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View Full Version : 5 Months later and here's my intro thread



tuanies
02-15-2013, 09:48 PM
Last summer I found out we were expecting a second child. At the time we had the minivan (2011 VW Routan SE) for my wife and a 1990 Mazda Miata that was my car. I decided having an impractical car wasn't going to work out in case we had to be in two different places. My wife also couldn't drive stick so I couldn't just take the van with my daughter and leave her home alone without a means of transportation. Thus the Miata was sold at the end of August and I began my search for another car.

I've always had a thing for E39 tourings and decided to look for one, in between Volvo's, Subarus Focus wagons, Contour SVTs, practically everything.

I ended up finding a 2000 528i wagon listed for $4000 and went to check it out. It had 174k miles on it, sport package, automatic and shadowline trim. There's a couple dings here and there but mechanically sound - the previous owner was one of those that just took the car to the shop every time something was wrong.

So I offered $3500 and he accepted. After waiting 3-weeks for him to get the title, I finally got the car towards the end of September.

When I got the car, it had the usual E39 problems - the seat switches and plastics were broken, needed a new CPS, a little VANOS rattle on cold start ups. Otherwise it was what you'd expect from an older $3500 car.

So since I've had it I've done the following


CPS
Air Filter
Cabin Filters
Sport seats
Can holder delete


Also have a DrVanos rebuilt VANOS module on the way and will do the oil change, spark plugs and transmission drain and refill with new filter.

Anyways onto the pictures

Style 5s are my favorite wheels of all time
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8476811851_3445845c63.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476811851/)
E39 Touring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476811851/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

My front bumper is scraped up from the last owner
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8477902184_72f68ce69c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8477902184/)
E39 Touring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8477902184/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

Last owner managed to back into something, but the tail light is fine
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8476811211_898e5ef86f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476811211/)
E39 Touring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476811211/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

MTECH wheel
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8477900948_ccef8bc3a4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8477900948/)
E39 Touring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8477900948/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

"GRAU" can holder delete plate
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8476810631_c2328abb10.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476810631/)
E39 Touring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8476810631/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

As for plans for the car - I just want to get everything sorted out mechanically, then stereo, manual swap, fix the exterior, get the MTECH bumpers and refinish the wheels. I have black kidneys on the way already :)

ezbmr
02-15-2013, 10:24 PM
I jelly, I have always loved those rims, if I had been smarter, I would have gotten a 5 with the sport package, but I can't imagine a better 5 than mine. It had a really bad vacuum leak from the oil separator and it still made it to the shop. It was funny, I had told this guy how great my car was and the first time he gets in it, the car throws the cel and is shaking. That was also the last time it ever threw a cel..

I consider one CEL in 120k, pretty good

DaSurfa
02-16-2013, 12:25 AM
Congrats on your new tourer!
Love the style 5 wheels as well. I got a set as well off CL recently and currently working on refinishing myself. If anyone is considering it as well just be prepared to do a ton of sanding.

Frankie
02-19-2013, 12:43 PM
That's a nice example of a sport package model. I love most of the sport pac features (style 5 wheels, steptronic tranny, 3-spoke steering wheel).

I would keep a car like yours close to stock. This will not only maximize its resale value but remain in keeping with its intended, tasteful design. I don't understand why one would want a manual tranny in a car that has a steptronic - you already have the best of both worlds! Besides, didn't you say your wife can't drive a standard? ;)

Anyway, enjoy!

tuanies
02-19-2013, 01:05 PM
That's a nice example of a sport package model. I love most of the sport pac features (style 5 wheels, steptronic tranny, 3-spoke steering wheel).

I would keep a car like yours close to stock. This will not only maximize its resale value but remain in keeping with its intended, tasteful design. I don't understand why one would want a manual tranny in a car that has a steptronic - you already have the best of both worlds! Besides, didn't you say your wife can't drive a standard? ;)

Anyway, enjoy!

I'm still contemplating between a Umnitza ABS MTECH bumper, replace the stock one with one less beat up or get a facelifted one and add a front lip. The headlights will be replaced though, the coating is pealing on them pretty badly.

I don't like the automatic, the torque converter sucks away enough power from an already heavy car. My wife can't drive manual but she has her own car and I can haul the kid(s) in mine :)

RVAE34
02-19-2013, 01:42 PM
Where did you get the cupholder delete?

tuanies
02-19-2013, 01:46 PM
I ordered it from BMA Parts for $24 - part number is - 51168160136

RVAE34
02-19-2013, 02:30 PM
Thanks!

Frankie
02-19-2013, 02:34 PM
...The headlights will be replaced though, the coating is pealing on them pretty badly.

Coating? What coating?


...I don't like the automatic, the torque converter sucks away enough power from an already heavy car...

Swap the differential then...a lot cheaper and easier. A manual tranny retrofit will lower the car's value and cost half the market price.

Besides, shifting into "S" mode will prevent torque converter lockup and yield much more spirited driving (although at the price of fuel economy).

tuanies
02-19-2013, 03:42 PM
I'd say its like a clear coat but the lights are plastic. They're just very hazed and yellowing.

I paid $3500 for the car, a manual transmission would probably increase the value at this point. From what I've seen if I look hard enough it should cost about $1500-2000 in parts with the work done by myself with the help of friends. Coding will not be a problem either.

What other diff choices are there? There no affordable LSD swap and still, there's no third pedal.

I drive enough automatic cars as is and none of them have made me want an automatic if there was a manual option. I also have no intentions of ever selling the car. Between the touring, my wife's van and my access to an endless amount of press cars, the E39 is what makes me smile and happy to call my own. Its no Miata but can haul my family while keeping a smile on my face and being able to row my own gears would make it better.

IndiansFan
02-20-2013, 02:07 AM
........I don't understand why one would want a manual tranny in a car.........

I have three different transmissions in three cars; 4 speed auto in the 528i, 5 speed manual in the 528iT and steptronic in the 530i. I prefer the 5 speed manual. My wife is very content with her 530i.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are two thousand words that describe my preference for a manual...........:redspot

tuanies
02-20-2013, 11:10 AM
I have three different transmissions in three cars; 4 speed auto in the 528i, 5 speed manual in the 528iT and steptronic in the 530i. I prefer the 5 speed manual. My wife is very content with her 530i.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are two thousand words that describe my preference for a manual...........:redspot

If i take a right out of my development it leads me to Mt. Rainer, which has a lot of windy roads and where I wish I still had a manual >_<.

On a side note, the facelift bumper with black trim is starting to grow on me, might go with that instead of MTECH bumpers.

IndiansFan
02-21-2013, 01:52 AM
If i take a right out of my development it leads me to Mt. Rainer, which has a lot of windy roads and where I wish I still had a manual >_<...........

Thats a wonderful "playground" you have. My wife and I were there a few years ago and took two days to drive counterclockwise from Buckley back to Buckley. We were in a wonderful rental Pontiac with an automatic.:thumbdown Made me wish I had ANY manual.........

tuanies
02-21-2013, 10:50 AM
The only downside with the playground is slow moving traffic :-\

tuanies
03-03-2013, 08:35 PM
Swapped the VANOS module with a refurb from DrVanos and replaced the lens covers with cheap eBay ones. Quality is meh but I cleaned the factory lenses to use with the new covers. Getting a facelift bumper tomorrow.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8525729629_2ab30d2be3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8525729629/)
new headlight covers. no more amber. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8525729629/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

tmvE39E53Z32TT
03-04-2013, 10:38 AM
Looking good.

tuanies
03-12-2013, 03:25 PM
Plasti-dipped the kidneys to get an idea how they'd look. Need to order some ebay ones eventually. Also got the OEM facelift clear corners and put on the factory roof rack that came with it (had to order new keys and bolts)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8552734282_3c2d2f1275.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8552734282/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8552734282/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

Next up are black kidneys, black roundels, eventually MTECH bumpers but stereo will take precedent. Just need to decide what I want to do.

I did manage to make a plug-n-play amp harness though

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8549541053_d774e5f8fe.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8549541053/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuanies/8549541053/) by tuanies (http://www.flickr.com/people/tuanies/), on Flickr

wheelgarage
03-12-2013, 03:30 PM
What is the benefit of modifying the harness? Curious.....

RVAE34
03-12-2013, 03:36 PM
I am assuming he is trying to install an aftermarket head unit while retaining the stock amp.

tuanies
03-12-2013, 03:47 PM
I'm not sure if I want to retain the stock amp or not but the harness will let me create a plug and play install that I can remove without hacking up the factory wiring. I still need to solder on the RCA connectors to it. I might just use the front channel RCAs to amplify the front stage and keep the rear stage running off the factory amp.

admranger
06-23-2013, 06:59 PM
I'm not sure if I want to retain the stock amp or not but the harness will let me create a plug and play install that I can remove without hacking up the factory wiring. I still need to solder on the RCA connectors to it. I might just use the front channel RCAs to amplify the front stage and keep the rear stage running off the factory amp.


More details please! I want to get rid of the DSP amp in my E53X5 and I'm looking for a way to do it w/o hacking up the stock wiring harness. So far I have the Metra harness that comes off the BM53 radio unit. Not sure if there's a harness that would allow me to tap into the speaker wiring harness as it leaves the amp though.

tuanies
06-24-2013, 03:09 PM
I bought a non-DSP amp with amp harness still intact, desoldered the connector, wired them together so I can either use it as a passthrough or just for RCAs. DSP is a bit more complicated and will require a separate crossover unless you replace the speakers.