New To Bmw's

[uconn99]

After being around Volvo's and Saabs all my life, I am finally getting into a 97 540i with 52,000 miles on it. I have a ton of questions but let me start with the easy ones.


I am looking to put new rims and tires on it, currently it has 16's and I would like 17's or 18's. Where is a good place to look for these on the net and not be buying crap? I would like to stay under $1,000.

Also, I have heard mixed things about changing the tail lights on 97 5 series. Is it possible to put the newer whited out tail lights on this year and model, and if so where would I go about getting these? The BMW dealer said they are after market, once again I am totally new to BMW's and have very little car knowledge so bear with me.

Also, the front lights, is it possibly to change them into the newer 2003 style lights, halogen or angel eyes do they call them?


Sorry for my ignorance, and I apreciate any feedback.

[///Matt]

Welcome Uconn,

I have a 97 540 myself and have done a number of upgrades.

Wheels - I highly reccomend AAArims.com who make great replica wheels for BMW. under $1000 isnt really possible if you add tires.

The tail lights are fairly easy to replace. All you have to do is a little bit of drilling with a rotary drill.

The headlights are also very easy to change out, your best bet would be to go with halogen "angel-eyes."

For both headlights and tail lights I bought them from a guy "Pavrac" from ebay. They are both authentic "Hella" products (OEM for BMW) I reccomend him.

Here is a link to what upgrades I've done
http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/inde...howtopic=31608

Good luck, and keep us in the loop!

[uconn99]

Wow, thanks for all the great info. Your car looks great, and mine is also black.....


Only thing is getting the correct front lights, I see so many different types, I don;t know what exact ones I need. I think the back tail lights will be the first thing I do followed by the front and then the rims.


Thanks again.