MotorMouth93's 2003 540i/6 Quasi-Restoration Build Thread

[joeappel]

That's a great tip on the seat cushion repair. Replacing mine is near the top of my to-do list.

[MotorMouth93]

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[MotorMouth93]

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[zM3]

Nice improvement on the trim...what did you use for the cutting and polishing steps? I have no experience polishing trim but the trim in my 540i has some scratches that I'd like to remove. Thanks -

[MotorMouth93]

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[MotorMouth93]

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[JimLev]

While I'm on that topic though, how long does the rear suspension typically last before it needs to be overhauled? I haven't noticed any noises or anything coming from back there but if it usually goes out around 100k as well I'll start planning on that job too.

I'm at 159K now, the only thing on the rear I've replaced are a few of the boots on the arms (they always seem to rot), the sway bar and bushings (Eibach), springs and shocks.
I had new ball joints on the shelf for the last 5+ years. The original ones still seem good, but I'll probably just change them sometime soon.

[dannyzabolotny]

I replaced the rear control arms on my 540it at like 195k miles and honestly they were not that bad. I think the rear doesn't wear as quickly as the front since the wheels don't turn and receive most of the braking force like the fronts. For the rears I'd wait until you either hear noises or feel a noticeable looseness in the back.

[philly98540]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_0519

In the rear, it usually item 2, and sometimes 18, and 14. To check for play in item 2, safely support car on stands and have a helper hold the wheel at 12 and 6 o-clock and push in and out with some strong force and observe the joint closely. Any play is a failure. For 18 and 14, do some pry forces or have the helper push in/out on the wheel while you observe for play in the ball joints.

The arm, item 8, is usually fine.

[vien]

I'm at 159K now, the only thing on the rear I've replaced are a few of the boots on the arms (they always seem to rot), the sway bar and bushings (Eibach), springs and shocks.
I had new ball joints on the shelf for the last 5+ years. The original ones still seem good, but I'll probably just change them sometime soon.

damn im at 227k and counting lol

[MotorMouth93]

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[dannyzabolotny]

Nicely done! That's why I always strongly encourage people to do their Vanos seals when doing the chain guides. It's not worth saving a few bucks on it because you'll end up regretting it and redoing it down the line.

[MotorMouth93]

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[JimLev]

Look at it this way.....you got to time the motor 2 times and now your a pro.

[TiesTorN]

haven't read the entire topic but one thing caught my eye on your car. if you're still using original msport shocks, it's high time to replace them. rear of the car looks sagged. same thing happened with my msport 540i, replaced all 4 of them with oe sachs m (v2) shocks and the car rose up substantially, especially the rear.

[MotorMouth93]

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[TiesTorN]

Yeah the shocks/springs are original and the car is definitely starting to sag in the rear. Question for those more experienced with this platform: is sagging due to the shocks, springs, or both? In the Honda world I'm used to, sagging suspension is usually caused by bad springs.

at first I also thought maybe it's because of the springs, but no... sagging is definitely because of shocks (and the spring pads). I experienced it first hand, and my friend also experienced it on his E38. new shocks with new spring pads raises the car back to its original state.

[MotorMouth93]

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[dannyzabolotny]

I'd go with Koni shocks then, they're a lot cheaper and ride pretty nicely. It's not worth paying $2000 for just shocks.

[TiesTorN]

interesting... I've bought my "msport suspension II" last month (all 4 of them) for a total of only $800. it was sachs brand (which is OE)

this is how my rear looks with them;

sachs.jpg

it was almost an inch lower before replacing.

[JimLev]

interesting... I've bought my "msport suspension II" last month (all 4 of them) for a total of only $800. it was sachs brand (which is OE)

this is how my rear looks with them;

sachs.jpg

it was almost an inch lower before replacing.

Maybe it's the angle to pic was take, looks like your ready to go 4 wheeling off road.

[TiesTorN]

Maybe it's the angle to pic was take, looks like your ready to go 4 wheeling off road.

lol it's probably because of the angle, I haven't done any modding. everything is original.

[MotorMouth93]

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[TiesTorN]

well mine are sachs msport2/m5 I'm sure of it, it came with a user manual inside. I wish I'd taken picture of it before they threw it in garbage...

when I bought this car 3 years ago with msport1 shocks height was almost the same. it mostly sagged in the last year.

I'll try to take another pic of whole car from another angle asap.

[MotorMouth93]

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