2002 E39 530i Touring - Japanese import

[helix402]

I’ve found that only gen. BMW cam cover gaskets last well on the M52/4.

[d_a_n1979]

helix402 said:

I’ve found that only gen. BMW cam cover gaskets last well on the M52/4.

IIRC Elring is the OEM manufacturer; that's from BMW Cotswolds themselves

However, never had issues with the Febi one before; so will see how that goes.

Not expensive, just faffy

[d_a_n1979]

Another week; another contactless wash

This is Autoglym Polar Blast snowfoam; 10mins after it was applied

It's superb stuff and really does it's job superbly



It was simply rinsed after that and the alloys/wheel arches were scrubbed clean to get rid of all the cack that sprays up there this time of year...

[fastbikes76]

Nice pic, I really need to find a better snow foam Lance. I have a Nilfisk c110 and generic Lance using bikt hammer foam but don’t get the thick clinging stuff no matter what I adjust it too.

[d_a_n1979]

fastbikes76 said:

Nice pic, I really need to find a better snow foam Lance. I have a Nilfisk c110 and generic Lance using bikt hammer foam but don’t get the thick clinging stuff no matter what I adjust it too.

Not cheap; but I've found it to be the best lance:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lance-Nilfisk-Connector-5...

Also; I find Bilt Hamber snowfoam to be crap; the AG Polar Blast is leagues ahead IMO

This lance is good also; my father in law has this and used Polar Blast or the Pro-Kleen snowfoam and they all work really well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Kleen-Snow-Foam-Lance...

[fastbikes76]

Cheers mate, I will invest in another Lance and foam !

[d_a_n1979]

fastbikes76 said:

Cheers mate, I will invest in another Lance and foam !

No worries, you'll not go wrong with either, but my preference is the Polar Blast.

The Polar Seal is superb also, you apply that with the lance once you've washed and rinsed the car. It works really well and I've been really impressed with it

[TheAngryDog]

fastbikes76 said:

Nice pic, I really need to find a better snow foam Lance. I have a Nilfisk c110 and generic Lance using bikt hammer foam but don’t get the thick clinging stuff no matter what I adjust it too.

I am in the same boat. I have a C120 but when used with BH it doesn't last very long. I may go for a different foam before swapping the lance as a mate of mine has the same lance and doesn't have the same issue I do.

[d_a_n1979]

TheAngryDog said:

I am in the same boat. I have a C120 but when used with BH it doesn't last very long. I may go for a different foam before swapping the lance as a mate of mine has the same lance and doesn't have the same issue I do.

C120 user here too; been superb. But I've just found the BH stuff to be very thin

However, the AG stuff I use, as well as the Pro Kleen stuff, works best when mixed with warm-hot water

The AG stuff is the best by far I've found and really goes to work on our cars; you can see the greyness dripping off when it's been sat for a good 5-10 mins

[TheAngryDog]

d_a_n1979 said:

TheAngryDog said:

I am in the same boat. I have a C120 but when used with BH it doesn't last very long. I may go for a different foam before swapping the lance as a mate of mine has the same lance and doesn't have the same issue I do.

C120 user here too; been superb. But I've just found the BH stuff to be very thin

However, the AG stuff I use, as well as the Pro Kleen stuff, works best when mixed with warm-hot water

The AG stuff is the best by far I've found and really goes to work on our cars; you can see the greyness dripping off when it's been sat for a good 5-10 mins

I'll have to give them a try. Still got lots of BH to use up as well. I tend to have to fill the lance bottle up to around 80% to get any kind of foam. I always use warm water with it as well. I'll try a new foam.

Your car is looking good though!

[d_a_n1979]

TheAngryDog said:

d_a_n1979 said:

TheAngryDog said:

I am in the same boat. I have a C120 but when used with BH it doesn't last very long. I may go for a different foam before swapping the lance as a mate of mine has the same lance and doesn't have the same issue I do.

C120 user here too; been superb. But I've just found the BH stuff to be very thin

However, the AG stuff I use, as well as the Pro Kleen stuff, works best when mixed with warm-hot water

The AG stuff is the best by far I've found and really goes to work on our cars; you can see the greyness dripping off when it's been sat for a good 5-10 mins

I'll have to give them a try. Still got lots of BH to use up as well. I tend to have to fill the lance bottle up to around 80% to get any kind of foam. I always use warm water with it as well. I'll try a new foam.

Your car is looking good though!

Hell that's a lot; 200ml of Polar Blast and warm water is perfect; that's it laid out in the picture and after 10mins of sitting, doing its job

Thanks re the car; the 359s you've just fitted to yours are on my radar for next year via BMAutosport. Avant Garde don't do the the offsets needed for an E39, so would have to get E9x 3 series ones and use 15-20mm spacers

[TheAngryDog]

d_a_n1979 said:

Hell that's a lot; 200ml of Polar Blast and warm water is perfect; that's it laid out in the picture and after 10mins of sitting, doing its job

Thanks re the car; the 359s you've just fitted to yours are on my radar for next year via BMAutosport. Avant Garde don't do the the offsets needed for an E39, so would have to get E9x 3 series ones and use 15-20mm spacers

Yeah it's a silly amount really. Whenever I have tried less it just comes out like water. I'll definitely invest in some AG.

You could try CM Wheels as well - that is where I got mine from and give discount via m3cutters. What are the ETs for your current wheel?

[d_a_n1979]

TheAngryDog said:

Yeah it's a silly amount really. Whenever I have tried less it just comes out like water. I'll definitely invest in some AG.

You could try CM Wheels as well - that is where I got mine from and give discount via m3cutters. What are the ETs for your current wheel?

Thanks; already looked on CM Wheels. Avant Garde just don't do those offset; but they also don't cater for the 74.1 CB that the E39 needs; so it's easier to get the 3 series ones and use spacers

Offsets ideally are 20 rears and 15-10 fronts, to get them sitting right/flush with the arches etc

So I'd use 15mm spacers on the rear and 15/20mm spacers on the front; I run a stud conversion kit too, so it's a better & safer option all round

[TheAngryDog]

d_a_n1979 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Yeah it's a silly amount really. Whenever I have tried less it just comes out like water. I'll definitely invest in some AG.

You could try CM Wheels as well - that is where I got mine from and give discount via m3cutters. What are the ETs for your current wheel?

Thanks; already looked on CM Wheels. Avant Garde just don't do those offset; but they also don't cater for the 74.1 CB that the E39 needs; so it's easier to get the 3 series ones and use spacers

Offsets ideally are 20 rears and 15-10 fronts, to get them sitting right/flush with the arches etc

So I'd use 15mm spacers on the rear and 15/20mm spacers on the front; I run a stud conversion kit too, so it's a better & safer option all round

Have you considered looking at Veeman and Strom? What are the offsets of your standard wheels?

[d_a_n1979]

TheAngryDog said:

Have you considered looking at Veeman and Strom? What are the offsets of your standard wheels?

Checked them already, but not a fan of their designs TBH

The current winter Style 66s are 20 all round

[TheAngryDog]

d_a_n1979 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Have you considered looking at Veeman and Strom? What are the offsets of your standard wheels?

Checked them already, but not a fan of their designs TBH

The current winter Style 66s are 20 all round

That's odd, as the Veemans are pretty much the same as the Avant Gardes.. The Strom's are a little different though.

Have you checked out willtheyfit.com to check fitment?

[d_a_n1979]

TheAngryDog said:

That's odd, as the Veemans are pretty much the same as the Avant Gardes.. The Strom's are a little different though.

Have you checked out willtheyfit.com to check fitment?

Yeah; sorry. Just seen that Veeman do the 359s also; cheer for that. Will keep the in mind

Would still have to get 3 series offsets unfortunately; but as said, not an issue really as already running spacers; would just need to get the 74.1 to 72.6 hubcentrc adapter spacers etc

Seen the Veeman 359s on Wheelbase; more expensive than what BMAutosport are offering the Avant Garde alloys though, a good few £hundred on top!

And no need for willtheyfit I'm confident re my knowledge for alloys for the E39 and how to work around the offsets and CB issues.

I am still considering the APEX Arc 8s in E39 fitment, but would more than likely have to get them in from the States

All plans for next spring; won't do anything until then as want to sort the Eibach ARBs first I think. The rear at least; if not both at the same time

[beambeam1]

I'm using up whatever potions I have left then going back to AG Polar Blast for sure. It has that wow factor and certainly seems to do a proper job but God, it hangs around on the drive for ages afterwards! For those wishing to try it Halfords or Amazon have 500m combos of Blast, Wash and Seal for around £20-24. I'm just after buying the AG Blaster Lance to replace the Chinese copy that lasted me a couple of years, much better for pouring fluids into.

I also have the lowly Nilfisk models but over time have upgraded the hose to a 15m rubber one and quick connect fittings. Same with nozzles for the lance itself. Well worth looking up the options for improvements as it has really enhanced the process of using the machine.

[TheAngryDog]

The AG kit can be had cheaper as well if you have a trade card.

[d_a_n1979]

beambeam1 said:

I'm using up whatever potions I have left then going back to AG Polar Blast for sure. It has that wow factor and certainly seems to do a proper job but God, it hangs around on the drive for ages afterwards! For those wishing to try it Halfords or Amazon have 500m combos of Blast, Wash and Seal for around £20-24. I'm just after buying the AG Blaster Lance to replace the Chinese copy that lasted me a couple of years, much better for pouring fluids into.

I also have the lowly Nilfisk models but over time have upgraded the hose to a 15m rubber one and quick connect fittings. Same with nozzles for the lance itself. Well worth looking up the options for improvements as it has really enhanced the process of using the machine.

It does. It's still sat on the road at the bottom of our drive and it's been raining all day The local kids love it in summer when they're out on their little bikes haha

I've got the 8m extended hose and a new lance handle, I got the metal main lance off ebay and it's much better than the OEM Nilfisk one, a better spray nozzle too.

I use 2 of the Autobrite snowfoam lances, one for the Polar Blast and Wash and the other for the Seal.