The Heirloom - 1999 BMW 528i Touring

[Higgy99]

Hi all, I’ve long followed the readers threads here and have decided to share my BMW e39 528i, the photo below showing how the car looks as of last week.

Apologies in advance for the long post…

The car:



She’s been in my family’s ownership for the last 10 years, owned by my Grandad for the majority of those. It’s a early 1999 car, in Royal Red, with a fairly uncommon manual gearbox. It’s wearing style 33’s, which I know aren’t particularly popular, but I’ll admit I’m actually quite a fan!

There isn’t too many options, but it does have:

- S339 shadowline trim
- S227 lowered suspension
- S500 windscreen intense wash
- S403 sunroof
- S710 m sport MFSW
- S555 High OBC
- S508 Park Distance Control
- S522 factory xenon lights

The story:

Unfortunately, around 3 years ago my Grandad’s health deteriorated to the point he could no longer drive the car and it was passed into my dads possession - unfortunately, being a 2.8 petrol, it wasn’t really economical enough for his 100 mile commute to work and so fell out of use.

Late last year, when my dad was contemplating selling or trading it in (likely to end scrapped) I offered to swap it for my Mk6 Fiesta 1.4 tdci, which was far more suited to a longer daily commute.

This solved their issue of selling my grandads pride and joy, and also allowed me to move from my first car into something all together more interesting. Still, there was a lot of work to do… as I wanted to bring the car back to a “nearly-new” standard.

[healeyneil]

Lovely car. If it’s not rusty, would make a good keeper. I miss my 528 touring which had £14k of extras from new !

[Mr Tidy]

That's a great story, and you've got a lovely looking car there.

[MattsCar]

Whenever I see a BMW with a decent engine for sale which I like the look of...I always say in my head...."please be a manual"...

99% of the time my heart sinks when I see a slush box.

Anyway, great car, enjoy.

[Ken986]

That’s a lovely car with a great family history. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Looks like a lovely car. Really interested to see how you get on.

[col1983]

Beautiful car and a great story! Is Royal Red a rare colour? I don’t remember seeing many in that colour but especially with the shallow line trim, it’s a great combo. I agree with you on the wheels - they’re not popular but on that car, particularly with the SE bumpers etc, they do really suit it. Has a bit of an ‘old money’ look too it I think. Enjoy!

[d_a_n1979]

Higgy99 said:

Hi all, I’ve long followed the readers threads here and have decided to share my BMW e39 528i, the photo below showing how the car looks as of last week.

Apologies in advance for the long post…

The car:



She’s been in my family’s ownership for the last 10 years, owned by my Grandad for the majority of those. It’s a early 1999 car, in Royal Red, with a fairly uncommon manual gearbox. It’s wearing style 33’s, which I know aren’t particularly popular, but I’ll admit I’m actually quite a fan!

There isn’t too many options, but it does have:

- S339 shadowline trim
- S227 lowered suspension
- S500 windscreen intense wash
- S403 sunroof
- S710 m sport MFSW
- S555 High OBC
- S508 Park Distance Control
- S522 factory xenon lights

The story:

Unfortunately, around 3 years ago my Grandad’s health deteriorated to the point he could no longer drive the car and it was passed into my dads possession - unfortunately, being a 2.8 petrol, it wasn’t really economical enough for his 100 mile commute to work and so fell out of use.

Late last year, when my dad was contemplating selling or trading it in (likely to end scrapped) I offered to swap it for my Mk6 Fiesta 1.4 tdci, which was far more suited to a longer daily commute.

This solved their issue of selling my grandads pride and joy, and also allowed me to move from my first car into something all together more interesting. Still, there was a lot of work to do… as I wanted to bring the car back to a “nearly-new” standard.

Superb car & project! Looks a fantastic colour

Can't go wring with Style 33s IMO either; I used them for winter alloys on both my E39 530i Sport saloons



Very comfy and made it a proper waft bus

[skullandbiscuits]

I've had a 528i saloon and two 528i touring's, one being a manual, brilliant cars.

Pre LCI & Shadowline is a winning combination, looking forward to seeing more.

[stevep944]

That's a lovely car in a great colour, looking forward to more updates on this one!

[W201_190e]

My 528i was a great car, better than my E39 530i Sport actually.

[Court_S]

That’s a lovely thing with a nice story attached to it. How is it for rust?

[six port]

Really love an early e39, looks a great spec as well if it’s not rotten then great bit of kit

[Higgy99]

Firstly thank you for all the kind comments!

Here’s a few more photos of the car, including how it looked when I first took it on…



Along with a few more photos of how it looks now





Overall there’s been a fair bit of work done to the car, including:

- New post and pre-cat O2 sensors
- Cooling system overhaul (water pump, radiator, expansion tank etc)
- New OSF wheel speed sensor
- Rear wheel bearings replaced
- Low pressure power steering hoses and reservoir (as all leaking)
- Valve cover gasket and rubber bolt seals (again all leaking)
- rubber intake boots replaced
- replacement FM radio antenna
- replacement front wheel arch liners
- various bits of interior trim and repairs

Overall, it’s a decent list, but for a car with 230,000+ miles I can’t complain too much!

I’ve tried to do as much of the work myself as possible as it’s been very enjoyable, but I’ve used BMW specialists for jobs where I lack the skills/equipment/space to do them.

Also, in regards to the questions on rust… the jacking points and sills have been done as part of the (partial) respray. Along with this, a replacement tailgate was sourced from Spain, sandblasted, and resprayed with the car - it is now on the car and I must say looking far better than the Swiss cheese version which was on the car before!

The main things on the to-do list is:

- suspension overhaul (it’s still on its original shocks and the ride is very bouncy)
- new/good used frame for the rear glass hatch (the current one is quite corroded)
- new hinges and gas struts for the boot
- fix the seized rear wiper

I must say I’m pleased with the transformation thus far, and I’m hoping to get it finished over the next few months, I’ll post more updates on the work myself and others have done in the meantime.

Thanks for reading

[Mr Tidy]

Wow, at that mileage it has clearly been well loved!

I hope you can keep enjoying it.

[d_a_n1979]

Higgy99 said:

Firstly thank you for all the kind comments!

Here’s a few more photos of the car, including how it looked when I first took it on…



Along with a few more photos of how it looks now





Overall there’s been a fair bit of work done to the car, including:

- New post and pre-cat O2 sensors
- Cooling system overhaul (water pump, radiator, expansion tank etc)
- New OSF wheel speed sensor
- Rear wheel bearings replaced
- Low pressure power steering hoses and reservoir (as all leaking)
- Valve cover gasket and rubber bolt seals (again all leaking)
- rubber intake boots replaced
- replacement FM radio antenna
- replacement front wheel arch liners
- various bits of interior trim and repairs

Overall, it’s a decent list, but for a car with 230,000+ miles I can’t complain too much!

I’ve tried to do as much of the work myself as possible as it’s been very enjoyable, but I’ve used BMW specialists for jobs where I lack the skills/equipment/space to do them.

Also, in regards to the questions on rust… the jacking points and sills have been done as part of the (partial) respray. Along with this, a replacement tailgate was sourced from Spain, sandblasted, and resprayed with the car - it is now on the car and I must say looking far better than the Swiss cheese version which was on the car before!

The main things on the to-do list is:

- suspension overhaul (it’s still on its original shocks and the ride is very bouncy)
- new/good used frame for the rear glass hatch (the current one is quite corroded)
- new hinges and gas struts for the boot
- fix the seized rear wiper

I must say I’m pleased with the transformation thus far, and I’m hoping to get it finished over the next few months, I’ll post more updates on the work myself and others have done in the meantime.

Thanks for reading

That looks solid and a great start to maintaining a superb car

Is your touring on SLS or shocks/springs on the rear?

My Japanese import touring was massively maintained by me & one thing that made one of the best differences was replacing the OEM Mtech II shocks with Sachs sport spec shocks all round (OEM arfe Sachs, but with BMW price tags, x4 the price)!; Eibach pro kit springs up front and I fitted Arnott SLS bags & upgraded the rear ARB to the E39 M5 one (slightly thicker, so helps to lessen the body roll etc)

Not saying that you'd want to do all that; but the shocks and Arnott bags would be a great start - Arnott for me are the best of the lot; they do just the one bag, but they're over engineered and made with Continental rubber and come with all new fittings too (which must be used)

This is how it sat on 17" Style 66s all round:

[55palfers]

I had a 530D and loved it.

These cars look as good today as they did over 20 years ago.

[Higgy99]

d_a_n1979 said:

Higgy99 said:

Firstly thank you for all the kind comments!

Here’s a few more photos of the car, including how it looked when I first took it on…



Along with a few more photos of how it looks now





Overall there’s been a fair bit of work done to the car, including:

- New post and pre-cat O2 sensors
- Cooling system overhaul (water pump, radiator, expansion tank etc)
- New OSF wheel speed sensor
- Rear wheel bearings replaced
- Low pressure power steering hoses and reservoir (as all leaking)
- Valve cover gasket and rubber bolt seals (again all leaking)
- rubber intake boots replaced
- replacement FM radio antenna
- replacement front wheel arch liners
- various bits of interior trim and repairs

Overall, it’s a decent list, but for a car with 230,000+ miles I can’t complain too much!

I’ve tried to do as much of the work myself as possible as it’s been very enjoyable, but I’ve used BMW specialists for jobs where I lack the skills/equipment/space to do them.

Also, in regards to the questions on rust… the jacking points and sills have been done as part of the (partial) respray. Along with this, a replacement tailgate was sourced from Spain, sandblasted, and resprayed with the car - it is now on the car and I must say looking far better than the Swiss cheese version which was on the car before!

The main things on the to-do list is:

- suspension overhaul (it’s still on its original shocks and the ride is very bouncy)
- new/good used frame for the rear glass hatch (the current one is quite corroded)
- new hinges and gas struts for the boot
- fix the seized rear wiper

I must say I’m pleased with the transformation thus far, and I’m hoping to get it finished over the next few months, I’ll post more updates on the work myself and others have done in the meantime.

Thanks for reading

That looks solid and a great start to maintaining a superb car

Is your touring on SLS or shocks/springs on the rear?

My Japanese import touring was massively maintained by me & one thing that made one of the best differences was replacing the OEM Mtech II shocks with Sachs sport spec shocks all round (OEM arfe Sachs, but with BMW price tags, x4 the price)!; Eibach pro kit springs up front and I fitted Arnott SLS bags & upgraded the rear ARB to the E39 M5 one (slightly thicker, so helps to lessen the body roll etc)

Not saying that you'd want to do all that; but the shocks and Arnott bags would be a great start - Arnott for me are the best of the lot; they do just the one bag, but they're over engineered and made with Continental rubber and come with all new fittings too (which must be used)

This is how it sat on 17" Style 66s all round:

First that’s a lovely looking car, style 66’s look so good on facelift cars!

As for the rear SLS, unfortunately it was deleted and converted to coils a good few years ago (2018?) and most of the hardware has went missing in the meantime…

So I’ll probably keep it as is, and go for the Eibach pro kit on all four corners with Sachs sport shocks.

[d_a_n1979]

Higgy99 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Higgy99 said:

Firstly thank you for all the kind comments!

Here’s a few more photos of the car, including how it looked when I first took it on…



Along with a few more photos of how it looks now





Overall there’s been a fair bit of work done to the car, including:

- New post and pre-cat O2 sensors
- Cooling system overhaul (water pump, radiator, expansion tank etc)
- New OSF wheel speed sensor
- Rear wheel bearings replaced
- Low pressure power steering hoses and reservoir (as all leaking)
- Valve cover gasket and rubber bolt seals (again all leaking)
- rubber intake boots replaced
- replacement FM radio antenna
- replacement front wheel arch liners
- various bits of interior trim and repairs

Overall, it’s a decent list, but for a car with 230,000+ miles I can’t complain too much!

I’ve tried to do as much of the work myself as possible as it’s been very enjoyable, but I’ve used BMW specialists for jobs where I lack the skills/equipment/space to do them.

Also, in regards to the questions on rust… the jacking points and sills have been done as part of the (partial) respray. Along with this, a replacement tailgate was sourced from Spain, sandblasted, and resprayed with the car - it is now on the car and I must say looking far better than the Swiss cheese version which was on the car before!

The main things on the to-do list is:

- suspension overhaul (it’s still on its original shocks and the ride is very bouncy)
- new/good used frame for the rear glass hatch (the current one is quite corroded)
- new hinges and gas struts for the boot
- fix the seized rear wiper

I must say I’m pleased with the transformation thus far, and I’m hoping to get it finished over the next few months, I’ll post more updates on the work myself and others have done in the meantime.

Thanks for reading

That looks solid and a great start to maintaining a superb car

Is your touring on SLS or shocks/springs on the rear?

My Japanese import touring was massively maintained by me & one thing that made one of the best differences was replacing the OEM Mtech II shocks with Sachs sport spec shocks all round (OEM arfe Sachs, but with BMW price tags, x4 the price)!; Eibach pro kit springs up front and I fitted Arnott SLS bags & upgraded the rear ARB to the E39 M5 one (slightly thicker, so helps to lessen the body roll etc)

Not saying that you'd want to do all that; but the shocks and Arnott bags would be a great start - Arnott for me are the best of the lot; they do just the one bag, but they're over engineered and made with Continental rubber and come with all new fittings too (which must be used)

This is how it sat on 17" Style 66s all round:

First that’s a lovely looking car, style 66’s look so good on facelift cars!

As for the rear SLS, unfortunately it was deleted and converted to coils a good few years ago (2018?) and most of the hardware has went missing in the meantime…

So I’ll probably keep it as is, and go for the Eibach pro kit on all four corners with Sachs sport shocks.

Thanks; it was a superb car. With its new owner now...

Ah sorry to hear that SLS was deleted; you can reinstate it if you wanted, but agree that shocks n springs would be much easier.

If you decided to go for the Mtech II shocks (gives you the sport ride height then); then you'll need Sachs 556834 front shocks and Sachs 311952 rears.

They'll work perfectly with OEM E39 Sport springs (can get them 2nd hand or buy them brand new from BMW only) or the likes of the Eibach pro-kit springs will work well obviously

Whilst you're doing that' replace all 4 top mounts and all the rubber springs pads too; makes a lot of sense whilst it's all out Exactly what I did to the 530i Sport Touring - that and the rear E39 M5 ARB made a superb difference; you could do that or upgrade to the Sport rear ARB; that'll give you some added stiffness & lessen body roll etc

[healeyneil]

OP. I still had this from my E39 ownership. If you want it, pm me your address and I’ll send you it
If you were like the owner of my car from new. You could have paid £3650 for the sat nav, and £2150 for the TV !