phenryiv1's 530xiT Thread
#31
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Location: Martinsburg, WV
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My Ride: 2006 530xiT, 2001 325ciC, 1989 325iC
Model Year: 2006
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The wheels and tires came in but are not yet installed. I actually ordered a 5th wheel, just to have a spare. This style/specification combo is being discontinued so I wanted a spare, just in case I damage one. I got it for dirt cheap so it was worth having one spare in the event I damage a wheel.
#34
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My Ride: 2006 530xiT, 2001 325ciC, 1989 325iC
Model Year: 2006
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thank you. I know that they are not top-tier wheels (or tires, for that matter) but after searching for budget-friendly wheels that are not cast from butter these Alzors consistently came to the top of the list on Audi/VW sites for being fairly durable.
Putting $1500(+) BBS wheels on an 11-year-old daily driver seems silly, particularly given that I drive my E30 about 80% of the time when the weather is 70* or above. Finding the right offset for the AWD setup was fairly difficult when I considered specs, appearance, and cost. Many (not all) wheels under $250 had poor reputations for bending. Having reps does not bother me- I am not trying to fool anyone, just to have wheels whose appearance I like.
Putting $1500(+) BBS wheels on an 11-year-old daily driver seems silly, particularly given that I drive my E30 about 80% of the time when the weather is 70* or above. Finding the right offset for the AWD setup was fairly difficult when I considered specs, appearance, and cost. Many (not all) wheels under $250 had poor reputations for bending. Having reps does not bother me- I am not trying to fool anyone, just to have wheels whose appearance I like.
#35
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My Ride: 2006 530xiT, 2001 325ciC, 1989 325iC
Model Year: 2006
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Little update...
So after a few weeks of waiting, the H&R swaybar arrived. Specs are 19mm H&R 71460. All the retail sites say that it is supposed to for the E60 M5 or sedan but the box says "All E60" and it fit the E61 perfectly.
![Name: 20170315_174700.jpg
Views: 261
Size: 2.75 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151796d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170315_174700.jpg)
Oooohhhh, the pretty color!
![Name: 20170315_202701.jpg
Views: 255
Size: 3.37 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151797d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170315_202701.jpg)
I eyeballed it and it looked like it was the same shape as the OEM bar but until I had the stock bar off I could not be sure.
The weather here has been weird. 70s last week, then we got 8" of snow Monday night into Tuesday. I finally felt like turning wrenches today after work so I did the install.
I used a T30, a 16mm pass-through socket, and an impact wrench with 18mm (more on that below), 16mm, and 13mm sockets, a 13mm combination wrench, and some Energy Suspension grease ( )
I made a HUGE mistake. Don't do this. I thought that the hole in the middle of the endlink was a 4mm allen but it is really a T30.
This picture shows how to use a 16mm pass through socket and a 3/8" socket wrench to hols the endlink bolt while spinning off the 16mm nut, but note that I had the 4mm allen on here. Don't do that-0 use a T30.
![Name: 20170317_162521.jpg
Views: 292
Size: 3.35 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151798d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_162521.jpg)
After partially stripping the inside of the endlink bolt I had to remove the whole endlink by smacking the 18mm nut with the impact wrench, then I was able to get some good pliers on the endlink shaft to hold it while I hit the 16mm nut with the impact, spinning it off.
I was able to replace the nut and tighten it down as well despite having slightly messed up the inside torx head.
Here is the H&R bar:
![Name: 20170317_164505.jpg
Views: 272
Size: 5.59 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151799d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164505.jpg)
Comparison with the stock bar:
![Name: 20170317_164829.jpg
Views: 304
Size: 5.90 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151800d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164829.jpg)
![Name: 20170317_164513.jpg
Views: 279
Size: 4.57 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151801d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164513.jpg)
Endlinks and brackets on, with a liberal application of the Energy Suspension grease:
![Name: 20170317_170039.jpg
Views: 239
Size: 3.29 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151802d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_170039.jpg)
![Name: 20170317_170044.jpg
Views: 251
Size: 3.43 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151803d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_170044.jpg)
I used the middle stiffness setting. I did a short drive and made some left and right turns. No funny noises and the back end feels fine. I will do more testing under load conditions over the next few days and report back.
So after a few weeks of waiting, the H&R swaybar arrived. Specs are 19mm H&R 71460. All the retail sites say that it is supposed to for the E60 M5 or sedan but the box says "All E60" and it fit the E61 perfectly.
![Name: 20170315_174700.jpg
Views: 261
Size: 2.75 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151796d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170315_174700.jpg)
Oooohhhh, the pretty color!
![Name: 20170315_202701.jpg
Views: 255
Size: 3.37 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151797d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170315_202701.jpg)
I eyeballed it and it looked like it was the same shape as the OEM bar but until I had the stock bar off I could not be sure.
The weather here has been weird. 70s last week, then we got 8" of snow Monday night into Tuesday. I finally felt like turning wrenches today after work so I did the install.
I used a T30, a 16mm pass-through socket, and an impact wrench with 18mm (more on that below), 16mm, and 13mm sockets, a 13mm combination wrench, and some Energy Suspension grease ( )
I made a HUGE mistake. Don't do this. I thought that the hole in the middle of the endlink was a 4mm allen but it is really a T30.
This picture shows how to use a 16mm pass through socket and a 3/8" socket wrench to hols the endlink bolt while spinning off the 16mm nut, but note that I had the 4mm allen on here. Don't do that-0 use a T30.
![Name: 20170317_162521.jpg
Views: 292
Size: 3.35 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151798d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_162521.jpg)
After partially stripping the inside of the endlink bolt I had to remove the whole endlink by smacking the 18mm nut with the impact wrench, then I was able to get some good pliers on the endlink shaft to hold it while I hit the 16mm nut with the impact, spinning it off.
I was able to replace the nut and tighten it down as well despite having slightly messed up the inside torx head.
Here is the H&R bar:
![Name: 20170317_164505.jpg
Views: 272
Size: 5.59 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151799d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164505.jpg)
Comparison with the stock bar:
![Name: 20170317_164829.jpg
Views: 304
Size: 5.90 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151800d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164829.jpg)
![Name: 20170317_164513.jpg
Views: 279
Size: 4.57 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151801d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_164513.jpg)
Endlinks and brackets on, with a liberal application of the Energy Suspension grease:
![Name: 20170317_170039.jpg
Views: 239
Size: 3.29 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151802d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_170039.jpg)
![Name: 20170317_170044.jpg
Views: 251
Size: 3.43 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151803d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170317_170044.jpg)
I used the middle stiffness setting. I did a short drive and made some left and right turns. No funny noises and the back end feels fine. I will do more testing under load conditions over the next few days and report back.
Last edited by phenryiv1; 03-17-2017 at 02:10 PM.
#38
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Join Date: Jan 2017
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My Ride: 2006 530xiT, 2001 325ciC, 1989 325iC
Model Year: 2006
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Driving impressions after a few days are positive. Less roll in corners and a much flatter feeling in long sweepers and cloverleaf ramps. Not noticeably harsher over bumps (IRS can sometimes lead to a jarring sensation over bumps when you toe the 2 sides together with an overly stiff RS
but much more level in corners. I can't say that grip is any better or worse but I no longer feel like the rear end is going to capsize in sweepers.
I would recommend it to others with the stock rear bar.
That out of the way, I started applying polish/wax to the wheels. I don't want a ton of brake dust on them all of the time so I am waxing them before installation of the tires. I am also going to swap in Brembo ceramic pads before i install the wheels. Hopefully the combo keeps them cleaner than status quo.
Some pictures of the wax I am using:
![Name: 20170319_124027.jpg
Views: 290
Size: 3.01 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151791d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_124027.jpg)
I also hated the Alzor center caps so I ordered some 64.5mm OE center caps. I tried off the Alzor emblem from the cheap plastic center caps and applied the BMW caps:
![Name: 20170319_144155.jpg
Views: 279
Size: 3.50 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151792d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144155.jpg)
Results:
![Name: 20170319_144303.jpg
Views: 256
Size: 3.51 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151793d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144303.jpg)
![Name: 20170319_144257.jpg
Views: 335
Size: 3.82 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151794d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144257.jpg)
I also had a guy make me a powdercoated Yeti 20oz Rambler with the outline of the grille/headlights from the E30, E36, and E60/61. I thought that I had a photo uploaded but apparently not. But the guy also sent me a few vinyl stickers of the headlight outlines so I stuck one on the rear window:
![Cool](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/cool.gif)
I would recommend it to others with the stock rear bar.
That out of the way, I started applying polish/wax to the wheels. I don't want a ton of brake dust on them all of the time so I am waxing them before installation of the tires. I am also going to swap in Brembo ceramic pads before i install the wheels. Hopefully the combo keeps them cleaner than status quo.
Some pictures of the wax I am using:
![Name: 20170319_124027.jpg
Views: 290
Size: 3.01 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151791d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_124027.jpg)
I also hated the Alzor center caps so I ordered some 64.5mm OE center caps. I tried off the Alzor emblem from the cheap plastic center caps and applied the BMW caps:
![Name: 20170319_144155.jpg
Views: 279
Size: 3.50 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151792d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144155.jpg)
Results:
![Name: 20170319_144303.jpg
Views: 256
Size: 3.51 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151793d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144303.jpg)
![Name: 20170319_144257.jpg
Views: 335
Size: 3.82 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151794d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_144257.jpg)
I also had a guy make me a powdercoated Yeti 20oz Rambler with the outline of the grille/headlights from the E30, E36, and E60/61. I thought that I had a photo uploaded but apparently not. But the guy also sent me a few vinyl stickers of the headlight outlines so I stuck one on the rear window:
![Name: 20170319_200334.jpg
Views: 273
Size: 3.08 MB](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e61-touring-discussion-4/151795d1501199834-phenryiv1s-530xit-thread-20170319_200334.jpg)