Poll
Question:
What theme should i pick?
Option 1: M Theme
votes: 6
Option 2: No theme
votes: 2
Option 3: Alpina
votes: 10
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.
(http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6826/redrock027large6zl.jpg)
Alpina(my favorite)
(http://www.tuningnews.net/gallery/alpina-b10/alpina-b10-05.jpg)
Or just a mix and mash(some bbs wheels and leave the rest stock)
Alpina!
Neez QD7 rims and leave the rest stock.
(http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4003/qd701ts6.jpg)
Get the 740i sport wheels, lower it, some kind of Eisenmann exhaust... that's it, anything else and ur doin too much
I like the Alpina look.
Quote from: sportyaccordy on March 04, 2009, 07:06:48 PM
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.
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:
(http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/bbs/swap/bbs_ck_anth_ci3_l.jpg)
I'm a fan of beyern wheels.
(http://www.tsw.com/img/mesh_silver_reg_pop_white.jpg)
(http://www.tsw.com/img/type_multi_silver_reg_pop_white.jpg)
Or Breyton
(http://www.breyton-export.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/201-570x500.jpg)
(http://www.breyton-export.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/196-570x500.jpg)
The MRR's that chris has(i believe) are nice too.
(http://www.mrrwheels.com/images/wheels/new_thumbnails/gt1_L.jpg)
I really like the Alpina knock offs
(http://abrahamsmotorsport.com/images/mattk2.jpg)
(http://abrahamsmotorsport.com/images/kopiclose.jpg)
(http://www.tsw.com/img/type_multi_silver_reg_pop_white.jpg)
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.
Alpina all the way. Dentists with bad toupees drive Ms.
Enthusiasts drive Alpinas.
Quote from: TBR on March 04, 2009, 08:06:03 PM
(http://www.tsw.com/img/type_multi_silver_reg_pop_white.jpg)
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.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on March 04, 2009, 08:07:32 PM
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).
Quote from: TBR on March 04, 2009, 08:11:21 PM
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.
Quote from: NACar on March 04, 2009, 07:28:48 PM
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
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/sleepyatcsu/7side.jpg)
These
Alpina wheels, at least. I would probably stop there.
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.
(http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/bbs/swap/bbs_rx_bs_ci3_l.jpg)
Lowered on those (BBS RX).
Quote from: thecarnut on March 04, 2009, 08:26:28 PM
(http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/bbs/swap/bbs_rx_bs_ci3_l.jpg)
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.
The ones I posted are $375/piece, which isn't too bad for BBS wheels.
Quote from: TBR on March 04, 2009, 08:31:04 PM
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.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on March 04, 2009, 08:32:48 PM
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.
For $900? Hell yeah, I'd buy a gold wheel or more. You could sell one for, like, 1000 times that. :lol:
Quote from: Psilos on March 04, 2009, 08:39:24 PM
For $900? Hell yeah, I'd buy a gold wheel or more. You could sell one for, like, 1000 times that. :lol:
At $1020 an ounce? Fuck yeah.
I wasn't being literal.
Quote from: TBR on March 04, 2009, 08:42:21 PM
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.
Quote from: TBR on March 04, 2009, 08:42:21 PM
I wasn't being literal.
Really? I couldn't tell.
Get some Bullitt wheels.
Get some facelifted headlights and tails and that will increase the looks 10 fold.
Quote from: CJ on March 04, 2009, 08:52:35 PM
Get some facelifted headlights and tails and that will increase the looks 10 fold.
How did you know about my crappy lights?
Quote from: Soup DeVille on March 04, 2009, 08:39:59 PM
At $1020 an ounce? Fuck yeah.
Well, about 200 times the $900, actually. And gold's $910-915/oz now. :lol:
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on March 04, 2009, 08:00:52 PM
I'm a fan of beyern wheels.
(http://www.tsw.com/img/mesh_silver_reg_pop_white.jpg)
I really like those.
Quote from: Psilos on March 04, 2009, 08:56:40 PM
Well, about 200 times the $900, actually. And gold's $910-915/oz now. :lol:
Try buying it at the market price.
I like the Alpine theme. If you go with the M theme it has to have the performance to back it, but if it has the Alpine theme it is unique enough that nobody will know what to expect of it.
My expert opinion (if you could call it that, lol):
-Neez wheels don't fit a lot of the staggers BMW has (trivia: and they don't clear E60 M5 brakes, even the 19" wheels), and they look funny.
-You'd look like a poseur with an M'd up 540i. Definitely go with something more subtle like Alpina or just start with a lip and go from there.
-Your headlights suck. The later halo ones will do so much to modernize the look of your car, especially with Euro-style white lens turn signal rear lamps to complement it.
-Drop the car and go with some Koni Yellows for struts. That's what BMW uses on its so-called exclusive Dinan packages
-Stick with one theme. I've seen an AC Schnitzer/Alpina/Dinan/M'd/Something else 645i coupe, and it looked like a freak show mess of a car. Know when to quit.
Teuton out.
Oh wise Tuets, now that BlackCaddy has seen your wise advice, I am sure that this thread can be locked!
Moderators, lock it up!
Quote from: Psilos on March 04, 2009, 11:46:58 PM
Oh wise Tuets, now that BlackCaddy has seen your wise advice, I am sure that this thread can be locked!
Moderators, lock it up!
He can thank me later.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on March 04, 2009, 08:25:43 PM
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.
E60 M5 wheels
The tough thing about E39s is they look good, but they are just big enough to look a little silly all kitted up.
Quote from: sportyaccordy on March 05, 2009, 07:05:37 AM
The tough thing about E39s is they look good, but they are just big enough to look a little silly all kitted up.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!11!!1!!
Thanks for the laugh!
Seriously... Nothing looks better, IMHO, than a tastefully done 5 series. It is big enough that huge wheels don't look retarded, the improved BMW air dam from either the M or Alpina look great on it, and if you lower it a bit it doesn't look like rice. It's a great platform for this sort of thing honestly.
Quote from: R-inge on March 05, 2009, 08:08:43 AM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!11!!1!!
Thanks for the laugh!
Seriously... Nothing looks better, IMHO, than a tastefully done 5 series. It is big enough that huge wheels don't look retarded, the improved BMW air dam from either the M or Alpina look great on it, and if you lower it a bit it doesn't look like rice. It's a great platform for this sort of thing honestly.
I have seen some slammed 5s... they just looked weird. The best looking 5s to me are the M5 and the regular one with the sport suspension and 17s.
Quote from: sportyaccordy on March 05, 2009, 08:27:29 AM
I have seen some slammed 5s... they just looked weird. The best looking 5s to me are the M5 and the regular one with the sport suspension and 17s.
I'm not talking about slamming it, that looks like crap on anything other than a custom car. Besides, I figure he'll want his car to handle well which it won't if you slam it. Mild lowering, large wheels (not 20s, but maybe 18s or so) and OEM equivalent body equipment looks great.
If you have the money, I'd go for the Alpina look. If you don't want to spend so much, just keep it stock and fix the little things that are bothering you.
I say you should go for your own look. Don't copy, be original.
Go M...with some BBS's or M 18's.
Large wheels? Slammed? Go 16" light weight weight R Compound tires.. matte black.
Whatever type of wheel i get will be 18", or i might just refurb the 17's that came on it.
I've seen some 19/20" combos that look nice but i don't want to go that high.
and no i'm not "slamming" anything. This is a BMW, not a honda, the vast majority of lowering spring kits are .8 to 1" lower than the stock suspension. It's not much, just enough to flush the wheels(front) with the wheel well and tuck the rear wheels in a bit.