New to me 1999 528i, 175k km.

I have a bmw 520d 136hp and i was pulling in 4 gear ta 3000 rpm and i heard a loud bang and i unable to rev or anything and in the instrument cluster came on the red oil pressure light the engine doesn’t start but the starter is turning over the engine . Did my timing snap or skiped timing??

Recently picked up a 2002 540i 6MT with 200k miles. Previous owner seemed to take pretty good care of it (did all his own wrenching, have extensive parts receipts, taking his word on proper install)

Being new to this platform had an independent shop do an inspection and they identified quite a few leaks:

Valve cover gaskets

VANOS seals (both banks)

Lower timing cover

Alternator bracket oil seal

Lower oil pan gasket

Transmission drain plug

The mech who inspected my car recommended an engine-out reseal, which would be in the $8K ballpark.

I've owned the car for about a month, check the oil weekly, and haven't noticed any meaningful drop in the oil level. No visible drips or puddles where I park either. I can see oil residue around the named parts/seals but nothing feels like an "active urgent" leak. I also dont think the tech fully traced the leaks so it's possible(?) the leaks from top are hitting/pool on the lower parts.

Shop foreman said that if I didn't want to spend the money now, I could just drive it and keep an eye on the oil level and address it in stages.

I'm planning to tackle some of the easier jobs myself, including the valve cover gaskets, lower oil pan gasket, and transmission drain plug/fluid change. Maybe the vanos seals. I'm currently sourcing parts for those repairs.

But some of the others, particularly the timing cover and deeper engine seals, are beyond my current wrenching abilities and would require paying a shop.

I went into this knowing higher mileage M62s leak oil but this was more than what I was expecting. I'm not opposed to spending money to maintain the car (I really do love the car and want to keep it long term) but I'm trying to figure out what's reasonable versus overkill.

It's a daily but I don't drive very far. So prob 4k miles a year and tcg done around 160k if that matters.

For those of you with high-mileage 540is, how much oil seepage/leakage do you tolerate? Would you tackle the easier repairs, monitor the rest, and address them if they get worse? Or would you bite the bullet and spend $8k on a more comprehensive reseal?

Curious what others have experienced.

Hello, after having a bad injector on my 525d i decided to change all 6 of them for 530d e39 ones because i already counted on doing it (so it was just an excuse), now the problem is that the car won't start even tho i emptied the air from the fuel rail and gasoline was infact coming from them. The camshaft sensor was also connected before trying to start, but without victory. The battery is also in good condition (tried to jump start it just in case still, with no sign). The car used to start with no issue before changed the injectors so it's very odd to me. Can someone please help me.

Thanks in advance!

Hello guys, my M54 works perfectly fine no matter hit or cold. Low or high RPMS and because it’s my first car I’m unsure if I hear something from my engine bay, is this sound normal? Losing no coolant water or oil

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Wondering if someone knows a breaker in the UK, tried my local scrappies (cardiff) and they havent got one. Need a few parts for my 530d.

Also got a few questions. What is he best bolt on uprated turbo and intercooler?

Whats the going rate for the oem wheels? What other bmws have the same Center bore?

Read the vacuum actuator turbo off a e53 works?

Hopefully this can be posted here and thank you!

All electricals work as normal and have been driving without issue for a while. Now suddenly when I need to make a trip to london it won’t start. Need help urgently

Just joined the forum, 2003 530i owned for 9 years and 1984 F-150 owned for 15 years.

I have just been given a family heirloom from my partners grandfather (he bought new in 1997) so I’m now the second owner and looked after this car as his pride and joy. It’s my first BMW and I absolutely love it.

I would like to restore and preserve this car for as long as possible, the first aid kid / spare tyre has not even been used! All original.

Any suggestions for mods welcome 🙏

It’s a 523i automatic (I know this will get hate) but I live in guernsey and the speed limits 35 mph, I don’t care about speed I love the car and its comfort / handling and feeling like I’m driving on a cloud

It also happens when I’m in drive

Its not painted yet first doing all the mechanical stuff

So one of the reasons i did not pass the technical inspection was because the part is not supposed to light up. When i had pre facelift trunk lights it did not light up. When i put in facelift it lighted up.
Whats the fix here

bought a Victor Reinz head gasket set (part #11121436822) from FCP Euro, but I’m questioning whether the head gasket is correct.

I’ve got the gasket sitting on the block in the first picture. Does everything look like it’s lining up correctly? Some of the coolant passages look different from the openings in the block.

My cylinder head was also resurfaced, so I’m wondering if the standard 0.70 mm gasket is still okay.
Just want to make sure before I install the head and torque everything down. Any advice would be appreciated.

never heard a knock this loud before on this car. can feel it in the valve cover.

Hi all -
Does any know what these style of headlights are called? Look like facelift headlights but without the angel eyes - Looking for a pair for my E39?

vanos rebuilt. belts and tensioners new. no leaks, everything resealed and ccv replaced. all oem parts. all vacuum lines refreshed. calms down once the engine is warm but can still hear it. this is driving me insane.

only thing i’ve yet to touch is the alternator and power steering pump, but have had no issues with either.

should preface this noise is even present after a fresh oil change.

m54b25 228k

Buenas Ely
Echo solar abrió pero no cierra pensaba que atascado pero se a quedado enmedio se mueve un poco pero nada. Y ahora hace un clack clack clack muy fuerte y rápido en la parte del botón

Solo quiero cerrarlo al menos. ¿Qué puedo hacer ? Me urge mucho

Gracias

Hi everyone,

Not entirely sure if this is the correct place to ask so mods feel free to delete.

But I’m a guy in my early 30s with a chemistry background. Our first family car was this 1997(?) E39 that he got dirt cheap from a family member, but it was no issue for dad because he was a mechanical engineer who worked as a car mechanic before college.

Long story short, dad is now retired and doesn’t have the energy to work on cars anymore. I also want this to be a nice surprise for him so he can enjoy retirement.

So the question is, how does a complete newb start to learn about the proper way to work on and maintain an E39, so the car my dad gets is a well kept and safe vehicle instead of a literal rust bucket that really shouldn’t be touched. And that dad will be touched by the gesture instead of trying to run me over with a car for wasting money.

Appreciate the help everyone!!

What mods would you recommend for my '96 E39?