Please help im new

[mayrelax27]

Just adopted my first ride a 1995 530i. Im only 16 and dont even have my license yet cuz jersey sucks like that. Looking to do a little work to it. Standard tranny black with black interior and completely stock and very clean. I LOVE THE CAR.

Does anybody have any suggestions on where to start, im looking at fairly simple things to make a clean ride but not spend to much money

drop it, tints, rims, intake, exhaust, HIDs, where should i start:help

ill try and take some pics too:rolleyes

[icheeban17]

Check your fan clutch, theromstat, water pump and radiator, expansion tank, have they been replaced, also upper control arms, fuel pump, crank sensor, cam sensor, fresh battery, all windows are smooth going up /down. BMW twisty seat syndrome. Fresh brake fluid,pentosin flush radiator flush. I would start here.
Good Luck welcome to the insanity.

Forgot to mention get parts from Autohaus Arizona.com Stay away from the BMW stealership unless it is a dealer part only also lots of stuff for sale around here and on evilbay

[jimoreno]

Welcome and from a member with an Alpine white '95 530, I can say that you should start to forget about changing the intake and the exhaust. This engine for it's size actually has pretty decent power. The only thing that you can do is get a chip and you need to get it 'coded' to the car. Turner offers their chips but you need to send your so they can read the code and write it in the new one.
Also, get a Bentley and star looking for all those little things that were neglected by the previous owner(s)! And remember that it will always be a work in progress!:needpics

[icheeban17]

Dinan and Conforti have chips as well. Also in Germany Wokke makes chip sets not sure if he does 5 series he does them for us for 850's and does not need our chip to make. Just my 2 cents Look Wokke up on Evilbay

[muckRunner]

i agree with icheeban, you should focus on getting it back to brand new. spend most of your effort on fixing the little things. then once its in such good condition that a BMW dealership would want to park it inside, then get some wheels, good tires, and some power adders, chipping it is prolly the best bang for the buck. unless your like me and just happen to have a superchager laying around, lol.

[mayrelax27]

Alright sorry i didnt say this before but the car did belong to my dad and he assured me he took car of it, as a matter of fact he just had the car looked over, new coolent, front and bake brakes, kumho tires, alignment, the works, the car runs like new, haha believe me i drive it everytime i get the chance to. The only thing wrong is a nasty scratch he got in newark when the car was keyed and the passanger door doesnt lock from time to time. He actually thought about putting a chip in but he said the car is fast enough and didnt want to.

Thanks for the suggestions i really appreciate it, im gonna consider the chip

Sorry about no pics im new and really didnt even expect this quick of a response haha

[serIIalpine]

Take a safe driver course.

I'd hate to hear about how you had to put the car up for sale because you can't afford the NJ insurance because you've had too many accidents or tickets.

Enjoy.

[KyleCleveland]

Don't forget a e34 tattoo on your arm. Those always work out.

[TouringDan]

Forgot to mention get parts from Autohaus Arizona.com Stay away from the BMW stealership unless it is a dealer part only also lots of stuff for sale around here and on evilbay

Before you do ANY of the stuff he mentioned (all of which were spot-on suggestions!!!) go to bmwcca.org (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/www.bmwcca.org) and get a membership. In addition to the awesome Roundel magazine, you get deep discounts at most dealerships. I get 90% of my parts from my local shop and it works out to be about the same as AA once the CCA discount is factored in.

[zubbie]

drop it, tints, rims, intake, exhaust, HIDs, where should i start

drop it: yes - many choices $200 and up
tints: tint what? windows, tails, headlights? sure
rims: yes - 17 or 18 and no bigger even though you live in NJ! watch this board for deals
intake: no. doesn't do anything but make a cool noise (perhaps that's your goal)
exhaust: lots of options from $250 - $1200; again no power gain but sound is improved.
HIDs: lots of kits that work. search and read a few threads.

best bang for buck is still a chip

[jimoreno]

By the way, my son is 17 and getting practice for his test in March! The 530 will be his car when he goes to college. I'll probably start looking for another toy at that time! And remember that in NJ it is illegal to put ANY tint on the windshield and front doors. This pushed me away from doing it since I don't like the "halfway-tinted" look.