E39 for my 39th Birthday - JDM 525i Touring Individual
Discussion
Where to start!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I saw this and had to have it after keeping an eye on E39 tourings for a little while now and seeing how tidy these Japanese imports are I see it like going back to the 2000s to buy one before the rust got them - lot of information garnered by Dan and his threads on his, though I’m never going to be giving the kind of attention his had!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I am in no position to buy another car I have nowhere to park it, 2 cars to sell and many other life things taking priority but sometimes you have to just do it so I called the seller, had a long chat about the car, he really had looked after it well, next day agreed price (pending my physical inspection) and sent deposit ASAP.
One way ticket Chelmsford to Warrington booked on the day the weather turned cold, seller picks me up at the station in his Facelift manual 325ti sport.
Checked the car over, all way good apart from some damp rear foot wells.
It’s had brand new OEM headlights, washer pump/new hoses, cooling system refresh and pretty much anything else done and sorted as and when.
The paint is Lemans Blue! The car looks incredible in the metal, has black electric heated sport seats, isofix which was essential for me to justify this, some blue stitching around the interior, it’s just a lovely thing and I’m really pleased I went for it.
Slow and steady drive back in the fog, ice and snow, it didn’t miss a beat and thankfully has a good set of Cross Climate tyres on it.
Anyhow, have some pictures.. they aren’t great as I drove it through some dirty weather and haven’t moved it since the snow!
Some pictures from the ad and since I’ve got it
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/rUPWV3RH.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/xmVuUHGA" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/xmVuUHGA.png)
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/vo4j9GMS.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/gBKHU6t6" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/gBKHU6t6.jpg)
After it being parked since Sunday I noticed it sitting a little low.. so it all begins. 2 Arnott rear air springs ordered from Autodoc to remedy this
Some sealant tape also ordered to re do the door seals - cheers again to Dan for all the advice on these bits and in general.
Will get it out once the snow clears up and the gritters stop Sunday, in desperate need of a clean but it’s far too cold and the hose pipe is frozen.
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I saw this and had to have it after keeping an eye on E39 tourings for a little while now and seeing how tidy these Japanese imports are I see it like going back to the 2000s to buy one before the rust got them - lot of information garnered by Dan and his threads on his, though I’m never going to be giving the kind of attention his had!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I am in no position to buy another car I have nowhere to park it, 2 cars to sell and many other life things taking priority but sometimes you have to just do it so I called the seller, had a long chat about the car, he really had looked after it well, next day agreed price (pending my physical inspection) and sent deposit ASAP.
One way ticket Chelmsford to Warrington booked on the day the weather turned cold, seller picks me up at the station in his Facelift manual 325ti sport.
Checked the car over, all way good apart from some damp rear foot wells.
It’s had brand new OEM headlights, washer pump/new hoses, cooling system refresh and pretty much anything else done and sorted as and when.
The paint is Lemans Blue! The car looks incredible in the metal, has black electric heated sport seats, isofix which was essential for me to justify this, some blue stitching around the interior, it’s just a lovely thing and I’m really pleased I went for it.
Slow and steady drive back in the fog, ice and snow, it didn’t miss a beat and thankfully has a good set of Cross Climate tyres on it.
Anyhow, have some pictures.. they aren’t great as I drove it through some dirty weather and haven’t moved it since the snow!
Some pictures from the ad and since I’ve got it
After it being parked since Sunday I noticed it sitting a little low.. so it all begins. 2 Arnott rear air springs ordered from Autodoc to remedy this
Some sealant tape also ordered to re do the door seals - cheers again to Dan for all the advice on these bits and in general.
Will get it out once the snow clears up and the gritters stop Sunday, in desperate need of a clean but it’s far too cold and the hose pipe is frozen.
six port said:
Where to start!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I saw this and had to have it after keeping an eye on E39 tourings for a little while now and seeing how tidy these Japanese imports are I see it like going back to the 2000s to buy one before the rust got them - lot of information garnered by Dan and his threads on his, though I’m never going to be giving the kind of attention his had!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I am in no position to buy another car I have nowhere to park it, 2 cars to sell and many other life things taking priority but sometimes you have to just do it so I called the seller, had a long chat about the car, he really had looked after it well, next day agreed price (pending my physical inspection) and sent deposit ASAP.
One way ticket Chelmsford to Warrington booked on the day the weather turned cold, seller picks me up at the station in his Facelift manual 325ti sport.
Checked the car over, all way good apart from some damp rear foot wells.
It’s had brand new OEM headlights, washer pump/new hoses, cooling system refresh and pretty much anything else done and sorted as and when.
The paint is Lemans Blue! The car looks incredible in the metal, has black electric heated sport seats, isofix which was essential for me to justify this, some blue stitching around the interior, it’s just a lovely thing and I’m really pleased I went for it.
Slow and steady drive back in the fog, ice and snow, it didn’t miss a beat and thankfully has a good set of Cross Climate tyres on it.
Anyhow, have some pictures.. they aren’t great as I drove it through some dirty weather and haven’t moved it since the snow!
Some pictures from the ad and since I’ve got it
After it being parked since Sunday I noticed it sitting a little low.. so it all begins. 2 Arnott rear air springs ordered from Autodoc to remedy this
Some sealant tape also ordered to re do the door seals - cheers again to Dan for all the advice on these bits and in general.
Will get it out once the snow clears up and the gritters stop Sunday, in desperate need of a clean but it’s far too cold and the hose pipe is frozen.
Looks a belter that Gav; hopefully you'll get those little bits sorted and it'll serve you well As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I saw this and had to have it after keeping an eye on E39 tourings for a little while now and seeing how tidy these Japanese imports are I see it like going back to the 2000s to buy one before the rust got them - lot of information garnered by Dan and his threads on his, though I’m never going to be giving the kind of attention his had!
As mentioned on the 1-5 large thread, I am in no position to buy another car I have nowhere to park it, 2 cars to sell and many other life things taking priority but sometimes you have to just do it so I called the seller, had a long chat about the car, he really had looked after it well, next day agreed price (pending my physical inspection) and sent deposit ASAP.
One way ticket Chelmsford to Warrington booked on the day the weather turned cold, seller picks me up at the station in his Facelift manual 325ti sport.
Checked the car over, all way good apart from some damp rear foot wells.
It’s had brand new OEM headlights, washer pump/new hoses, cooling system refresh and pretty much anything else done and sorted as and when.
The paint is Lemans Blue! The car looks incredible in the metal, has black electric heated sport seats, isofix which was essential for me to justify this, some blue stitching around the interior, it’s just a lovely thing and I’m really pleased I went for it.
Slow and steady drive back in the fog, ice and snow, it didn’t miss a beat and thankfully has a good set of Cross Climate tyres on it.
Anyhow, have some pictures.. they aren’t great as I drove it through some dirty weather and haven’t moved it since the snow!
Some pictures from the ad and since I’ve got it
After it being parked since Sunday I noticed it sitting a little low.. so it all begins. 2 Arnott rear air springs ordered from Autodoc to remedy this
Some sealant tape also ordered to re do the door seals - cheers again to Dan for all the advice on these bits and in general.
Will get it out once the snow clears up and the gritters stop Sunday, in desperate need of a clean but it’s far too cold and the hose pipe is frozen.
The proper size plate you need is here FYI:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185560112880?hash=item2...
Dan recommended this stuff for the door membranes
Also found the old advert for it from Seymour Pope - it gives a good breakdown of the spec and some good pictures of it clean and with 30,000 less miles haha
Currently on around 82,000.
https://www.seymourpope.com/vehicle-details/used-b...
Also found the old advert for it from Seymour Pope - it gives a good breakdown of the spec and some good pictures of it clean and with 30,000 less miles haha
Currently on around 82,000.
https://www.seymourpope.com/vehicle-details/used-b...
six port said:
Dan recommended this stuff for the door membranes
Also found the old advert for it from Seymour Pope - it gives a good breakdown of the spec and some good pictures of it clean and with 30,000 less miles haha
Currently on around 82,000.
https://www.seymourpope.com/vehicle-details/used-b...
Good to find that ad pal; I thought I recognised it!Also found the old advert for it from Seymour Pope - it gives a good breakdown of the spec and some good pictures of it clean and with 30,000 less miles haha
Currently on around 82,000.
https://www.seymourpope.com/vehicle-details/used-b...
You've got a belting touring; just get those bits done and it'll serve you well...
Re the rear vapour barriers; when you remove the door card; lift the barriers up to half way; remove as much of the old butyl tape as you can, clean the surfaces; give them a slight key with some wet n dry, clean that off, apply the mastic tape and then press the barrier back down onto it.
That helps it to seal the best...
Finally driven it this evening round to our local jet wash to blast the crud off and got underneath too until I can clean it properly.. having a 1 year old this tends to be pretty much never ha ha
Suspension raised back up fine within seconds of starting and hasn’t yet sunk.
Forgot to mention the wipers on these things, possibly the only cheap out on these, akin to old MK2 Golf type 19s whereby the wipers wipe the wrong side / set up for LHD.. is this normal or because it’s an import?
It’s also very dark in there with the tints! On the fence though as I actually for once like the way they look on this and it is original. Will see how we go with those for now.
Suspension raised back up fine within seconds of starting and hasn’t yet sunk.
Forgot to mention the wipers on these things, possibly the only cheap out on these, akin to old MK2 Golf type 19s whereby the wipers wipe the wrong side / set up for LHD.. is this normal or because it’s an import?
It’s also very dark in there with the tints! On the fence though as I actually for once like the way they look on this and it is original. Will see how we go with those for now.
trails said:
These things look so elegant compared too their modern counterparts, lovely colour too...will look out for it locally, hopefully no nasty surprises 
Peak BMW some might say.. my favourite so far was my 1994 325i with the M50.Local PHer! Chelmsford?
I actually saw an JDM E38 7 series round the corner too the other day.
six port said:
Finally driven it this evening round to our local jet wash to blast the crud off and got underneath too until I can clean it properly.. having a 1 year old this tends to be pretty much never ha ha
Suspension raised back up fine within seconds of starting and hasn’t yet sunk.
Forgot to mention the wipers on these things, possibly the only cheap out on these, akin to old MK2 Golf type 19s whereby the wipers wipe the wrong side / set up for LHD.. is this normal or because it’s an import?
It’s also very dark in there with the tints! On the fence though as I actually for once like the way they look on this and it is original. Will see how we go with those for now.
German car made for LHD; they just retrofitted it to RHD Suspension raised back up fine within seconds of starting and hasn’t yet sunk.
Forgot to mention the wipers on these things, possibly the only cheap out on these, akin to old MK2 Golf type 19s whereby the wipers wipe the wrong side / set up for LHD.. is this normal or because it’s an import?
It’s also very dark in there with the tints! On the fence though as I actually for once like the way they look on this and it is original. Will see how we go with those for now.
How they all are for E39s unfortunately; you soon get used to it...
Ref the tints; I didn't remove them in my previous touring, but I did in my just sold 540i saloon and glad I did; they were too dark and I much preferred the car without them...
But the tourings suit the tints I think
You'll be able to remove them; you just need to be careful and having a steamer helps a lot, as well as plastic scrapers and then AGs 'Intense Tar Remover' to remove the residual glue left on the glass etc...
trails said:
six port said:
Peak BMW some might say.. my favourite so far was my 1994 325i with the M50.
Local PHer! Chelmsford?
I actually saw an JDM E38 7 series round the corner too the other day.
E30 touring or a clown shoe for me...they fit on our roads so well too.Local PHer! Chelmsford?
I actually saw an JDM E38 7 series round the corner too the other day.
Yes, Chelmsford based
Finished work early and the family were out so tackled the passenger rear door membrane, started to rain / get dark towards the end, got to love it!
Door card is pretty damp at the bottom cleaned off quickly with blue roll re did the bottom half of the membrane though there was only really a small section that had come away.
Wanted to get the rear seat up but it has some clips holding it down and removing the screws does not let it go!
Noticed the blue individual stitching on the rear door cards too, also the kick plate rubber seems to have come away - not sure if this could affect water ingress?
Door card is pretty damp at the bottom cleaned off quickly with blue roll re did the bottom half of the membrane though there was only really a small section that had come away.
Wanted to get the rear seat up but it has some clips holding it down and removing the screws does not let it go!
Noticed the blue individual stitching on the rear door cards too, also the kick plate rubber seems to have come away - not sure if this could affect water ingress?
six port said:
Finished work early and the family were out so tackled the passenger rear door membrane, started to rain / get dark towards the end, got to love it!
Door card is pretty damp at the bottom cleaned off quickly with blue roll re did the bottom half of the membrane though there was only really a small section that had come away.
Wanted to get the rear seat up but it has some clips holding it down and removing the screws does not let it go!
Noticed the blue individual stitching on the rear door cards too, also the kick plate rubber seems to have come away - not sure if this could affect water ingress?
The screws to take that bracket off are hidden pal; think they're the middle ones. So undo them and the bracket comes off and then a hard pull on the seat base and it'll lift up Door card is pretty damp at the bottom cleaned off quickly with blue roll re did the bottom half of the membrane though there was only really a small section that had come away.
Wanted to get the rear seat up but it has some clips holding it down and removing the screws does not let it go!
Noticed the blue individual stitching on the rear door cards too, also the kick plate rubber seems to have come away - not sure if this could affect water ingress?
Got the rear bench out and boy it’s wet.
Soaked up what I could with a couple of blue rolls ringing the water out of the underlay.
Looks like an old tracker or something all corroding too, lots of wiring.
Have left carpet up although it’s hard to get it up enough it’s pretty stiff!
I think over the weekend I’ll leave it with the windows cracked and a oil heater on inside.
Should I take the bungs out the floor or leave then be?
Soaked up what I could with a couple of blue rolls ringing the water out of the underlay.
Looks like an old tracker or something all corroding too, lots of wiring.
Have left carpet up although it’s hard to get it up enough it’s pretty stiff!
I think over the weekend I’ll leave it with the windows cracked and a oil heater on inside.
Should I take the bungs out the floor or leave then be?
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff