Starting to put money into the 540, what theme?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Well i've found myself a frequent customer of a few online BMW part suppliers over the last few weeks.

I've put about 1300 dollars into it over the past month, fixing some serious(to me) issues just due to age.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cars, so the whole "buy a cheap car just to drive" situation rarely turns out to be just that. My 540 was a "cheap" alternative to my EVO. Selling the EVO and paying cash for the 540 was nice since it freed(sp) me from a car payment and the neurotic behavior that one has when they have a brand spanking new car with not so much as a scratch. Well that lasted all of 6 months, now the list is long and it seems i'm picking this poor 12 year old 540 apart for it's few(expected) flaws. Just last week it saw 700 dollars worth of brand new OEM suspension pieces. I replaced both control arms on the front(2 per sid) as well as new tie rods. Next i have my eyes set on rear wheel bearings and control arms as well as a fresh set of shocks and lowering springs(probably bilstein sports). After i sort the suspension out and fix a few other age related issues i'll be looking to freshen up the exterior.

My choices are simple and neither has a cost or IMO image advantage(well maybe the alpina look, the m look is as common as "moded" civics).

So, what do you think.

M look.




Alpina(my favorite)




Or just a mix and mash(some bbs wheels and leave the rest stock)

[2o6]

Alpina!

[68_427]

Neez QD7 rims and leave the rest stock.

[sportyaccordy]

Get the 740i sport wheels, lower it, some kind of Eisenmann exhaust... that's it, anything else and ur doin too much

[Raza]

I like the Alpina look.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Get the 740i sport wheels, lower it, some kind of Eisenmann exhaust... that's it, anything else and ur doin too much

Eisenmann exhaust = $LOL
Just find a good exhaust shop that bends their own pipe, pick out the muffler you want, and be done with it for around $300 installed.

[TBR]

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&showRear=no&filterSize=&filterFinish=&filterSpecial=&initialPartNumber=CK009A&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=540i+6-speed&autoYear=1999&autoModClar=

If that doesn't work:

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'm a fan of beyern wheels.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Or Breyton

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The MRR's that chris has(i believe) are nice too.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I really like the Alpina knock offs

[TBR]

Those would be a major pain in the ass to clean, keep that in mind with the Alpina wheels too.

I do like them though.

[Payman]

Alpina all the way. Dentists with bad toupees drive Ms.

Enthusiasts drive Alpinas.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Those would be a major pain in the ass to clean, keep that in mind with the Alpina wheels too.

I do like them though.

It's getting hard to wipe my ass too but you don't see me being lazy.

[TBR]

It's getting hard to wipe my ass too but you don't see me being lazy.

Just wanted to make sure you had thought of that, I know I wouldn't buy those wheels for that fact alone. I get pissed off enough just cleaning the ones I have and the opens in them are about as easy to clean as it gets (http://www.finishlinewheels.com/prodimg/ALY63743L.jpg).

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Just wanted to make sure you had thought of that, I know I wouldn't buy those wheels for that fact alone. I get pissed off enough just cleaning the ones I have and the opens in them are about as easy to clean as it gets (http://www.finishlinewheels.com/prodimg/ALY63743L.jpg).

I wax my wheels, and if you wash often most of the cleaning can be done with a pressure washer and then a quick wipe down with a MF towel.

[sportyaccordy]

Eisenmann exhaust = $LOL
Just find a good exhaust shop that bends their own pipe, pick out the muffler you want, and be done with it for around $300 installed.

True true. I have had 4 custom exhausts done too, altogether I don't think I've spent $1000

But yea



These

[Rupert]

Alpina wheels, at least. I would probably stop there.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I like the M wheels, the problem is that everyone and their brother has them on a E39. I saw a silver 530 today with those wheels. I like them but it gets alittle old.

[Cookie Monster]

Lowered on those (BBS RX).

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Lowered on those (BBS RX).

Which are actually reasonable as far as BBS wheels go. I'm glad i don't like alot of their designs(or i should say i find their designs all very similar). A set of BBS wheels and some good performance rubber costs prostitute money. I don't think i could hit the local street corner and make that kind of money.

[TBR]

The ones I posted are $375/piece, which isn't too bad for BBS wheels.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The ones I posted are $375/piece, which isn't too bad for BBS wheels.

I know, i was looking at them earlier on Tire Rack. For BBS wheels they are cheap. I don't need no 2 piece 900 dollars a piece crap.

[TBR]

I know, i was looking at them earlier on Tire Rack. For BBS wheels they are cheap. I don't need no 2 piece 900 dollars a piece crap.

Yeah, they would have to be made out of gold for me to spend that much and I would never buy gold wheels.

[Rupert]

For $900? Hell yeah, I'd buy a gold wheel or more. You could sell one for, like, 1000 times that.

[Soup DeVille]

For $900? Hell yeah, I'd buy a gold wheel or more. You could sell one for, like, 1000 times that.

At $1020 an ounce? Fuck yeah.

[TBR]

I wasn't being literal.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I wasn't being literal.

Well then you shouldn't have said it.

We are very formal around here, no room or time for shenanigans.

[Soup DeVille]

I wasn't being literal.

Really? I couldn't tell.

[SVT666]

Get some Bullitt wheels.