E39 REGISTERY - ALL MODELS WELCOME

[whattingh]

Hello, so finally got pics of my car. Got it a few weeks ago. There is a bunch of stuff that need sorting but pics first.
+-150k kms White Steptronic 525i 2002

Ok so from the last photo you can see the load cover is not black as it should be. Got the car with a piece or homemade crap in. Did not think it would be hard to find one. WAS I WRONG. Agents wanted R8900 for one. So in the end got one from ebay UK GBP65+GBP108shipping and R400 customs. Much cheaper than agents.

Steering boots was shot and one safety belt clip in rear was not working yet the got a roadworthy certificate some how.... The air filter looked really bad as well. So booked the car in at a place someone recommend to me. Replace oil air petrol filters plugs oil(shell helix ultra) replace steering boots.

Then the BIG problem in terms of cost. The cylinder head part the covers the timing chain has a little crap in it. Some previous mechanic of someone tried to glue it to stop the oil from leaking out but the glue has also cracked. The better option is to get it welding but budget does not allow it now. Going to try some heat resistant silicon coming weekend just to keep it till I have the money to get it proper repaired.

Then the one side have totally wrong fog light in, underside of bumper is damaged, lower front plastic piece inside fender missing and 3 wheels have a little wobble...hmm I smell pavement. Plan to get a new set of fog lights and get rims repaired at Wheel service center.

Angel eyes bulbs have damage... going to get LED ones
Plastic cover behind rear mirror over rain sensor is missing
Cup holder broken.

In last week my fan clutch started to engage more than it should and sound like the car is going to take off to the sky.

But there is some good aswell. It still drives wonderfull. When I got the car I took it for wheel balance and alignment and alignment was still spot on. Interior is in good condition.

SO yes that is mine and in time I will get all repair in to my liking. For me the is two condition wrong of right but not ok.

 

[rabdos]

whattingh, I think you have a beautiful car, enjoy the ride. I hope it will give you much pleasure and many happy kilometres. :clap:

 

[Kal-El]

I have a 528i Turbo 1bar, body kit, M5 18" wheels:

 

[Gregmeister]

2001 E39 540i6 individual in Aspen Silver, Black Montana Leather with 130k on the clock. pics here: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=13547

 

[Moe530d]

Hi Gent

I had 2 E39's this year had a 2000 525 and now a 2002 530d

 

[ANiMOSiTY]

I'm noticing a lot more E39s on the road than I used to..
A few of them have faded lights (thanks to sandblasting, courtesy of our lovely roads)..
But in general, the E39 still looks absolutely beautiful.
It really is a timeless design.

 

[Roundal]

Agreed. I am starting to feel the need for a 540i.

 

[Solo Man]

What problems (if any) have you had with regards to gearbox, turbo and swirl flaps with the mileage on your car?

---

Sorry, may last post was meant for P1000 and yoginnaidoo as i am anxious to hear what problems you had especially with higher mileage diesels?

 

[P1000]

What problems (if any) have you had with regards to gearbox, turbo and swirl flaps with the mileage on your car?

---

Sorry, may last post was meant for P1000 and yoginnaidoo as i am anxious to hear what problems you had especially with higher mileage diesels?

---

Swirls removed at 268kkm, looked as new. Gearbox serviced at the same time, then 1000km later, then 3000km again. Slips on full throttle on 1st-2nd transition (happened once), and twice failed to engage 4th on full throttle - revs just jumps up and down, then it engages when you lift off slightly.

Other than that, thrust arm bushes replaced and now get a clunk from the front end when going over rough roads at low-is speeds, speed bumps and braking. Thrust arm balljoints seem fine(removed to check). I suspect steering rack. Now at ~277k km

 

[rick540]

What problems (if any) have you had with regards to gearbox, turbo and swirl flaps with the mileage on your car?

---

Sorry, may last post was meant for P1000 and yoginnaidoo as i am anxious to hear what problems you had especially with higher mileage diesels?

---

Swirls removed at 268kkm, looked as new. Gearbox serviced at the same time, then 1000km later, then 3000km again. Slips on full throttle on 1st-2nd transition (happened once), and twice failed to engage 4th on full throttle - revs just jumps up and down, then it engages when you lift off slightly.

Other than that, thrust arm bushes replaced and now get a clunk from the front end when going over rough roads at low-is speeds, speed bumps and braking. Thrust arm balljoints seem fine(removed to check). I suspect steering rack. Now at ~277k km

---

Front shocks on the E39 can clunk

 

[P1000]

Front shocks on the E39 can clunk

I have been thinking in that direction as well. Where exactly is the source of the clunk, the top mount?

 

[rick540]

Front shocks on the E39 can clunk

I have been thinking in that direction as well. Where exactly is the source of the clunk, the top mount?

I read somwhere on bimmerboard it's the shock itself that starts to make a racket when they get old.

There's a couple of other things you can check.

1) Sway bar links

2) Top mountings

3) The floating brake caliper can rattle if the pads are not the right size.

4) Check the engine sump is not touching the protection plate under the car

5) Wheel bearing play

 

[P1000]

Front shocks on the E39 can clunk

I have been thinking in that direction as well. Where exactly is the source of the clunk, the top mount?

I read somwhere on bimmerboard it's the shock itself that starts to make a racket when they get old.

There's a couple of other things you can check.

1) Sway bar links

2) Top mountings

3) The floating brake caliper can rattle if the pads are not the right size.

4) Check the engine sump is not touching the protection plate under the car

5) Wheel bearing play

Thanks, I gathered as much as that as well. The shocks are maybe 2 years old, so I do not really think its them then. From the one other internet entry I found with the exact same symptoms, the guy replaced everything and it turned out to be steering rack in the end. The thing is, it makes the noise even sometimes when stationary and turning the wheel. I will try to hunt it down further this weekend. will get someone to turn the wheel while I inspect the balljoints.

 

[Mobin]

Where do we register?

 

[P1000]

Where do we register?

Right here.

Just post details of your ride and some pics

 

[SecondSkynz]

98 540i

 

[clutchplate]

stunning door, never quite seen one as clean ....

 

[SecondSkynz]

damn tooting lol

 

[rick540]

Hello, so finally got pics of my car. Got it a few weeks ago. There is a bunch of stuff that need sorting but pics first.
+-150k kms White Steptronic 525i 2002

Ok so from the last photo you can see the load cover is not black as it should be. Got the car with a piece or homemade crap in. Did not think it would be hard to find one. WAS I WRONG. Agents wanted R8900 for one. So in the end got one from ebay UK GBP65+GBP108shipping and R400 customs. Much cheaper than agents.

Steering boots was shot and one safety belt clip in rear was not working yet the got a roadworthy certificate some how.... The air filter looked really bad as well. So booked the car in at a place someone recommend to me. Replace oil air petrol filters plugs oil(shell helix ultra) replace steering boots.

Then the BIG problem in terms of cost. The cylinder head part the covers the timing chain has a little crap in it. Some previous mechanic of someone tried to glue it to stop the oil from leaking out but the glue has also cracked. The better option is to get it welding but budget does not allow it now. Going to try some heat resistant silicon coming weekend just to keep it till I have the money to get it proper repaired.

Then the one side have totally wrong fog light in, underside of bumper is damaged, lower front plastic piece inside fender missing and 3 wheels have a little wobble...hmm I smell pavement. Plan to get a new set of fog lights and get rims repaired at Wheel service center.

Angel eyes bulbs have damage... going to get LED ones
Plastic cover behind rear mirror over rain sensor is missing
Cup holder broken.

In last week my fan clutch started to engage more than it should and sound like the car is going to take off to the sky.

But there is some good aswell. It still drives wonderfull. When I got the car I took it for wheel balance and alignment and alignment was still spot on. Interior is in good condition.

SO yes that is mine and in time I will get all repair in to my liking. For me the is two condition wrong of right but not ok.

Interesting I was noticing the extra options, till now I felt like I had the only E39 with all of them, ok not touring, but the rest and more.

Touring = rare
Rain sensor = very rare ( never seen it elswhere, I have the other one)
Sport seats = Rareish ( Black ones are rare)
Electrochromic exterior folding Mirror package = Rare
Intensive headlight washers = rare

You have a very special car there look after it an enjoy! BTW the rain sensor cover was fitted in the USA, There is a much smaller one for europe, and some never had it fitted, mine is missing as well and I can read the writing but discovered it came from the factory like that...wierd

 

[pastorduran]

Goodday Guys,

I have a Late 2001 530d, Kalahari Beige (or Goldish)
260 000kms, sorry no pics yet, but will post some soon.