Extra's 2000 540i/6 maintenance and build chronicle.

[extra]

Thanks to inspiration from Ruski's and other members' build/maintenance threads, I've decided to make my own:

Over the past few months, I've been seriously considering finding another car for various reasons, some of which being fuel economy, reliability, and so on. I've searched around but when I come to think of it, these cars are good cars and I'd miss mine if I let it go. SO... I've decided to, over the coming months, take the plunge and do some serious work to my car. I intend to completely refresh/rebuild the engine, do some suspension and brake work, exhaust, and later wheels and tires. Currently sitting at 182k miles. I first intend to do modify the exhaust as I've always wanted to do that (I did a single scuba tank delete but it's still quiet for my taste) and tackle the engine work, timing chain stuff in particular. I've found that ecs and bavauto have kits, along with some assorted and questionable stuff from ebay. Which kit do you all recommend whether it be ecs, bavauto, or another brand? I'm looking for cost-effectiveness. Thanks in advance and I'll be slowly posting my progress here in this thread.




Late in October 2014 when I got the car:



Now:

[dannyzabolotny]

I used the FCP Euro kit for the timing chains. It has almost everything, but I also ordered an oil separator, Beisan Vanos seal kit, alternator O-ring, lower oil pan gasket, oil sensor gasket, and an AC belt. That's what I'm doing for now but I'm sure I'll be replacing a ton of stuff in the future.

Good choice on sticking with this car, once you've had a V8 it's hard to settle for anything else. Especially the newer BMWs with their tiny engines turbo'd to hell and back with fake engine noise.

Also, welcome to the build thread club

[extra]

I used the FCP Euro kit for the timing chains. It has almost everything, but I also ordered an oil separator, Beisan Vanos seal kit, alternator O-ring, lower oil pan gasket, oil sensor gasket, and an AC belt. That's what I'm doing for now but I'm sure I'll be replacing a ton of stuff in the future.

Good choice on sticking with this car, once you've had a V8 it's hard to settle for anything else. Especially the newer BMWs with their tiny engines turbo'd to hell and back with fake engine noise.

Also, welcome to the build thread club

Just can't get over all the youtube videos of these cars with exhaust mods. Gotta join the club, hopefully by the end of the week. Also just ordered front tires.

[shwy]

I watched your E39Source video. I've been meaning to make a video for that channel for a while...
Great work so far on your car. I look forward to seeing what you get up to with it! good choice on the wheel color also.

[dannyzabolotny]

Oh you have an E39Source video? Time to go find it, haha. I want to make one too, once my car is a little more presentable visually.

[extra]

Oh you have an E39Source video? Time to go find it, haha. I want to make one too, once my car is a little more presentable visually.

I say do one now so the viewers can see the progression.

- - - Updated - - -

Today I ordered a rear lip spoiler. I also removed the passenger seat to be fixed since it has the problem where only one side reclines. Carpets were absolutely nasty but I got them as clean as I could before running out of carpet cleaner. Tomorrow I plan to go around to muffler shops and shop around for the best deal on a cat-back straight pipe. I like the sound clips of those the most. In august when I have more free time I'd like to remove the interior and dye the carpet black. The grey is looking old and I'm not a fan of the color. Any recommendations as to spray dyes?

[1gr8e39]

Welcome to the build thread crew. Rolling in the BTC. Your car has ALREADY come a long way in the 9 months you've owned it. While you have the seats out I would check the cable ends where the "seat twist" will occur. You can search seat twist if you dont already know about it. All looks good, I like the body match front trim.

[extra]

I used the FCP Euro kit for the timing chains. It has almost everything, but I also ordered an oil separator, Beisan Vanos seal kit, alternator O-ring, lower oil pan gasket, oil sensor gasket, and an AC belt. That's what I'm doing for now but I'm sure I'll be replacing a ton of stuff in the future.

Good choice on sticking with this car, once you've had a V8 it's hard to settle for anything else. Especially the newer BMWs with their tiny engines turbo'd to hell and back with fake engine noise.

Also, welcome to the build thread club

With the fcp as well as the ebay kits I noticed that they didn't have the squareish tensioner things, whereas the ecs kit does... not sure about bavauto. What's the deal with those?



- - - Updated - - -

Another question: If I want to run an 18x9 square setup, what is the tire size I need to keep the speedometer correct?

[dannyzabolotny]

Oh yeah those are the tensioners for the smaller chains that connect the intake and exhaust. They don't always need to be replaced, mine look to be in good condition, and they haven't been known to fail like the main timing chain guides and tensioners.

[E39 Expert]

Oh yeah those are the tensioners for the smaller chains that connect the intake and exhaust. They don't always need to be replaced, mine look to be in good condition, and they haven't been known to fail like the main timing chain guides and tensioners.

I still would definatley replace the small plastic guides that go on the top and bottom of those.

P/N: 11311435028

Mine were heavily worn at 160k. I replaced mine when i pulled my heads.

[dannyzabolotny]

I'll check mine tonight when I take the upper chains off. If they look worn I'll replace them since I'm already there.

[MDGearhead]

I'll check mine tonight when I take the upper chains off. If they look worn I'll replace them since I'm already there.

I am about to do this myself with the FCP Euro kit. Those plastic pieces for the upper tensioner is only about 16$ for all 4. There are also two oil check valves that Beisan recommends but are not included in the FCP kit. Good luck.

[dannyzabolotny]

I just ordered those pieces from AutohausAZ. Best part is that they let me pick the parts up from their warehouse since I'm local to them in Arizona (they're like 20 mins from my house). Thanks for the tip!

[extra]

I still would definatley replace the small plastic guides that go on the top and bottom of those.

P/N: 11311435028

Mine were heavily worn at 160k. I replaced mine when i pulled my heads.

Yeah, I'd rather replace them and not have to worry about them.

- - - Updated - - -

Seat is fixed and I'll install it tomorrow. Pics coming tomorrow afternoon hopefully.

[extra]

Seat installed, but didn't grab any pictures. Front tires should be coming in today. My rear lip spoiler and clear tails should be in by the end of the week. Went by an exhaust shop and was quoted $217.35 for a muffler and res delete.

[justinca540i]

What tires are you going with?

[extra]

What tires are you going with?

Sumitomo htr zIII. Great value and I love them. Pretty sticky and wear well. Got them from tire rack. 245/45/17 f and 275/40/17 r on my style 66s.

- - - Updated - - -

So my right front wheel is slighty warped; probably explains the slight vibration from 74 to 77 mph. It's going to be sent to a shop to be trued for $150 and I should get it back tomorrow.

[1gr8e39]

Did you order the lip spoiler painted or unpainted? Where from? Also curious on which tails you went with?

[extra]

Did you order the lip spoiler painted or unpainted? Where from? Also curious on which tails you went with?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121383851694

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361193628536

[extra]

I installed the rear lip spoiler. It was pre painted and the color matches very well. Fit is very good too.

[1gr8e39]

Looks awesome. I want one!

[extra]

Looks awesome. I want one!

something around 40 on ebay and painted.

[justinca540i]

your able to get away with running summers all year?

[extra]

your able to get away with running summers all year?

I live in florida.

[dannyzabolotny]

Ah yes, the benefits of living in a warm climate. I'll never have to worry about switching to winter tires in Arizona either, running summers year round is going to be the best