Feb 202020
 
E39 M5 Spark Plugs and Tune Up

In January I replaced my E39 M5 spark plugs. Over the past few months I’ve given the car a complete tune up, minus an oil change it doesn’t need yet. In BMW lingo this equates to an Inspection II, which would have cost $1,200 or more at a dealer or independent shop. Last summer I […]

Jun 252019
 
E39 M5 Transmission Fluid and Fuel Filter Changes

This weekend I performed some basic maintenance on my 2002 E39 M5. This was at another productive DIY event put on by the National Capital Chapter of the BMWCCA. It was held at Proctor’s Foreign Auto Services in New Carrollton, MD. Owner Tim Proctor has hosted the DIY crew before and was very gracious, helping […]

Aug 152018
 
E39 M5 Headlight Retrofit

Last week I completed a headlight retrofit project on my 2002 BMW M5. The adjusters inside the headlights were broken, causing the lights to point too low. Since I needed to replace the adjusters, I decided to also upgrade to more modern headlight projectors. Some background on why I went for a headlight retrofit. My […]

Jul 022018
 
A Refresh for my E39 M5 Interior

This weekend I refreshed my 2002 BMW E39 M5 interior.  The car recently ticked over 100,000 miles and has yet to surprise me with any unexpected repair issue (knock on proverbial BMW wood). It’s as exciting a car as when I purchased it in 2011, and after seven years it deserved a few interior tweaks. […]

Sep 152016
 
NCC DIY Day at BMW of Annapolis

As I wrote about in July, I’ve joined the National Capital Chapter (NCC) of the BMW Car Club of America. The reason I joined was the BMW DIY events they hold regularly. I was excited by the opportunity to tackle some maintenance procedures with experienced owners around me to offer advice and assistance. This past […]

Nov 302015
 
S54 O2 Sensors -- Deciding Not to DIY

Recently my 2006 E46 M3 started throwing a code signifying a problem with one of the oxygen sensors in front of the catalytic converter (pre-cat). The S54 engine in the E46 M3 has four oxygen sensors, two in front of the catalytic converter and two behind. Initially I thought this was a chance for a […]

Sep 082015
 
E39 M5 Fall Checkup

This Labor Day weekend I devoted some time to my 2002 E39 M5. I changed the oil, the cabin air filters and I gave the car a general checkup. I’m fortunate to have access to a lift, and took advantage of that to inspect the suspension and other areas under the car. Bavarian Auto has […]

Aug 062014
 
Rear Corner Sunshade Repair on an E39 M5

This past weekend I repaired a small but annoying issue on my 2002 BMW M5. The rear corner sunshade on the driver side had cracked and lost all tension, leaving the shade flopping loose. Not the most serious of issues that could crop up on this car by a long shot. But it looked sloppy […]

Jun 252014
 
E39 M5 Summer Checkup

This past weekend I gave my 2002 E39 M5 a thorough inspection. I also changed the oil and swapped the tires side to side to even out the wear. All the fluids were changed last year, so I knew I was in good shape on that front. I’ve now owned the car for over three […]

Jan 052014
 
Performance Software for BMWs

With the holidays now behind us, I had a chance this weekend to install a really fun Christmas gift. My wife gave me the Shark Injector performance software for my 2002 BMW E39 M5. (OK, there was some coaching). The software was created by Jim Conforti, a well known and respected name who has been […]

Jul 302013
 
E39 M5 Wheel Damage

Last Saturday I was feeling particularly good about my 2002 M5. Over the past few weeks every fluid (minus power steering) has been refreshed  on the car. Brake, coolant, oil, transmission and differential fluids have all been replaced. I had just removed an old and faded clear bra from the car the week before. Then a […]

Jul 142013
 
E39 M5 Northern Virginia Owners Redux

Recently I got together with a group of local E39 M5 owners in Fairfax, Virginia. I’ve gotten to know most of them in online forums, and this was a repeat of a meet we had back in late 2011. One of the best things about owning a BMW is connecting with fellow enthusiast owners. Everyone […]