New E39 owner... What inexpensive mods?

New E39 owner... What inexpensive mods?

Author
Discussion

LGriffiths88

Original Poster:

727 posts

135 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
After 3 days with the car I can say that this is my favourite car I own. And can see how they become addictive.

I want to keep it as original as possible.

Odd thing is I can't get any windscreen washers going. I can hear it pumping but nothing.

Here's what I want to do

Fix scratches and rust spots
Fix washers
Replace interior lights? LEDs off eBay? £20
Fix front and rear sensors? eBay
Back and rear windscreen tinted. Limo black?
New multimedia head unit?

Is there a way to get better headlights without replacing the angel eyes? Is it a bulb replacement? What fixing am I needing?

Any other suggestions?

P.S here's the car...


helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Only use genuine BMW pdc sensors, new or used. Aftermarket don't work.

LGriffiths88

Original Poster:

727 posts

135 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Ah okay. Are they easy to replace? Best bet for them? BMW garage?

I hear it turn on... But nothing when there's something near by.

to3m

1,226 posts

169 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
"Turn on"? - you mean when you engage reverse? If it goes beep when that happens, I'm afraid that's the system's way of telling you one (or more) of the sensors is knackered... when they're working properly, you don't hear anything unless there's actually something near the sensors.

helix402 said:
Only use genuine BMW pdc sensors, new or used. Aftermarket don't work.
I've seen a few posts from people who've bought Land Rover ones and filed a couple of tabs off to make them fit. Don't know how reliable these are in the long run, but the BMW ones seem hit or miss enough, at least on the E46. The rear bumper isn't the kindest place for electronic stuff exposed to the elements of course...

Edited by to3m on Friday 21st July 11:03

LGriffiths88

Original Poster:

727 posts

135 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
to3m said:
"Turn on"? - you mean when you engage reverse? If it goes beep when that happens, I'm afraid that's the system's way of telling you one (or more) of the sensors is knackered... when they're working properly, you don't hear anything unless there's actually something near the sensors.

Edited by to3m on Friday 21st July 11:03
No, so got my dad to stand close to them and noting. The front wasn't picking up my garage door either. The sound comes on to tell me they've been engaged... That sound lasts a couple of seconds then that's it.

E-bmw

9,106 posts

151 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
LGriffiths88 said:
Back and rear windscreen tinted. Limo black?
I assume you mean back & side?

Triumph Man

8,670 posts

167 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
LGriffiths88 said:
to3m said:
"Turn on"? - you mean when you engage reverse? If it goes beep when that happens, I'm afraid that's the system's way of telling you one (or more) of the sensors is knackered... when they're working properly, you don't hear anything unless there's actually something near the sensors.

Edited by to3m on Friday 21st July 11:03
No, so got my dad to stand close to them and noting. The front wasn't picking up my garage door either. The sound comes on to tell me they've been engaged... That sound lasts a couple of seconds then that's it.
If you manually turn PDC on, and walk around the car, listen closely for a ticking noise. The one that isn't ticking is the broken one. And hope its a black one because these are cheap compared to the coloured ones! Annoyingly, one duff sensor causes the whole system to have a paddy.

Regarding the wash wipe system, are the hoses ok? It's a common fault on these that the washer pipes get brittle and crack.I've had to partially replumb my system as a strong enough screen wash mix wasn't used this winter (oops!) and they broke. Halfords do really cheap washer piping, however you will want to jubilee clip them back on as they can get soft and pop off. Or just splurge loads on new plumbing from BMW!

The washer reservoir is located behind the arch liner to the driver's front wheel. From hear it runs up through a grommet into the area below the pollen filter (you will have removed the pollen filter assembly to check. From there its easy to view. The next common area to break is behind the sound/heat insulation to the bonnet. These are a pain in the arse to change.

Lovely looking car though, and I hope that is of some use!

LordGrover

33,532 posts

211 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Lovely cars. I wouldn't tint the windows - looks a bit down-market, especially on a gracefully ageing car like this.

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
LGriffiths88 said:
After 3 days with the car I can say that this is my favourite car I own. And can see how they become addictive.

I want to keep it as original as possible.

Odd thing is I can't get any windscreen washers going. I can hear it pumping but nothing.

Here's what I want to do

Fix scratches and rust spots
Fix washers
Replace interior lights? LEDs off eBay? £20
Fix front and rear sensors? eBay
Back and rear windscreen tinted. Limo black?
New multimedia head unit?

Is there a way to get better headlights without replacing the angel eyes? Is it a bulb replacement? What fixing am I needing?

Any other suggestions?

P.S here's the car...

The pipes harden and come apart when it freezes, they just need pushing back together. Check from the wiper jets back towards the pump. They usually come apart under the bonnet insulation or near the OSF shock tower/bulkhead bridge.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
eBay is a good source of used pdc sensors or your local BMW dealer for new if you're feeling rich.

hman

7,487 posts

193 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
having owned one I'd be saving your pennies for the following to happen (because unless fixed already then this is around the corner for you)
I'm going to number these in teh priority I would assign to them 1 meaning "now" 3 meaning "sometime in the future"


1) Viscous Clutch and Fan Failure
1) Radiator Pack Failure
1) Rust in the jacking points leading to MOT failure (take the jacking pads out and have a good look)
1) Rust in the rear panel behind the bumper creeping up into the rear trim strip blow the boot shut
1) Rust in the bootlid
2) Rocker Cover Cracking and leaking oil
2) Wiring loom to the rear lights breaking up causing number plate lights to stop working
3) ABS Computer Failure
3) Lamda Sensor failing
3) Crankcase breather blocking
3) Vanos units needing replacement
3) Coil packs packing in.
3) Seat occupancy /seat Belt Sensor failing
3) Aircon pipe leaking
3) Key fob battery failing and needing new key coded
3) cup holder breaking x2



E39's are great - once you've fixed all the problems..

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
hman said:
having owned one I'd be saving your pennies for the following to happen (because unless fixed already then this is around the corner for you)
I'm going to number these in teh priority I would assign to them 1 meaning "now" 3 meaning "sometime in the future"


1) Viscous Clutch and Fan Failure
1) Radiator Pack Failure
1) Rust in the jacking points leading to MOT failure (take the jacking pads out and have a good look)
1) Rust in the rear panel behind the bumper creeping up into the rear trim strip blow the boot shut
1) Rust in the bootlid
2) Rocker Cover Cracking and leaking oil
2) Wiring loom to the rear lights breaking up causing number plate lights to stop working
3) ABS Computer Failure
3) Lamda Sensor failing
3) Crankcase breather blocking
3) Vanos units needing replacement
3) Coil packs packing in.
3) Seat occupancy /seat Belt Sensor failing
3) Aircon pipe leaking
3) Key fob battery failing and needing new key coded
3) cup holder breaking x2



E39's are great - once you've fixed all the problems..
I owned one for six years, the loom needed repairing (easy to solder some staggered jumpers in) and the rocker cover gasket hardened.

Collectingbrass

2,198 posts

194 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
LGriffiths88 said:
After 3 days with the car I can say that this is my favourite car I own. And can see how they become addictive.

I want to keep it as original as possible.

Odd thing is I can't get any windscreen washers going. I can hear it pumping but nothing.
Are you sure the water isnt leaking out of the pipe work somewhere and is the insulation under the bonnet dry? If it isn't leaking pipe joints the next culprit will probably be the filter in the reservoir

The BMW washer system is very susceptible to the filter in the reservoir bunging up due to people mixing fluid types & the mixed chemicals forming a gel layer over the filter. You need to strip out the reservoir and clean it out (as above, in side the drivers side wheel arch liner) then stick to one fluid type. From what I recall reading the yellow Prestone screenwash is the best additive / least likely to block the filter again. I might have seen a suggestion you could clear it by dropping a sterilising tablet in but don't quote me on that.

LGriffiths88 said:
New multimedia head unit?
If all you want to do is put a new head unit with bluetooth / usb inputs in and don't mind loosing the steering wheel controls and the computer display this is a doddle as these are the last of the Single Din stereo size systems, although you will need a conversion cable and a facia blanking plate. The fascia is not a double din, it's Din & a bit and the slot behind is Single Din.

I forget where I got mine from now, but it was on line, not Halfords. You will still get the major check control messages on the dash, and the range & MPG IRC, but not the bulb failure messages.

LGriffiths88 said:
Is there a way to get better headlights without replacing the angel eyes? Is it a bulb replacement? What fixing am I needing?
I didnt think the lights were up to much either and found it was because the lenses were so pitted. Unfortunately on mine one side had already been replaced so rather than polish the other one I bought a replacement unit from GSF (sign up for their mailing list and get 50% off every weekend) and fitted that. WIth better bulbs they were ok.

LGriffiths88 said:
Any other suggestions?
The car is now quite old and needs all the TLC due its age, with the provisio of if it ain't broke dont fix it. If I had another one I would prioritise the coolant system over everything else, these are a notorious weakness but swopping out the radiator, pump, thermostat, belts and idler pulleys are a very easy DIY job. I would look carefully at the rubber components in the suspension and check the brakes and battery over.

This site is the best guidance for how tos that I have ever found, so much so that I wouldnt bother with the Haynes manual:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_...

hman

7,487 posts

193 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
WinstonWolf said:
hman said:
having owned one I'd be saving your pennies for the following to happen (because unless fixed already then this is around the corner for you)
I'm going to number these in teh priority I would assign to them 1 meaning "now" 3 meaning "sometime in the future"


1) Viscous Clutch and Fan Failure
1) Radiator Pack Failure
1) Rust in the jacking points leading to MOT failure (take the jacking pads out and have a good look)
1) Rust in the rear panel behind the bumper creeping up into the rear trim strip blow the boot shut
1) Rust in the bootlid
2) Rocker Cover Cracking and leaking oil
2) Wiring loom to the rear lights breaking up causing number plate lights to stop working
3) ABS Computer Failure
3) Lamda Sensor failing
3) Crankcase breather blocking
3) Vanos units needing replacement
3) Coil packs packing in.
3) Seat occupancy /seat Belt Sensor failing
3) Aircon pipe leaking
3) Key fob battery failing and needing new key coded
3) cup holder breaking x2



E39's are great - once you've fixed all the problems..
I owned one for six years, the loom needed repairing (easy to solder some staggered jumpers in) and the rocker cover gasket hardened.
ah right - and what years were they ? 2011 to 2017?

I had all this happen to me in 1 year (2015) - these are common faults on an e39 of this age and like any BMW if its a common fault it is common that it will happen to you.

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
hman said:
WinstonWolf said:
hman said:
having owned one I'd be saving your pennies for the following to happen (because unless fixed already then this is around the corner for you)
I'm going to number these in teh priority I would assign to them 1 meaning "now" 3 meaning "sometime in the future"


1) Viscous Clutch and Fan Failure
1) Radiator Pack Failure
1) Rust in the jacking points leading to MOT failure (take the jacking pads out and have a good look)
1) Rust in the rear panel behind the bumper creeping up into the rear trim strip blow the boot shut
1) Rust in the bootlid
2) Rocker Cover Cracking and leaking oil
2) Wiring loom to the rear lights breaking up causing number plate lights to stop working
3) ABS Computer Failure
3) Lamda Sensor failing
3) Crankcase breather blocking
3) Vanos units needing replacement
3) Coil packs packing in.
3) Seat occupancy /seat Belt Sensor failing
3) Aircon pipe leaking
3) Key fob battery failing and needing new key coded
3) cup holder breaking x2



E39's are great - once you've fixed all the problems..
I owned one for six years, the loom needed repairing (easy to solder some staggered jumpers in) and the rocker cover gasket hardened.
ah right - and what years were they ? 2011 to 2017?

I had all this happen to me in 1 year (2015) - these are common faults on an e39 of this age and like any BMW if its a common fault it is common that it will happen to you.
Perhaps you bought my old one, I sold it in 2015 hehe

Mine cost me about £500 per year all in, including tyres/MOT etc.

hman

7,487 posts

193 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Ha! - unfortunately I bought it from a friend..yeah exactly.


johnwilliams77

8,308 posts

102 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
hman said:
having owned one I'd be saving your pennies for the following to happen (because unless fixed already then this is around the corner for you)
I'm going to number these in teh priority I would assign to them 1 meaning "now" 3 meaning "sometime in the future"


1) Viscous Clutch and Fan Failure
1) Radiator Pack Failure
1) Rust in the jacking points leading to MOT failure (take the jacking pads out and have a good look)
1) Rust in the rear panel behind the bumper creeping up into the rear trim strip blow the boot shut
1) Rust in the bootlid
2) Rocker Cover Cracking and leaking oil
2) Wiring loom to the rear lights breaking up causing number plate lights to stop working
3) ABS Computer Failure
3) Lamda Sensor failing
3) Crankcase breather blocking
3) Vanos units needing replacement
3) Coil packs packing in.
3) Seat occupancy /seat Belt Sensor failing
3) Aircon pipe leaking
3) Key fob battery failing and needing new key coded
3) cup holder breaking x2



E39's are great - once you've fixed all the problems..
I've been very lucky then. Owned an older e39 for a few years with none of these issues except some minor things with cooling system

Xaero

4,060 posts

214 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
On my E39, the pipes going to the washer jets on the bonnet were disconnected, the sound deadening on the inside of the bonnet was soaked. It was also duck taped on, so clearly happened before.

I pushed the pipes all back together and put a cable tie on, it's been great since.

Only other mod I've done is a headunit change, to some generic Chinese android unit, it was around £260 on Amazon and well worth it to bring tech functionality up to date.

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
to3m said:
I've seen a few posts from people who've bought Land Rover ones and filed a couple of tabs off to make them fit. Don't know how reliable these are in the long run, but the BMW ones seem hit or miss enough, at least on the E46. The rear bumper isn't the kindest place for electronic stuff exposed to the elements of course...

Edited by to3m on Friday 21st July 11:03
From what I have seen regarding the E46 the rear sensors from BMW are fine. But the aftermarket ones rarely work. They can be made to work if they are placed on the inside but TBH even my mate's 328i's inners have gone iffy (they claim something is always there according to INPA).

The sensors however don't like too much paint on them, irrespective of the source.

E-bmw

9,106 posts

151 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
SebringMan said:
The sensors however don't like too much paint on them, irrespective of the source.
For the record, you should NOT paint them at all, if they are the wrong colour either build a bridge & get over it or buy the correct colour.