Duchess : Genesis

[d4ngerz0ne]

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.

 

[d4ngerz0ne]

shit, double post. How the hell do i delete thread?

 

[vincent]

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.

 

[gendong]

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!!

 

[antiquer]

Congrats bro dangerzone.. good luck in making the car to meet your expectations.

 

[d4ngerz0ne]

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.

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 .

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!!

no doubt indeed. I have to say, if you treat her well, gwaddayum, does she treat you well.

Congrats bro dangerzone.. good luck in making the car to meet your expectations.

Thanks man. Stay tune, plenty more to come from my end.

 

[anakin]

any update?

 

[d4ngerz0ne]

any update?

there is , just taking my time that's all.