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Defector · Fanatic

Background:
Well, despite loving my previous E39, worries about Nikasil and the uninvolving slushbox meant that it was time to look for something else.

'Something else' was very nearly a E36 328i Sport or an E34 525i Sport, but i decided i wouldn't be as happy as if i bought another E39. So the hunt was on for something that would be like my previous car, but with a manual box and no engine issues.

Such a car was eventually found in the deepest, darkest depths of West London.

The Car

1998 528i SE
* M52TU Engine
* Manual Gearbox
* Cosmic Black Pearl paint
* M-Tech Suspension
* 17" Radial Spoke Alloys
* Heated Grey Leather
* High OBC
* Comms Pack with integrated Phone
* Thru-Load seats
* Auto-dip rear view mirror
* Rain Sensor
* Cruise Control with multi-function wheel
* Park Distance Control

Apart from Xenons and SatNav, perfect spec. Very Happy

And so it begins again...

Defector · Fanatic

Journal

Repairs Jan 07

It became obvious on a trip for work that something was wrong with the cooling system, when it didn't manage to get up to operating temperature after a 70 mile run.

After handing over £320 the following were completed by Chandlers BMW:

Maintenance Jan 07

Despite a 'full service history' and a service merely 2k ago, i decided to give it a once over. This broke down as follows:

From Chandlers BMW (Total: £70)

From GSF (Total: £22)

2x Charcoal A/C Filter
From Opie Oils (Total: £42 with member discount)

5 litres Silkolene Pro-S 5W40 Oil (already had remaining 1.5l spare)

Modification Jan 07

With the previous E39 soon to be sold, i decided to swap a couple of bits onto the new car beforehand:

Celis rear lights:

Gun metal front grills:

ACS Strut Brace:

Bosch Silvertop 100Ah Battery:

Repair Jan 07

Upon purchasing the car, a few small noises were identified as not 'normal'. With the more critical repairs carried out it was time to investigate these, first up was a wind noise with an accompanying gurgling sound when raining.

Investigation of the windscreen seals revealed they had failed in several locations, with a 'chunk' actually missing at one point. As luck would have it, I accidentally dropped a rather large spanner on the screen during the investigation resulting in a non-repairable crack in the drivers field of vision. Rolling Eyes

After a call to my insurer, a fight to get a genuine OEM screen, 2 cancelled appointments and quite shocking customer service I eventually had it fitted at an RAC centre. With the removal of £60 from my bank balance, I have an end to the gurgling and a much more relaxed interior when travelling at motorway speeds.

Mod Feb 07

After finally finding a decent set on e-bay for a reasonable price, I am rid of my Vavona wood trim.

In addition, with thanks to Sphinx for finding a unit for me at a nice price, I replace my Business RDS unit for the CD version:

Whilst I had the dash apart I also took the opportunity to remove the nasty PDA kit.

Mod Feb 07

Origin B2 unit transfered from previous E39. Changes in E39 design between them meant i couldn't place the GPS antenna under the parcel shelf as before. Ended up placing it inside the dash behind the foglight switch. As it doesn't need 'line of sight' it works perfectly and doesn't require running all the cables to the back of the car!

Mod Apr 07

Having been looking for a knob (ooh er missus) to match my newly acquired Piano Black trim for a while, forum member Sphinx came across one on e-bay which was perfect. £40 later I have it fitted and it looks much better than the brushed metal one I had been using:

Mod/Repair May 07

Several bits and pieces repaired:

New toolkit locking screw: £1
New bonnet Badge: £12

In addition, purchased a set of 18" Style 37 M Paras with new tyres off e-bay for £585. This cured the vibration I had been getting with my 17" radial spoke wheels, as well as looking 10x better. Very Happy

Maintenance May 07

I've been meaning to replace the knackered wiper blades for some time. The E39 does not have the usual 'U clip' universal type blades and so finding wipers to fit is an issue. In the past i've bought some universal PIAA silicon blades and performed open-wiper surgery to get the rubbers into the BMW units. This often resulted in un-even pressure of rubber on screen and a crap result even with brand new rubber.

This time, i've decided to bite the bullet and just get a new set from BMW. At a cost of £33.41 I have a set, they aren't fancy, silicon or super in any other way. But at least they fit properly.

I noticed that the drivers side wiper spoiler had snapped a couple of lugs, so I took the oppotunity to superglue them back together. I also noted that the plastic spoilers and wiper arms are looking decidedly faded and grey. I've made a mental note to spray them black when I have a minute.

Repair June 07

Whilst braking efficiency has been absolutely fine of late, previous wheel swaps identified that the discs themselves were looking decidedly tired.

So, with a good days work and some cursing later, I had a new set of discs and pads, cleaned callipers, brackets and shields. Old discs looked very tired indeed:

Total Cost:

From GSF:
Jurid Front vented (non-grooved or drilled) Discs: £76

From Chandlers BMW:
Brake Pads: £55.23

From Halfords:
Brake Cleaner Spray: £4
Copper Grease: £3

Repair July 07

Chandlers had noted previously that they 'Suspect Inlet Mannifold Hose Split'. Having checked the first bit of hose nearest the MAF and found nothing, I went out and purchased the hose nearest the engine and took the intake system apart.

Turned out there were no splits in the hoses at all. The hose I bought didn't cost all that much, so I replaced it anyway and put the whole lot back together. While it was apart I gave the MAF a spray with electrical cleaner.

No apparent improvement on the cold idle problem i've been experiencing.

Total Cost:

From Chandlers BMW:
Inlet Hose Elbow: £8

From Halfords:
Electrical Contact Cleaner: £4

Repair July 07

Another job highlighted by BMW was that various bushes were worn on the rear part of the suspension. The first of these to be tackled were the anti-roll bar links. With another day of hard graft and swearing at not having the correct spanners, I managed to change them. Again, the originals were indeed looking tired:

Total Cost:

From Chandlers BMW:
Rear Anti-Roll Bar Links (x2): £36

Repair July 07

My window switches on the drivers side were looking very tatty, with some of the black outer covering having been scratched off by the previous owner.

BMW wanted over £100 and e-bay usually had them up for about £40. I was in two minds about spending this sort of money considering the unit actually worked fine. In the end I came across one cheap on e-bay and snapped it up.

A small matter but a big difference to the interior IMO.

Total Cost:

From e-bay:
Drivers Window Switch: £21

Mod / Repair July 07

The number plates on the car were looking a bit old and knackered, so I decided it was time for an update:

Total Cost:

From Myshowplates:
Number Plates: £25

From forum member Sphinx:
Number Plate Surrounds: £Free (Thank you mate Smile

)

Updates for June/July are discussed in more detail here.

Maintenance August 07

Completed a 6 monthly service:

From Chandlers BMW (Total: £28 )

From Opie Oils (Total: £74 with member discount)

10 litres Silkolene Pro-S 5W40 Oil (Only required 6.5l but some spare for next service)

Maintenance November 07

MOT time. Failed on the almost obligatory handbrake adjustment and twisted front brake pipes (oops, must have done that when I changed pads/discs a couple of month previously! Embarassed

)

All in all £80, for MOT and little fixes. Happy with that.

Maintenance February 08

Completed a 12 monthly service:

From Chandlers BMW (Total: £68 )

From Opie Oils (Total: £45 with member discount)

5 litres Silkolene Pro-S 5W40 Oil
From GSF (Total: £22 )

Repair March 08

Rust on Bootlid and Passenger Front Wing was beginning to annoy. After some research and some recommendations from fellow forum members the following work was completed:

From Midland BM via Partsgateway (Total: £152 )

From N J Wadman (Crash Repairs) Ltd (Total: £350 )

Spray and Fit of Wing and Bootlid

Very pleased with the work. Car looks like new again, instead of a rusting hulk!

Mod April 08

After agreeing to sell the car to my father, he had decided that he would prefer it if I swapped the 18" M Para wheels for smaller wheels, which didn't have expensive 275 rears. Advert was placed on the forum and forum member RK237 obliged, swapping a set of 17" Sport wheels.

Updates for Nov-April are discussed in more detail here

Sale April 08

With the major issues sorted and my old man dying to get his hands on it, I finally handed over the keys.

Hopefully, he has got a good car here. It has certainly done me very well and I hope he enjoys it as well.

And so, to the next project!

Journal End

kiforrest · Advanced Driver

Keep us posted. Looks in excellent condition and an oustanding starting point for your next modding project.... Can't wait to read it as it develops!

John · Advanced Driver

Very nice

SJD · Advanced Driver

Looks a very nice example - well done Cool

Amauvis · Established

Auto 528i vs Manual 528i. Now you know what I've been wittering on about.... Smile

Defector · Fanatic

Sphinx · Fanatic

Looks fantastic.

I have just added the lip spoiler to mine and it makes it look so much better.

Looks like that car has had quite a few optional extras fitted to it.

What do you have for future plans?

Celis Rears? Hint hint... Smile

(PM me!!)

Defector · Fanatic

Sphinx · Fanatic

Opps. I thought you p/x'd your auto for this manual.

Cool no worries.

I was checking out the all black grill - I think it looks nice.

Big Stuff · Enthusiast

You would'nt think they would work but those CSL reps look great IMO

Defector · Fanatic

Sphinx · Fanatic

kiforrest · Advanced Driver

Now that does look the dogs!!!!

John · Advanced Driver

Murph · Driver

Guys, you can get rep CSL's which go straight on (no mods needed). I will try to find the link but I think the ones Scorcher put on were genuine, hence the mods needed.

I think I saw a wheel and tyre deal for £1100, all in.

Not bad for 19"s either Wink

Murph · Driver

Found these on eBay earlier

Amauvis · Established

Murph · Driver

Thanks Amauvis! Wink

Defector · Fanatic

Be interested to know how much they weigh. I've had reps before and i promised myself i'd never do it again.

In any event, i'll have to see how ~~far i can push my luck with the missus~~ my finances look after xmas. Wink