E39s, a few questions...

[astranaut]

I'm about to buy back my e39 520i, I owned it a while and being unemployed kept it clean but no mods, then have it my grandad, now I need a car and he doesn't I'm gonna get it back and get stuck in. Now, it needs altitude adjustment so I'll be changing the springs, how hard is this? Also, I hate with a passion the turbines so they will be going, I'm told e39 have a weird hub arrangement so only other e39 wheels fit? And lastly, a back box delete, is this a make yourself item or is there a bolt on replacement? Thanking you muchly for any info

A pic of it in my last tenure

[Waxoyling Lyrical]

Looks a beaut as it is - I'd be disinclined to mess with it at all. I recently owned a 1997 E39 523i, which had the lesser 15" alloys - I would have loved a set of 16" turbines on it!

I know on the 523i, the back box is a rather complicated affair with a large V-shaped resonator, so altering isn't straightforward though they do sound great with straight pipes.

[adam73bgt]

Regarding the E39 hub and wheel fitment, the issue is that e39s use a centrebore of 74.1mm where every other BMW 3, 5, 7 series of the time uses 72.5mm which rather limits you to E39 wheels unless you want to machine out the centrebore from another BMW wheel or maybe fit some hubcentric spacers that adapt between the two cb's

[shin2chin]

Offset is a bit different too.

I'm running E60 wheels on mine which just needed the centre bore enlarging which I did with a router and straight cutter.

Lowering is easy enough although the rear on saloons needs the seats and parcel shelf removing I believe (I have a touring)

I've just done a backbox delete on mine, both scuba tanks. I just cut off with a reciprocating saw and bought a 45 degree bend and piece of straight 2.5in pipe. It did need cutting,bending and welding a bit to get it to fit properly though so it may be easier going to an exhaust place depending on your skills. I wouldnt imagine it would cost a great deal.

[astranaut]

I'm still in 2 minds about the back box delete if I'm honest, it's so silent it's comical the turbines definetly have to go I've never hated a set of wheels so much coupled with my grandad having 205/55s instead of 245/55s so they look lost.

Do facelift rear lights plug nd play does anyone know? I know there are loom differences at the front, not sure about the back.

[luca24]

Nice old girl!

I believe the rear lights are plug and play however may need coding due to the facelift ones running the led sidelight bar across the middle so may bring up the bulb warning on the dash.

The wheels wont be staggered either so should be 225/55 all round, wheel choice the style 42 bbs look good if you can get hold of a set or a set of Alpina's but there quite costly and bend easily.

Wouldnt bother with exhuast mods tbh as just ruins the drive and draws the wrong attention and as being a 520i not going to win any traffic light races, keep it as a good looking cruiser that will go the distance in comfort and understated style.

[njw]

Dec 27, 2017 19:47:35 GMT astranaut said:

Do facelift rear lights plug nd play does anyone know? I know there are loom differences at the front, not sure about the back.

They aren't plug and play as such, you'll need to solder/crimp the facelift multiplug onto your loom but that's it.

[astranaut]

Ah ok, seen things about having to change modules or something for celis back lights?