What are some upgrades i can do to make my car look better?

Hello All


I am looking around to make my car look better a little more distinct. Summer is coming so it would be the best time for modifications. So far the only things i did was tinting it and rims (M3 replica , 18 inch, back 9.5" wide , front 8.5" as you see in my signiture) I had this vision to go red angle eyes with black rims with red lip. not sure how that would look but any other suggestions would be more then welcome.

thank you All

PS. wanna keep the car look professional and not like a civic if you get my drift! lol

Originally Posted by Massari

PS. wanna keep the car look professional and not like a civic if you get my drift! lol

This statement is in direct conflict with the mods you suggested....

thank you bob


well yes that is kinda why i didn't go with that and got the Rims that you see now!

To the OP:
First things first ...

• Have you overhauled the entire cooling system?
• How recently have you overhauled the belt-drive system?
• What is the situation with your VANOS seals?
• Have you cleaned & checked your DISA flap?
• Did you order the parts for the alternator rebuild yet?
• When did you replace your PBT headlight adjusters with aluminum?
• What's the situation with your MID & cluster pixels?
• When did you modify the CCV system with the cold-weather ccv?
• Have you re-sealed both your rear door vapor barriers?
• Are your windshield covers still intact?
• Have you replaced the OEM FSU yet?
• etc.

After you take care of your bimmer first, 'then' we can discuss mods.

Originally Posted by bluebee

To the OP:
First things first ...

• Have you overhauled the entire cooling system?
• How recently have you overhauled the belt-drive system?
• What is the situation with your VANOS seals?
• Have you cleaned & checked your DISA flap?
• Did you order the parts for the alternator rebuild yet?
• When did you replace your PBT headlight adjusters with aluminum?
• What's the situation with your MID & cluster pixels?
• When did you modify the CCV system with the cold-weather ccv?
• Have you re-sealed both your rear door vapor barriers?
• Are your windshield covers still intact?
• Have you replaced the OEM FSU yet?
• etc.

After you take care of your bimmer first, 'then' we can discuss mods.

Thank you very much for the list. it's very informative and this is my first BMW i purchased in July 2009 it had 140K on it now it has 170 K on it. I did have my fair share of problems, changed the spark plugs at the time of purchase , gaskets were also replaced, Winter came and no issues during winter. O2 sensor was changed.

In the beginning of summer i noticed Shaky Idle and smoke coming from the back, i thought it started to burn oil! the car was well maintained by me, i don't race or anything keep it clean change oil regularly so i figure it can't possibly be burning oil. Showed it to a few mechanics they had no idea what is wrong, all they read was a bunch of codes stating the engine is misfiring , so took the car to a BMW mechanic (private not dealer ) He diagnosed the problem to be something called PCV kit ( I believe is similar to CCV system that you are referring ) after that replacement the car is running beautifully. Recently i did notice it's not as fule efficient as it was before so i will be changing the air filter, fuel filter and plugs and ignition coils.

I am not a very mechanical person slowly learning about my car and its needs, I will do some research on the list the you mention since i am no familiar with any of them.

any more advise on engine maintenance and also your opinion on the maintenance that i did so far for it "i.e PCV" is much appreciate.


Thank you

Originally Posted by Massari

any more advise on engine maintenance and also your opinion on the maintenance that i did so far for it "i.e PCV" is much appreciate

Sounds like you're on the right track.

I chose the most common items for you in that list.

Seems you have replaced the CCV (aka PCV) system, so that's good news.

Here is a list of the most common problems on the E39, thanks to BMW_n00b13's efforts:
- Common issues on the E39

A good can of wax made for black paint.

Since you mentioned fuel efficiency, you might want to check the links for VANOS and Beisan Systems.

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

A good can of wax made for black paint.

any specific brands you recommend?

Originally Posted by bobdmac

Since you mentioned fuel efficiency, you might want to check the links for VANOS and Beisan Systems.

thank you, i was looking for a starting point , kinda look into what are some of the thing that affects the fuel consumption of this car.

In my opinion, the car looks good as it is now....

but I would definitely blacken the window trim. I know this is nothing huge, but I think it makes a difference.

Is that a fin that I see?

Sport Suspension...makes it look more agressive...

Originally Posted by GSXRYDER

Sport Suspension...makes it look more agressive...

For sure....E39s look far more agressive when lowered an inch or inch-and-a-half beyond stock....don`t overdo it, though, or you might lose that fine ride quality.

Originally Posted by Gian

In my opinion, the car looks good as it is now....

but I would definitely blacken the window trim. I know this is nothing huge, but I think it makes a difference.

Is that a fin that I see?

Thank you and yes that is a Shark fin. it was on it when i bought it! which then realized it was something the original owner added

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

For sure....E39s look far more agressive when lowered an inch or inch-and-a-half beyond stock....don`t overdo it, though, or you might lose that fine ride quality.

Fast bob & GSXRYDER

Definitly something to look at it would make the car look better and improves the handling also.

nice wheels
car looks good

headlights can be better, fresh headlights make a big difference ( this is my 2001 E39 525i )

Originally Posted by Massari

any specific brands you recommend?

I highly recommend this line of products.


My personal combination was to use Velocity Glaze and then finish up with the Fas Wax. You may even want to consider clay-barring the car first to remove any nasties embedded in the paint so you get a good bare surface to start with. (I did)

My car has to withstand New England winters while never seeing a garage. My car still shines even after 3 months of automatic car washes with only one quick reapplication to freshen up the original coat.

Originally Posted by champaign777

nice wheels
car looks good

headlights can be better, fresh headlights make a big difference ( this is my 2001 E39 525i )

Very clean carr .. absolutely love it

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

I highly recommend this line of products.


My personal combination was to use Velocity Glaze and then finish up with the Fas Wax. You may even want to consider clay-barring the car first to remove any nasties embedded in the paint so you get a good bare surface to start with. (I did)

My car has to withstand New England winters while never seeing a garage. My car still shines even after 3 months of automatic car washes with only one quick reapplication to freshen up the original coat.

Thank you mate. I hope these combinations of products will pass Canadian winter and salt. I will put it on the test soon.

what do you have ?
Halogen or HID ?

Originally Posted by champaign777

what do you have ?
Halogen or HID ?

it's regular Xenon light. i have angle eyes too. The lights looks old, the cover is not very clear it has scratches from the road. I am not sure if it's the originals or the prevuious owner has changed it, I am actually lookin to in them in ebay. Anything in particular you recommend ?

i had Halogen before and i bought this OEM Hella Xenon on ebay
The best way is to buy another set and sell your ( don't buy any aftermarket cr** )
You may try to polish you headlights

here on page 3 you can see polished set ( from another E39 )
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...773&highlight=

keep your oem xenon just give them a good polish
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...18&postcount=1
i would black out the chrome around the doors will look for sporty.
you could also buy some 5w led bulbs for the halos will look much brighter.
led interior.
if your a music guy install some sub woofers.

Originally Posted by champaign777

i had Halogen before and i bought this OEM Hella Xenon on ebay
The best way is to buy another set and sell your ( don't buy any aftermarket cr** )
You may try to polish you headlights

here on page 3 you can see polished set ( from another E39 )
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...773&highlight=

Pefrect those are beautiful lights.. That's the kind i am looking for. Even after polishing mine will not look like that! i doubt it.

Originally Posted by illesztE39

keep your oem xenon just give them a good polish
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...18&postcount=1
i would black out the chrome around the doors will look for sporty.
you could also buy some 5w led bulbs for the halos will look much brighter.
led interior.
if your a music guy install some sub woofers.

I see you also blacked the chrome around the door, Its funny i never thought about that, in fact when i bought the car i liked the chrome it gave it a sense of luxury and class. but after putting the rims it looks more sport and i see on your car the black looks pretty nice. BTW those rims were my first choice when i was shopping for rims. (M6 Rims!) looks great on your car