E39 530i Sport Topaz Blue
Discussion
Having read many other readers cars threads I thought I might start my own...
I've always had a hankering for an e39 but other cars always seem to have got in the way. Last autumn a very nice 540i sport jap import appeared for sale near me; in my usual fashion I faffed about considering it, getting opinions from others, faffed about a bit more, and then on the day I finally decided I wanted it, it sold. However, as a result of my 'opinion seeking', a fellow PHer offered me his 2003 530i sport which he intended selling, so I went to have a look. This was it:
It was a 2003 with only 92k on the clock, nice condition, had the alcantara interior which I prefer over the leather, and drove really nicely. However the main selling points for me were a lack of rust, and the fact that the owner had put 30k miles on it in the last three years, which meant it had been maintained and to me, indicated it must be a reliable car. There were a few battle scars etc to be expected of that age of car but they didn't put me off, so the next weekend I parted with £2k and there it was sitting in my drive:
I know I'm in a minority but I've never been a big fan of the silver interior trim, I think it looks very 'cold', so the first thing I did was source a wooden trim set and after an evening in the garage things looked much better in my eyes:
I'm an old fart so think the interior of an e39 is just about the best designed ever.
I bought new wipers, and replaced the ropey looking windscreen seal with a new one:
Also replaced the pollen filters as those in the car had definitely seen better days:
Initial jobs done, I just enjoyed driving the car (it's not my daily) whenever possible, it's one of the best, if not the best, driving cars I've ever owned.
The well known rocker cover gasket issue of oil burning smell in the cabin was apparent when I bought the car although it was explained as an 'oil spillage when changing the oil'; however it persisted so I bought a new gasket and having watched a few YouTube vids I set about changing it:
Looked clean enough although there was evidence of a previous inhabitant on top of the inlet manifold:
The nice stash of nuts was carefully hoovered out, no more rocker cover oil leaks, but there was still a tell tale drip of oil under the car after use. The very oily passenger side of the engine indicated it was probably the oil filter housing gasket, but I didn't do anything about it until the new Year. In the meantime the car went to the local BM dealer to have the driver airbag replaced under an outstanding recall. The usual 'health check' revealed an engine oil leak (!) and worn discs and pads, which I was aware of, but otherwise a clean bill of health.
More to follow..
I've always had a hankering for an e39 but other cars always seem to have got in the way. Last autumn a very nice 540i sport jap import appeared for sale near me; in my usual fashion I faffed about considering it, getting opinions from others, faffed about a bit more, and then on the day I finally decided I wanted it, it sold. However, as a result of my 'opinion seeking', a fellow PHer offered me his 2003 530i sport which he intended selling, so I went to have a look. This was it:
It was a 2003 with only 92k on the clock, nice condition, had the alcantara interior which I prefer over the leather, and drove really nicely. However the main selling points for me were a lack of rust, and the fact that the owner had put 30k miles on it in the last three years, which meant it had been maintained and to me, indicated it must be a reliable car. There were a few battle scars etc to be expected of that age of car but they didn't put me off, so the next weekend I parted with £2k and there it was sitting in my drive:
I know I'm in a minority but I've never been a big fan of the silver interior trim, I think it looks very 'cold', so the first thing I did was source a wooden trim set and after an evening in the garage things looked much better in my eyes:
I'm an old fart so think the interior of an e39 is just about the best designed ever.
I bought new wipers, and replaced the ropey looking windscreen seal with a new one:
Also replaced the pollen filters as those in the car had definitely seen better days:
Initial jobs done, I just enjoyed driving the car (it's not my daily) whenever possible, it's one of the best, if not the best, driving cars I've ever owned.
The well known rocker cover gasket issue of oil burning smell in the cabin was apparent when I bought the car although it was explained as an 'oil spillage when changing the oil'; however it persisted so I bought a new gasket and having watched a few YouTube vids I set about changing it:
Looked clean enough although there was evidence of a previous inhabitant on top of the inlet manifold:
The nice stash of nuts was carefully hoovered out, no more rocker cover oil leaks, but there was still a tell tale drip of oil under the car after use. The very oily passenger side of the engine indicated it was probably the oil filter housing gasket, but I didn't do anything about it until the new Year. In the meantime the car went to the local BM dealer to have the driver airbag replaced under an outstanding recall. The usual 'health check' revealed an engine oil leak (!) and worn discs and pads, which I was aware of, but otherwise a clean bill of health.
More to follow..
In the new year I made a start on a few cosmetic jobs; the spare wheel well although bone dry, had quite a bit of surface rust so that got rubbed down and a coat or two of grey Hammerite:
I also refurbed the spare wheel, it needed doing and I wanted to see how good a job I could make of it before deciding to do the others myself or pay to get them done. As it happens it turned out pretty well for a diy job:
It was just prepped, primed, painted BMW Titan Silver, and lacquered, all rattle canned.
Around this time I bought a set of Pagid discs and pads in the usual ECP sale. I researched the oil filter housing gasket changed but decided against doing it mayself, but happened to find a new local indie mechanic who is a BM enthusiast, owning an e30 and e39, so I got him to do the gasket and fit the new brakes.
A nice little Ebay purchase of an original dealer key ring to match the rear window sticker:
I know it's only a small detail but I like things like this.
The advent of lockdown provided the opportunity to press on with other jobs once the usual house decorating had been largely completed.
Next job was the headlights, the usual cloudy lenses:
I bought the 3M polishing kit and another evening in the garage produced amazing results:
The polished lenses really transform the tired look of the front of the car:
Next were the wheels, and buoyed with the success of the spare and the thought of saving a few quid, i did them myself. The wheels weren't too bad, a bit dull and with a few scabs and marks:
One rear was way worse and it was clear it would need a lot more work:
Again it was just prep and rattle can, but I'm really pleased with the results, and again the car is really freshened up for it:
The calipers and hubs also got a coat of paint.
I love the colour of this car; it goes from a quite bright blue, almost Estoril blue in some pics, to a really rich deep blue in others.
However, the top of the passenger rear door paintwork/lacquer had gone really flat:
I had thought I would get this done by a bodyshop, but then with the idea that I couldn't really make it any worse myself, thought I'd have a crack at it and if it didn't work, I'd be back to my original plan. So, one Ebay can of Topaz Blue and lacquer later, some basic prep and masking down to the crease in the door, and here we are:
It's hard to see in the photos, but I'm delighted with the result, the colour match is good and you'd never know it was a diy job really.
That's where we are today.
I love this car and it has totally blown away my want for a 540i. It's just such a great driving car, and touch wood, been totally reliable. Sure there's still a few blemishes and the paintwork isn't the best in some places - the boot has micro blisters on it and the rear bumper and roof have a poor finish, but unless you're really up close you wouldn't see. I'd love to splash out on a full repaint but even using the best man maths says it would be mad to spend probably double the value of the car on it. And I like it how it is, coming from a succession of lovely classic cars which hardly saw rain, it's great to have something I can drive in any weather, leave in a car park without worry, and just enjoy using. I wish I'd bought one years ago.
Hopefully it continues!
I also refurbed the spare wheel, it needed doing and I wanted to see how good a job I could make of it before deciding to do the others myself or pay to get them done. As it happens it turned out pretty well for a diy job:
It was just prepped, primed, painted BMW Titan Silver, and lacquered, all rattle canned.
Around this time I bought a set of Pagid discs and pads in the usual ECP sale. I researched the oil filter housing gasket changed but decided against doing it mayself, but happened to find a new local indie mechanic who is a BM enthusiast, owning an e30 and e39, so I got him to do the gasket and fit the new brakes.
A nice little Ebay purchase of an original dealer key ring to match the rear window sticker:
I know it's only a small detail but I like things like this.
The advent of lockdown provided the opportunity to press on with other jobs once the usual house decorating had been largely completed.
Next job was the headlights, the usual cloudy lenses:
I bought the 3M polishing kit and another evening in the garage produced amazing results:
The polished lenses really transform the tired look of the front of the car:
Next were the wheels, and buoyed with the success of the spare and the thought of saving a few quid, i did them myself. The wheels weren't too bad, a bit dull and with a few scabs and marks:
One rear was way worse and it was clear it would need a lot more work:
Again it was just prep and rattle can, but I'm really pleased with the results, and again the car is really freshened up for it:
The calipers and hubs also got a coat of paint.
I love the colour of this car; it goes from a quite bright blue, almost Estoril blue in some pics, to a really rich deep blue in others.
However, the top of the passenger rear door paintwork/lacquer had gone really flat:
I had thought I would get this done by a bodyshop, but then with the idea that I couldn't really make it any worse myself, thought I'd have a crack at it and if it didn't work, I'd be back to my original plan. So, one Ebay can of Topaz Blue and lacquer later, some basic prep and masking down to the crease in the door, and here we are:
It's hard to see in the photos, but I'm delighted with the result, the colour match is good and you'd never know it was a diy job really.
That's where we are today.
I love this car and it has totally blown away my want for a 540i. It's just such a great driving car, and touch wood, been totally reliable. Sure there's still a few blemishes and the paintwork isn't the best in some places - the boot has micro blisters on it and the rear bumper and roof have a poor finish, but unless you're really up close you wouldn't see. I'd love to splash out on a full repaint but even using the best man maths says it would be mad to spend probably double the value of the car on it. And I like it how it is, coming from a succession of lovely classic cars which hardly saw rain, it's great to have something I can drive in any weather, leave in a car park without worry, and just enjoy using. I wish I'd bought one years ago.
Hopefully it continues!
Edited by stevep944 on Monday 18th May 21:51
I like the wood too. I had light wood trim in my E46 - similar to https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... - and it really brightened things up. I think it's nice to have a bit of slightly interesting texture, too.
I had cloth/alcantara sports seats in that car too, and they were really good as well. I've got dakota "leather" sports seats in my current E90 - same fundamentally good design, and I quite like the very slight leathery smell, but it really is not a great material for seats. It's not as grippy (I miss the alcantara bolsters in particular), it's cold in winter, it's hot and clammy in summer. After all, it's just plastic with a bit of leather behind it.
(Of course, the wood trim is just plastic with a bit of wood underneath - but that's fine! It just has to look OK. You don't have to sit on it.)
I had cloth/alcantara sports seats in that car too, and they were really good as well. I've got dakota "leather" sports seats in my current E90 - same fundamentally good design, and I quite like the very slight leathery smell, but it really is not a great material for seats. It's not as grippy (I miss the alcantara bolsters in particular), it's cold in winter, it's hot and clammy in summer. After all, it's just plastic with a bit of leather behind it.
(Of course, the wood trim is just plastic with a bit of wood underneath - but that's fine! It just has to look OK. You don't have to sit on it.)
Looks great. Topaz is a wonderful colour, but is really bad for showing every little mark. When cleaned up and polished it's great though.
I'm also a member of the Cloth seats appreciation club. Got cloth sports seats with lumbar support in my E91. Not too hot in summer, and not too cold in winter. They've worn much better than the leather equivalents tend to also.
I'm also a member of the Cloth seats appreciation club. Got cloth sports seats with lumbar support in my E91. Not too hot in summer, and not too cold in winter. They've worn much better than the leather equivalents tend to also.
sparks_190e said:
Lovely E39. A steal for £2k. Lots of people asking silly money for these now.
Only silly money if they're a s
t heap (which a lot of them are, unfortunately); but the very well looked after ones, more so the 530i and 540i E39s and especially the tourings, will still fetch decent money as they're getting fewer & fewer and more sought after.Decent, well looked after examples of the E39 M5 are in a league of their own
d_a_n1979 said:
Lovey car that Steve; it's coming on nicely 
Told you the 530i would be a good buy
Cheers Dan yes it's about where I want it now really, I have the intermittent PDC still to look at but it;s not really bothered me enough to do it yet.Told you the 530i would be a good buy
Hopefully we can get out and about and do a bit more driving soon!
JakeT said:
Looks great. Topaz is a wonderful colour, but is really bad for showing every little mark. When cleaned up and polished it's great though.
I'm also a member of the Cloth seats appreciation club. Got cloth sports seats with lumbar support in my E91. Not too hot in summer, and not too cold in winter. They've worn much better than the leather equivalents tend to also.
I agree, I much prefer sitting on Alcantara than leather. (Why did I sell the Alcantara driver’s seat I rebuilt?).I'm also a member of the Cloth seats appreciation club. Got cloth sports seats with lumbar support in my E91. Not too hot in summer, and not too cold in winter. They've worn much better than the leather equivalents tend to also.
As a fellow Topaz owner I only have to look at it for swirl marks to appear!
stevep944 said:
Thanks for all the comments.
It's funny, I like the wood in the car but when I see photos of it here it does look a bit dated. I still have the silver trim which I'm thinking of wrapping in carbon or graphite, or even painting, so that will be another little project.
Please don't do this - looks perfect as is!It's funny, I like the wood in the car but when I see photos of it here it does look a bit dated. I still have the silver trim which I'm thinking of wrapping in carbon or graphite, or even painting, so that will be another little project.
This is such a smart looking car.
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