Right, so I think I'll use this place as a journal to keep track of what I do to Duchess .The plan is to create separate threads for each thing that goes into the car with a follow up review where appropriate (optimistically), hopefully to which everyone else will find helpful. As of this post, I've had the car for 6 months and Duchess still requires quite a lot of work to get it to where I would like it to be. So the search for the right car was on the way . Lo behold, 10/2000 E39, the first batch to be running the updated m54 engine. Can't remember what the other car was like now, so not worth mentioning. It was only after purchasing the car that I bothered checking the build specification , rookie mistake. Model description: 525I Market: Malaysia Type: DT44 E-Code: E39 Chassis: Limousine Steering: rechts Doors: 4 Engine: M54 - 2,50l (141kW) Drive: Heckantrieb Transmission: automatisch Body Color: Diamantschwarz Metallic (181) < closest matching colour i could find was a Sapphire black (http://bmwccbc.org/resources/teile/BMW-current-colors.pdf) Upholstery: Standardleder/schwarz (N6SW) Production date: 24.11.2001 < RealOEM reports the cars manufacture date as 10/2000 Assembled in: Dingolfing Code Serienausstattung Standard Equipment S168A Abgasnorm EU2 EU2 exhaust emissions standard S202A Steptronic Steptronic S204A Kürzere HAG-Übersetzung Shorter final drive ratio S249A Multifunktion für Lenkrad Multifunction f steering wheel S261A Seitenairbag für Fondpassagiere Side airbags for rear passengers S280A BMW LM Rad Speichen Styling BMW LA wheel-spoke 176 S415A Sonnenschutzrollo hinten Sun-blind, rear S428A Warndreieck und Verbandstasche Warning triangle and first aid kit S431A Innenspiegel automatisch abblendend Interior mirror with automatic-dip S441A Raucherpaket Smoker package S459A Sitzverstellung elektrisch mit Memory Seat adjuster, electric, with memory S473A Armlehne vorne Armrest front S520A Nebelscheinwerfer Fog lights S534A Klimaautomatik Automatic air conditioning S548A Kilometertacho Kilometer-calibrated speedometer S555A Bordcomputer V mit Fernbedienung On-board computer V with remote control S640A Vorbereitung Telefoneinbau universal Preparation f tel.installation universal S661A Radio BMW Business (C43) Radio BMW Business (C43) S672A CD-Wechsler 6-fach CD changer for 6 CDs S773A Edelholzausführung Fine wood trim S853A Sprachversion englisch Language version English S864A Händlerverzeichnis Übersee Retailer Directory Overseas S876A Funkfrequenz 315 MHz Radio frequency 315 MHz S880A Bordliteratur englisch On-board vehicle literature English Note that the wheels sit rather recessed into the wheel arches. Had plans to swap out steering wheel, so the original one didn't bother me. Interior looked in pretty good condition. Yes, Speedo shows that it did 92591km for a car registered in 2002.Alarm bells should have been ringing, but lets talk about that later. (I wasn't actually physically present to test/purchase the car) . Anyway, things become fairly interesting after this point. It seems that upon purchasing , the dealer informed that the car has had an engine transplant sometime in it's life. That's okay, car runs fine , I can work with this. Not sure if you can tell from the pictures, but the edge of the rims have been skimmed, quite poorly done might I add. Didn't even realize initially, until someone just casually mentioned "oh, your wheels have quite bad curb rash eh." . That's okay, car runs fine , I can work with this. Anyway, that's it for now. Till next time. TL;DR : Bought a uknown-shade-of-silver 00/2000 M54B25 E39 .DON'T trust car dealers.That's okay, car runs fine , I can work with this.
bro so long the car is running fine and acceptable will do, the miledge could be true or fake but i dont really care too, if the ride is good engine changed, no big accident, then start your own service regime, car looks good to me from the picture. if you do have extra money and time, change the rims and look for a set of msport bumper front and rear, get a good set of suspension and you are good to go. Service the car engine and gearbox and change the whole cooling system. The Msport rim version for this model will be the same like my avatar on the side, is a 17inch.
if its not too late, congrats bro....... this might be the platform you can build on as you progress to know her better, inside out..... a lil TLC goes a long way..... so in the meantime, do enjoy her....... cheers!!
ah, but the pictures are very deceiving . Have actually done a fair bit to Duchess as it is, just haven't been bothered to create new content as it is . no doubt indeed. I have to say, if you treat her well, gwaddayum, does she treat you well. Thanks man. Stay tune, plenty more to come from my end.
