SCHLEPN | The E39 540itA Story

suspenceful

Awesome job bringing it back up to par. Looks like an awesome car now!

Jdesign

Nice Updates! Looks like you spent some time going through this thing. What the hell is that blue condom looking thing in a few of the last pictures?

Also, I want to see more "final" photos. Lets see the interior all put together and shinned up after that intense deep cleaning! Looks like you did a great job!

DrLeadFoot

Jdesign said:

Nice Updates! Looks like you spent some time going through this thing. What the hell is that blue condom looking thing in a few of the last pictures?

Also, I want to see more "final" photos. Lets see the interior all put together and shinned up after that intense deep cleaning! Looks like you did a great job!

It was under the knife for about 3-4 months of hitting it hard. Now just working out the smaller bugs from daily driving it but I think I'm almost to being 100%. Sunroof rattle is next up. That condom thing was ziptied on there to block that hole. So weird. I'll get more final pics. Thanks!!

suspenceful said:

Awesome job bringing it back up to par. Looks like an awesome car now!

Thank you!

YoungCR said:

Glad you replaced the torx bolts on the intake manifolds, I've had a few of those strip and they suck to cut out.

Man what is up with the tailgates on these cars, yours looked perfect. Is there just no primer inside them?

Thanks! I wish they did a fiberglass tailgate like the XJ Jeeps did. Lighter and it doesn't rust! Blunttech just quoted me $1650ish for a new tailgate. It might be worth it!

straight6pwr

DrLeadFoot said:

Thanks! I wish they did a fiberglass tailgate like the XJ Jeeps did. Lighter and it doesn't rust! Blunttech just quoted me $1650ish for a new tailgate. It might be worth it!

BMW's first attempt at a tailgate on the e34 is an abomination. it seems their 2nd attempt isn't much better. why do i feel like those silly germans tried to engineer it from square one instead of studying some proven designs and learning a thing or two?

ChrisO

damn you got a lot done in 10 days, lookin good with the 19” arc8’s

edit: I see you brought it home in June now, still lookin good!

DrLeadFoot

ChrisO said:

damn you got a lot done in 10 days, lookin good with the 19” arc8’s

edit: I see you brought it home in June now, still lookin good!

Thanks!! With real estate being busy I am delegating work to a friend/Master BMW Tech so I can't take all the credit but I am back seat driving the process as much as I can.

DrLeadFoot

My favorite part!

DrLeadFoot

Welp...

Jdesign

oh. fun.

DrLeadFoot

They have arrived. Thanks, Dr. Vanos!

Jdesign

DrLeadFoot

Vanos time is here!

After getting the top, front covers off it does look like the PO did do the timing chain and guides.

Engine looks relatively clean which makes me all warm and fuzzy on the insides.

Will be replacing the vanos units, vanos solenoids, chain tensioners and spark plugs.

DrLeadFoot

Vanos is all done! The diesel sound is mostly gone. Probably should have replaced the exhaust chains but this will do for now.

Time to drive!

DrLeadFoot

Cylinder #8 is shot. Need a motor... hmmm. What to do, what to do??

YoungCR

Damn, only 180k too

Options:

1. Replace M60B44 and life carries on

2. Get a B40 bottom end and build a stroker motor. Car value raises to $20k on BaT.

4. Commence GMW #2, worth $40k on BaT

4. S62 swap, car becomes worth $80k on BaT.

DrLeadFoot

I am going with one of these options!

Rekpoint

Ls swap the world

DrLeadFoot

Rekpoint said:

Ls swap the world

Not this one. Going for a less custom option.

DrLeadFoot

Parts are slowly being pulled and making their way onto the 40x48" pallet! Please excuse the blue & red text. That is the seller and I both adding items to the list.

-2002 -S62 115k miles, 5k miles on chain guides, rod bearings, vanos

-Engine wiring harness

-Trans, Clutch & Flywheel

-Dinan short shifter kit

-Pedal assembly (clutch, brake and gas pedal) Clutch Master & Slave w/lines

-M5 Cluster

-S62 exhaust manifolds

-M5 Collectors

-Intake assemblies w/MAFs

-Cowl to cover wiring harness. Will be brittle.

-Secondary Air pump with hoses

-Coolant hoses

-Radiator and shroud

-Coolant reservoir Need M5 one.

-M5 Steering box includes solenoid and sport button switch panel Female side of connector.

-48 x 40 pallet U-Ship

-EWS and Cat delete on ECU

-Fan blade & Clutch

-Initial Start up guarantee in writing.

-M5 Driveshaft, Axles & Diff

-Rear Reinforcement Bars

-M5 Fuel pump

-M5 fuel filter and pressure regulator

-M5 Fuel lines We need to see whats actually different. But I can include whatever we need. If it isn't a big to-do, I would love to get as many of the lines as possible. Looks like the lines coming into and out of the filter/regulator are different. I believe you are correct up until the regulator its the same after its a bit different as m5 uses a return line.

-M5 ABS precharge pump, Bracket and any brake lines associated with this

-M5 airbox tray for ABS lines to go through

-Front and rear rotors with calipers

-m5 good Guibo

-Vacuum Lines, vacuum valve (engine & to regulator)

-Power steering lines and reservoir w/hardware. Mounting bracket

-Oil filter lines and filter housing w/hardware. Mounting bracket

-Oil Cooler Control Valve and Associated lines

-Grounding straps/wires

-Positive voltage wires

-Sway bars front and rear with bushings