BMW 530i E39

[Triumph Man]

Recently done an inspection II service at home, developed a "special tool"

Which is essentially a bradawl with a tampon gaffer taped to it to mop up any residual oil in the bores. Only noted on No.3 cylinder, the rest were pretty spotless so the cam cover gasket is seemingly mostly ok so far.

Last weekend I did the thermostat and Exhaust Camshaft position sensor, which was a pig because it took me ages to get the fan off and shroud out! Now I've done it once, however, I should be a lot quicker next time. Even though the shroud is now slightly broken... She drives a lot better though, low end torque is back!

It has (unfortunately) developed a rattle underneath, which manifests itself at lower engine speeds (i.e. up to about 2500 rpm) when setting off or under load. If revved in neutral it doesn't rattle. While I was doing the 'stat I did waggle the prop and it didn't have any play in it, but must confess I didn't think about the exhaust. My theory now is an exhaust clamp or bracket or similar just letting the exhaust move about a bit. I'm hoping it's not the cat(s) breaking up... Unfortunately I haven't yet had chance to get it back in the air to check. Other theories are welcome!

[JonJon2015]

Nice car, OP.

I have just done the thermostat in my E39 and was also suffering an exhaust rattle in similar circumstances that I was concerned would be one of the cats. No need to wait nervously for diagnosis as you don't need to get the car in the air to check: you can reach underneath the car and give the cat a thump to check for the rattle with the wheels on the ground. In all likelihood you'll have exactly the same issue that I had with mine which was a failing exhaust clamp - a quick and easy fix.

[Triumph Man]

Thank you, that makes me feel slightly happier! Again, I read the doom and gloom American forums! I'll try and get her up anyway tonight just to check the clamp.

I blame Devon - every time I go there I tend to come back with some noise or rattle from their broken roads - last time I had to drive down a road a modern 4 x 4 would be doing well to go down... Bloody woman and her wanting to look at a riding stable!

[C70R]

It's a cracking lump - I have one in an E46 coupe, and it has the perfect Jekyl/Hyde character.
Worth taking a look over your CCV/vacuum system if the car isn't running at 100%. They are common failures at this age, and mine is currently in the garage being replaced to (hopefully) cure a lumpy idle.

[Triumph Man]

Indeed, I love its flexibility after my e34 520i, which was dead below 4000 rpm. Plus being an SE the turn of speed has surprised a few...

Ccv is on the "somewhen" list, as after the cps she's back running and pulling properly, but like you say it is at that age and mileage.

WRT the rattle upon take off, I had a poke underneath earlier, the exhaust was solid and hangers all seemed ok, however there was some plastic trim sort of interlinked into the back of the drivers side arch liner that appeared to have no fixings in and was sort of just "in there". It was easy to grab and rattle against the chassis so suspect that's the issue (I hope - almost seems too easy...!) the equivalent on the passenger side was good and tight. Bag of fixings will be ordered tomorrow!

[C70R]

C70R said:

It's a cracking lump - I have one in an E46 coupe, and it has the perfect Jekyl/Hyde character.
Worth taking a look over your CCV/vacuum system if the car isn't running at 100%. They are common failures at this age, and mine is currently in the garage being replaced to (hopefully) cure a lumpy idle.

By way of update, it was a split intake hose (in a bit that I couldn't see on my cursory glance), so nowhere near the catastrophe I envisaged. Worth checking (as I did) as a first port of call.

[jas xjr]

that looks great , very envious of your spec. especially the engine and interior. i have recently bought one , but due to illness i have only driven it home.
mine is a 520 in bobby basic spec but very very clean. 4 matching tyres and an unmolested toolkit was enough for me
yours does look amazing , well done , you can imagine me turning green with envy [url]|http://thumbsnap.com

/TMUKpYbh[/url]

Edited by jas xjr on Friday 31st March 13:47

Edited by jas xjr on Friday 31st March 13:48

[Triumph Man]

Well I wouldn't worry jas it looks very clean, I wouldn't say no to a nice 520i - after all you still get a nice creamy (sometimes literally if it's got an open thermostat!) 6 cylinder mill and possibly one of the nicest looking mid range saloons around. In my opinions E34s look very old now, but a nice face lifted E39 still looks sharp.

Is yours an ES?

[jas xjr]

Triumph Man said:

Well I wouldn't worry jas it looks very clean, I wouldn't say no to a nice 520i - after all you still get a nice creamy (sometimes literally if it's got an open thermostat!) 6 cylinder mill and possibly one of the nicest looking mid range saloons around. In my opinions E34s look very old now, but a nice face lifted E39 still looks sharp.

Is yours an ES?

it says so on the log book, i thought it was a dylexic se it has a slight weep from the rocker cover. how robust are the coilpacks on these? i would like to diy but the thought of having to replace 6 x coilpacks not so much.
what is the significance of the es? never heard of it before. when i bought it , i was just looking for a clean car with a long MOT.
i still like e34,s , but rarely see them around these days.

[Triumph Man]

jas xjr said:

Triumph Man said:

Well I wouldn't worry jas it looks very clean, I wouldn't say no to a nice 520i - after all you still get a nice creamy (sometimes literally if it's got an open thermostat!) 6 cylinder mill and possibly one of the nicest looking mid range saloons around. In my opinions E34s look very old now, but a nice face lifted E39 still looks sharp.

Is yours an ES?

it says so on the log book, i thought it was a dylexic se it has a slight weep from the rocker cover. how robust are the coilpacks on these? i would like to diy but the thought of having to replace 6 x coilpacks not so much.
what is the significance of the es? never heard of it before. when i bought it , i was just looking for a clean car with a long MOT.
i still like e34,s , but rarely see them around these days.

It was a run out model that had a sports steering wheel and sportier wheels, but were generally lower spec. I think you could get a 520i and 525d in es flavour. Don't know about longevity of coil packs, mines had a replacement at some point - diy is easy though

[jas xjr]

thanks for getting back. i know on some cars the coilpacks do not like to be disturbed. i forget which . i think i will have to do the rocker cover gasket as i do not like any fluids leaking from my cars.the oil is dripping on to the exhaust manifold , i think, i can smell it and its potentially dangerous. i do like a tinker though
i have looked at interiors on ebay.....
i would love a bit more power. i just remembered something i do not like on it. i think it has aftermarket angel eye lights. they will have to stay .

[Levin]

jas xjr said:

i would love a bit more power. i just remembered something i do not like on it. i think it has aftermarket angel eye lights. they will have to stay .

I'm surprised you're not a fan. I had an E39 behind me recently in Imola Red with angel eyes and I thought it added a lot to the car's looks. Other than that I thought the wheels were Style 71s as found on the 330Ci Clubsport, but a look at the other examples on eBay suggests they might have been standard on the E39 ES as well. Best of luck with it!

[Triumph Man]

jas xjr said:

thanks for getting back. i know on some cars the coilpacks do not like to be disturbed. i forget which . i think i will have to do the rocker cover gasket as i do not like any fluids leaking from my cars.the oil is dripping on to the exhaust manifold , i think, i can smell it and its potentially dangerous. i do like a tinker though
i have looked at interiors on ebay.....
i would love a bit more power. i just remembered something i do not like on it. i think it has aftermarket angel eye lights. they will have to stay .

Haven't done te rocker cover gasket so can't comment but the coils are simplicity themselves to replace.

Those headlights are standard angel eyes, IMO they help keep it modern looking. The aftermarket ones can look a touch "council" though

[Huff]

Triumph Man said:

Thank you, that makes me feel slightly happier! Again, I read the doom and gloom American forums

Lovely cars; generally easy to diagnose and then easy& logical to work on; and parts not pricey either. I'm keeping my 533i manual 'Buchlöe Edition'

(I've long given-up on the american BMW forums for e34/e39s - S:N ratio mostly ruined by whiney, idiotic children for the main.)

[jas xjr]

just looked at the price of the coil packs, very reasonable . so i will do the plugs coilpacks and rocker cover gasket at the same time .
i am housebound at the moment so will order the parts in and do these little jobs when i feel better.
to the chap with the 533, pics please

[hman]

If you have oil in the spark plug wells it's normally either the cam cover has split or the rubber grommets which seal the cam cover bolts or both.

Don't even try a 2nd hand cam cover - they are all toast by now, a new cam cover is £250+

Check for any signs of play in your cooling fan as the clutch bearings wear out then the fan moves and touches the fan shrouds BOOM fan blades through the radiator, rad hoses and bonnet.

You already have the abs head issue so you're now well baptised with the typical e39 issues.

Checked your rear balance and jacking points for corrosion? That would be the next port of call as if these are rusty (remove the jack pads btw) the car will probably not be worth spending money on.

Great cars when they are rust and trouble free though!

[Matt97]

Nice car OP, looking forward to more updates . I'm waiting confirmation but hopefully I'll be getting a 2003 registered 530i sport manual in blue with grey/black leather interior for my parents. It's a nice spec, heated seats, satnav/TV function, 6 disc changer, folding seats as well! It's done 103k with every service carried out at a main dealer, still got four keys with it as well! All for a bag of sand!

Edited by Matt97 on Saturday 1st April 15:29

[C70R]

When you do the cam cover gasket, you almost certainly need to do the bolt gaskets. They are cheap from ECP (don't even think about going to BMW!), and it's worth the effort while you've got it apart.

[jas xjr]

C70R said:

When you do the cam cover gasket, you almost certainly need to do the bolt gaskets. They are cheap from ECP (don't even think about going to BMW!), and it's worth the effort while you've got it apart.

thanks for that.

[Triumph Man]

Quick update - now on 157,000 miles. Just had rear swivel bushes done (causing a squeaky arse and rattle - plus the car was a bit squeaky too!). Had the MOT done in April (seems a while ago but I haven't updated since!) had a couple of rear arms then as well. Also had the aux fan changed as that was not working and I didn't want to blow up a lovely ice cold Aircon system.

Work done by Emtech Salisbury who I highly recommend.

Also, my E34 which was temporarily off the road is now back on the road, so I am running the two side by side.

Edited by Triumph Man on Friday 14th July 16:20