Top 10 E39 Modifications

My most popular E39 video is a Top 5 modifications list. There were a lot of great recommendations in the comments; so, it only seemed natural to expand it to a Top 10. The E39 of course has tons of different modification you can make, but I think these are the best modifications you can make. These make the biggest different or make a big difference for not much money.
All ten modifications apply equally to all E39s from the Euro 520i up to the M5. Usually only the 540i and the M5 get all the love, but every E39 can benefit from these upgrades. If you have any recommendations on what modifications you think are the best for the E39, comment them below.
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[@larrypeters2038]

Wavetrac diff is my favorite mod on my 540. No more one tire fire. Much more control when going sideways. Eibach sway bars with beast power hold downs great as well. Uuc dual shear shift linkage and zhp knob feel great too. German auto solutions sells a coolant cap that runs at 1.2 bar instead of 2 bar.

[@350Z247]

You can also use an E30 cap that is 1.4 bar I believe; I didn't learn that until after i sold the car. But yeah, those are all great options. It really just depends on how you plan to use the car.

[@optimistic32]

Wavetrac diff... I have a supercharged 540, with 3:15 diff how would I benefit with the waveTrac gear besides for drifting, I don't drift! Something always brakes!

[@steviestevereno]

I put a 85c calibrated thermostat on my 97 540i I owned about 5 years ago…. Worked fantastic and car ran cooler

[@gabrielyeamans7289]

Really curious about how much power the mechanical fan is taking now! Would be cool to see a dyno comparison

[@sarunasgerulis9080]

Me favorite tuning is stage 2+ for 3.0d engine❤

[@asmircar1]

my fav upgrade is bi-xenon headlights and seats from e38.

[@PhDKali]

I would add SAP delete/ bypass. That thing fails and wounds like a rocket.

[@stevecooper6653]

MINES COMING UP TO 23 YEARS OLD NOW…BMW 535i V8 MSPORT (1999) has ALL the M GEAR.well apart from the engine/gearbox lol

[@RossoSimRacing]

M62B35 manual, 1997 here😅

[@twistedsneaks1932]

I believe 2002s and up autos already have the switched manual gear shift directions

[@amdee2505]

yeah

[@prozacsf84]

Thermostat is both mechanical and electrical switch, not so easy to fall. Electrical heater heat the mechanical pusher to pre open it... Also after thermostat change you don't have to worry about the fan, not actually turning on... It turns on on 115 c° if I remember correctly and if thermostat is opening on 88 c° is quite hard, should be like 45c° traffic outside to turn on

[@350Z247]

I would still rather have the electric fan and the 88C thermostat. They both performed beautifully when I still had the car. If nothing else, the electric fan was much easier to remove to service the front of the engine.

[@DaDrumerBoi]

What about getting a fan while in the desert? I live in Las Vegas and using electric is kinda pushing it.

[@350Z247]

Most modern cars use an electric fan; I never had an issue with mine even sitting in traffic at over 100 degrees.

[@DaDrumerBoi]

@@350Z247 ok thank you. I will look into this.. I live in 108 degree weather. Highest I've been driving was 117. But that was on the way to Vegas passing Death valley. 😭

[@350Z247]

@@DaDrumerBoi Just make sure you buy a high quality brand like Spal. I have a full video on it in my E39 Cooling playlist

[@Ryukachoo]

Zuonsville makes a somewhat expensive but very worth is aluminium welded expansion tank + electric fan shroud + fan which replaces your big mechanical fan. It has better airflow and is more reliable by comparison, and only kicks on at high engine temps (as determined by a coolant temp sensor you install). That welded tank is a godsend though

[@ivarskacans]

Bro , i love how your car looks, its amazing , how much cost you this car ?

[@350Z247]

Thank you! $4K in 2017. Sold it for $6K in 2019.

[@ivarskacans]

@@350Z247 Why did you sold it ??? if its not a secret

[@350Z247]

@@ivarskacans I knew I'd never drive it once I got an E60 M5; so, I sold it to someone who would enjoy it. I miss it sometimes, but it's no M5.

[@optimistic32]

I use evens waterless coolant, no pressure at all & I have a supercharger on it!

[@geworthomd]

I wanted to reverse the shift pattern for the manual mode on the steptronic. But, there are a lot of wires under there. Which two wires need to be reversed? Great video!

[@350Z247]

It's been a very long time so I don't remember, but I found an article on the forums for it. It was a very simple process. You disassemble one of the plugs then swap the wires. Totally reversible.

[@adrenanic5871]

Hey, great video! What part of the exhaust is the most restrictive in your opinion? The cats, mufflers… I’d like to replace part of my exhaust to make more power and sound but I do not know which part I should be changing 🙂

[@350Z247]

Easily the stock exhaust manifolds followed by the stock primary cats. A good set of long tube headers with high flow cats would make a huge difference with a tune. HOWEVER, the cost is pretty prohibitive. All that time and money would likely be better spent on upgrading to a stock M5.

[@adrenanic5871]

@@350Z247 okay thanks so much for the feedback!

[@TOShorts]

Seems like a lot of work and money to put in to a non M car

[@rowenblazeiko8381]

Leave cats. Cut resonators and mufflers to a straight pipe and 2.5! Sounds awesome! And works well no engine light!

[@Emslaender_Jung]

Where did you get the numberplate from? "ME" stands for Kreis Mettmann, a german district which is called "Mettmann", located in the federal State of North-Rhine westfalia, Germany. I lived there a few years so i know that numberplates. Btw the first 1-3 letters of german numberplates where the car is from, it can be related to a city or a district, for example B stands for Berlin, M for Munich and F for Frankfurt, just to mention a few ones.

[@350Z247]

I got it off eBay. I think it really compliments the front of the car.

[@homepro3181]

Great video dude, do you have any idea what brand the original m sport suspension II dampers are ?

[@350Z247]

I would assume they're Bilstein dampers. The B6 dampers are probably pretty similar replacements if you can't find an exact match.

[@homepro3181]

@@350Z247 thanks alot man i appreciate it, keep up the good work

[@BlueWafer]

Sachs, but no longer available. You can get them only BMW stamped, twice more expensive

[@Scooby_moon]

I’m trying to get one is it smart to get one

[@350Z247]

Yes

[@grahamepigney8565]

After how many miles do the cooling fan blades break off? My E39 has 165,000 miles on it and there is no sign of failure. My 2001 E39 has an old-fashioned mechanical thermostat, no electrical connection.

[@350Z247]

You should have an electric thermostat if your E39 is a 2000 or newer. The fan blades could go at 100,000 or could go at 400,000. There is no hard line, but it will eventually happen.

[@grahamepigney8565]

@@350Z247 Is that refering to petrol or diesel engines? Never heard of a fan failing on a 530D E39 pre or post facelift.. Perhaps this is only a problem with the E60/61 onwards My E34 520i has over 260,000 miles and still on the original fan. Seems like a fan failure is an exceptional occurence.

[@350Z247]

@@grahamepigney8565 Gas. I'm assuming because the diesels rev so low, they put less stress on the fan. We didn't get them in the US, and I don't have an interest in them. The E39 is the last 5 series with a mechanical fan. The electric fans have motor problems, not blade problems. For me, it wasn't worth the risk of the fan failing, plus freeing up some horsepower and gas milage while making maintenance easier, but modify your car as you wish.

[@grahamepigney8565]

@@350Z247 With no evidence of fan blade problems there is no reason to modify the original setup. the viscous fanb draws very little power and makes virtually no difference to the MPG (unless somebody has some stats that prove otherwise). Minimal risk of fan failure + unprovable extra horsepower + unquantifiable improved fuel economy = no reason to spend significant money on an electric fan.

[@350Z247]

@@grahamepigney8565 As I said, do whatever you want. It has zero bearing on me.

[@sebastianmozo5645]

saludos desde CHILEE

[@carrottopadc]

Any specific recommendations for a 2000 528i? Only has 45k miles on it, and it’s one from Germany.

[@350Z247]

Just this list based on your tastes and very thorough maintenance checks. 23 year old gaskets and seals will need attention

[@khaydekhayde863]

Would these modifications apply to my 530i e39?

[@350Z247]

Yup!

[@alaardnortus1622]

isnt the standard opening temp for e39 thermostat 97c?

[@350Z247]

The genuine BMW replacement for the M62B44tu is listed at 105C

[@mitsuoo1012]

How do you change the shifter to shift up instead of down?

[@350Z247]

Second post www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1423212-Steptronic-shift-direction

[@aaronhuynh3360]

where did you buy thermostat?

[@350Z247]

ECS Tuning

[@350Z247]

www.ecstuning.com/b-vemo-parts/thermostat-with-gasket-88c/11512248542~vmo/

[@paganiluv9552]

@@350Z247 I have a 2000 528i and it's not listed under the vehicle part fitment, will it still work correctly?

[@350Z247]

@@paganiluv9552 Your E39 has an M52B28 which stock has a 92C thermostat which is already a good temp. BMW used the same design for 20 years with temperatures all the way down to 71C. Unless you live in a very hot place or just do a lot of hard driving, I'd say your stock 92C thermostat is good, but there is an 88C thermostat that would be a good little upgrade if yours ever goes bad.

[@350Z247]

@@paganiluv9552 here is a list of all possible thermostats you can use www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling/Thermostats/Performance-Thermostat-71-deg-C-11-53-1-713-040.html

[@mitsuoo1012]

How to do the auto trans shifting mod so shift up to upshift? t???

[@E39Kai]

look it up on youtube

[@350Z247]

www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1423212-Steptronic-shift-direction

[@jabberwocky3347]

Where can you get decent M5 bumpers for an 02’ 528i? I don’t care for the stock front bumper so I’m looking to do an M5 conversion asap

[@350Z247]

There are options online from junkyards and eBay. The swap is more involved than just the bumper. You'll need to check for a swap guide to get the complete part list.

[@jabberwocky3347]

350Z247 for sure man I’m about to get an 02’ 525i for very cheap close to a grand w 125k miles but i don’t care too much for the stock look.

[@350Z247]

@@jabberwocky3347 yeah, M5 bumper is a big improvement

[@rickyduncan8459]

What’s those mags they look good

[@rivzzerzzzzz]

style 55 they come stock on 530i sport

[@350Z247]

They are Style 66 rims; they are standard for all 530i and 540i sports.

[@350Z247]

@@rivzzerzzzzz *Style 66

[@patrickbristol7750]

Not m60 intake manifold no n62 throttle body upgrade 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@350Z247]

1. I did mention the M60 manifold if you watched the entire video 2. Those only apply to the 540i while my Top 10 apply to every E39 3. I consider both over rated for the price on a street driven sports sedan that already has plenty of power.

[@justbeingabosssss4029]

You do realize the upshift is down because that’s true sport shifting

[@350Z247]

Pulling back to upshift is and always has been the proper motorsports direction. You push or pull with the G-forces.

[@Premtim_]

No the m5 bumper looks god bro common 🫢

[@350Z247]

What?