E30 Zone

Some of the older zoners will remember me being on here all the time a year or 2 ago....well the reason for me wanting to sell up is because of this....

E39 328i M-Sport.

It needs a bit of work to tidy it up a bit (front bumper could do with replacing), but i just fell in love with it on the drive home.

This car actually belongs to my brother, however we've decided to car-share so i'm driving this most of the time.

It's got a few electrical niggles, and has the common problem with broken buttons on the heater panel, aswell as a few other niggles, but i'm working through them slowly.

In true tradition (for me anyway) here's a few pics i tool

528i

Look's just like Dodo's, for a minute i thought it was his

LPG too if i'm right?

Looks nice, lovely cars

ImysE30 wrote:528i

Look's just like Dodo's, for a minute i thought it was his

LPG too if i'm right?

Looks nice, lovely cars

Yep, LPG goodness!

Dodo's hasn't got the m-sport bumpers, and his has manual heated seats, where as this one has electric non-heated seats

He also has the TV in his, this one doesn't.

Ride is so comfortable compared to all my recent cars though

Much better than that Merc Jaggz had.

I think his is a 530i as well. Good reliable car's, you need a comfortable car as a daily drive

You can get good bass out of them as well you know

ImysE30 wrote:I think his is a 530i as well. Good reliable car's, you need a comfortable car as a daily drive

You can get good bass out of them as well you know

Jaggz wants the bass in it...i've not fitted anything yet...i'm liking the factory look of it. There's enough room in it for the subs though...probably fit 2 15's in it just to give it a little kick

The 2.8 isn't that shabby, but i'm thinking of buying a later model (2000+) later this year for myself and i'll probably go for a v8 model and lpg it myself (if i can't find any that already have lpg).

This one needs a bit of work...but we got it cheap so there is a budget in place to get all the bits sorted in due time.

It's already had 50W 4300K HID's installed, so the mods have begun already (HID's are always the first thing i do to my cars)

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:I think his is a 530i as well. Good reliable car's, you need a comfortable car as a daily drive

You can get good bass out of them as well you know

Jaggz wants the bass in it...i've not fitted anything yet...i'm liking the factory look of it. There's enough room in it for the subs though...probably fit 2 15's in it just to give it a little kick

The 2.8 isn't that shabby, but i'm thinking of buying a later model (2000+) later this year for myself and i'll probably go for a v8 model and lpg it myself (if i can't find any that already have lpg).

This one needs a bit of work...but we got it cheap so there is a budget in place to get all the bits sorted in due time.

My uncle had some sick bass in his, two 12" Audiobahn subs and amp, sounded awesome, hardly any rattle at all

Should look good once all the little bits have been done

You selling the 4 door then?

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:I think his is a 530i as well. Good reliable car's, you need a comfortable car as a daily drive

You can get good bass out of them as well you know

Jaggz wants the bass in it...i've not fitted anything yet...i'm liking the factory look of it. There's enough room in it for the subs though...probably fit 2 15's in it just to give it a little kick

The 2.8 isn't that shabby, but i'm thinking of buying a later model (2000+) later this year for myself and i'll probably go for a v8 model and lpg it myself (if i can't find any that already have lpg).

This one needs a bit of work...but we got it cheap so there is a budget in place to get all the bits sorted in due time.

My uncle had some sick bass in his, two 12" Audiobahn subs and amp, sounded awesome, hardly any rattle at all

Should look good once all the little bits have been done

You selling the 4 door then?

Selling everything...!

To be honest i've gone off the sound now...think i overdid it by putting the 4 15's in the sunny...nothing since can compare to something as mad as that (although i loved my tv setup in my touring).

I much prefer to enjoy the cars now that i can actually insure myself on something worthwile.

The audio was good at the time, but if i'd saved that money i'd be looking at buying M5's right now, so that should show you how much i spent!

Which one is your uncles? There's a few 5's in derby, seen a blue one the other day. They do look smart in blue.

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote: Jaggz wants the bass in it...i've not fitted anything yet...i'm liking the factory look of it. There's enough room in it for the subs though...probably fit 2 15's in it just to give it a little kick

The 2.8 isn't that shabby, but i'm thinking of buying a later model (2000+) later this year for myself and i'll probably go for a v8 model and lpg it myself (if i can't find any that already have lpg).

This one needs a bit of work...but we got it cheap so there is a budget in place to get all the bits sorted in due time.

My uncle had some sick bass in his, two 12" Audiobahn subs and amp, sounded awesome, hardly any rattle at all

Should look good once all the little bits have been done

You selling the 4 door then?

Selling everything...!

To be honest i've gone off the sound now...think i overdid it by putting the 4 15's in the sunny...nothing since can compare to something as mad as that (although i loved my tv setup in my touring).

I much prefer to enjoy the cars now that i can actually insure myself on something worthwile.

The audio was good at the time, but if i'd saved that money i'd be looking at buying M5's right now, so that should show you how much i spent!

Which one is your uncles? There's a few 5's in derby, seen a blue one the other day. They do look smart in blue.

I'm just getting started Got loads of plans for the cabby once the engine's in

He sold it a while back, was a blue one with the sport alloys and beige leather, T plate i think

E39's are one of the best BMW's going. FACT!

One thing i would do to yours is change the kidney grills to the post 2000 facelift ones to match the rest of the kit and wheels.

Love these. I will post pics of my dads 525d sport when its finished.

Really like these -I will own one at some point

bss325i wrote:E39's are one of the best BMW's going. FACT!

One thing i would do to yours is change the kidney grills to the post 2000 facelift ones to match the rest of the kit and wheels.

Agreed. I love my 530i sport.

Strange it doesn't have the "M" rubbing strips on the front doors. I thought all prefacelift sports had them but they deleted them on the facelift cars. I've just fitted them on my facelift sport as I like them.

BUT I have to ask this

Who the f*ck fitted that LPG filler??? could he have chosen a more prominent place!?

B7 wrote: BUT I have to ask this

Who the f*ck fitted that LPG filler??? could he have chosen a more prominent place!?

Stevie Wonder & David Blunkett spring to mind

kieran325 wrote:

B7 wrote: BUT I have to ask this

Who the f*ck fitted that LPG filler??? could he have chosen a more prominent place!?

Stevie Wonder & David Blunkett spring to mind

Heres mine. Almost a dead ringer.

"bss325i"]E39's are one of the best BMW's going. FACT!

One thing i would do to yours is change the kidney grills to the post 2000 facelift ones to match the rest of the kit and wheels.

What's the difference between them? I've seen the mod carried out, but can't really notice much of a difference.

Blitz wrote:Love these. I will post pics of my dads 525d sport when its finished.

What are the diesels like?? There are a few 530d's local to me aswell, and they seem to be very nice...are they actually any good on fuel? Although i'll probably stick with petrol and lpg combo myself unless a really nice one comes up.

capri_rob wrote:Really like these -I will own one at some point Twisted Evil

I was actully looking to buy an e60 latere this year, however that would've had to have been an early model so i figure it's best to get a late E39 rather than an early E60 (although i love the E60 m-sport look).

B7 wrote:

B7 wrote:

kieran325 wrote: Stevie Wonder & David Blunkett spring to mind

Strangely enough all of the LPG'd E39's i've seen either have it there or very low on the bumper...whilst it's not where i'd put the nozzle, i'd rather have it there, than have to bend down everytime you want to re-fuel (which is quite often in this as it only has a donut tank as opposed to one of the big ones_

B7 wrote:

B7 wrote:Heres mine. Almost a dead ringer.

From that pic it looks like you've got the alcantara interior...??? I would consider this myself as it's something different, but just a bit worried how it would ware, especially with the kids leaving half of their snacks in the seats or on the floor after every journey

B7 wrote:Strange it doesn't have the "M" rubbing strips on the front doors. I thought all prefacelift sports had them but they deleted them on the facelift cars. I've just fitted them on my facelift sport as I like them.

I actually prefer it without them so i'm glad it doesn't have them.

My grilles are the facelift ones. They are wider around the edge.

Yes mine has alcantara. It's actually really nice. Very tactile. I had leather in my last 39 and that was nice too. The alcantara worn really well considering it has 102k up now. I've seen leather in worse nick. Cleaning it is a pain though as itf you're not careful, it goes bobbly.

it's not been a bad car over the year I've had it. It is quick and they handle well. Only this morning it shat it's water pump!!!! Barrys bringing one home from the dealer. It's had a few issues this year. All par for the course for later BM's it seems.

The wiper motor blew it's beans in the ice (220 quid!)
The heater hedgehog went awol (60 odd quid)
Cam cover gasket spewd it's lot (common M54 issue by all accounts and another 30 odd quid)
The PDC went mad although thats rectified it'self for the time being

and now the water pump! (£70 odd quid)

Add that to a heavily reduced oil service and gearbox oil change (another £240) it's been a dear 3 months of 2010.

Give me an e30 or an e34 in build quality any day!

B7 wrote:My grilles are the facelift ones. They are wider around the edge.

Yes mine has alcantara. It's actually really nice. Very tactile. I had leather in my last 39 and that was nice too. The alcantara worn really well considering it has 102k up now. I've seen leather in worse nick. Cleaning it is a pain though as itf you're not careful, it goes bobbly.

it's not been a bad car over the year I've had it. It is quick and they handle well. Only this morning it shat it's water pump!!!! Barrys bringing one home from the dealer. It's had a few issues this year. All par for the course for later BM's it seems.

The wiper motor blew it's beans in the ice (220 quid!)
The heater hedgehog went awol (60 odd quid)
Cam cover gasket spewd it's lot (common M54 issue by all accounts and another 30 odd quid)
The PDC went mad although thats rectified it'self for the time being

and now the water pump! (£70 odd quid)

Add that to a heavily reduced oil service and gearbox oil change (another £240) it's been a dear 3 months of 2010.

Give me an e30 or an e34 in build quality any day!

Looking at the niggles this one has, and also the prices of even second had parts they do seem expensive to run, but then you're getting so much more car than with E30's.

They have a 'true' luxury feel to them, handle well, and even this 2.8 suprised me as to how well it goes considering it look like such a heavy car.

I'm wanting a bit more luxury at this stage of my life, and this cars ride is a comfortable as i've driven for some time (and i'm comparing this to new cars not my E30!).

That combined with an interior that is a real nice place to be, nice and comfy seats, great looks on the outside and (in my case anyway) 140miles to around £17 great economy as well.

Once all the little niggles are sorted it's going to be a very nice car, and my brother looks like he's going to be keeping this for some time, and if not then i may take it off his hands, but i was looking for a later model personally.

Still for the money we paid (about half what you'd expect to pay for one of these) and the fact that most of the electrical niggles seem to be simple (all be it time consuming) fixes, most of it isn't too bad.

The bumper really lets it down, but my brother hasn't decided if he wasnt to replace or fix this so i'll leave that one to him.

Liked the 528 so much i've bought it off my brother.

Hope to start fixing it up ASAP and get it back to it's prime.

Shame about the LPG filler,though I take your point about having to bend down for one mounted more discreetly.Would it be possible to mod the wing so it is hidden behind a flap?
Or at least paint it body colour!

daimlerman wrote:Shame about the LPG filler,though I take your point about having to bend down for one mounted more discreetly.Would it be possible to mod the wing so it is hidden behind a flap?
Or at least paint it body colour!

I will be painting it, just not got round to doing it yet.

Took some new pics of the 5 after a quick clean...











































And some at night...

..think i overdid it by putting the 4 15's in the sunny..

You think?! Enough to make a deaf man scream!

I had 2 vibe black air 15's in a smart car and thought it was an overkill..

Seen this up close, very nice smart E39, looks well

The Sunny was on a different planet, you could hear the bass from a couple of miles away No back seats, just full of bass

ImysE30 wrote:Seen this up close, very nice smart E39, looks well

The Sunny was on a different planet, you could hear the bass from a couple of miles away No back seats, just full of bass

I remember the first time i fitted them properly and took it for a test...it made your throat hurt when the bass kicked in.

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:Seen this up close, very nice smart E39, looks well

The Sunny was on a different planet, you could hear the bass from a couple of miles away No back seats, just full of bass

I remember the first time i fitted them properly and took it for a test...it made your throat hurt when the bass kicked in.

I want that kind of bass in the cabby

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:Seen this up close, very nice smart E39, looks well

The Sunny was on a different planet, you could hear the bass from a couple of miles away No back seats, just full of bass

I remember the first time i fitted them properly and took it for a test...it made your throat hurt when the bass kicked in.

I want that kind of bass in the cabby

Never going to happen.

The sunny (and many other cars) was just transport for my bass at the time, and worked well because it was a hatch.

A Cabby is the worst possible car for audio, as even if you use the whole boot as an enclosure, you loose far too much via the roof to keep the pressure in (even with a hard-top fitted).

That said, when my bass would kick in the roof skin (metal) would move violently....imaging what it would look like, or the damage it would do to a cloth soft-top!!!

Hearing how loud it was reminds me of my mates 1986 corolla saloon in metallic blue. I couldn't breathe in the back of that car

E30NutUK wrote:Hearing how loud it was reminds me of my mates 1986 corolla saloon in metallic blue. I couldn't breathe in the back of that car

Good times

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote: I remember the first time i fitted them properly and took it for a test...it made your throat hurt when the bass kicked in.

I want that kind of bass in the cabby

Never going to happen.

The sunny (and many other cars) was just transport for my bass at the time, and worked well because it was a hatch.

A Cabby is the worst possible car for audio, as even if you use the whole boot as an enclosure, you loose far too much via the roof to keep the pressure in (even with a hard-top fitted).

That said, when my bass would kick in the roof skin (metal) would move violently....imaging what it would look like, or the damage it would do to a cloth soft-top!!!

Well see what happens, still a long way to go till the system get's put in

Off home now to start on it

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote: I want that kind of bass in the cabby

Never going to happen.

The sunny (and many other cars) was just transport for my bass at the time, and worked well because it was a hatch.

A Cabby is the worst possible car for audio, as even if you use the whole boot as an enclosure, you loose far too much via the roof to keep the pressure in (even with a hard-top fitted).

That said, when my bass would kick in the roof skin (metal) would move violently....imaging what it would look like, or the damage it would do to a cloth soft-top!!!

Well see what happens, still a long way to go till the system get's put in

Off home now to start on it

Is this the green one, or have you bought another one?

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:

aceraf wrote: Never going to happen.

The sunny (and many other cars) was just transport for my bass at the time, and worked well because it was a hatch.

A Cabby is the worst possible car for audio, as even if you use the whole boot as an enclosure, you loose far too much via the roof to keep the pressure in (even with a hard-top fitted).

That said, when my bass would kick in the roof skin (metal) would move violently....imaging what it would look like, or the damage it would do to a cloth soft-top!!!

Well see what happens, still a long way to go till the system get's put in

Off home now to start on it

Is this the green one, or have you bought another one?

Bought another cabby. Give me a ring or pop over for a look

ImysE30 wrote:Bought another cabby. Give me a ring or pop over for a look

Remind me on the weekend and i'll try and pop round.

aceraf wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:Bought another cabby. Give me a ring or pop over for a look

Remind me on the weekend and i'll try and pop round.

Okay cool, Saturday's best as i'll be away all day Sunday playing cricket