'97 E39 Project (Oh Boy!)

[masbury]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a '97 528i with 236k miles as yet another project.
Here's the story...

Uppers...
Runs and drives, shifts great, brakes great, all electronics are working, even still has the coin tray in the driver's door. Oh did I mention the flashlight is still in the glovebox? Has one remote key and the alarm sounds like a bird (what's up with that?). The headliner, and pillars are pristine other than a few finger prints. Leather is a little rough. Probably will require a round of Leatherique and a re-dye. Still has the original spare, jack and tools. I believe the amplifier is intact in the left side trunk. Somehow all the speakers work with the Pioneer head.

Downers...
Oil pan leaking, water pump is funky and fan shroud looks like it was in a cage with an 800 pound gorilla. Dirty handprints everywhere. Both outside seat trim pieces are busted (must have shared space with the fan shroud and the gorilla). Butt ugly wheels and tires. Couple of minor dings, left quarter, passenger door and hood. Needs a windshield. Already planning total flush of all bodily fluids. CD changer and radio head missing. Which reminds me, which radio did they come with (Business or what?) Cabin filters look like one needs a separate oxygen supply when running the ventilation system, definitely don't want to breathe it. Passenger C Pillar cover is loose.

Unknowns...
Suspension, any other oil leaks or, any other leaks period. Do these things have "banjo bolts"?

Just did a cursory once over after trailering home. Will probably know more after getting it in the air.

Please let me know if I stepped in it or if I did okay. Also if you eagle eye types spot glaring omissions, broken things or just plain supid crap, please feel free to point them out as E39's and I very recent acquaintances (like today).

Do e39's use the OBDII port. I have DIS, INPA etc. and have a 20 pin for my 750 and 850. Do I need a different cable for this?

Oh, I almost forgot... I bought this thing for $450.00.

Thanks ahead and see the pics. There will be more.

[JPR10]

Very nice. I hate the pinstripe, but love the color.

Has potential though. Give it a thorough detail interior/exterior/engine bay and condition the seats.

I also hate the single din units in an e39... Other than that -- not bad for 450! Congrats

[Mcdiver]

What I have learned recently.

If you want to get dirty handprints or geese off leather or vinyl interior, scrubbing bubbles and a stiff bristle brush. My 2000 was covered with Greece from my nephew being a mechanic and not washing his hands before getting into car. I used the scrubbing bubbles and a brush, all Greese and dirt wiped off. Then I applied a good coat of conditioner.

I just had my a, b, and c, pillar covers recovered for $50 each, they look great!

The '97 should use the round port under the hood to access the codes. Sometime in 2000, the started transitioning to the obd2 port. Mine uses obd2. Figured that out after looking for the round port for 2 hours. Good thing I got the peake with the cable.

[shortedaman]

What I have learned recently.

If you want to get dirty handprints or geese off leather or vinyl interior, scrubbing bubbles and a stiff bristle brush. My 2000 was covered with Greece from my nephew being a mechanic and not washing his hands before getting into car. I used the scrubbing bubbles and a brush, all Greese and dirt wiped off. Then I applied a good coat of conditioner.

I just had my a, b, and c, pillar covers recovered for $50 each, they look great!

The '97 should use the round port under the hood to access the codes. Sometime in 2000, the started transitioning to the obd2 port. Mine uses obd2. Figured that out after looking for the round port for 2 hours. Good thing I got the peake with the cable.

Where did you get you pillars recovered?

[Snuddi]

Very nice. I hate the pinstripe, but love the color.

Has potential though. Give it a thorough detail interior/exterior/engine bay and condition the seats.

Is there no danger in giving the engine bay a good detailing in a car that is 19 year old? Cables and stuff might not be as waterproof as before. Just asking as I have one 1996, and am afraid of cleaning the engine bay.