any locals in the Wash DC area should come out for the BMW Car Club Concourse in Vienna VA http://forum.nccbmwcca.org/content.p...ance-Vienna-VA
I am bring my M5 for show and tell.
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
Nice car. Good to see someone really putting in work on their ride. It shows.
Sometimes I wish I had more time to dedicate to detailing my vehicles like that. I somewhat miss my younger days of spending all day detailing my cars. That's pretty much impossible for me these days without the wife and kids interrupting. LOL.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing where you go with this car...
Alvin Caragay
Mpire Automotive (https://www.facebook.com/MpireAutomotive/)
'96 AC Schnitzer S3 Sport CLS Replica (https://www.facebook.com/ACSS3SportCLSR)
'02 E39 540iAT
That reminds me...I need to renew my membership to the BMWCCA. I was a NCC member a LONG time ago (since like 1997 or so), but let my membership lapse a while back. Moved to SoCal in 2005, but relocated back to the Baltimore area about a year and a half ago....I think it might be time to renew my membership and start going to NCCBMWCCA events again. I think the last NCC event I went to was one of the Winter tours of PTG back in the day. That was probably in like 2003 or 2004...
Alvin Caragay
Mpire Automotive (https://www.facebook.com/MpireAutomotive/)
'96 AC Schnitzer S3 Sport CLS Replica (https://www.facebook.com/ACSS3SportCLSR)
'02 E39 540iAT
I have live by the rules of a clean car makes the trip nicer, makes you feel better, and it seems to run better 60%! All of my cars are like this even the daily drivers, yes even the minivan! Every trip all the trash comes out, rinse off after driving in the rain (especially Spring and Fall when all the trash is on the streets). I just get up early and clean them before the day starts. It is easy to keep a clean car clean. So much harder to clean a pig pen.
Tools required: Shop vac with power at finger tips, hose on a reel at your fingertips and everyone on the same page. You leave it in the car it finds its way to the trash can. Parental training IS A CONSTANT BATTLE. I am always amazed at those who drive a car that looks like a dumpster or a old gym locker.
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-15-2017 at 04:22 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
I did not realize that I had a brother !!! Holy cow I am just the same way....!!
You should see my pre-trip punch list. Leather treatment a week prior so the seats aren't sticky-ish from the Lexol for the wife and kids. Washed, waxed, headlamps buffed, shadowline trim waxed, windows cleaned inside and out, total vac job....select tools packed (anyone ever had a janked up window regulator while on the road...and fix it in the McD's parking lot while the wife and kids order a snack...??...because you were prepared !!!! ), 2 extra qts of oil, spare fuses, spare bulbs for all locations...even Xenons. fogs and dashboard backlight, all fluids topped, spare tire inflated to rear pressure specs for max vehicle load, small 1ft section of thick deck board that can go under the jack just in case the flat tire is on the right side of the car. Don't want the jack sinking into the soft stuff on the side of the highway. 17mm deep socket, breaker bar, torque wrench, gloves, and good pressure gauge (not the stick type). All items strategically tucked under the rear floor.
....it's really not too much work since I keep it nearly that way already....even being my DD. It's just solid prep work and forseeing an issue before it becomes one...
happy motoring StephenVA
"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
Man, I take the opposite approach. I just hit the road with only the most basic prep (making sure the oil level and tire pressures are right). If something breaks, chances are that it won't be fixable on the road without buying parts, so I don't really bring any tools. I daily drive my 540it and I drive it hard (at least two redlines a day, DSC lights always coming on) so if something were to break, chances are that it would break when I'm in town. Road trips really aren't that strenuous on a car since you're keeping the engine at a pretty steady RPM and not putting any real stress on the cooling system or brakes.
And there was also that time I did a road trip to the Grand Canyon in the middle of winter when everything there was covered in snow. I drove there in my 540it with summer tires and a bad driveshaft (it thumped heavily), with 5 people in the car. Some could say I'm careless, I just see it as being worry-free. Like what's the worst that'll happen? If the engine blows up I'll get a tow (AAA) and pop another one in for under $1000. Same with the transmission. I don't have kids and I don't particularly care about my job so even if I got stranded in the middle of nowhere for a week I'd be fine with it.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
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)
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Two redlines a day is not driving a car hard... lol
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Sometimes it takes a red line run just to keep up with the V8s idling away.
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
"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
Switch plates love it. There is a Rolls service dealer in New England that has everything done that way. My house too. Way too anal....
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
Installed the M5 wheels and tires. Off for a run up and down the hwys and byways to see how they track. These are "loaners" so we will see. Images later as I am off to a cars and coffee with fellow M5 owners this Sunday morning.
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
"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
Cars and Coffee day
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
Ran the M5 wheels and Goodyear F1 tires for 100 miles. So much more road noise that it takes away the quiet running place this cruiser has. So pulled them until another tire selection is mounted or I need to refinish the wagon wheels these things came with for '03. My personal choice will be Michelin PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ (W- OR Y-SPEED RATED) Ultra High Performance All-Season Size: 235/45ZR17 97Y XL, as I do not need super sticky gum balls for a 2.5 which can not even chirp the tires in the rain when power braked at a light. Note: the only time these tires chirp is when you run over a bird!
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-22-2017 at 06:28 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
I wonder what it would take for a 2.5 to do a burnout... I can easily do one with my 540it without even trying too hard.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
snow on the roads would be helpful....
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
Just a thought.....There's no questioning Michelin ride and quality....and if money were no object I think I would chose the Primacy MXM4 94W's for the best ride quality and wear characteristics. That's a damned good tire. I can't get a read on the A/S 3+'s....my money says those are going to get noisy...and they're not going to last that long. We'll see what real world use shows us.
I've been running the other white meat....the Conti's....on both of mine for some time. I didn't run the old hard contisports...which were harder than woodpecker lips, shagged up the edges fast, and got noisy quickly. I ran Michelin back then. But over the years, and as Conti continued to develop their tires, I started to see the treadwear comparable, the ride quality pretty darned good, and tire noise low. They flat-spot easier than the Michelins when sitting or when you've stopped for a bit during a hard run through the mountains. That goes away quickly as they warm or re-warm but If you have glass-ass then you'll pick that up with either the Michelins or the Conti's...some driver's won't ever notice it at all.
I started back with Contisport 2's...which I found pretty likeable....then the contisport 3's..which were even better and really dealt well with what the E39 can dish out to tires. Now I run the DWS06's. For the money, I really can't recommend a better tire. Experts may say you give up a bit of grip over the Michelins...(for example: just like on my bike...the Michelins give insane levels of grip...but when they let go...they let go big...the Dunlops slide easier and are more predictable...)...but for the street it's negligible. Just source the higher speed rated tire for the stiff sidewall. The other brands just don't seem to take the punishment of a heavy car with aggressive suspension settings and they shag up and get noisy. Typical wear is 2-to-1....two sets of rears to one set of fronts...and that holds true for the Michelins (and probably any other brand that is run on these cars...) This is my 3rd season on the fronts with no road noise....and it's a sport....new rears arrive tomorrow and get fitted next week after I get back from Watkins Glen.
anyways..thought I'd toss my $.02 in the ring fwiw
Car looks fantastic with the wheel set up btw....super sharp...!!! ...and watch out for those damned birds...hahaha... don't want to chirp the tires too much....
"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 currently have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 on the front and A/S 3 PLUS on the rear as that is the way it came. Totally quiet, no issues on handling (its a wagon for gods sake) Running the M5 wheels up and down a few twisties, The larger tires transforms the wagon, but this one is designed to be my Hwy cruiser and short runs for bus meetings. Now that the Michelin's are at 4-5-6 /32 range, I am thinking of either upgrading the wheels and tires or doing a refresh on the wheels and replacing the tires. The wagon spokes have grown on me especially now that I have clayed them twice and polished them with compound and added a few coats of wax. Nothing shines like HyperSilver paint with a buffed clear-coat finish.
Image below is from a BMW Cars and Coffee meet In May at BMW Sterling VA.
Last edited by StephenVA; 05-31-2017 at 02:17 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
Oil and filter changed out after 9 months and 4,000 miles. Got to pull the cross member to get this oil pan off. The pan gasket leaks are getting on my nerves. Oh, the leak is currently at 1Qt for 9 months/ 4K miles.
Oil of choice: Mobil 1 0-40W
Did a 560 mile run last month into upper NE PA, 28 MPG at 76 MPH. Quiet as a mouse. Total stealth car.
This car has the Dinan Level 1 software that makes the 4 sp trans always in the right gear at the right time, city, twisties, or hwy. Put this upgrade on your 6 banger wagon and you will be happy. Best bang for the buck on the 2.5 mouse motors. No there is no "big horsepower" gains, just smooth running.
Next up:
Brake upgrade to 530/540, complete overhaul of rear, lines, etc
Oil Pan
Third brake light issue
Last edited by StephenVA; 06-19-2017 at 11:41 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
The oil pan job really isn't all that bad if you can get it off the ground more than 2 feet. The only challenging thing I ran into was getting the steering linkage out mostly because I had about that much clearance from the ground. Subframe is easy to maneuver solo on a jack with a piece of 2x6. Securing the power steering pump away from that corner of the pan will save you some annoyance as well.
Last edited by WBAD530i; 06-21-2017 at 10:50 PM.
Thanks for the tips. It is on the list of "TO DOs" for this summer.
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
Alternator time. Battery light came on while driving back from a meeting. Tested battery 11 V charged up over night 12.7V start car, only drops, checked ground at battery = good, check cables good, volt drop test, all OK, Pull alternator and order one form FCPEuro. I had the Bosch 120 Amp mini air cooled unit 102K not bad. Now I get to clean another area under the hood.
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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