What a difference some paint makes!

[95325i]

My friend had some extra rub strips and door molding from when he did the face lift on his 1999 540. So yesterday we went to the auto parts store got some Arctic Silver spray paint and painted the door and bumper strips that he had. In the end I think it came out well. The color was almost an exact match to mine.

The day I got it about 2months ago

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/8366583836250623672IM102565x421_A56.jpg

yesterday when we where done. Forgive the car was dirty when the pics where taken it snowed earlier that day.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/IMG_1484.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/IMG_1485.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/IMG_1486.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/IMG_1487.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/corsa140hp/IMG_1488.jpg

Much better I think. Next thing I want to do it get some Euro clears from both front and rear.

Then in the spring I will get the face lift bumper and door moldings since I do not know how long the paint we did will last.

[ArmySweitzer]

looks nice, now im tempted!

[Captain Morgan]

meh. painted trim looks boring to me. car this size needs a little contrast IMO.

[willamD]

looks better than the chrome trim for sure, GJ

[mattmartindrift]

meh. painted trim looks boring to me. car this size needs a little contrast IMO.


I concur. My M5 bumpers, when I get them will remain two-tone.

[AlpinaWannaBe]

i think it turned out nice... looks good. Will the spray paint flake off after time?

[blatant]

I believe its an improvement from the chrome.

[sneakytouring]

I need to do this to my touring.

[curt2128]

It looks real nice no do a write up so other can follow

[95325i]

i think it turned out nice... looks good. Will the spray paint flake off after time?

It may I just did this till I can get it done professionally, and to update the look of the car. It came out really nice I feel looks as good as the face lift trim I think, only it has a little pattern to it while the FL is all smooth.



It looks real nice no do a write up so other can follow

Not to much to it, Pull the old trim off starting from the bottom edge lift up carefully till the trim comes off of the doors. The bumper trim I removed the center part first then followed by the parts that wrap around to the sides of the car. Clean the trim make sure not oils from the road or your hands are on the trim. Paint it with your choice of color with 3 coats then clear it put it back together. Not to to much to it really.

[Redflea]

My 2003 530i has that look stock...I like it. (Sterling Metallic Grey, but the same idea...)

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/RedfleaBucket/E39-mine.jpg

[E39ofmine]

I like how it looks .Not a fan of black moldings sometimes...

[95325i]

My 2003 530i has that look stock...I like it. (Sterling Metallic Grey, but the same idea...)


Yes the face lift cars got it stock and the trim was smooth while the Pre-facelift was textured with chrome trim on non-sports and all black on sport pack cars. nice looking car! love that style wheel.

I agree with the M5 bumper needed contrast but the chrome belt line makes the car look much more dated. I do like the shadow line trim on the e39, and would have left it if my car had it. If any one was to look a car today everything is body color matched.

[willamD]

I think it makes it look more luxury and less sport. ex: M5

[Skwisgaar]

E39's look best with Shadowline, IMO. I agree with Captain Morgan. The contrast is good, especially on silver. Speaking of Shadowline, if you've got some that looks old, just bust out a bottle of Kiwi shoe polish with the foam applicator. Pull the trim off and apply liberally. I did mine over a year ago and it still looks new.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii295/nc540/540%20pics/DSCN1701-1.jpg