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Thread: Coj's E39 2003 daily runner thread.

  1. #1
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    Coj's E39 2003 daily runner thread.

    Hello,

    First hope this is allowed a few weeks back i got my first BMW a e39 2003 blue topaz, (which so far i'm loving), its a lot older then any car i owed before and got a. few issues which im hoping to get fixed along the way, hopefully with help from this forum, so instead of starting a new thread everytime i need to ask or show what i done to the car thought i would just make one thread and keep updating it. If this isn't allowed just delete it.

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...BGekttc1loVThn

    Since i bought the car i have replaced the angel eyes bulbs and main bean with LED which make the car look so much nicer with a. white light rather then the old style orange still need to do the full beam.

    Also i have changed the head unit which help from this forum to a xtrons win ce which is working out perfectly.
    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...N1bEJyVE1xN0Z3


    list of things that i think need to do: (any assistance would be greatly appreciated):

    • Headlights needs a solid cleaning:

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...lEUGp0ZUphUktR
    • Passenger window wont roll down (was working fine when bought the car, then had a bad freeze since then wont go down can hear it the motor go down and up but window doesn't move and i can slide the window down if i grab the pane of glass?)
    • rear drivers door wont open from the outside (works fine inside)
    • range issue: (when i start the car range says 20 miles then goes up to 60 miles and seems to move up and down randomly)
    • Xtrons unit came with revering camera which i still need to wire in
    • replace rear and front bumper
    • touch up scratches in multiple places
    Last edited by cf125; 12-21-2017 at 03:50 PM. Reason: added more things that need to be done

  2. #2
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    Which model or engine ? In the UK most likely 520d, 525i, or 530i?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by effduration View Post
    Which model or engine ? In the UK most likely 520d, 525i, or 530i?
    525D Sport

  4. #4
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    CF125, your post is fine. You can directly attach pics using the 3rd icon from the right. Use, from computer, choose file, then upload. After you see the pic displayed double click on it then pick out the Large option. Think the large option only works from a PC.
    Last edited by JimLev; 12-21-2017 at 10:00 AM.

  5. #5
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    Sounds like the window regulator on the passenger side went kaput.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by amancuso View Post
    Sounds like the window regulator on the passenger side went kaput.

    ok just watched a quick video about that seems like a lot of connectections to remove, any idea how much a garage would charge to do it for me?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by cf125 View Post
    ok just watched a quick video about that seems like a lot of connectections to remove, any idea how much a garage would charge to do it for me?
    I don't know costs in the UK. It's honestly not that difficult, you should give it a go.
    2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
    2016 428xi -Estoril Blue II/Black
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  8. #8
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    backup camera wiring will be a PITA if you want to use a camera that replaces one of the license plate lights. That's the best place for it however IMO. Problem will be fishing the camera wire down the rubber gaiter that protects the wiring going into the trunk (boot) lid itself. You will probably find those wires are ready to go anyway however (they break inside the gaiter over time due to repeated flexing), I ended up using one of the broken wires as a fish to pull through the camera cable and its replacement from top to bottom. I just soldered everything together at the top to make a strong and compact connection (didn't want it pulling apart halfway through). That worked pretty much perfectly.
    Last edited by sleuth255; 12-22-2017 at 09:16 PM.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by sleuth255 View Post
    backup camera wiring will be a PITA if you want to use a camera that replaces one of the license plate lights. That's the best place for it however IMO. Problem will be fishing the camera wire down the rubber gaiter that protects the wiring going into the trunk (boot) lid itself. You will probably find those wires are ready to go anyway however (they break inside the gaiter over time due to repeated flexing), I ended up using one of the broken wires as a fish to pull through the camera cable and its replacement from top to bottom. I just soldered everything together at the top to make a strong and compact connection (didn't want it pulling apart halfway through). That worked pretty much perfectly.
    haha already given up however i found this http://xtrons.co.uk/txrea-2-4g-wirel...g-cameras.html which looks a lot easier and £15 im thinking well worth it.

  10. #10
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    ok so an unexpected issue went out to the car on new years eve and the exhaust was on the ground, managed to bungee cord it up along with a cable tie, gonna take it to a garage tomorrow to hopefully you weld it back into place, but any idea?

    IMG-20171231-WA0004.jpg

  11. #11
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    ok, so after a £40 unexpected welding job to get the exhaust remounted the car is up and running again.

    One thing i do want to ask if my car is saying its getting around 25.6mpg is that good for this car and age. also my miles to go seems to be changing a lot for example i start the car and it will stat 22 miles to go then drive for 5 mins and stat 85 miles and so on. any idea what could be causing this?

  12. #12
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    mine has gotten about 25 around town and 30 on the highway since I bought it in 2003. Not sure what stats you are talking about but on mine, MPG 1 and MPG 2 show average MPG since the last reset.

  13. #13
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    If you're talking about the range indicator, if your fuel tank capacity is low and you transfer from in-town driving to highway cruising, the range will increase because of the increase in fuel mileage.
    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.

  14. #14
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    ok so today i received my modlight2 from https://modbmw.com/shop/modlight2/ gonna attempt to install tomorrow anyone instlled one before and any tips seems easiest enough, but do i need to disconnet the battery?

  15. #15
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    I've heard about the mod light. Hope you enjoy.
    2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
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    2018 430iC- Estoril Blue II/Black
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by cf125 View Post
    ok so today i received my modlight2 from https://modbmw.com/shop/modlight2/ gonna attempt to install tomorrow anyone instlled one before and any tips seems easiest enough, but do i need to disconnet the battery?
    Probably not, but it wouldn’t hurt, either.
    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.

  17. #17
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    ok so i made my first attempt at wiring it but nothing, i think i got the right cable for the canbus and the right cable for the 12v not sure about earth any tips on spotting the ground cable without a multimeter??

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by cf125 View Post
    ok so i made my first attempt at wiring it but nothing, i think i got the right cable for the canbus and the right cable for the 12v not sure about earth any tips on spotting the ground cable without a multimeter??
    Brown is always ground in BMWs. The Ibus cable should be white with yellow dots/dashes, I think.
    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.

  19. #19
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    update on the modlights all connected now, figured out the cd changer which has been removed has all the cables i needed to tapped into them and working fine now will upload a video soon, just need to get the headlights restored now (any tips greatly apprecaited)

    however a orange oil light came on today so i checked the oil and seriously low so im thinking of purchasing https://www.pipercrossperformanceoil...e-5w40-5-litre is this the right on and best one, im based in the UK

  20. #20
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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.

  21. #21
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    ok so update on the car, i followed the insturctions on that video but no luck (maybe made it worse) found someone to do it for £40 so im gonna get them to do it.

    i also did a mot check on the gov.uk website and it stated it had a outstanding recall so i called BMW and they confirmed it has a outstanding recall on the drivers air bag and i need to take it in, so booked in for Tuesday (probably oldest car BMW williams are gonna work on all week ha)

  22. #22
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    If it looks worse, then you messed up somewhere. You likely didn't sand enough, or didn't polish enough. It's a lot of elbow grease.
    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.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by computiNATEor View Post
    If it looks worse, then you messed up somewhere. You likely didn't sand enough, or didn't polish enough. It's a lot of elbow grease.

    oh yeah i will admit its my fault maybe i should of waited for summer to try it either way, £40 to do both headlights and he will come to me seems fair, so next payday job.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by cf125 View Post
    oh yeah i will admit its my fault maybe i should of waited for summer to try it either way, £40 to do both headlights and he will come to me seems fair, so next payday job.
    Very fair price.
    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.

  25. #25
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    ok so took the car back to BMW Williams, swapped the air bag and gave the car a visual inspection and came back with the following jobs need doing:
    o/s antiroll bar link worn £64.80
    both rear top ball joint boots split (no price given)

    how much you guys (experts) reckon these jobs would cost me at a back street garage.

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