Introduction to my newish 530i...

Well... Here's a good update. I managed to button up the motor mounts and front end today. Alignment is not to far off (after an extensive shakedown run), but its off to the dealer on Friday for that. Not a single shimmy to be found. Car is ROCK-SOLID... No squeaks, creaks or other odd sounds.

I LOVE THIS FRIGGIN CAR!

I was however, conviced to complete the sway bars and end links this coming weekend.

Originally Posted by Albo

Latest update.... The Stormtrooper is still on jackstands. I haven't been able to devote nearly enough time to working on it as I hoped, but should be able to wrench for a while tonight. May acually get her back on the road for a shakedown by the end of the week. I've got the passenger side Upper and Lower control arms (with powerflex bushings) replaced along that side's tierod. Driver's side is partially disassembled but not much else to do besides installation of the new parts. I'm also going to install the Eibach sway bars (arrived on Friday) and swap out the motor and tranny mounts. Also noticed that my "new" (10,000 mile old) front sway bar endliks are shot...so I ordered these:

http://www.powergridinc.com/swaybar.asp




Also working on a "trick" solution for the rear endlinks....


She should be a whole lot of fun once I'm all done! Then it's time for vanos seals and cooling system!!

Originally Posted by Albo

Quick update. Managed to install the UUC black urethane transmission mounts and unbolt the motor mounts in anticipation of swap I will get those and sway bars done tomorrow in an effort to get the car back on the road.

I am curious why you chose those end-links, instead of the Mason Engineering end-links?
http://www.masonengineering.net/Subp...W_Products.htm

And, did you install OEM motor mounts?
I am assuming you installed the front sway bar at the same time as installing the motor mounts, correct...?

Originally Posted by Jason5driver

I am curious why you chose those end-links, instead of the Mason Engineering end-links?
http://www.masonengineering.net/Subp...W_Products.htm

And, did you install OEM motor mounts?
I am assuming you installed the front sway bar at the same time as installing the motor mounts, correct...?

Sadly the swaybars are going to have to wait. I was taking up the garage for way too long and Mrs. Albo wanted to get her car back in. Will bang those out this weekend. I was able to get an in-depth view that should help me get them mounted very quickly.

I did use OEM motor mounts.

Powergrid (PG) vs. Mason (M) was a tough choice but my biggest reason for going with the PG endlinks was sampling size. There are hundreds of "reviews" of PG endlinks covering numerous Makes/Models of cars...nearly all extremely positive. The M endlinks also had great reviews but were too few for me in the end.

Also, I've been reading about the PG links for years....

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/pro...s/1997-bmw-m3/

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/pro...de-adjustment/

BTW - The adjustable endlinks that VAC Motorsports (and seemingly Turner Motorsports) sell are PowerGrid units.

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/powe...sets-p103.aspx

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-38...inks-pair.aspx



In reality only time will tell.

I may have just made a mistake:

Originally Posted by Albo

I may have just made a mistake:

No way, did you buy a set of these? I want either these or HRE wheels for my car.

Originally Posted by Albo

Here are some excellent discussions on the topic

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...82&postcount=1

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=602944

In essence, i will be using Graham's post as a guidline, but the theory is simple.. Any decrease in ride height should be met with a commensurate increase in endlink length.

There is no answer on my question in these link about correct adjustments
I assume its like Koni Adjustable , you need to play to understand what is better for you ...

Originally Posted by champaign777

There is no answer on my question in these link about correct adjustments
I assume its like Koni Adjustable , you need to play to understand what is better for you ...

Exactly!

Originally Posted by DinanBimmer

No way, did you buy a set of these? I want either these or HRE wheels for my car.

Yessur! Can't wait to get them. Then I'll sell my M-Par Replicas.

Congrats on that, i'm jealous haha

I've never had a radar detector, but recently got a Cobra Iradar-100 as a gift. I guess I got it because a) I break the law often and b) because I love my iPhone. So far, it has saved me from one possible ticket, but mostly I use my intuition.

I know it's not the best unit out there, but I love that it interfaces with my iPhone. The Dashboard displays direction, speed and electrical system voltage. I hardwired using a cable bought from a seller on ebay and it's mounted using velcro (for now) to the ceiling right next to the Homelink garage door opener.

Cobra iRadar-100













Maybe some day I'll graduate to a Valentine One!?

Picked up these nifty fog light grills from another seller on Ebay...they complement the new T-Bar grill i picked up..

I'll let the pictures speak:

Will be on the car tomorrow.

Can't wait for pics of them fitted.

On the rack...



A couple of quick teasers:





Proper photos later today or tomorrow!

PS....spacers are ordered!!

I'm so jealous, and spacers are a must. Hopefully I can get 15mm spacers on all corners fitted this summer.

Got my 15mm spacers in the mail today. They are aluminum with a 74.1mm hub centric bore. Also bought some extended wheel bolts. Stock is 28mm and the extended is 15mm longer at 43mm.

Wheel bolts:



Front before spacer:



Rear before spacer:



Spacers:






Front after spacer:



Rear after spacer:



Completed:

Those m pars in the last pic fs?

Ah man I just told myself I'd hold off on the wheel spacers and get some interior stuff, but with angel eyes, newly refurbished wheels and 15mm spacers all round my car would look some much better on the exterior. What brand of spacers are those and how much did the extended bolts run you?

Spacers I bought from a seller on ebay ....I've bought spacer from him in the past so I felt comfortable doing business with him. A set of four 15mm spacers cost $96.00.

Here's a link :

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/lugs-n-s...911.m270.l1313

Wheel bolts were bought from another Ebay seller. A set of twenty 10.9 Grade bolts cost $35.00:

Linky:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lug-Bolts-Co...sories&vxp=mtr

Originally Posted by carlova78

Those m pars in the last pic fs?

Sure are... I'll send you a PM.

Car looks good. Thanks for those link on spacers and bolts.

Thanks for the links!

Now that I look at the seller's rating I'm totally sold on getting these. Thanks again Albo, you just cut my costs in half.

Keep in mind ....always measure the gap between the inner fender lip and the outer edge of your tire to determine how thick a spacer you can fit. I had about 16mm of space in the rear and and 17mm in the front. The 15mm spacers have brought me very close to inner lip of the fender. In fact I did notice two instances of fender rub in the rear. This should resolve itself once I install the appropriate tire size on the rear. I am currently running a 265/35/18 on the rear, but it should be a 245/35/18 on an 18x8" wheel.