Freshening a 7-series (E38)

[turbo tim]

Evening all!!

Just bought myself a late 96 740iL (E38)*, and have decided it needs a bit of 'modernisation'.

My shopping list (so far!!) is:

- Clear front & rear indicator lenses (urgent!!)
- Colour keyed rubbing strips (they've got the chrome edges at the moment)
- Black side window surrounds (again, it's got chrome at the moment)

Later, I'd like to change the bumpers (the dreaded chrome has put in an appearance here too!!)

I think the 'sport' models did without the chrome, so I'm sure these parts are available - anyone got any good sources as to where I can get these parts?

Thanks




* yes, that bloody 'Best Barge Bargains' thread strikes again

[m3evo2]

There's a million and 1 places to go, get yourslef a copy of BMW Car or Total BMW mag and your sorted.

[turbo tim]

m3evo2 said:

There's a million and 1 places to go, get yourslef a copy of BMW Car or Total BMW mag and your sorted.

Thanks, yes I did try this but the majority of the ads are for 3 & 5 Series bits. Any good on-line stores anyone can recommend?

[sunday-driver]

try Paul at www.bmwmstyle.co.uk, they do de-chroming for sevens and the lenses you describe.

M-Style have done performance and minor costmetic work on my 330i and I have been pleased with the workmanship. They also can supply if you want to fit it yourself.

[B'stard Child]

turbo tim said:

Evening all!!

Just bought myself a late 96 740iL (E38)*, and have decided it needs a bit of 'modernisation'.

My shopping list (so far!!) is:

- Clear front & rear indicator lenses (urgent!!)
- Colour keyed rubbing strips (they've got the chrome edges at the moment)
- Black side window surrounds (again, it's got chrome at the moment)

Later, I'd like to change the bumpers (the dreaded chrome has put in an appearance here too!!)

I think the 'sport' models did without the chrome, so I'm sure these parts are available - anyone got any good sources as to where I can get these parts?

Thanks




* yes, that bloody 'Best Barge Bargains' thread strikes again

the7seriesregister.co.uk

Chap on there does some really good prices on the bits you want - his car was featured in one of the BMW mags this month

[B'stard Child]

Heres mine

Advert pics

Back



Side



Front



Called in to a guy on the7seriesregisters house on the way home and the rear lights which looked like this







And the front indicators which looked like this



Got replaced along with the side repeaters for



And this



Right - After pics

Front Indicators



Rear Lights





Not a huge difference but I hadn't got the silver bulbs to lose the fried egg look when I fitted them

Silvered bulbs fitted to front and rear indicators







Stand back admire work B)

[B'stard Child]

PS i like the chrome ;-)

[blackspider]

I take it you got bore of covering your reg up after 2 pic's

www.fabdirect.com

[emicen]

How much do these bits cost roughly? I keep coming back around to the idea of an LPG'd 7 series but I hate the chrome and non-chromed ones are rare.

[apache]

Yup an LPGd E38 would make a lot of sense

[turbo tim]

sunday-driver said:

try Paul at www.bmwmstyle.co.uk, they do de-chroming for sevens and the lenses you describe.

M-Style have done performance and minor costmetic work on my 330i and I have been pleased with the workmanship. They also can supply if you want to fit it yourself.

That's a weird coincidence!! My last car was a 328i Cabriolet and it was these guys that did my front bumper change! Yes, the service and workmanship (& price) were all excellent!!

[turbo tim]

B'stard child - Thanks for posting the pics - great help!!

emicen said:

How much do these bits cost roughly? I keep coming back around to the idea of an LPG'd 7 series but I hate the chrome and non-chromed ones are rare.

IIRC BMW Car magazine covered this in their Q&A page recently. If you're genuinely interested I'll try and dig out the mag and type up the full Q&A for you.

[B'stard Child]

blackspider said:

I take it you got bore of covering your reg up after 2 pic's

No the first three were advert pics......

[emicen]

turbo tim said:

B'stard child - Thanks for posting the pics - great help!!

emicen said:

How much do these bits cost roughly? I keep coming back around to the idea of an LPG'd 7 series but I hate the chrome and non-chromed ones are rare.

IIRC BMW Car magazine covered this in their Q&A page recently. If you're genuinely interested I'll try and dig out the mag and type up the full Q&A for you.

Not that urgent mate, got at least 6-9 months left in the Golf before I consider a change again.

[morningside]

B'stard Child said:

PS i like the chrome ;-)

I like the chrome as well. Thats why mine still has it.

[turbo tim]

B'stard Child said:

the7seriesregister.co.uk

Chap on there does some really good prices on the bits you want - his car was featured in one of the BMW mags this month

I've just signed up - who do I ask for?

[B'stard Child]

turbo tim said:

B'stard Child said:

the7seriesregister.co.uk

Chap on there does some really good prices on the bits you want - his car was featured in one of the BMW mags this month

I've just signed up - who do I ask for?

Scorcher