BMW E39 540i Shed and a half budget
Discussion
skeeterm5 said:
I owned a 540 with the M sport body kit on back in the day. A lovely looking car and went well too.
The only problem I had with it was the top hose connector on the radiator split and dumped the coolant. Googling showed it to be a common issue but an upgraded radiator fixed it. Worth checking on yours that the welds all look good.
Yh, I was expecting to do all that when I went to view the car but the whole cooling system (rad, header tank, hoses and water pump) had either been replaced last year or looked in great condition. Hasn't used a drop of coolant, or any other fuild for that matter in the time I've had it. Just litres of washer fluid over winterThe only problem I had with it was the top hose connector on the radiator split and dumped the coolant. Googling showed it to be a common issue but an upgraded radiator fixed it. Worth checking on yours that the welds all look good.
d_a_n1979 said:
Great to see an E39 being saved like this; my tenure with my Jap import 540i Sport saloon was short; but it was a fun time
Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
I was thinking it was quite cool to keep the history of the car all in one place Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
REUBS1215 said:
carinaman said:
Looking good on the Style 49s and loving the reflection off of the top of the C pillar and rear wing.
Certainly looks a lot less luxo barge compared to when it was sporting the 33s hahaLike driving round on 4 balloons
REUBS1215 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great to see an E39 being saved like this; my tenure with my Jap import 540i Sport saloon was short; but it was a fun time
Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
I was thinking it was quite cool to keep the history of the car all in one place Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
Have you any plans for it?
REUBS1215 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great to see an E39 being saved like this; my tenure with my Jap import 540i Sport saloon was short; but it was a fun time
Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
I was thinking it was quite cool to keep the history of the car all in one place Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
'Six Fiend' , Pete Hatch, was a dear friend to me & some quite several people here: fabulous company, a true petrolhead -and so sadly, is no longer with us ...& I know he'd be /giggling/, in his own inimitable way, to know his 540 was back in the PH fold - and being enjoyed.
Now - for the new owner - some pics on the other side of that Nov 2015 post, previous page.
You really /do/ need to reinstate the '520' badge Pete fitted, becos 'Sixfiend':
[url]
/202404247046693[/url]
28nov 2015, verso:
Things getting, ahem, / blurry / on the Keynsham Bypass: bumps, not speeeeed , officer...:
Vale, old friend:
Edited by Huff on Wednesday 24th April 19:44
Huff said:
REUBS1215 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great to see an E39 being saved like this; my tenure with my Jap import 540i Sport saloon was short; but it was a fun time
Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
I was thinking it was quite cool to keep the history of the car all in one place Get your own fresh Readers Car thread going; it'll soon have plenty of followers
'Six Fiend' , Pete Hatch, was a dear friend to me & some quite several people here: fabulous company, a true petrolhead -and so sadly, is no longer with us ...& I know he'd be /giggling/, in his own inimitable way, to know his 540 was back in the PH fold - and being enjoyed.
Now - for the new owner - some pics on the other side of that Nov 2015 post, previous page.
You really /do/ need to reinstate the '520' badge Pete fitted, becos 'Sixfiend':
[url]
/202404247046693[/url]
28nov 2015, verso:
Things getting, ahem, / blurry / on the Keynsham Bypass: bumps, not speeeeed , officer...:
Vale, old friend:
Edited by Huff on Wednesday 24th April 19:44
Huff said:
..you can do such misbadging on these pre-facelift cars, because the exhaust turns-down behind the valance/ isn't visible from behind; that and the 'small' wheels + standard GIngicators..
Yeah: much fun was had.
; )
Exactly! The Sport all had the same exhaust tip IIRC - so unbadged you never knew which engine it had...Yeah: much fun was had.
; )
But agree; an SE with the rear bumper, no exhaust showing and on 16s with a huge V8 would be fun
Decent tyres and brakes and away you go 
Thank you Huff for sharing more of 'S6X's history. I'm sorry to hear that Pete's no longer with us, but I hope a few of you'll be pleased to know my thoughts for the 540i is to continueing playing to it's strengths. It's a specification of a by gone-era, understated SE trim exterior but with all the perfomance and suspension available outside of the M5.
My current thoughts for the car are to keep it as a completely useable and comfortable fast road car. I've found the e39 a great chassis and as much as the later sport / m-sports with the deeper bumpers and halolights still look equally fantastic and menacing. The pre-facelift, chinless, 'gingercator' models look like disarming classics to me, in it's current de-baged form I get regularly tailgated by all sorts until they disappear out of the mirrors with the subtlest lean on the right pedal.
As for specifics; I'm hopefully picking up the refurbed style 49s wrapped in larger and higher profile Michelin Pilot Sport 5s today, and as I'm sure the mint wheels will highlight more than ever the rest of the car's flaws I'm taking the car to a couple of my preferred shops to get the bumpers and boot lid resprayed. After that a full mechanical polish on top and rust treatment/protection underneath (actually it's still remarkably rust-free). After the bodywork I want to tackle the fun bits, I think the car would be really beneift from an LSD and some fresh bilstein dampers.
Talking of the badge; a couple of mates and I have grown up in London around the infamy of the e39 m5 badged as a 520i, although icompared to the 540i the quad pipes and rear defuser always gave it away as something more special. So I've actually already thought of sticking a correct e39 520i badge on it but I quite like the guesswork it prompts atm, I'll thinking about it again after the bodyworks sorted no doubt!
Thanks again for providing more insight into the previously life of the car!
My current thoughts for the car are to keep it as a completely useable and comfortable fast road car. I've found the e39 a great chassis and as much as the later sport / m-sports with the deeper bumpers and halolights still look equally fantastic and menacing. The pre-facelift, chinless, 'gingercator' models look like disarming classics to me, in it's current de-baged form I get regularly tailgated by all sorts until they disappear out of the mirrors with the subtlest lean on the right pedal.
As for specifics; I'm hopefully picking up the refurbed style 49s wrapped in larger and higher profile Michelin Pilot Sport 5s today, and as I'm sure the mint wheels will highlight more than ever the rest of the car's flaws I'm taking the car to a couple of my preferred shops to get the bumpers and boot lid resprayed. After that a full mechanical polish on top and rust treatment/protection underneath (actually it's still remarkably rust-free). After the bodywork I want to tackle the fun bits, I think the car would be really beneift from an LSD and some fresh bilstein dampers.
Talking of the badge; a couple of mates and I have grown up in London around the infamy of the e39 m5 badged as a 520i, although icompared to the 540i the quad pipes and rear defuser always gave it away as something more special. So I've actually already thought of sticking a correct e39 520i badge on it but I quite like the guesswork it prompts atm, I'll thinking about it again after the bodyworks sorted no doubt!
Thanks again for providing more insight into the previously life of the car!
Edited by REUBS1215 on Thursday 25th April 08:20
REUBS1215 said:
Thank you Huff for sharing more of 'S6X's history. I'm sorry to hear that Pete's no longer with us, but I hope a few of you'll be pleased to know my thoughts for the 540i is to continueing playing to it's strengths. It's a specification of a by gone-era, understated SE trim exterior but with all the perfomance and suspension available outside of the M5.
My current thoughts for the car are to keep it as a completely useable and comfortable fast road car. I've found the e39 a great chassis and as much as the later sport / m-sports with the deeper bumpers and halolights still look equally fantastic and menacing. The pre-facelift, chinless, 'gingercator' models look like disarming classics to me, in it's current de-baged form I get regularly tailgated by all sorts until they disappear out of the mirrors with the subtlest lean on the right pedal.
As for specifics; I'm hopefully picking up the refurbed style 49s wrapped in larger and higher profile Michelin Pilot Sport 5s today, and as I'm sure the mint wheels will highlight more than ever the rest of the car's flaws I'm taking the car to a couple of my preferred shops to get the bumpers and boot lid resprayed. After that a full mechanical polish on top and rust treatment/protection underneath (actually it's still remarkably rust-free). After the bodywork I want to tackle the fun bits, I think the car would be really beneift from an LSD and some fresh bilstein dampers.
Talking of the badge; a couple of mates and I have grown up in London around the infamy of the e39 m5 badged as a 520i, although icompared to the 540i the quad pipes and rear defuser always gave it away as something more special. So I've actually already thought of sticking a correct e39 520i badge on it but I quite like the guesswork it prompts atm, I'll thinking about it again after the bodyworks sorted no doubt!
Thanks again for providing more insight into the previously life of the car!
That sounds like a superb plan...My current thoughts for the car are to keep it as a completely useable and comfortable fast road car. I've found the e39 a great chassis and as much as the later sport / m-sports with the deeper bumpers and halolights still look equally fantastic and menacing. The pre-facelift, chinless, 'gingercator' models look like disarming classics to me, in it's current de-baged form I get regularly tailgated by all sorts until they disappear out of the mirrors with the subtlest lean on the right pedal.
As for specifics; I'm hopefully picking up the refurbed style 49s wrapped in larger and higher profile Michelin Pilot Sport 5s today, and as I'm sure the mint wheels will highlight more than ever the rest of the car's flaws I'm taking the car to a couple of my preferred shops to get the bumpers and boot lid resprayed. After that a full mechanical polish on top and rust treatment/protection underneath (actually it's still remarkably rust-free). After the bodywork I want to tackle the fun bits, I think the car would be really beneift from an LSD and some fresh bilstein dampers.
Talking of the badge; a couple of mates and I have grown up in London around the infamy of the e39 m5 badged as a 520i, although icompared to the 540i the quad pipes and rear defuser always gave it away as something more special. So I've actually already thought of sticking a correct e39 520i badge on it but I quite like the guesswork it prompts atm, I'll thinking about it again after the bodyworks sorted no doubt!
Thanks again for providing more insight into the previously life of the car!
Edited by REUBS1215 on Thursday 25th April 08:20
i'd offer up that for me, the E39 rides better on Sachs sport spec shocks than it does Bilstein; they're very firm whereas the Sachs got their weighting right, if that makes sense?
Sachs part numbers would be 556838 fronts and 170857 for the rears; that's for the Sport spec; they'll worth with OEM BMW Sport springs or the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs, but on an SE that'd really drop the ride height
They're exactly what I fitted to a previous Jap import 540i Sport I had and they made a superb different to the ride & handling:
The full sale is here still on Car & Classic for pictures/reference etc: https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-54...
I wonder if the Sachs shocks / maybe the Bilstein B4 shocks (if you can get them still for the E39) would work well with the SE springs? I'm not sure but could be worth investigating
A sad tale but with a good twist folks! I also did the Sachs sports dampers with Lesjfor sports springs (all oe spec) on my SE touring and they work brilliantly. Good ride quality but far more sure footed on the road. I also changed the wheels from SE 16" to BBS RC090 17" with Falken rubber. That fills out the arches nicely but still plenty of side wall for comfort.
Cheers
Cheers
Only took the 3 days to acid dip, shot blast, straighten and triple powdercoat the style 49s. Very happy with the quality of service \i got at JR Auto Centre in Wembley. So quick in fact the centre caps still haven't turned up and I'm loathed to pop the old scabby ones back in...
Rims are now BBS Silver, which I think a very subtle improvement over OE Brilliant Silver.
Trundled the 7 miles home and rides extremely well on the slightly fatter and taller 245/45r17 Michelin PS5. Might have to go for a little run out this weekend to double check tho
Rims are now BBS Silver, which I think a very subtle improvement over OE Brilliant Silver.
Trundled the 7 miles home and rides extremely well on the slightly fatter and taller 245/45r17 Michelin PS5. Might have to go for a little run out this weekend to double check tho
d_a_n1979 said:
That sounds like a superb plan...
i'd offer up that for me, the E39 rides better on Sachs sport spec shocks than it does Bilstein; they're very firm whereas the Sachs got their weighting right, if that makes sense?
Sachs part numbers would be 556838 fronts and 170857 for the rears; that's for the Sport spec; they'll worth with OEM BMW Sport springs or the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs, but on an SE that'd really drop the ride height
They're exactly what I fitted to a previous Jap import 540i Sport I had and they made a superb different to the ride & handling:
The full sale is here still on Car & Classic for pictures/reference etc: https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-54...
I wonder if the Sachs shocks / maybe the Bilstein B4 shocks (if you can get them still for the E39) would work well with the SE springs? I'm not sure but could be worth investigating
Yh so as previously discussed nearly 9 years ago this ones an odd spec; all the sports pack extras ticked but still on the SE wheels and bodykit. i'd offer up that for me, the E39 rides better on Sachs sport spec shocks than it does Bilstein; they're very firm whereas the Sachs got their weighting right, if that makes sense?
Sachs part numbers would be 556838 fronts and 170857 for the rears; that's for the Sport spec; they'll worth with OEM BMW Sport springs or the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs, but on an SE that'd really drop the ride height
They're exactly what I fitted to a previous Jap import 540i Sport I had and they made a superb different to the ride & handling:
The full sale is here still on Car & Classic for pictures/reference etc: https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-54...
I wonder if the Sachs shocks / maybe the Bilstein B4 shocks (if you can get them still for the E39) would work well with the SE springs? I'm not sure but could be worth investigating
So car has the sports suspension and seats all hidden behind big bumpers and spongy tyres
stickylabels said:
A sad tale but with a good twist folks! I also did the Sachs sports dampers with Lesjfor sports springs (all oe spec) on my SE touring and they work brilliantly. Good ride quality but far more sure footed on the road. I also changed the wheels from SE 16" to BBS RC090 17" with Falken rubber. That fills out the arches nicely but still plenty of side wall for comfort.
Cheers
Ahh BBS RC090s are great! I was looking for a set but they seem to trade hands round me for silly money so opted for the refurb and fresh rubber... maybe next time Cheers
Alipina looks great on your thread btw
REUBS1215 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
That sounds like a superb plan...
i'd offer up that for me, the E39 rides better on Sachs sport spec shocks than it does Bilstein; they're very firm whereas the Sachs got their weighting right, if that makes sense?
Sachs part numbers would be 556838 fronts and 170857 for the rears; that's for the Sport spec; they'll worth with OEM BMW Sport springs or the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs, but on an SE that'd really drop the ride height
They're exactly what I fitted to a previous Jap import 540i Sport I had and they made a superb different to the ride & handling:
The full sale is here still on Car & Classic for pictures/reference etc: https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-54...
I wonder if the Sachs shocks / maybe the Bilstein B4 shocks (if you can get them still for the E39) would work well with the SE springs? I'm not sure but could be worth investigating
Yh so as previously discussed nearly 9 years ago this ones an odd spec; all the sports pack extras ticked but still on the SE wheels and bodykit. i'd offer up that for me, the E39 rides better on Sachs sport spec shocks than it does Bilstein; they're very firm whereas the Sachs got their weighting right, if that makes sense?
Sachs part numbers would be 556838 fronts and 170857 for the rears; that's for the Sport spec; they'll worth with OEM BMW Sport springs or the likes of Eibach pro-kit springs, but on an SE that'd really drop the ride height
They're exactly what I fitted to a previous Jap import 540i Sport I had and they made a superb different to the ride & handling:
The full sale is here still on Car & Classic for pictures/reference etc: https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-54...
I wonder if the Sachs shocks / maybe the Bilstein B4 shocks (if you can get them still for the E39) would work well with the SE springs? I'm not sure but could be worth investigating
So car has the sports suspension and seats all hidden behind big bumpers and spongy tyres
The Style 49s look superb as well; perfect colour
REUBS1215 said:
Ahh BBS RC090s are great! I was looking for a set but they seem to trade hands round me for silly money so opted for the refurb and fresh rubber... maybe next time
Alipina looks great on your thread btw
Cheers REUBS1215, green & cream innit! Had thought about selling it but gave myself a talking to and we've decided it's staying.....Had to save for the BBS but yours looking good there. Keep us all up to date!Alipina looks great on your thread btw
Sticky
REUBS1215 said:
Only took the 3 days to acid dip, shot blast, straighten and triple powdercoat the style 49s. Very happy with the quality of service \i got at JR Auto Centre in Wembley. So quick in fact the centre caps still haven't turned up and I'm loathed to pop the old scabby ones back in...
Rims are now BBS Silver, which I think a very subtle improvement over OE Brilliant Silver.
Trundled the 7 miles home and rides extremely well on the slightly fatter and taller 245/45r17 Michelin PS5. Might have to go for a little run out this weekend to double check tho
Looking good, wheels have made a big difference and really suit it.Rims are now BBS Silver, which I think a very subtle improvement over OE Brilliant Silver.
Trundled the 7 miles home and rides extremely well on the slightly fatter and taller 245/45r17 Michelin PS5. Might have to go for a little run out this weekend to double check tho
I'm considering upgrading my 33's but the longer I leave it the more they grow on me, tempted to just change the colour of them like Dans winter wheels.
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