"Facelifted" my car.. (lowering and new wheels)

[Espen]

Last week was well spent!
I bought some new wheels, a lowering kit, and some paint.
It was time to freshen up my 525.

I took pictures for every step

Top: Stock.
Middle: New wheels, and started with the rust/paint job
Bottom: Lowered, and paintjob done.

Side view
http://filserver.pyrabel.net/bilder/e34/senk_felg/side_b4_after.jpg

Front view
http://filserver.pyrabel.net/bilder/e34/senk_felg/front_b4_after.jpg

The rear view with 265-40/17" wheels:
http://filserver.pyrabel.net/bilder/e34/senk_felg/rear.jpg

And a pic i took on a fishingtrip today.. (no luck with the fish though)
http://filserver.pyrabel.net/bilder/e34/senk_felg/krokfoss.jpg

[SchnellE34]

Gorgeous!

[Qube]

Very nice! If it were me (and it's not)... I'd lose the tow hitch :)

Also, I think the exhaust tips are sticking out a bit too much...

NOTE: Be proud! You deserve a new set of badges (esp that one on the trunk/boot!)

[angrypancake]

thats a big ass exhaust. but compared to the stock pic, its impressive. congrats

[BillionPa]

did you remove the plastic clips that hold the black plastic strip on the fender, or were they not cracked like mine :/

[Espen]

Im using the tow hitch some times, so its kinda handy :)

The badge on the trunk is bad, i know.. The one on the hood is brand new thoug. The exhaust was not like that when i first fitted the end muffler, but after i re welded it (because of small leaks) the muffler got a bit to far back... At that time I didnt wanna cut it off and weld it again.. But its on my "things to do when i get bored"-list.

And by the way, I have only lowered it in front, the wheels are to wide, so i need to custom my wheel arches before i lower it in the rear.

[Espen]

did you remove the plastic clips that hold the black plastic strip on the fender, or were they not cracked like mine :/

I replaced both the trim and the plastic clips, they were not cracked, but i like to replace them both when i first do it.

[angrypancake]

small baseball bat and roll the fenders. I'm assuming 17x10 in the rear?

[Espen]

small baseball bat and roll the fenders. I'm assuming 17x10 in the rear?

Yes 17*10.

Tried to roll with a 10cm steel tube between the wheel and arch, nothing happened, except from that the car raised a bit when i drove back and forth with the tube.

[Evan]

great looking ride.. nice job!

[CharlesAFerg]

its nice, but the tow hitch kills it lol

[Espen]

Strange, I kinda never think about the tow hitch, its very normal on cars here, and IMO it is not that visible.. Its just like your arm watch, you never think about it, its just there.

[Yiorgos]

I would keep the tow hitch if you are notorious for attracting tailgaters (people who sit right on your tail when youre on the highway) -- they tend to keep their distance when they see a tow hitch, to protect their precious front bumper.

I'm looking at investing in one myself -- I'm sick of tailgaters.

[BillionPa]

how the hell did you get those clips out of there anyway? it looks like the panel needs to be removed to get to the back and push them out.

[Alexlind123]

Nice car, the exhaust tips are too long though.

[Kakaire]

I did ma wheels too recently, will post pics soon. Nice wheels are hard to get in ma country. So I used e38 750 Styl61 16" with Pilleli p6000 rubber.

[The Melmaan]

envious, loose the hitch....how much did it cost you for the wheel setup?

[Elekta]

keep the hitch...

[Espen]

how the hell did you get those clips out of there anyway? it looks like the panel needs to be removed to get to the back and push them out.

I picked them out with a "nose plier" (right word?) They where crsipy and broke easy.

The wheels are 2 years old, but the PO never used his car anymore so they are looking brand new! I gave 6000NOK for them, thats about 900 USD.
They cost 12000NOK new here, they are Rondell 58`s.

Oh, I did my controlarms (Lemfoerder w/750il bushings) and swaybar links as well. It really is like a different car now!

[BillionPa]

i tried lock clamp pliers... and they just wouldnt work! i pulled with my entire body weight and only managed to send myself flying to the ground :/

next thing you gotta do is swaybars!

[txp135]

Nice wheels, are those stock rear lights?

[Espen]

Im gonna go for larger swaybars next time i have some leftover money.

The rear lights are form InPro, same brand as my angel eyes.

www.inpro.de

BillionPA: Are you talking about the clips for the lower trim or the upper one? If its the upper one you can "push" the middle of the clip throught the fender, that way the clip will almost fall off by itself, but will have a small plastic piece inside your fender.

[BillionPa]

yeah the upper one, the steel bar inside 2 of mine rusted out and the thing started to bend.

im gonna try drilling into the center then prying it out.

[Espen]

no drilling, the middle part is loose, you can use a small screwdriver and push it out (or use a rubber hammer)

[HDhandyman]

hitch, hitch, hitch, hitch,--hitch, hitch, hitch!---OMG--"chill out about the hitch, gang--get your own car.":D

I think it looks great, guy! Time and money well spent. Congrats, and I hope that you enjoy it.

[weazman187]

wow i like it, how deep is that lip on those wheels?

looks great