2002 E39 530i Touring - Japanese import

[d_a_n1979]

RC1807 said:

How was the hat, BTW?

Chewy

[therusterman]

d_a_n1979 said:

- Pollen filters replaced

- New OEM BMW air box tube fitted: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202582565654

- New 'aftermarket via ECP' chromatic wing mirrors received; paid £65 EACH last week when the offer was on; they're now out of stock and back to a scary price: https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/oe-quality-mirror-g...

Ecp's pricing makes no sense sometimes. Glad to see you picked them up at the right time. Reckon they might have been clearing stock?

[d_a_n1979]

therusterman said:

d_a_n1979 said:

- Pollen filters replaced

- New OEM BMW air box tube fitted: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202582565654

- New 'aftermarket via ECP' chromatic wing mirrors received; paid £65 EACH last week when the offer was on; they're now out of stock and back to a scary price: https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/oe-quality-mirror-g...

Ecp's pricing makes no sense sometimes. Glad to see you picked them up at the right time. Reckon they might have been clearing stock?

No idea TBH; came across it by chance via the E39 Touring Group on FB; so took the plunge and ordered 2 (right ones only, but all you need to do is turn one upside down to fit the left mirror)

Their oil & Mann filters have always been priced well (I use TripleQX 5W40 fully synth and Mann filters etc)

But when I got my wing mirrors resprayed; there was no way in hell I was paying c£440 (OEM BMW price) for the chromatic/heated mirror glass

[d_a_n1979]

Parts gathered ready for Wednesday






- E39 M5 rear ARB with PowerFlex purple polybushes
- Moog drop links
- Moog front OS lower suspension arm 
- Rear ATE 'PowerDiscs' discs & ceramic pads
- All new Arnott SLS bags (not necessary; but replacing for peace of mind as the current bags are the original Nov 2002 dated bags)!
- Diff bearing (if I've time); if not it'll wait to a later date as it's not necessary... 

[d_a_n1979]

All tarted up in ready for tomorrows spannering session

[d_a_n1979]

New Arnott bags, rear M5 ARB and Powerflex bushes, Moog drop links and ATE discs & Ceramic pads fitted today (new front OS control arm fitted too):

Before:




After:

[helix402]

Looking good. It’s always pleasant to drive an old car that drives better than when new.

[d_a_n1979]

helix402 said:

Looking good. It’s always pleasant to drive an old car that drives better than when new.

Haha absolutely...

The old bags were the original and still in superb condition, but another 'peace of mind' job ticked off the list

[d_a_n1979]

For anyone with an E39 and considering it; do the rear E39 M5 ARBm upgrade with poly bushes; it really does make a noticeable difference!

The touring especially is a bit too ready to lean into corners; but the M5 ARB has stiffened it up nicely and that tendency to lean has all but gone...

And for those with an E39 touring on SLS; if not already, deffo replace the bags with the Arnott ones. It's made such a difference in the ride, smoother and quieter now in the rear

[d_a_n1979]

Engine bay detailed this morning... Sad I know; but it was filthy and I was doing a fluids check/fill up anyways, so thought why not

Inner tailgate lights polished too; they're still very clean, but starting to lose their sparkle a bit as they all seem to do

[Court_S]

Looking good as always. This must be one of the most sorted E39’s kicking about.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

Looking good as always. This must be one of the most sorted E39’s kicking about.

Thanks pal

I'd like to think it's about the best maintained out there, more so as a 530i

I've decided that I'll more than likely keep it until Spring next year and then look to sell. I've let those parties that have contacted me and are interested in the car know, and they've come back to me saying they're fine with that. So it's nice to know it's still a sought after example

[d_a_n1979]

Started the underseal application



I've gone with Lanoguard: https://www.lanoguard.co.uk/collections/moto 



So front wheel arch liners out; all areas scrubbed with ACP and a detailing brush; rinsed; dried with an electric fan heater & then Lanoguard applied:





















Will get on with the rears as soon as I can, as well as doing the sills and I'll see what I can protect on the tailgate area too  

[Max M4X WW]

Looking good! I always love the number of screenwash pumps on E39's.

Random one, do you have rusty cat-mid section exhaust clamps by any chance? My indy raised mine on a service yesterday but it sounds like a tricky fix.

[d_a_n1979]

Max M4X WW said:

Looking good! I always love the number of screenwash pumps on E39's.

Random one, do you have rusty cat-mid section exhaust clamps by any chance? My indy raised mine on a service yesterday but it sounds like a tricky fix.

Aye, 4 in total inc the intensive washer in the engine bay

Re the exhaust clamp section; probably... They ALL do that, it's crappy mild steel so it'll rust no matter what you do...

If it's not blowing, leave it

[Max M4X WW]

d_a_n1979 said:

Max M4X WW said:

Looking good! I always love the number of screenwash pumps on E39's.

Random one, do you have rusty cat-mid section exhaust clamps by any chance? My indy raised mine on a service yesterday but it sounds like a tricky fix.

Aye, 4 in total inc the intensive washer in the engine bay

Re the exhaust clamp section; probably... They ALL do that, it's crappy mild steel so it'll rust no matter what you do...

If it's not blowing, leave it

Fair enough, I will do then until it falls off!

[tobinen]

Nice job

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

Nice job

It's faffy; lots of clips & bolts plus it's absolutely filthy under the arch liners

Fortunately bone dry though, so it's just a case of working the APC in and rinsing well!

Plus my arch liners are new, well, 12 months old! The original ones literally crumbled when I removed them last time around, so needed to be replaced. Worth bearing in mind if someones going to attempt this too!

Arch liners refitted, cleaned and treated with AG Rubber & Vinyl care:

[Max M4X WW]

Shocked that you didn't replace the screws holding them in!

[DC.11]

Looks like a very satisfying job to do.