BMW E39 530i Sport

Starbuck88 · 26-02-2018, 05:30 PM

Hi All,

Well...finally managed to sort myself out a car that I've been longing to own for some time. I owned a 1996 520i SE quite a few years ago which I actually really liked but it had no toys, no power and was pre-facelift. So always said I'd get a facelift with some power and better trim.

This is a treat to myself as I'll be turning 30 this year, it's a proper project and will be a labour of love. Not like my bangernomics thread!

This is a 2002 530i Sport Auto, 138k Full Service History.

Auto Lights and Wipers
Auto Dip Mirror
Xenons
Sat Nav (with Aftermarket GROM Bluetooth adapter that works through the nav unit)
Electric, Heated, Memory Sports Seats.
Electric Adjustable Steering Wheel
Sunroof
Front and Rear Parking Sensors
18" M Parallel Alloys

Being the sport it comes with dark headliner, sport front and rear bumpers, sport steering wheel and sport suspension.

This has a rear muffler delete which is very loud and... awful. First thing on the list is to get a genuine BMW rear silencer for it.

I checked the car over as best I could, got to have a decent test drive in it, no smoke, no rattles, no overheating! No rust bubbles or anything. No dings or dents. Paintwork needs a polish and obviously has some stone chips and scratches but we shall sort them

As far as I can see...an honest car.

240 Miles home and it didn't miss a beat, didn't make any funny noises, didn't overheat and surprisingly got 30mpg out of it.

I did notice it needed new rear tyres. They are at the tread level indicator and probably a little past it tbh so I did negotiate money off the price and we came to a deal we were both happy with.

The Risk...MOT is out on 7th of March. Oh so very close, more on that below, let's have a looky...

Pictures

The BMW and my friends Kia we went up in.

Yes, I know. The Alloys.

I thought I was a fan of them, I saw the same colour combo on a black Z3 and thought it looked nice. I think they work well on a black car with the black middle and polished rims but I want this to be an OEM+ type project so they will be restored to OEM. They look a bit drug dealer on the 5.

Also maybe I'll get some spacers as they look a bit tucked in on that photo.

The biggest issue for me and is the first non MOT related item I'll sort, is that rear muffler delete. The back box has been cut out, a pipe welded in with tips welded on the end. A tidy job welding wise actually but...it drones, drones, drones. I want to hear the straight 6 not that racket and whilst cruising on the motorway I don't want to hear anything, not a constant drone!

Left yesterday morning at 9am, got back at 11pm, with stops and playing with the car at service stations etc.

So...as of today...

I have ordered 2 new tyres to be fitted tomorrow afternoon, 265/35 R18s are not cheap ha and MOT is booked for Saturday morning.

I have joined and spoke to the Local E39 club and sourced the MOT at near trade price via club discount and hopefully thanks to the club will have exhaust sorted quickly too.

Thanks for reading

Ultra · 26-02-2018, 05:43 PM

That's a nice looking example, they age much better than the E46's,

uberbmw · 26-02-2018, 05:45 PM

Very nice mate, congrats -the rims lol

Im not sure if it has the similar engine as the 130i but I would check the water temperature as they can fail.

Kerr · 26-02-2018, 05:48 PM

Looks a cracking project.

Soul boy 68 · 26-02-2018, 05:52 PM

You've bagged yourself a real gem steelghost, looking forward to the updates, enjoy working on it.

steelghost · 26-02-2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul boy 68

You've bagged yourself a real gem steelghost, looking forward to the updates, enjoy working on it.

I have?!

the wife is gonna kill me

(OP: Nice car, subbed for updates

)

Cookies · 26-02-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelghost

I have?!

the wife is gonna kill me

(OP: Nice car, subbed for updates

)

Lol!

It's a flippin amazing car bud. A definite keeper, and knowing you, it'll be immaculate in no time.

Summer days out with the family will be fantastic in that!!

Health to drive, bud.

Cooks

funkydunk · 26-02-2018, 07:08 PM

I love these cars. I had the exact same thought as you about the wheels though. Can wait to see updates

percymon · 26-02-2018, 07:23 PM

Glad you've found a good example - the rims are a matter of taste but a job for the summer if they don't grow on you

Fingers crossed for the MOT.

Bazza85 · 26-02-2018, 07:29 PM

Sweet car!
Inside and out.

I had the same engine in an e46. They are bullet proof if looked after.
I highly recommend a panel filter and a few cheeky holes in the wing side of the air box- not too many- just gives a lovely subtle induction roar that’s only in attack mode and doesn’t drone (OEM+ right!??)
Good luck with the mot, with how it sounds like it drives hopefully you will be fine
Happy motoring

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26-02-2018, 05:48 PM	#4
Kerr Distinguished Detailer Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 9,580 Thanks: 1,618 Thanked 6,549 Times in 4,172 Posts	Looks a cracking project.

26-02-2018, 07:08 PM	#8
funkydunk Washmitt Meister Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 259 Thanks: 24 Thanked 132 Times in 123 Posts	I love these cars. I had the exact same thought as you about the wheels though. Can wait to see updates

26-02-2018, 07:29 PM	#10
Bazza85 Washmitt Meister Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 255 Thanks: 83 Thanked 114 Times in 95 Posts	Sweet car! Inside and out. I had the same engine in an e46. They are bullet proof if looked after. I highly recommend a panel filter and a few cheeky holes in the wing side of the air box- not too many- just gives a lovely subtle induction roar that’s only in attack mode and doesn’t drone (OEM+ right!??) Good luck with the mot, with how it sounds like it drives hopefully you will be fine Happy motoring

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