"What did you do to your E39 today V2.0."

[Jason5driver]

No, they were $235 each with free shipping from Tire Rack. TR didn’t have a pic of them so I grabbed that pic from another site.

I would elect for the Actives ….

[JimLev]

I would elect for the Actives ….

That’s what I wanted, just couldn’t find them anywhere, looks like they don’t make them for my car.
https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...up=&cat=Shocks

[StephenVA]

Dinan Koni set up

[ross1]

Wash and last oil change for Mrs. Ross' '99. It's up for sale after 15 years of service.
Mrs. Ross is a bit sad. Coming from a woman that views cars strictly as appliances this is testimony to this model's ability to win over the driver.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Get her another one, simple.

[SW530]

A few questions for the E39 brain trust:

1. Is there any common way to fix an RLS (rain sensor)? Maybe a common component goes bad or something needs to be cleaned? My original sensor works every occasionally but mostly when in Position 1 it acts like when in Position 2, that being the slow wiper speed. The lens is firmly adhered to the glass via a gel pad and removing the actual sensor was easy. The the gel pad has to be changed when they replaced the windshield last year. I have a second sensor that was sold on ebay as "working." Unfortunately it doesn't work. When in Position 1 it does nothing. If either of these two sensors can be fixed or if there's a common remedy I'd appreciate knowing.

2. The mounting disc that adheres to the windshield: That's normally glued on via a super glue type adhesive just other manufacturers use? Asking because the mirror came off in my hands and it had a large chunk of black epoxy stuck on it, and the windshield where it goes had s chunk of windshield almost as large or exactly as large as the disc missing. I'm guessing the grunt who installed the new windshield somehow broke it and used the epoxy to complete the job because no one would find the hack job any time soon. I suppose I could rig up a way to mount the mounting disc via the same black epoxy.. but at the angle it's at it wouldn't stay, might even drip. I suppose I could use masking tape to hold it in place till it cures? ORrrr.. I could use quick curing epoxy. I have some A + B two part epoxy putty, the type you knead together? O could push that into the hold and the mounting disc into that.. let it cure and Bob's Your Uncle.. but it's a white and the white would show "white" on the outside of the windscreen.. rather have black of grey putty.. would rather have a new windshield.

3. Last question, promise.. I have a set of new windshield washer nozzles, washer line, and fittings and want to fix my washer system. I notice you can use the regular or intense washer system. Currently when using the regular system I get a weak spurt that travels about 10-12 inches hitting the windshield low on the bottom half. Looks like weak pressure. When it does this it looks like somehow washer fluid from the regular tank travels into the intense tank filling it more. The lines from the intense system that normally goes to the headlight washer are present but not connected because there are no headlight washer nozzles. Any common remedies to look at/for?

Thank you and have a happy July 4th!!!

[computiNATEor]

Get a used RLS from a junkyard and try that. They’re cheap

Yes, just the standard mirror glue any other car uses. I knocked my mirror off in my first 530 with my elbow while vacuuming.

Personally, I’d remove the intensive cleaning system; the double washer line and tank don’t do anything, and the headlight washers, while required in Germany for cars with projectors, don’t do well enough to justify their mess.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I hate them. I told myself to remove it a few years ago, but just have not gotten to it.

[SW530]

Get a used RLS from a junkyard and try that. They’re cheap

Yes, just the standard mirror glue any other car uses. I knocked my mirror off in my first 530 with my elbow while vacuuming.

Personally, I’d remove the intensive cleaning system; the double washer line and tank don’t do anything, and the headlight washers, while required in Germany for cars with projectors, don’t do well enough to justify their mess.

Thank you. The ebay source was a junkyard and they're sending me another.

Figured, the Safelight installer ruined the windshield.. I'll go the epoxy putty route.

[ross1]

Thank you. The ebay source was a junkyard and they're sending me another.

Figured, the Safelight installer ruined the windshield.. I'll go the epoxy putty route.

I have one too PN 6 904 012
Yours for the price of shipping. PM if the JY #2 doesn't work out.

[SW530]

I have one too PN 6 904 012
Yours for the price of shipping. PM if the JY #2 doesn't work out.

Will do. Thank you!

[Nfs021]

Big day tomorrow. Rear suspension overhaul with Bilstein B6 and all new hardware. Using pre-facelift E60/Z8 guide links that have a ball joint instead of a bushing. Part 33326779820 for those wondering. Would've done it last weekend but crappy China Freight spring compressor sucks Donkey Kong. Got a better one and am excited to get it all done. 20220626_121150.jpg

[computiNATEor]

Nice. Did you get the spring perches adjusted?

[Nfs021]

Nice. Did you get the spring perches adjusted?

Negative. All the local machine shops were either too busy to do it, or didn't want to do it at all out of fear of screwing up, or the shock possibly exploding. Lol yeah ok. There's barely a half inch between the Bilstein perch and lowest perch on the Koni's. Sounds like alot. But considering the car will ride high at first anyways being all new struts/shocks, I don't think it'll raise the car by much. Plus I'm sure the roads here will help wear them in faster lol. I'll give them a month. And if it doesn't work, I'll swap the Koni's back in temporarily while I source a shop that will machine a new groove.

And weirdly, I've only seen one person have the issue of the car riding higher with the B6's. Either something else on his car is off, or maybe his were part of a bad batch or something?

[SW530]

FYI - That A+B epoxy putty did the trick. I had a hard time lining it back on the mount right and ended up tugging on it using the mirror for leverage 4-5 times and it didn't come off. So glad that's done. I didn't put the plastics back on yet, waiting for the new sensor to get here.. hopefully soon. If I was thinking I would have put 5 or so 1/4 holes in the mount for the putty to ride into making it even stronger.. hindsight I guess.

[Nfs021]

FYI - That A+B epoxy putty did the trick. I had a hard time lining it back on the mount right and ended up tugging on it using the mirror for leverage 4-5 times and it didn't come off. So glad that's done. I didn't put the plastics back on yet, waiting for the new sensor to get here.. hopefully soon. If I was thinking I would have put 5 or so 1/4 holes in the mount for the putty to ride into making it even stronger.. hindsight I guess.

As long as it works, that's all that matters. Good work

[Nfs021]

Front and rear suspension 90% complete. Decided I wanted to get new spring perch grooves cut lower in the Bilstein B6 shocks before installing them so the car won't ride so high. So still using the Koni's in the rear. Only real issue was trying to get the new integral link bolted up. Talk about a massive PITA!! But both rear ball joints themselves though took less than 5 mins each with the Bavauto ball joint press tool I bought from ECS. So ridiculously easy, best $65 I ever spent lol.

As for the front, things went well for the most part. Only downside was that I wasn't able to get the wishbone replaced. Forgot my crappy China Freight ball joint popper is too small for the knuckle in that spot. I'll air hammer it out at work. Easy job. Koni struts though are definitely kaput! Making gargling noise as you press down on them lol.

Now to take a much needed rest. Forgot how much suspension work sucks when you don't have a lift. My body is aching everywhere. Need a giant ice pack lol.

[Jason5driver]

Front and rear suspension 90% complete. Decided I wanted to get new spring perch grooves cut lower in the Bilstein B6 shocks before installing them so the car won't ride so high. So still using the Koni's in the rear. Only real issue was trying to get the new integral link bolted up. Talk about a massive PITA!! But both rear ball joints themselves though took less than 5 mins each with the Bavauto ball joint press tool I bought from ECS. So ridiculously easy, best $65 I ever spent lol.

As for the front, things went well for the most part. Only downside was that I wasn't able to get the wishbone replaced. Forgot my crappy China Freight ball joint popper is too small for the knuckle in that spot. I'll air hammer it out at work. Easy job. Koni struts though are definitely kaput! Making gargling noise as you press down on them lol.

Now to take a much needed rest. Forgot how much suspension work sucks when you don't have a lift. My body is aching everywhere. Need a giant ice pack lol.

Please give some feedback on how the Bilstein HD's compare to the Koni's ...

[computiNATEor]

I’m choosing to avoid the B6s on my E60 M5, despite them being the only real option to keep EDC working.


So yes, I am spending way to much $$$$ on BMW dampers.

[ChrisMelnyk]

I got lucky and found a passenger seat base in a salvage yard (for $12 CAD - ($9 USD)). It was in near perfect shape. I swapped it to my drivers side:

Seat Bases side by side.jpg
(New Left / Old Right)

New seat base installed.jpg
Installed

The difference in the foam is very noticeable. I'd recommend doing this if you ever have the chance. It's not too difficult and took me maybe 4 - 5 hours. There are no hog rings. It's just leather stretched over prong-like fasteners. This seat base was from a comfort seat. Mine is just standard.

[SW530]

The leather on mine is in great shape. But the foam has been compressed by the passages of time and at least two 400lb owners.. mystery how the leather stayed so nice. I can't find the foam anywhere..

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

You can order the foam straight from the dealer.

[Nfs021]

Please give some feedback on how the Bilstein HD's compare to the Koni's ...

I'll give feedback. But can't really compare to the Koni's. Were installed long before I bought my car. So they were already pretty worn when I got it.

I’m choosing to avoid the B6s on my E60 M5, despite them being the only real option to keep EDC working.


So yes, I am spending way to much $$$$ on BMW dampers.

I contemplated getting Genuine BMW. But they won't last as long and just not worth the money anymore.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I'll give feedback. But can't really compare to the Koni's. Were installed long before I bought my car.



I contemplated getting Genuine BMW. But they won't last as long and just not worth the money anymore.

Why wouldn’t the Sachs damper last as long? They’re good for well over a hundred thousand miles, depending on the roads in your area.

[JimLev]

The original Sachs struts were gone at 80K (Masshole pothole roads) so I replaced them with Koni FSD’s that were driven on Masshole roads for 60K and the remaining 27K on NM roads. They are now toast with 87K on them.
I just bought Koni adjustable that I need to install soon.
F30A2B38-1C4F-44FC-AA17-26A062AE90F4.jpeg