My E39 Project

[BimmerE39]

It's hard to believe that I've owned this car for nearly 7 years now. It started off in 2003 when I was 17 years old and I was looking for a car. Originally, I never had plans to buy this car. Instead I had my eyes on a fully modified 1995 M3 that was priced at a steal. Unfortunately, the insurance companies I went to get quotes from did not like the idea of a 17 year old behind the wheel of an M3 even if it was an 8 year old car at the time. The M3 I wanted ended up selling too quickly for me to think of another plan.

I waited a few more weeks to see if anything else popped up that interested me. It was during this time my aunt's lease on a Titanium Silver 2000 BMW 528i premium and cold weather packaged equipped car was coming off lease. When it came off lease it only had 16,000 miles and was for the most part, spotless. Long story short, my aunts car ended up becoming mine and I picked it up at a price so low, I still can't believe it.

At first, I thought I was the man driving around in this car. It was big, luxurious, looked pretty good stock and being 17 at the time I thought for sure I would pick up mad chicks (because we are that stupid at that age). It wasn't long until I started noticing modified cars on the road. I have always loved cars, but I never thought about modifying (weird, right?).

I graduated high school in spring 2005, still driving a stock 2000 BMW 528i, still dreaming of modifying a car one day when I could afford it. Then it hit me, why don't I make it affordable so I can mod my car? :D

This is my car stock in March 2006:

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/DSC00602.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/DSC00620.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/DSC003711.jpg

[BimmerE39]

The next step: Learning from my mistakes

I was young, I was stupid, I was cheap and I didn't know what I was doing. The modding process started in April 2006 with a really "phenomenal sound system" from Best Buy. It was easily the biggest mistake of my life. The hack job they did on my car was just atrocious but at the time I was too stupid to know what quality is and how to judge it. I kind of accepted it and lived with it for awhile.

It was during the summer of 2006 when I bought my first set of wheels. Once again, I knew the style I wanted but went conservative on sizes and went cheap on the wheels. Before I knew it I had ASA AR1's in 17x8 sizes all around on my stock, non sport suspension. My car looked like a monster truck but at the time...I guess I thought it was cool...

I don't have any pictures of this first step as I have deleted them from my life and memory. :D

[remix405]

Welcome!!! to the FAm... i seen your car before on youtube i belive i was looking up type rs and i think u had a video of ur sound system... if im not mistaken..

but anyways nice e39!

[BimmerE39]

Growing up: Realizing how stupid I had been with my first mods...

So, it was during the spring of 2008 that I really had it with my car and the way it looked. In my eyes, it went from looking cool to looking like crap. I needed a change and I needed to do things right.

Step 1:

The suspension on my car finally had it. I could sense the roll in the body and could feel how nervous my car was at the limit. The standard E39 is no M5, but I knew there is room for improvement and it started with this...

Bilstein Sport struts and shocks
H&R lowering springs
Heavy duty upper shock mounts and strut bearings
New bushings all around

It was also during this time I made the next step, the big step, and went for the big upgrade. I finally wanted to make my car more noticeable and clean. This is the stage I like to refer to as my grown up phase. Enter the M-Tech conversion!

Real genuine M-Technic kit
M5 sideview mirrors
DEPO P39's w/ Umnitza Predator Chrmoium AE's
Clean turn signals
Xenoflo HID upgrade
Paint matched impact strips

This is what my car looked like in August of 2008:

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0368-1.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0374.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0372.jpg

I also had my first performance mod custom built by Wayne Jones Performance Engineering based in Danbury, Connecticut (my hometown): A full stainless steel, mandrel bent 2.5" catback exhaust. Now my car had a little extra performance and a nice crisp sound. :D

[BimmerE39]

My sound system is awful: Enter High Fidelity Autosport

In November 2008 I went to this local shop by my school called High Fidelity, talked to the owner, and was immediately impressed by his work portfolio. I knew this was the place to go when it was time for me to pull the trigger and redo my sound system. 3 months later in February of 2009, my I.C.E. was completely and properly redone.

Apline IVA-D106
Alpine KCE-422i
Polk MMC5250
Polk MMC525
Alpine SWR-1222D
Alpine MRP-M1000
Alpine MRP-F600
Tsunami PP1010DM power cap
JL Audio Premium Blue audio interconnects
Phoenix Gold wiring
Custom built box, trim panels, amp rack, false floor
Blue LED ambience lighting
Dynamat here and there

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Sound%20System/IMG_0096.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Sound%20System/IMG_0097.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Sound%20System/IMG_0104.jpg

[BimmerE39]

Spring Showers Bring...Wheels, brakes, and Angel Eyes?

So, in March 2009 I finally decided the ASA AR1's had to go. I love the mesh pattern style and wanted to stick with it. I chose to go with Beyern Mesh Types, staggered in Black. I went this route because at the time, big lips were in.

I also upgraded my brakes to deal with the bigger wheels, plus upgraded brakes look cool too. That's what I call a multifunctional mod. :D

TMS slotted rotors
Axxis Matal master pads
Ate Super Blue fluid
Goodridge stainless steel lines
E39 M5 calipers (front)
TMS brass guide pin bushings

I also chose to upgrade my Angel Eyes to Umnitza Orion V2's. The LED's looked a lot better than the CCFL's I had plus didn't suffer from the cold start issues like the CCFL's occasionally had. Plus there's no need for ballasts thus making wiring much easier to manage.\

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0123.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0122.jpg

The back looks a little wack because the tire sizes on the rear wheel is too big. Originally I had 275/40ZR 18 and my tires rubbed like crazy. I later went to 265/35 and it looks/rides much better.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/IMG_0126.jpg

[BimmerE39]

First legit photoshoot in April 2009: Photos by Mike Yaworski (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikety/) and Sean Phillips (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sphilli911/)

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Car%20Photos%20Spring%202009/Mike%20Yaworski/DSC_0020.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Car%20Photos%20Spring%202009/Mike%20Yaworski/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Car%20Photos%20Spring%202009/Mike%20Yaworski/DSC_0090.jpg

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3454193714_e3889cc44b_o.png

[BimmerE39]

Summer 2009: Body work, more mods, performance, etc...

I added a few more things in the Summer of 2009. I was forced to do body work as some dick sideswiped my car in a parking lot, and put a nice crease in my right rear fender. Unfortunately, this came out of my pocket as my deductible was going to be the same cost as the damage (or close to it) and the dick who hit my car didn't do his civic duty and leave me information.

Because of this I chose to add an M-Tech lip spoiler. I figured since the car was being painted it wouldn't hurt to take advantage of the occasion. I also had my valve cover and fuel rail cover paint matched as well.

I added a few other things as well:

Conforti Eurosport CAI
Conforti software
Powerflex bushings
Upper and lower control arms
New subframe bushings
Custom built DRL harness for my AE's
LED interior lighting
LED license plate lighting
M-tech finder liners
Racing Dynamics front strut brace

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3750103807_1d35232450.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3750095583_b15219c460_b.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r52/mikety28/DSC_0078.jpg

[BimmerE39]

Winter 2010: Shadowline and Neffy Wrap

I always disliked the chrome trim that came standard on my car. I also liked the 01+ kidney grills better as well so I took the time to make a few upgrades. During this time I also wanted to start in on the interior and finally get rid of my wood trim. I chose to use Neffy Wrap because I've seen it used with good results and I liked the dry carbon look.

I purchased a few items to do the work first:
Shadowline vinyl
DDM Tuning shadowline M5 kidney grill
Neffy Wrap + Super 77 spray glue.

The results...

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Shadowline%20Project/IMG_1642.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Shadowline%20Project/IMG_1661.jpg
No more chrome!

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Interior%20Project/IMG_1666.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Interior%20Project/IMG_1681.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Interior%20Project/IMG_1680.jpg

I also did a simple front parking light delete as I don't like the look of the amber corners being on with the low beams. My parking lights still work when I have my parking lights on but they turn off when my low beams are on. :D

[BimmerE39]

Spring 2010 and Summer 2010: What's currently going on?

In March 2010 I finally had my windows tinted. I went the correct route and went Huper Optik 35% all around. I was skeptical as to how good this film really is but now that it's summertime, it does a great job keeping my interior nice and cool. I'm glad I paid the premium for it.

I also used some more Neffy Wrap in the trunk, just because I was bored one weekend at school.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Shadowline%20Project/IMG_0392.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Shadowline%20Project/IMG_0394.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Shadowline%20Project/IMG_0393.jpg

New spring photoshoot done by my buddy Mike with his Nikon D90 :D. I did the photoshopping.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Spring%202010/DSC_0006.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Spring%202010/DSC_0007.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Spring%202010/DSC_0012.jpg

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http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Spring%202010/DSC_0034.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/foleygac/Car%20Pics/Spring%202010/DSC_0041.jpg

In those photos you can also see the shadowline window trim that I did for $26 with vinyl. Looks legit and I bet you would never know it's vinyl unless I told you.

My most recent modification: Completed 6/10/10

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy152/gareth_foley/Project%20E39/IMG_0432.jpg

From this....

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy152/gareth_foley/598bccd9.jpg

To this... :D

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy152/gareth_foley/f1a525b5.jpg

To the completed project. Easiest 15 minute mod I've ever done. I hate dealing with airbags but I didn't have any problems with this one at all. It was so easy I don't know why I didn't do it sooner.

Future mods:
ACS front splitters
M-Tech underpan
BMW Motorsport International impact strip emblems
A little bit of body work to get everything nice for HIN Boston July 2nd and 3rd

This is the whole story so far but there's plenty more to come. I'll post things here from now on as I add on to my car. I hope you guys have enjoyed it so far.

[BimmerE39]

Welcome!!! to the FAm... i seen your car before on youtube i belive i was looking up type rs and i think u had a video of ur sound system... if im not mistaken..

but anyways nice e39!

Thanks man! It was more than likely my video. If I was playing Akon and Metallica it was definitely mine.

YouTube- Custom Built Sound System w/ Alpine Type R's

[Laidback]

Love your Journal!:goldcup: you really transformed the car to a new beast!:buttrock:

Did you do the cf wrap by yourself? looks really good! hope i can also build my audio soon:)

[BimmerE39]

Thanks man! Yeah, I did the CF wrap myself during my winter break from school back in January. Unfortunately, I did it halfassed the first time around and have now redone every single piece properly. All part of the learning process I suppose...

I know when you do your audio it will more than likely be absolutely badass. Not that this applies to you (just because I don't think you want to ship Lola to Connecticut) but the shop that did my install worked on a Dinan M3 S3-R and that install is un-freaking-believable...

Hopefully you can see the images with this link (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=88810&id=100170943146&ref=pb). All I know is I've heard it in person and Focal Utopia/Steg amplifiers are FTMFW!

[BimmerE39]

I just wanted to give everyone here at Mfest a quick update about my E39:

On Halloween night coming back from my girls Halloween party at her dads bar with two of my friends something truly bizarre happened. I was letting one of my friends drive, I trust him and he's a good driver so there was no problem with that, and as we're driving along I hear a loud bang as two of my airbags go off.

Confused we pulled over onto the side of the road and unsurprisingly the engine cut shut off. We looked around the car trying to figure out WTF happened until I looked under the front of my car to find a huge gray rock (something used in landscaping) wedged under my front subframe. It ripped off my underpan, cracked my oilpan, broke a control arm, and did various other things.

At this point I was pissed. Simply, this was not a random accident. I know some little ****s put that rock in the road for hell night (or mischief night) as a practical joke. I never saw the rock in the road as the passenger and my friend never saw the rock either because this thing was painted the same color as the road (yes it was freaking painted to color match the road). Right now there is a police investigation ongoing regarding this matter but I know nothing will come out of it.

Insurance is taking care of the $2600 of damage on my car as well as the tow which is a good thing. Additionally, this incident will not affect my insurance rates which are already sky high being a 23 year old male driving two BMW's in the most expensive state in the US. I should be getting my 5 back sometime this week so I'm looking forward to that.

Currently, I've been driving my winter beater around as it's cold and crappy here in CT. I'll be putting both of my beasts away for the winter in about a month anyways but I can't help but feel I got screwed a few weeks ago. All I know is what goes around comes around and I will be redoing a few things on the E39 over the winter. I'm hoping for a slammed look on some new rollers for the spring.

[Bimmerlifestyle]

sweet i dont like the wheels but car looks clean

[Laidback]

Sorry to hear that bradah and glad your ok...can't wait to see what mods you have planned:drool:I just wanted to give everyone here at Mfest a quick update about my E39:

On Halloween night coming back from my girls Halloween party at her dads bar with two of my friends something truly bizarre happened. I was letting one of my friends drive, I trust him and he's a good driver so there was no problem with that, and as we're driving along I hear a loud bang as two of my airbags go off.

Confused we pulled over onto the side of the road and unsurprisingly the engine cut shut off. We looked around the car trying to figure out WTF happened until I looked under the front of my car to find a huge gray rock (something used in landscaping) wedged under my front subframe. It ripped off my underpan, cracked my oilpan, broke a control arm, and did various other things.

At this point I was pissed. Simply, this was not a random accident. I know some little ****s put that rock in the road for hell night (or mischief night) as a practical joke. I never saw the rock in the road as the passenger and my friend never saw the rock either because this thing was painted the same color as the road (yes it was freaking painted to color match the road). Right now there is a police investigation ongoing regarding this matter but I know nothing will come out of it.

Insurance is taking care of the $2600 of damage on my car as well as the tow which is a good thing. Additionally, this incident will not affect my insurance rates which are already sky high being a 23 year old male driving two BMW's in the most expensive state in the US. I should be getting my 5 back sometime this week so I'm looking forward to that.

Currently, I've been driving my winter beater around as it's cold and crappy here in CT. I'll be putting both of my beasts away for the winter in about a month anyways but I can't help but feel I got screwed a few weeks ago. All I know is what goes around comes around and I will be redoing a few things on the E39 over the winter. I'm hoping for a slammed look on some new rollers for the spring.

[dc.allen]

This is where all those 4x4 BMW jokes could have come in handy…. Good luck dude.

[BimmerE39]

sweet i dont like the wheels but car looks clean

The wheels are gone.

Sorry to hear that bradah and glad your ok...can't wait to see what mods you have planned:drool:

It's been awhile, and a lot of things have happened between my post last year and now. Some good, some bad, but the key is my E39 is still on the road.

This is where all those 4x4 BMW jokes could have come in handy…. Good luck dude.

I know, but I've made the decision that I want to go more low this coming year.

[BimmerE39]

Updates:

It's been a crazy year for me. I graduated school and have been floating around amelessly in terms of work. I've been making pretty good money but I've been working my ass off. I also started something this past Summer called "The Car Life (http://facebook.com/TheCarLife)" where my friends and I film and edit videos about the car scene. It's still early in it's life but it's starting to grow...hopefully one day I will go to MFest and finally get to see this scene (east coast sucks when it comes to epic events). It's also been a crazy few months for me. I'm leaving my current job and starting something new in the next few weeks. In the meantime I will have a lot of downtime and I will be putting my E39 back together (mostly).

I recently got a part sponsorship from a local company called FCP Euro (http://fcpeuro.com). They essentially provide me free replacement parts in exchange for free auto parts. Honestly, this has saved me so much $$$ at this part I don't even know where to start.

Over the last year or so I let a lot of things go which I'm not happy about but I'm fixing those problems as we speak. First and foremost, right before christmas I broke a motor support and a motor mount. It was aggravating but it was also something I decided to handle on my own. I'll post things below that I've been handling with this car. It's also good to be back on here and I will be posting more frequently from here on out.

[BimmerE39]

This happened right before Christmas. I hit a nasty dip in the road and subsequently felt the front end of the are shudder. Everytime I gave my car some throttle I could feel a shifting coming from the front end. I pretty much already knew what happened and I was pretty pissed about it. I planned to garage the car over the winter anyway and work on some things here and there but it quickly turned into an overhaul.

http://just.razzi.me/photos/369092/19b8856.jpg
I started stripping the car down (also replacing the front bumper this year) on January 2nd and subsequently started finding a lot of issues as I started removing parts.

BMW E39 Motor Mount Replacement - FCP Euro - #ProjectE39 - YouTube
Here's the video where we removed the motor mounts and discovered the broken motor support (it was unknown at the time). Overall, not one of the easier things one car do but it was a good learning experience.

Upon discovering the busted motor support I had to order a new one which was surprisingly cheaper than what I thought it would be. Motor mounts are actually more expensive which I felt was strange.

http://just.razzi.me/photos/354948/19b8856.jpg

BMW E39 Motor Mount & Support Install - FCP Euro - #ProjectE39 - YouTube
Here's the video reinstalling the new motor support and dropping the motor back down onto the new motor mounts. Overall fairly straightforward process but it doesn involve some help to line everything up.

[BimmerE39]

After completing the front end of the car I decided to start looking at some parts in the rear end that were in desperate need of replacing. The wishbone and guide link are two parts that have never been replaced and were definitely past their prime. Part of my tire wear issues and alignment issues came from these parts being in bad shape. Once again, it was time to go in blindfolded and tear some parts out.

The first thing I replaed was the wishbone. My sponsors at FCP Euro (http://fcpeuro.com) sent me the replacement parts within 48 hours of my request which is awesome.

Wishbone install video
BMW Wishbone Replacement (E39) FCP Euro - #ProjectE39 - YouTube

The second issue I decided to address was the guide links. Once again, my sponsors sent me the parts I requested quickly and I was able to tear into the rear end more. This suspension setup does not leave a lot to be desired in terms of working space but I suppose that't the nature of the beast. I have nig hands so reaching into tight spaces is usually a problem.

Rear guidelink install video
BMW Rear Guidelink Install (E39) FCP Euro - #ProjectE39 - YouTube

Fresh components are always nice to have :D

http://just.razzi.me/photos/436655/19b8856.jpg
http://just.razzi.me/photos/436664/19b8856.jpg

[BimmerE39]

I finally had a chance this past week to address my concern regaring the hydraulic power steering system in this car. It started to form a pool on my garage floor which told me that it was leaking substantially. Also, I could see that my underpan had a lot of accumulation as well. I knew that the system was overdue for a flush anyway so I decided to replace the reservoir, suction hose, and return hose. FCP Groton once again hooked me up.

Overhaul video
Power Steering Overhaul (E39) FCP Euro - #ProjectE39 - YouTube

[BimmerE39]

I ordered a set of VarrsToen's. For the quality and fitment I could never argue with the price. I also had a good experience with Navith in regards to customer service. Definitely very happy with them so far and a lot of people who have seen them in person thought I had spent way more than I actually did.

Fresh out of the box:
VarrsToen 1.1.2's for #ProjectE39 - YouTube

Mounting:
VarrsToen 1.1.2's Installed On #ProjectE39 - YouTube

http://just.razzi.me/photos/450240/778a759.jpg

http://just.razzi.me/photos/450242/778a759.jpg