Project E39 | Ep.1| Manual Slicktop Sport! (With ONLY 60k miles)

[@invertedpolarity6890]

You better hold on to this gem.

[@justwondering9287]

Nice, I just found a manual 2003 525i in the royal blue. I intend to do an engine swap with a 530i. These cars are possibly the most beautiful cars ever designed. They still make me do a head turn when I see one.

[@brandongill9568]

E39 M5 gets a bad wrap but for a V8 it’s really reliable. I had a 2000 for a few years and never had any issues. Good luck with the car looks like a solid example.

[@anthonyk]

I don't think it gets a bad wrap compare the prices of a e39 m5 to even a newer f10 m5. They are sought after now and they are probably the most reliable one you can get along with the older m5s

[@edbrown932]

E39 530s are the best DDs you could ask for! Nothing but love for them.

[@thomasstorrs6345]

Check the front thrust arms front bushings. Sway bar links. Otherwise you have covered many if the usual issues on the e39. Vanos eventually too. A proactive thing is an aftermarket heat sheild for the ABS.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Good to know on the ABS shield!

[@peterlape2677]

Congrats, I've been searching for a similar E39, nice find! I support your inclination to do the cooling system rehab, even with the low miles. Cheap insurance. I'd take a real close look at the intake boots too, esp. since you'll already be doing the CCV. Looking forward to the next episodes.

[@andrethib]

it's true that the prices for *all* cars is nuts rn, but it seems like the market for older cars that need a bit of wrenching is not as nuts as the rest. so we got that going for us, which is nice

[@samdog8087]

Nobody can afford new cars

[@pgrens]

Excellent score! This definitely found the best owner it could. Looking forward to seeing her blossom.

[@stuart3808]

Wow this is almost identical to my 2000 530i in Steel Blue, sport pack, same wheels, lights, trim, MANUAL! Yes I was very glad to find it!!!

[@stevepatrick5818]

Congratulations my friend. Count yourself among the chosen few.

[@carriecusenz6173]

Absolute unicorn for sure! I have the nearly identical car and adore it! Mine has a sunroof and M Pars, but that color definitely gets a lot of love wherever I go and you can't beat the driving experience of an E39. You found a gem!!

[@mattharwood4413]

Nice score indeed! Looks like you are going to avoid a lot of the newer BMW foibles. I'm glad to see you get back to working on a car (vs your motorcycle). Jus my preference. No matter what you're working on, your fixes are brilliantly diagnosed and executed.

[@samdog8087]

Car screams 'class'....love my 03

[@laidback93]

I guess I forget or didn't know you sold the E30, but this E39 is going to be fun to watch! Congrats on picking up this gem!

[@hilto4534]

You always find diamonds in the rough. Great presentations and process for the DIY. Australia.

[@johnnycramer5841]

Can't wait to see this vehicle cleaned up!! Timmy C Arizona

[@donalshanaghy6381]

Beautiful find. I am looking forward to your forthcoming videos of your work on this car.

[@dubster9876]

I would suggest that it is age as much as mileage that will make the engine plastics. Add to that, hot and cold cycles - low mileage doesn't determine lower heat cycles

[@mazdaRX7fdrdgen]

540 was best car I owned but I think 530 is better car in many ways

[@dfkuipers]

Great car! Looks beautiful. That in combination with that super 6 inline engine with very low mileage. What a catch!

[@raf530i]

Oooooh, it brings back such good memories from my manual e39 530i 😎

[@shaunlaverty8898]

Going to go all “M539 Restoration” on it? Awesome find, wish I could find one up here in Canada that wasn’t a rust trap.

[@ombra306]

just purchased the exact same in black but 2003. Binging on your videos It seems the only difference so far is the heated seats (which I like a lot )

[@mkalamo]

Love the backpack!

[@MrCuckoobox]

You found PLATINUM. I looked 6 months in 2008 to find my 2003 e39 525i with Manual Transmission and Sport Package. When I was looking, I could not find 530i with Manual. I wish I had the 3.0l...... I also wish they had put 6 speed manuals in the 6 cylinders.....Congrats.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Whenever I find myself looking for a specific car, they are never available, no matter how far the search radius. This one just popped up locally by chance so I knew I had to grab it.

[@MrCuckoobox]

@@PracticalEnthusiast I would do everything you said to the car. The cooling system - change the coolant, the upper radiator hose (that is a weak point it is where the it is the plastic cracks due to all the heat - seen it happen on both my wife's e91s) and replace the thermostat. My e39 has 95k on it currently, purchased it with 58k on it. The Dealer has replaced the 1st thermostat for the original owner around 50k. I had to replace it again around 85k. The tend to get stuck. My got stuck open. Not good during winter. It happen in the fall, when it was 40F out and the car never reached operating temp - straight up on the gauge.... The gauge barely climbed out of the blue. This is hard on the Head and valves when the car does not heat up properly. Unfortunately, this is common on the M54 Engine. The housing is plastic and it has an electric plug in to actuate the thermostat. You also might want to replace all the plastic bleeder screws.....the heads break off and they leak and you get stuck - they can be pain to get them out too. I replaced with after market brass ones.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

That's all great info 👍 I will likely do the complete cooling system overhaul on it just to be safe.

[@MrCuckoobox]

@@PracticalEnthusiast That is good in a way. I can tell that a lot of the parts out there now are not so great with quality. Last month, I had to replace my wife's radiator in her e91. The Nissens Radiator Leaked right out the box. Pour the coolant in and it came right out the bottom. Very Frustrating after spending all that time installing it in the car ......{Nissens is /was considered as a good after market. When we were going to the "Indy" Mechanic for regularly for repairs, he advised that he thought the Nissens were as Good if not better than OE radiators. He told me that when we replaced the radiator in my wifes e39 wagon which failed around the 150k mark, this was a while back.} I, then got OE, Mahle/Behr Radiator for the e91, which now uses a different drain plug (okay) but one the holes for the self tapping screws was over 3mm smaller then the original - this caused the screw to get the head stripped while installing. (There are several for holding the radiator in place and attaching an aux hose.) I had remove the radiator, ream the hole out carefully to get it closer to the original spec. and go to the "Stealer" to get another screw. Even if I were to force the screw all the way in without stripping the head, I believe it would have crack the plastic on the radiator and the crack could have spread to area where the radiator would leak. Both of the radiators were NON-German made..... 2 things.. 1) A lot of the parts, are being made out of Germany. There is always a question of quality. 2) The laws have changed in Germany, the Auto industry is "Forced" to use recycled plastic in most parts, so a lot of the parts do not hold up like they use to IMHO. If you get a chance, on YT search "Recycled Cars Germany".....I saw one where there were BMWs that looked like they were 5 years old getting ready to be crushed, they looked in great shape, I would have loved to get my hands on them. They "claimed to be unfixable"....Even if so, why totally destroy the car? Parts Cars. I know this getting side tracked, but it appears auto industry there is "using the environment" to sell new cars. I also drove a 2020 BMW 3 series, for a loaner while my wifes e91 got an airbag replaced on a recall. IMHO, these cars are all going to be in the "crusher" in 10-15 years, too much plastic and to many electronics. IMHO, the e30, e39 and e46 (e46 which I have not owned) are the peak of BMWs. Everything goes down hill from there. These cars are not perfect, they have there issues. When BMW canned the naturally aspirated in line 6 engine, they left their roots. Everything now is planned obsolescence. The e90s are okay but there is a lot of plastic that breaks and the parts are more expensive - high cost of ownership.

[@wvurat]

Congrats! Beautiful car. Again, you get the absolute best vehicles for content on KZbin. Can’t wait to see you work through this one.

[@milankrunic3093]

Looking forward to the video series ^^

[@Richard611997]

Beautiful car, and I am so happy i found your channel. I just got one myself and you have the perfect videos for me. Thank you for making these videos.

[@andrewg2322]

Nice another bmw just came here from the E30 series

[@ericluebbers4415]

Replace whole cooling system now and a a Stewart water pump. You will be good to go without worry. Did this on both my 99 wagons.

[@jimmielmholt]

Congrats on the new project. As a BMW fan I'm looking forward to follow the project. Very nice car, but I my opinion the e38 is the best designed BMW - well except the z8 of course. Just finished watching all of the E30 serie. Can't believe that I haven't found your channel before and that you don't have anymore subscribers yet.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

I agree with you - the e38 looks the best. I just wish we got the manual transmission variant here in the US!

[@jimmielmholt]

@@PracticalEnthusiast Didn't know that you don't have that option in Stats. Fortunately we have that possibility her in southern Scandinavia. Hoping to be able to own before all combustion engine gets prohibited her in EU. But my first goal is to get an E30 again (have had 3 of them in my younger days) hoping to end up with a nice example like the one you had.

[@anthonyk]

Not many cars from that era had a distinct look even in the dark you knew it was a e39 the halos and the led tailights not many cars had its own look to tell it apart from traffic at night

[@coldcrepes6223]

Beautiful car, have fun and keep us updated!

[@anthonyk]

That noise also when closing the door

[@brianflynn9446]

Lovely car…congrats!

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thanks!

[@anthonyk]

The color yours is in is the color the e39 was represented in, if you look up e39 commercials many if not all have this color

[@punkbloater]

Nice score! 👍🏻

[@red95gts]

Congrats!!

[@stanmarsh912]

I have an e30 convertible and I want another beamer too.

[@tp4819]

GOOD SCORE!! Love the car

[@mazdaRX7fdrdgen]

With this mileage it’s pretty much just drive it car. I am in a same boat as far as preventative maintenance but with this one just drive it IMO

[@petemo94]

“Oh great, I get to do the OFHG, CCV again” 😂 Beautiful find but you’ll make it your own. If you ever find a way to get rid of that famous bmw crayon smell, let us know 😂

[@vassamoylov9902]

That smell is from the sound deadening

[@toddsmith8608]

@petemo94 why would one wish to get rid of the iconic crayon smell? It's what makes a bmw the ultimate driving machine.

[@derekjohnson5964]

Nice find!

[@toddsmith8608]

What a great find! Can I get first right of refusal when/if you sell?

[@Penfold_]

Wow! American's really get shafted when buying European cars. To us here in the UK, the model you have there is an SE model ie: base model. Our sports models have an M5 look front and rear bumper. The rear bumper only having the single exit exhaust and not quad. Most of the sport models also come with 18" M Parallel alloy wheels. We also have parking sensors both front and back. I feel sorry for you over there!

[@Inkuurushio]

Good find! What did you pay for it?

[@chiefrocka8604]

In Europe the e39 M Sports have a M5 front bumper and a rear lip spoiler This one here sucks in the looks folks ..Euro is a beautyfull machine

[@Vatabg]

lol trashing the s62 while thinking m54 is great for reliability :D

[@mikewarner2285]

I was hoping you get a motoguzzi 🤐

[@gvergel74]

Keep it......

[@Krunoslav09]

That's a realy good car. I had one i had to part it out due bad rust, but I hold some good parts... I swap m54 3.0 in my e36 touring, what car was that. :)

[@vassamoylov9902]

Replace all the plastic cooling system parts. Time isn't great to it

[@matthewtynan84]

Congratulations. Personally wondering but did you ever consider a 540i?

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

I was open to a 540i as well, but I couldn't find one locally in decent shape.

[@JohnstonPettigrew]

I didnt catch how much paid......??🤔

[@mazdaRX7fdrdgen]

Seat twisting because of one cable not catching

[@spngg]

How do I get on the list to buy this? I’ve been looking for this spec for ages - congratulations

[@jaynareynolds3684]

I have the identical car except mine in an automatic transmission. My car doesn't have any noticeable wear on steering wheel or seats and it has 192k miles. Wondering how that can be comparing it to your car?

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

It all comes down to how the owner cares for the car. It's pretty clear the seller wasn't a very clean person, and that translates to how the interior looks. Luckily I bought it right right before any irreparable damage occured. Check out the rest of the videos on this car to see the end result!

[@chasetiemeyer1056]

How does it compare to your old LS400?

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

This rides like a washboard in comparison haha. But the doors shut with the same bank vault quality.

[@shreda125hilux7]

Those number plates belong on a Honda. (NSX) haha Nice bimmer bro

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Hah! I know! I transferred these plates from my 325xi project because I didn't want to lose the NSX designation. I don't think I can afford the car that matches it though.

[@shreda125hilux7]

@@PracticalEnthusiast haha maybe one day bro

[@tbdaemon]

If you're into BMW sedans with a straight 6 and a manual, I dare you to get a 335i.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

I wouldn't turn down an F30! The E90 doesn't do it for me though.

[@frankfraga295]

Is this the one that was auctioned off for charity by samarac?

[@mattspangler170]

I believe samarac’s car had a black interior, very similar otherwise!

[@anthonyk]

I'd wait till 80k to replace your cooling system, your cooling system probably hasn't gone through so many heat cycles that there not bad yet

[@rexe3139]

Wasn’t this on Samcracs channel or something?

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

I don't think so?

[@mattspangler170]

I believe samarac’s car had a black interior, very similar otherwise!

[@CobraCommanderX]

what languages do you speak?

[@ozzyfreeman2619]

I will disappoint you by the way the steering wheel and driver's seat look like this car has a mileage of more than 300,000 km

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

They do look pretty bad, but I assure the mileage is accurate. The interior will clean up fine and look more its mileage. It must have been a dirty person in that driver's seat, that's all.

[@stenciljunkie]

@@PracticalEnthusiast that cluster doesn’t look original to the car… the late models had what is called a “high” cluster, look into it. Could’ve been added to the car and coded to remove the tamper dot.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

@@stenciljunkie thanks for the info but I stand by the mileage being correct. Low cluster were installed in non premium package cars (no navigation). www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1902113-Which-years-got-which-clusters-high-vs-low

[@stenciljunkie]

@@PracticalEnthusiast awesome. Thanks for the knowledge!! Also, beautiful car.