E39 530i Champagne been having a bit of a refurb

AutoCar wrote as a headline in their issue of 17 April 1996, when they first tested the E39... "New 5-series so close to perfect". The life cycle of the E39 pretty much reinforced that statement. Many view the E39 as the pinnacle of BMW design, quality and blend of driving dynamics.

Peter

 

Well, there was....

 

I loved my 530i and my M5. Both great cars, but the 530 had the edge as the best all rounder


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Better steering feel, due to the rack-and-pinion set-up.

 

Question.....interested in your opinions for the Champagne.......Mudflaps or no mudfalps?...black car, black mudflaps??

My tourer has them......but I'm not sure for the Champagne......it will look different with the refurbed parallells on.

 

Yep well spotted!....not my garage but he does all makes of cars and specialises in preparing rally cars too so always something nice in there.

 

I would say on that age of car mudflaps are important. You obviously want to keep it rust free and the mudflaps may help stop stone chips on the rear of the wheel arches. I would fit them.
However, don’t forget to clean behind them.

 

No mudflaps for me, spoils the lines of the lower body. They do protect the paint though.



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Just found this on my hard drive from when I owned one.

 

Brilliant read....thanks for posting.....thought it was my car for a minute

 

A couple of pics taken today with the parallels fitted.....looks alright for a 16 year old car

 

Lovely, wheels look great....!!!

 

A black E39 Sport on Style 37's - the perfect look.

 

Wheels can make such a difference. I always thought Style 32 suited the touring, gave it a solid stance.. Was pleased the 540i I had came with them already fitted.



Peter

 

Yes Style 32's look good and suit the SE.

Style 5's were also a favourite SE rim especially in the rarer 18" form.

 

My 528iSE had them - nice to behold but a proper pain to keep clean.

 

A chore I am sure you relished with your plethora of wheel cleaners

 

Early 540i models were a bit of a mix, no M-sport at the time, but sport seats were standard. My example also came with M-Tech suspension, M-Tech steering wheel and dechromed, which was as unusual combination for the period. In fact my car was wearing AC Schnitzer side stripe decals and logos when I first saw it. Grassick's removed them before I took delivery. I understood the car ran on ACS wheels, but were removed for the original owner's new car, hence an unusual set of 'staggered' Style 32's on a touring. Not a BMW spec' for touring models, should have been 8" width rims on all corners.

Peter

 

What do we think of these puddle light replacements?.....I've fitted them but are they a bit 'chavvy'?? trying to stay to original but they were just sooo tempting for the price!!

 

Nah, not for me.