Stop by if your ever in the area as I am working on something automotive most weekends. A few other owners drop by with one BMW or another to perform a maintenance repair of need assistance with an issue or two. I swap efforts with a fellow "way too many" cars enthusiast who shares a common love for the brand. Once you master one repair it is easy to rinse and repeat on another E39 whether it is a 525, 528, 540, M5. I think we have done 10 fluid changes over the past few years.
coming up in May we will do the BMW car club concourse de excellence once again that is held in a Vienna VA area park.
Last edited by StephenVA; 04-24-2018 at 08:25 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
We will have to meet up one morning at the Cars and Coffee auto gathering that occurs every Saturday morning at Katie's in the town of Great Falls.http://katiescarsandcoffee.com/ This event on nice days draws approx 100-200 cars. Mostly nicer high end stuff ranging from prewar to "I just got my new Ferrari". Lots of variety a few odds and ends like the all Brass era Stanley Steamer, just restored high-end items, all the way down to young driver's new to them drivers. Always a few BMWs. I take my M5 out of sleep mode and show once a month or so. Nice people, always great viewing and conversations with fellow gear heads.
Need to be there EARLY to even get to park anywhere close. I get there before the sun comes up and I am one of the 30 or so owners watching the parade of cars coming in.
Last edited by StephenVA; 02-09-2017 at 10:12 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Stephen, we share the same name, dude! Is your M5 silver? If so, I've seen your car at Katie's, last time I went was last year, think it was early Fall, was a cold morning.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
That would be mine all nice and shiny (Dust free parking helps)
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Thanks for those tips guys. I will give those other products a try.
Yeah. That light pole. . . otherwise, amazing looking car !
I didn't make it to Katie's last year, however, I used to frequent regularly before I moved from Alexandria out to Winchester. I'm always in my garage tinkering on the weekends. Between fixing my friends cars to wrenching on my race car (e36 M3) it keeps me busy. I'd be down to do a wagon reunion at Katie's once it warms up! This spring my wagon is getting a lot of love...so looking forward to that project
Is your Wagon the one that was parked near the bank lot up on the hill at Katies one morning? Dinan parts and all? We share a common connection & shop owner Gary Martin at Martin Motorsports if that was you.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Finally upgraded the Angel Eyes to the better and a LOT Whiter 6000K ones.
Umnitza ICE Lite BMW LED Upgrade Angel Eyes (For E39/E60/E65)
https://www.umnitza.com/angel-eyes-b...9-e60-e65.html
Inexpensive, plug and play. No rewiring, NO baking open the headlamps, etc.
This was my third set from this company. Now my fleet look the same at night. Works as advertised, simple 5 Min plug in.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
https://www.amazon.com/Solution-Fini.../dp/B01B9ZICOK
This stuff is extremely durable and has the oem matte look. Been using it for years.
Thanks carlova. I keep staring at my not-so matte trim, and need warmer tempos to take on this project. This one is a bit more pricy. I just want the plastic to look sharper, even if it's twice the price of the other products.
Rebuilt the headlamps over the weekend, New adjusters following the instructions found in this DIY 2003 Sealed Headlamp Adjuster Replacement (NO CUTTING)
Had a real hard time installing the low beam adjuster until I realized why it would not move up to the adjustment screw, I had in facing the wrong way. Open side TOWARDS the bulbs! With that lesson learned the next headlamp took 2 hrs including washing all the dirt off and cleaning all the rubber seals. Ran it into my office underground parking lot and re aimed the headlamps on a lower level wall. Simple.
It was amazing how many broken pieces were floating around in the headlamps as one too many shops tried to realign the Lamps after one broke. When I got this wagon the H/L were aimed at the ground approx 6 feet in front of the vehicle. It made for interesting night time driving. You could overdrive the high beams at 40 MPH. Two fireflies in a jar hung on a pole in front of the car would have been better.
Links to the DIY: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...t-(no-cutting)
Parts
headlamp adjusters repair kits
Daybreaker bulbs
Last edited by StephenVA; 02-26-2017 at 03:44 PM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Man....I'm really glad you brought that thread forward. I read that a while back and knew I was gonna be on the search for it again soon. I need to rebuild mine. I can adjust one, but it seems as if fireflies in a jar might be on the plus side. I did the '97 a while back and they were easy and straight forward. (crazy as it may be...the little trim pieces on top of both headlamps are PERFECT on her car...lol...and the 03's are disassembling themselves). Back to the point...I asked my old dealer for the adjusters for the '03 lamps and he said they weren't offered....so I needed to dig into where I could by parts for the '03 xenons, just haven't done that yer. He said you could get them for the '02 xenons, but the '03 wasn't listed. I'm sure they are the same...again...dealer mentality....things got "replaced" not "fixed"...
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
I used these from ECS https://www.ecstuning.com/b-odometer...rs/e39hak~odo/
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
FWIW I tried the no-open ship-in-a-bottle approach and had no luck with it, and I am if I say so myself, not an un-handy un-dexterous guy. It was huge PITA misery and I eventually gave up and baked mine open (luckily I seem to have been just on the right side of the bake-able switchover...) Kinda worth it as you can also clean up dust and discoloration on the inside of the lights... as long as you can get them open that is..
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:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
No question that if the whole thing was open you could clean the lenses and all the dust parts floating around. I shook mine with the bulbs and sealing rings out for 3-5 mins covering the counter with white pieces of adjusters and there was still more tucked into the corners of the lenses that would not come out even with tapping.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
I'm gonna need more beer for this job.....
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
and LONG little girl fingers too!
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
...lol...totally !!! good thing my daughter is pretty handy. She's 8 and wants to help me with everything....she's damned crafty and mechanically inclined as well. I might have to sign her up for this one. She digs mechanical stuff and cars.....two summers ago we were at the go-kart track in Gatlinburg and she was passing her older brother yelling "you're doing great brother !!!" She kept lapping him....he's 6 years older...poor dude....
When her time comes she's the one that will be driving a 5spd e30 with headers and coil overs....but first she has to fix my xenons. hehehehe.....
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
totally agree - good tip !! It gives me a reason to go to HF....!!!
You might want to post that bit of info in that running thread about a cars and coffee meetup in PNW...hahahaha.....I'm sure plenty of those guys will take advantage of $6 hemostats...I see a 'group buy' thread coming from that crew lmao.....
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
Being totally anal and owning a few of these E39, It bugged me that the regular models did not have the nice strut tower cover caps that the M5 Model has so...
PN 31331090616 $3.67 later
- - - Updated - - -
Next Up: Wheels and Tire Upgrade. I know I know. A 2.5 can't even chirp the 245/45/17 you have now even going in a circle. But they are just sitting there waiting....
Last edited by StephenVA; 03-02-2017 at 06:58 PM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Still working on the third brake light issue. Need some assistance on wiring breakpoints, fuse location (if one) as I stripped off the wire tape and did not discover any individual wire insulation breakdown on the hinge areas as expected. Any thoughts on HLTBL (High Level Third Brake Light) not working diagnostic approaches, it would be welcomed in advance.
Current Status - all lights work at rear except the the high light. Testing the LED bar with a 12 volt source makes it illuminate. So the lens and light strip are good.
Last edited by StephenVA; 04-24-2018 at 08:27 AM.
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
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