This is obviously my first post, I mostly just lurk and read through build threads on my lunch break. I might start a thread on turning our crappy 318i into something we can take to the track if I ever get around to working on it.
So, here's the story. It is a 2000 540i 6 speed with sport suspension, M wheel and shifter, sport seats, DSP audio and the cold weather package. IT spent most of it's life in Oregon and was just brought down to AZ a couple years ago. It has around 134k miles, I bought it with the abs module inop and I have no idea how long it was bad. I bought this car about a year and a half ago with the intention of keeping it forever. Since I bought I have acquired a couple E60's and my new daily which is a 545i 6MT sport package that I got from the original owner. The E39 is just sitting and I just don't have the motivation to take care of all of the small details it needs, also some funds to throw at home renovation would be nice. I have replaced all sorts of things since I picked it up.
Recently replaced:
- I have receipts for everything. I did all of the work at my shop when I had some downtime.
- timing chains and every single part that came off in the process, it is a huge parts list. It was about 1k in parts at my cost.
- rebuilt the vanos gears with new seals and recrimped with the ECS tool
- sway bar end links and bushings
- lower control arm bushings
- rear ball joints and upper control arms
- power steering hoses
- had the cluster repaired
- front brakes
- 5 new Alzor wheels and tires, tires are cheapies because it was all I could get on super short notice when I found all four were showing cords on the M parralel wheels it came with.
- alignment, I even threw the 450lbs of weight in the car when I did it
- rear window regulators, I will be installing the left rear this week
- installed a GROM bluetooth interface that works with the steering wheel controls and has hands free calling
- had the abs module repaired, which worked great for about 6 months. There is a code stored for the pre charge pump, which is working, the module failed in a different circuit apparently. The speedometer is still working, the traction is disabled.
- some other small things I can't remember
The good:
It runs great. It's a V8 six speed E39! Shadowline trim. Everything works as it should. The paint has had some correction work done and it looks great for a 20 year old car. The interior is in pretty nice shape.
The annoying:
- The shifter has some play, the bushings need to be replaced
- the shift knob is starting to come apart
- occasionally it is notchy into second and fourth gear
- one lug is missing on the right front, someone stripped the hub and I didn't feel like replacing the hub for a single lug
- there is a rock chip in the center of the windshield
- the c pillar fabric is starting to fall down
- the master window switch bezel is broken and the drivers front window will not auto up
- the front bumper found something on the freeway so the lower grill and foglights are missing
- there is a small dent in the drivers front fender and a really small one on the drivers rear quarter
- the left front strut is seeping and is a little noisy when driving under 10 mph, I couldn't decide if I wanted to go with stock struts or upgrade
- there is a shimmy at 55 - 60 mph. I suspect the steering linkage needs to be replaced, I just haven't done it yet
- the headlights are cloudy. replacements are crazy expensive because it has HID's
- the clips for the lower door sill trim are broken on both front sides
- the p.o. removed the airbox and slapped a cone filter on it. I have not found a good airbox to replace it with yet
- the p.o. cut the exhaust after the resonator. I booger welded the exhaust back together and never got back to fully welding it so there is a small leak
- It could use a detail
- some other small crap I can't remember right now
The car has been sitting at my shop for the past few weeks and it is covered in dust. I'm going to be taking it home this weekend and cleaning it up over the next few days. I will post some more pictures after I get it clean. I'm into the car for about $5500 so I'd like to be right around there. It will also come with the square set of aftermarket M parrallels as I have no use for them. The original 6 disc changer is included as well. The car is in Phoenix. The first two pics are as it currently sits, the three others are from the p.o.'s ad.