't drive slower than 60km/h, ever

 

[rick540]

I have done this upgrade conversion in 2004 I did a 97 - post 2000 upgrade. Was a hell of an experience at the time.

Congrats on the car bud, glad you are enjoying the wonder of a 540, but please read my experience below before you do anything.

Although the mounting points are the same NOTHING else is.....*warning* *warning*

All the wiring connectors, fogs, all the plastic panelling inside the bumper, in front of the rad, underneath the front are different, even the fender liners are different, the beading is different, the depth of the front bumper is different. If you change it for LED tail lights and factory angel eyes the LCM is different and needs to be purchased and coded, the exhaust is different. I bought a "2000 look retrofit kit" (front and rear bumper) from BMW only to discover there is a Hell of a lot more that needs to be changed that they don't tell you about

It's about an extra 8K in parts, you can cut what is there and it may sortof work, but that is basically butchering half the car.

To do it properly you are in for a R35K upgrade.

The other alternative is to buy the pre 2000 Zender "aero" BMW kit like I have on mine, much cheaper and it's stunning (Search my threads for "540i better pics" to take a look)

 

[VictorMike]

The wood piece around the gearlever will be between 2500 and R3000 at the stealer, but it should be easy to find at a scrapyard for a tenth that.

I have done this upgrade conversion in 2004 I did a 97 - post 2000 upgrade. Was a hell of an experience at the time.

Congrats on the car bud, glad you are enjoying the wonder of a 540, but please read my experience below before you do anything.

Although the mounting points are the same NOTHING else is.....*warning* *warning*

All the wiring connectors, fogs, all the plastic panelling inside the bumper, in front of the rad, underneath the front are different, even the fender liners are different, the beading is different, the depth of the front bumper is different. If you change it for LED tail lights and factory angel eyes the LCM is different and needs to be purchased and coded, the exhaust is different. I bought a "2000 look retrofit kit" (front and rear bumper) from BMW only to discover there is a Hell of a lot more that needs to be changed that they don't tell you about

It's about an extra 8K in parts, you can cut what is there and it may sortof work, but that is basically butchering half the car.

To do it properly you are in for a R35K upgrade.

The other alternative is to buy the pre 2000 Zender "aero" BMW kit like I have on mine, much cheaper and it's stunning (Search my threads for "540i better pics" to take a look)

Wow... I was actually looking at buying your car (it was advertised right?), before I baught this one.

Back to business: you have convinced me, where does one get this Aero kit? Is there a local distributor or do I need to import?

 

[rick540]

The wood piece around the gearlever will be between 2500 and R3000 at the stealer, but it should be easy to find at a scrapyard for a tenth that.

I have done this upgrade conversion in 2004 I did a 97 - post 2000 upgrade. Was a hell of an experience at the time.

Congrats on the car bud, glad you are enjoying the wonder of a 540, but please read my experience below before you do anything.

Although the mounting points are the same NOTHING else is.....*warning* *warning*

All the wiring connectors, fogs, all the plastic panelling inside the bumper, in front of the rad, underneath the front are different, even the fender liners are different, the beading is different, the depth of the front bumper is different. If you change it for LED tail lights and factory angel eyes the LCM is different and needs to be purchased and coded, the exhaust is different. I bought a "2000 look retrofit kit" (front and rear bumper) from BMW only to discover there is a Hell of a lot more that needs to be changed that they don't tell you about

It's about an extra 8K in parts, you can cut what is there and it may sortof work, but that is basically butchering half the car.

To do it properly you are in for a R35K upgrade.

The other alternative is to buy the pre 2000 Zender "aero" BMW kit like I have on mine, much cheaper and it's stunning (Search my threads for "540i better pics" to take a look)

Wow... I was actually looking at buying your car (it was advertised right?), before I baught this one.

Back to business: you have convinced me, where does one get this Aero kit? Is there a local distributor or do I need to import?

---------------------------

Here you go, both kits can be ordered direct from BMW

1) The "M5" look (very expensive) Does not include hidden stuff needed.

Retrofit kit, M Aerodynamic kit from BMW

Part # 51 710 027 250

2) The genuine BMW Zender kit for cars up to 00 (like I have on mine)

Front clip, rear clip, side skirts, glue and fitting stuff included (not too expensive)

Aerodynamic package

Part # 82 61 9 408 591

 

[E39 Ian]

Congrats on the buy dude :thumbsup: :clap:

 

[VictorMike]

Here you go, both kits can be ordered direct from BMW

1) The "M5" look (very expensive) Does not include hidden stuff needed.

Retrofit kit, M Aerodynamic kit from BMW

Part # 51 710 027 250

2) The genuine BMW Zender kit for cars up to 00 (like I have on mine)

Front clip, rear clip, side skirts, glue and fitting stuff included (not too expensive)

Aerodynamic package

Part # 82 61 9 408 591

wow, thanks man! But this means I also have to buy a new front bumper... why are cars so complicated?

Thanks ian

 

[rick540]

Here you go, both kits can be ordered direct from BMW

1) The "M5" look (very expensive) Does not include hidden stuff needed.

Retrofit kit, M Aerodynamic kit from BMW

Part # 51 710 027 250

2) The genuine BMW Zender kit for cars up to 00 (like I have on mine)

Front clip, rear clip, side skirts, glue and fitting stuff included (not too expensive)

Aerodynamic package

Part # 82 61 9 408 591

wow, thanks man! But this means I also have to buy a new front bumper... why are cars so complicated?

Thanks ian

The aero kit clips/glues on to the original bumpers.

You don't need new anything, just paint stick and go

Mine cost about R9000 four years ago and R1750 for spraying. I glued it on myself using the stuff they supplied which is the same as they use to attach windscreens with. It's mega strong