New Bimmer!
05-29-2006, 08:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,020
New Bimmer!
Hey 3rd Gen Homies from about 5 years ago!
I recently bought my first BMW! I got a 1997 528i 5MT for $7700. I've always loved the E39 body style, and upgraded from a 1986 Honda Accord with 288K miles. I don't expect the Bimmer to be quite as cheap as my beloved Honda was, but I am betting this will be a fun car to drive around.
I almost settled for an auto, but I am glad I held out for the manual. I think I have about every option that came with the 1997 528i, and there's a sticker on the service port that mentions Dinan programming and there's a cone filter fitted. I don't know too much about the car at this point, but hope to familiarize myself with it in the near future. My first priorities are hooking up my Ipod to the DSP stereo and getting some new tires. I've got the 15" wheels, and I am unsure whether I should upgrade the wheels. I also am thinking about getting the 01-03 taillights to match the front end. I've got to do some maintenance to the car. I need to do a fluid change, replace the A/C belt, and learn about any specific maintenance requirements with my new car. I plan to service it myself.
I'd love to get involved with a Seattle area BMW association. I was a former Maxima owner and had a turbocharged 1992 Maxima SE that was faster than the 528i. Without the turbo it ran a 14.8 but I couldn't get a good run with the turbo (detonation). The Bimmer has it beat very well though in the corners. I also had a 1990 TTZ 5MT stage II that could beat it in the corners, but couldn't carry 4 people comfortably. I got out of cars for about 4 years while I went to college, and now I am getting back into cars.
Sincerely,
Sam
I recently bought my first BMW! I got a 1997 528i 5MT for $7700. I've always loved the E39 body style, and upgraded from a 1986 Honda Accord with 288K miles. I don't expect the Bimmer to be quite as cheap as my beloved Honda was, but I am betting this will be a fun car to drive around.
I almost settled for an auto, but I am glad I held out for the manual. I think I have about every option that came with the 1997 528i, and there's a sticker on the service port that mentions Dinan programming and there's a cone filter fitted. I don't know too much about the car at this point, but hope to familiarize myself with it in the near future. My first priorities are hooking up my Ipod to the DSP stereo and getting some new tires. I've got the 15" wheels, and I am unsure whether I should upgrade the wheels. I also am thinking about getting the 01-03 taillights to match the front end. I've got to do some maintenance to the car. I need to do a fluid change, replace the A/C belt, and learn about any specific maintenance requirements with my new car. I plan to service it myself.
I'd love to get involved with a Seattle area BMW association. I was a former Maxima owner and had a turbocharged 1992 Maxima SE that was faster than the 528i. Without the turbo it ran a 14.8 but I couldn't get a good run with the turbo (detonation). The Bimmer has it beat very well though in the corners. I also had a 1990 TTZ 5MT stage II that could beat it in the corners, but couldn't carry 4 people comfortably. I got out of cars for about 4 years while I went to college, and now I am getting back into cars.
Sincerely,
Sam
05-30-2006, 11:42 AM
#7
yeah, you scored a good deal on that one. Excellent car. I also agree that some bigger rims would really do it justice.
too bad you are out of the Maxima gig, but you can't complain about something better.
too bad you are out of the Maxima gig, but you can't complain about something better.
05-30-2006, 12:29 PM
#10
Mostly because he was here before you knew this site existed. Plus he was one of the 1st few to turbo a VE. Plus I know him and he's a buddy.
So I SAY it's related to 3-gens.
Congrats Sam! Glad to know you are doing well. Fix that 924 turbo yet? hehe
So I SAY it's related to 3-gens.
Congrats Sam! Glad to know you are doing well. Fix that 924 turbo yet? hehe
Originally Posted by internetautomar
and this has what to do with third gens?
05-30-2006, 05:21 PM
#12
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great deal on the E39 body. i work for BMW so i pretty much know what goes on with these cars and all the other ones. for rims i would slap on the M5 rims from the E39, not the ones from the new M5 even though they look nice as hell too. i would also upgrade the front end with the '01-'03 headlights with the Xenons and front bumper from an M5 as well along with the side view mirrors. and also do the taillights as well with the rear bumper. both my tech. buddies have the E39 but one of them just wired up a bulb in his taillight thats right next to the reverse bulb to come with the brakes. supposeably this bulb on both taillights do not come cuz its missin' a connector in the harness that is only used for the Euro spec E39's. if u already knew about this then forget about what i said. if u didn't know about this and interested in doin' it then let me know and i'll tell u how to make that non-workin' bulb work. these cars a fairly easy to work with. just do the regular maintenance with the BMW synthetic oil and u'll be fine. if u need any type of info on ur car let me know and i'll find out for u from my job. i can even tell u how to program ur own key without havin' to take it to the dealer if u don't know how to do that either. have fun with the E39 Sam.
Rick
Rick
05-30-2006, 05:36 PM
#13
beautiful. I love those cars as well. How are those lights? I notice they are the aftermarket ones they sell on ebay (chrome side instead of yellow reflector) and thought about getting some myself to see how i could make them look on a 3rd gen. I really like the factory lights but man are they expensive...especially for a set of lights I am not sure you can make fit.
05-30-2006, 05:52 PM
#14
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well, just the headlights with Xenons from BMW is about $1500-$2000 for the pair. i've actually seen a chevy cavalier i think it was like a '92 or '93 body style with the '01-'03 E39 headlights and they came out lookin' good. i don't know about makin' them fit on our 3rd gens. maybe a 4th gen but who knows.
05-31-2006, 12:34 AM
#15
nice score!btw, there's a Maxima meet this weekend at the Fry's parking lot (Sunday, June 4th at noon)
http://www.nwmaxima.com/viewtopic.php?t=1308
And don't worry, almost half the local group doesn't even drive Maxima's anymore
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