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

  1. #10151
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    2001 BMW 530i 5-speed
    I replaced the windshield washer concentrate pump on my E39 530i. I even mated some new tubing to the old brittle plastic. Here's praying that the zip tie holds. I'm pretty proud that this thing is finally not leaking.

  2. #10152
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrakAttack View Post
    I replaced the windshield washer concentrate pump on my E39 530i. I even mated some new tubing to the old brittle plastic. Here's praying that the zip tie holds. I'm pretty proud that this thing is finally not leaking.
    Once it starts to crumble, the rest won’t be far behind.
    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

  3. #10153
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    This wasn't today, but yesterday when I and a couple of friends went to the LA Auto Show:

    IMG_3944.jpg

    I installed some SilverVision bulbs in the taillight housings today. I also shot photos of my 530i5 for the sales listing.

    _MG_3182.jpg
    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

  4. #10154
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    No tags on the M5?
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  5. #10155
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty View Post
    No tags on the M5?
    I literally have not had time. I worked ~65 hours last week between two jobs. I have to get the car smogged, which is ~2 hours at a mechanic's that's only open on weekdays, and I just started a new job, so I shouldn't really take time off right now. Yesterday was my first full day off in 3 weeks, basically since I returned to California with the car.

    If anyone asks, I only brought the car to California a week ago. I don't have to have tags until it's been here a month.
    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

  6. #10156
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    ’02 M5, ‘03 540, ‘98 M3
    Polished headlights and completed high and low beam adjuster fix on both lights. Ill never do that again as long as i live.
    2002 M5 Sterling Gray (88k)
    Dinan mufflers and intake, ZHP shift knob, E60 shifter, Ground Control coilovers
    Restoration in progress!

    2021 M340i (25k)

    Sold!
    2003 540i MSport 6sp Tit Silver (193k)
    Dinan Exhaust, Autosolutions SSK, 88C Thermostat, Koni's, BlueBus, BavSound, DUDMD Stage 2, AFE CAI

    Sold!
    Aavi's 98 M3/4/5 Cosmos (137k)
    TMS Stage 3 with Shrick cams, Shorty headers and tune, M50, Stromung, 8.5 LTW's squared, PFC-Z, 3.38, Bosch H1's with city lights, CD43, BSW Stage 1, BMS SSK, TMS Underdrive Pulleys, Sunroof Eclipse, LeatherZ gauge pack


    BMW CCA# 308494


  7. #10157
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    Quote Originally Posted by BAM3 View Post
    Polished headlights and completed high and low beam adjuster fix on both lights. Ill never do that again as long as i live.
    Did you do it for the ones without the removable lenses? or were you able to bake them?

    I'm assuming it took a long time because you did it to the ones without the removable front lenses...

    How long did it take you and which tutorial did you follow??
    2019 X3 M40i Glacier Silver
    -stock

    2003 540iT Titanium Silver
    -Dinan Exhaust

    2003 325i 5-speed Japanrot
    -BMW Performance Intake
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  8. #10158
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    Why do you kids always assume that a tutorial was followed??? You’ve never done something and figured it out for yourselves? Man, you kids wouldn’t have lasted a week back in the days before the internet....
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  9. #10159
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty View Post
    Why do you kids always assume that a tutorial was followed??? You’ve never done something and figured it out for yourselves? Man, you kids wouldn’t have lasted a week back in the days before the internet....

    LOL, Snotty do you have a write up on how to post stupid questions and not make it look like I don't know squat.

  10. #10160
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    No assumptions made, nothing wrong with following a tutorial. The guy said it took a very long time so i was just wondering if he followed a write up or not. Some of them are better written than others.

    That's the whole point of these forums right? They spread knowledge, filter information and make owning these cars easier.

    True, back in the days before internet, it was a lot harder to work on these cars, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
    2019 X3 M40i Glacier Silver
    -stock

    2003 540iT Titanium Silver
    -Dinan Exhaust

    2003 325i 5-speed Japanrot
    -BMW Performance Intake
    -Dinan exhaust

  11. #10161
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    LOL, Snotty do you have a write up on how to post stupid questions and not make it look like I don't know squat.
    Actually I do.... I wrote about it right before the internet came to be...
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  12. #10162
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    Quote Originally Posted by Olly84 View Post
    No assumptions made, nothing wrong with following a tutorial. The guy said it took a very long time so i was just wondering if he followed a write up or not. Some of them are better written than others.

    That's the whole point of these forums right? They spread knowledge, filter information and make owning these cars easier.

    True, back in the days before internet, it was a lot harder to work on these cars, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
    All this knowledge at your fingertips, and still you kids need help. I was generous at giving you a week, changed my mind, I give you a day. It wasn’t any harder to work on these cars back then either.... Don’t get all upset, just an anthropological observation of you youngans...
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  13. #10163
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    98 M3, 03 540it M-Sport
    Reuphostered my A pillars. It just feels better to not look at the pillars that are peeled back.
    '98 M3 5spd - '03 540it 6spd M-Sport

  14. #10164
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty View Post
    All this knowledge at your fingertips, and still you kids need help. I was generous at giving you a week, changed my mind, I give you a day. It wasn’t any harder to work on these cars back then either.... Don’t get all upset, just an anthropological observation of you youngans...
    Oh no no, not upset at all. Your insult was predicated on the assumption that i was trying to pump him for information on how to do the diy. I just wanted to correct that.

    2nd part well, that was an anthropological observation of you old timers.

    2019 X3 M40i Glacier Silver
    -stock

    2003 540iT Titanium Silver
    -Dinan Exhaust

    2003 325i 5-speed Japanrot
    -BMW Performance Intake
    -Dinan exhaust

  15. #10165
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    Correction,..... Half a day.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  16. #10166
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    E85 Z4M, E39 540i/6 & M5

    M5

    Took my e39 M5 in to the dealer for a recall and state inspection and they said "its in very good condition, but you should probably address these things"

    unbelievable amount of money to do these few things and I cant believe that they said it with a straight face.

    Enjoy...

    Also, one more thing...Dif fluid must get dirty really quick, because 25 miles ago I put Royal Purple in it.

    m5_1.pngM5_2.pngM5_3.png

  17. #10167
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    Quote Originally Posted by BAM3 View Post
    Polished headlights and completed high and low beam adjuster fix on both lights. Ill never do that again as long as i live.
    Must have used the 'ship in a bottle' method on the adjusters. It's quite therapeutic.
    2003 540i/6

  18. #10168
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    Quote Originally Posted by waters17 View Post
    Must have used the 'ship in a bottle' method on the adjusters. It's quite therapeutic.
    I did mine on my m5 which I could bake open, I also have a 2003 540i and after doing it by baking it open on the M5, I realized that it would be impossible to do by not baking.

    So I’m going to cut two little holes and then glue the plastic back into the holes.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  19. #10169
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    Quote Originally Posted by SixSpeedManual View Post
    I did mine on my m5 which I could bake open, I also have a 2003 540i and after doing it by baking it open on the M5, I realized that it would be impossible to do by not baking.

    So I’m going to cut two little holes and then glue the plastic back into the holes.
    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    It's totally possible without baking open or cutting anything. It takes a long time to do it without cutting or baking though. I think it took me 1.5 hours for each light. I used various long tools. It was like building a ship in a bottle.
    2003 540i/6

  20. #10170
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    Quote Originally Posted by waters17 View Post
    Must have used the 'ship in a bottle' method on the adjusters. It's quite therapeutic.
    That is exactly the method I used. Spent all weekend working on it. Finally decided to cut two small access holes to finish the high beam adjusters. Good thing I did because I'm convinced what I was trying to do was near impossible. The internal wires for the angel eyes were running in such a way that access to the last adjuster retaining screw was blocked.

    If I had to do it again, I would have cut the holes to begin with and finished the whole job in a fifth of the time.


    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    2002 M5 Sterling Gray (88k)
    Dinan mufflers and intake, ZHP shift knob, E60 shifter, Ground Control coilovers
    Restoration in progress!

    2021 M340i (25k)

    Sold!
    2003 540i MSport 6sp Tit Silver (193k)
    Dinan Exhaust, Autosolutions SSK, 88C Thermostat, Koni's, BlueBus, BavSound, DUDMD Stage 2, AFE CAI

    Sold!
    Aavi's 98 M3/4/5 Cosmos (137k)
    TMS Stage 3 with Shrick cams, Shorty headers and tune, M50, Stromung, 8.5 LTW's squared, PFC-Z, 3.38, Bosch H1's with city lights, CD43, BSW Stage 1, BMS SSK, TMS Underdrive Pulleys, Sunroof Eclipse, LeatherZ gauge pack


    BMW CCA# 308494


  21. #10171
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by SixSpeedManual View Post
    Took my e39 M5 in to the dealer for a recall and state inspection and they said "its in very good condition, but you should probably address these things"

    unbelievable amount of money to do these few things and I cant believe that they said it with a straight face.

    Enjoy...

    Also, one more thing...Dif fluid must get dirty really quick, because 25 miles ago I put Royal Purple in it.
    OK I was prepared to rag on you for being either 1. generally whiny and unrealistic about E39 maintenance or 2. naive about dealer pricing but... Yeah. Gotta give it to ya. That's some pretty boosted quotes.

    Some of them aren't that bad, as in "yeah seems like usual dealer-pain pricing", and if you know a few things kinda have an explanation. The undertray is one... for instance because I know the current price on them has continued to go up since BMW knows they are needed but doesn't give a crap about the maintenance cost of cars that are this old, and, there's no decent non-factory part, so, a giant chunk of that is the ahem 'legit' so to speak dealer part price. The 'recondition wheels' items aren't that bad... I mean again its dealer pricing so 2x street price at a wheel place, but... that's to be expected and honestly $200 for a dealer to refin a wheel sounds about right.

    Others ARE that bad or worse. Good example is the washer pump "double counting" They are fully prepared to double charge you all the "disassembly and setup" costs for tearing the passenger wheel well apart and putting it back together again TWICE. I guess their SOP on that is to take the wheel off, fender liners out, pull out the tank, replace it, put all the bad/leaky pumps back in, then reassemble the wheel well, put the car on the ground, then do it over again to then replace the pumps themselves and the grommets that hold them.

    Re: the diff - well, thats probably them seeing the dark purple color and not knowing its supposed to be that way... so... maybe I don't nail them for that either.

    Unless that is, they never actually looked at the fluids and all that stuff is typical "Tell the Rubes it needs all this, we don't have to actually look at the fluid..." Surprising they haven't mentioned the transmission fluid, oh, right, that's "LIFETIME FILL". Wait, so is the diff!?!? Somebody needs to tell that dealer if he's gonna gouge for diff changes, he's missing a whole revenue stream on transmission fluid! (and that's even more likely to be something the customer might actually benefit from!)
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

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  22. #10172
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty View Post
    Why do you kids always assume that a tutorial was followed??? You’ve never done something and figured it out for yourselves? Man, you kids wouldn’t have lasted a week back in the days before the internet....
    LOL ! Awesome !

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by SixSpeedManual View Post
    Took my e39 M5 in to the dealer for a recall and state inspection and they said "its in very good condition, but you should probably address these things"

    unbelievable amount of money to do these few things and I cant believe that they said it with a straight face.

    Enjoy...

    Also, one more thing...Dif fluid must get dirty really quick, because 25 miles ago I put Royal Purple in it.

    m5_1.pngM5_2.pngM5_3.png
    LOL !
    They must want you to bend over ... LOL.

    Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …

  23. #10173
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jason5driver View Post
    LOL ! Awesome !

    - - - Updated - - -


    LOL !
    They must want you to bend over ... LOL.
    And bring your own KY stuff.
    Love how they always tack on Shop Fees. You'd think that after gouging you $10K they would be kissing your butt.
    Surprised there was no mention of replacing the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, etc with the rear main seal job.

  24. #10174
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    And bring your own KY stuff.
    Love how they always tack on Shop Fees. You'd think that after gouging you $10K they would be kissing your butt.
    Surprised there was no mention of replacing the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, etc with the rear main seal job.
    I have the clutch kit sitting on my office floor, along with various seals. The RMN is barely leaking, but the clutch is definitely on its last leg.

    400$ to replace the rear sway bar bushings? This is literally a 30 minute job, with 15 of those minute putting the rear on jack stands.

    1100$ to replace the windshield washer tank and headlight washer pump? Are you sick?!

    2000$ to replace the seals on the dif?! HUH

    $1850 for two thrust arm bushings!?

    $250 for an alignment?! Are you corner balancing the car as well?


    $750 for 60$ in fluids and probably 2 hrs of work....
    $250 for a coolant flush?
    $250 for a brake flush?
    $250 for a power steering flush?

    I guess thats why they are called stealerships.

  25. #10175
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    Nate J.

    (oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
    Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
    (eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
    Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-

    RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
    Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
    Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
    Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.

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