1st Step in updating my e39 5 - Angel eye time :-)

[Pinter75]

If only I could get over my irrational fear of old stuff, I too could have a £2.5k 1996 540i + £5.5k in the bank to fix it/run it instead of an £8k 2000-2001 528/530 Sport

Your car is going to look so amazing for the money. When its done, it WILL look like near on £20k's worth. Considering what you spent, thats brilliant.

its 1997 BTW

Ta

To avaid paranioa setting it, I had to checked out by BMW, and my local specialist.

The only thing on the BMW check sheet was a broken bulb in the instrument cluster (I did that anyway) - low washer fluid and a slight play in the bottom steering bush (was on the MOT advisory). More good news was the old engine oil was still brown and quite clear after 6000 miles. The oil flushing fuild came out clear too Not like my e36 with less miles - who's oil was always black, and the flushing fluid was always a dark brown

I got a full oil service flush/filter/oil and new brake pads up front for £91 too

A maintenace check at BMW is only £50 all in. Plus I got this too...

 

[Pinter75]

Ok, they are all fitted (pics will follow later). I had to bend my AC filler tube to get them to fit. It was an easy job, with only 6 screws on each side

Now should I get some clear headlamp protectors? The old ones plastic cover was so badly pitted, they constantly looked dirty. I am wondering if the protectors will look "wierd". Considering I have £300 worth of shiney new stuff up front, I would hate for them to look crap after a while.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Now should I get some clear headlamp protectors? The old ones plastic cover was so badly pitted, they constantly looked dirty. I am wondering if the protectors will look "wierd". Considering I have £300 worth of shiney new stuff up front, I would hate for them to look crap after a while.

Ours still look as good as they did the day they were new even though the car is now over 4 years old. Or they did until somebody drove an Astra into them, anyway.

 

[Jez]

I am so jealous Why cant i find any really cheap 540i's

 

[Pinter75]

Now I need to source a reasonable deal on a sport front bumper (not bothering with any back mods - yet).

Running costs so far (exc any mechanical stuff)

Car: £2500
Lights: £319
M5 Spoiler (pattern): £45
Alloys: £660

Total: £3524

Less the cash that my old car went for - £750

Total: £2774

I still may be able to get all this done for less that they guy advertised it for initially (£3995)

I have seen some sport bumpers with fogs for circa £650 inc VAT for oem, or pattern exc fogs for £280. Fogs run at about £120 a pair (jeez) - making that a total of £448 inc VAT.

Either way I will have to "prepare" the new bumper with the metal reinforment from my existing one.

Plus I have to get it painted, and fitted, As it is not something I can do on the street. Hopefully fitting will be cool, as my loacal BMW guy has a lift and stuff.

Either way, it is gonna be a fair bit of work and expense.

Installing an M5 bumper process.

One last thing I need to decide on, should I get my black rubbing strips colour coded. Makes sense if the guy spraying my bumper can spray them at the same time. That will bring it upto 2001 body mods.