My e39 540i

[VictorMike]

So, under pain of banning, I am forced to start this thread.

The car:
Model: 1998 E39 540i
Colour: Glacier green
Mileage: 270K +
Condition when bought: mechanically and electronically sound. Car had definitely been in an accident. Front bumper is not straight, missing plastic to hold external temperature sensor in front of drivers side wheel

Work done so far:
Various services (filters + fluids)
New discs
New pads
New oil on gearbox
Minor cosmetic repairs on front and rear bumpers, drivers side skirt and bonnet chips
New radiator fan
Replaced faulty fuel pump
Replaced front control arm bushes
New bonnet shocks
Replaced radiator pressure screw thingy

Plans:
Buy new front bumper
Buy front splitter
Convert to facelift headlights
Get new rims (style 32 / 37 / 65 / 66)
Remove phone and convert center arm rest to blank
Replace center console rim (wood veneer is peeling)
Re-upholster / replace worn drivers seat
Replace front and rear cup holders
Replace drivers side front wheel arch lining

Picture (best side):

 

[RAArmstrong]

E39 :inlove:

Okay no banning now :rollsmile:

 

[VictorMike]

E39 :inlove:

Okay no banning now :rollsmile:

Yay, now I can hang with the cool kids...

 

[RAArmstrong]

Yes indeed! Welcome to the Mafia :cartel:

 

[moranor@axis]

keep the phone and rock it old school

 

[VictorMike]

keep the phone and rock it old school

Bud, I did try this. But the new SIMs don't work in the car . Besides, I got it with a Parrot B/T device.

 

[ChefDJ]

Finally an intro :clapper:


For some reason I love the standard look of these old 540i's. Yes, it screams "mod me", but there's just a classic presence about it that I can't seem to dislike.

 

[Ralf*]

E39 :inlove:

Okay no banning now :rollsmile:

Yay, now I can hang with the cool kids...

nice !
:coolShake:

 

[Livewire]

Nice!:clapper:

 

[VictorMike]

For some reason I love the standard look of these old 540i's. Yes, it screams "mod me", but there's just a classic presence about it that I can't seem to dislike.

The only angle that displeases me is the front. That pre-facelift front bumper is just not deep enough, thats why I want the front spoiler:

That and some nice 17" rims and the car will be perfect on the outside

 

[ChefDJ]

That spoiler on the prefacelift looks damn nice raise:

 

[spawn616]

the cover for outside temp is about 1000 bucks new from bmw no screws so now you have an idea,

left hand side is 870

 

[prado]

E39! Personally, I think this is and the E34 are THE BMWs to get in terms of keeping a classic piece of BMW history!

Sure, I am crazy about the older ones - E30s etc. but the refinement and levels of advancement in these are far greater. No dashboard cracking issues, solid door panels, better quality materials, refined motors, better consumption, more parts available and greater reliability.

Great to see so many of them being cared for! I wish I had the space to park another two or three of them!

Absolute value for little money!

 

[VictorMike]

the cover for outside temp is about 1000 bucks new from bmw no screws so now you have an idea,

left hand side is 870

Ey-NA! Thats more expensive than the actual temp sensor (which I bought cos the old one was faulty)!

 

[Webmaster]

I want a e39 now. Have to flog my e90 but I will hopefully do it before this year is up. Good looking ride bud. Keep well.

 

[ChefDJ]

I want a e39 now. Have to flog my e90 but I will hopefully do it before this year is up. Good looking ride bud. Keep well.

Do eeeeet :excited::excited::excited::excited:

 

[VictorMike]

Well this morning 2 things happened of the way to work:
1. Had a flat tyre - easy fix
2. Fan stopped working. Air still blows, but very slowly. Did some research and it says my FSU needs replacing. Before I go to the stealers, does anyone know where else I can get one?

 

[ChefDJ]

I also need to replace this, to get my temps under control again.

I couldn't find one locally.

 

[VictorMike]

Called Goldwagen, the can source the FSU. About R600. Will be getting it in the next week or so.

In the mean time, the electronics fan that sits behind the aircon controls started making a high pitched noise whenever I started the car. I just cleaned it. Easiest DIY ever. Here is the vid I used as a guide:

[video=youtube]

Best bit: "Dont worry about breaking the front cup holders on the e39, they are VERY durable and NEVER break."

 

[RAArmstrong]

Ah you have found E39 source. Great great YT channel with some great DIY's :thumbs:

I actually need to replace my front cup holders. The drivers side one is a little sticky now...

Thankfully the FSU was replaced on mine by BMW a few years ago :cartel: