Exterior (external body elements) BMW 5 Series E39

Body — general information
BMW 5 Series cars have a monocoque body. The bottom, sides, roof and rear wings are welded together. Repair of large body damage, as well as replacement of...

Dimensions of butt joints
When installing body parts, it is imperative to maintain the prescribed clearance values (the width of the joints between the installed parts and the body),...

Front bumper device
1 - cladding 2 - the grill is open 3 - the grill is closed 4 - overlay 5 - lining 6 - overlay 7 - lining 8 - lattice 9 - seal 10 - lid 11 - overlay 12 -...

Removal and installation the front bumper
The bumper is designed so that it can withstand impacts without damage at vehicle speeds of up to 4 km/h. The energy of a frontal collision is absorbed by an...

Removal and installation the front energy absorbing buffer
Removal Remove the front bumper. On the left side of the vehicle, unscrew the 3 bolts securing the air flow guide. Unscrew the mounting bolts -2/3- and remove...

Rear bumper device
1 - cladding 2 - protective pad 3 - medium pad 4 - side protective pad 5 - overlay 6 - thermal insulation 7 - expansion rivet 8 - bracket 9 - towing eye cover...

Removal and installation the rear bumper
The bumper is designed so that it can withstand impacts without damage at vehicle speeds of up to 4 km/h. The impact energy is absorbed by a fiberglass beam...

Removal and installation the rear energy absorbing buffer
Removal Remove the rear bumper. Unscrew fastening "1" and remove the energy-absorbing buffer. Installation Place the energy-absorbing buffer so that the middle...

Front wing structure
1 - left wing 2 - wheel arch lining 3 - facing holder 4 - Hexagon head bolt 5 - expansion nut 6 - Sheet metal nut 7 - Bolt with cylindrical head and internal...

Removal and installation the front wing
Attention: Please note the instructions for bodywork . Removal Press out the protective wing trim with a wide plastic spatula. Remove the side turn signal...

Engine compartment hood structure
1 - engine compartment hood 2 - hinge 3 - compensation plate 4 - rear seal 5 - side seal 6 - Hexagon head bolt with washer 7 - ground mounting bolt 8/9 -...

Removal and installation the engine compartment hood
Removal Disconnect the plug connector for the windshield washer nozzles. Disconnect the hose supplying the fluid to the windshield washer nozzles at the...

Adjusting the engine compartment hood
Caution: The Bowden cable that connects both hood locks must be adjusted without any play. The cable sheath must always be in the lock guide. Otherwise, when...

Removal and installation the rear door (Touring)
Removal Remove the antenna amplifier . Remove the gas-filled shock absorber from the body on the left and right . Disconnect the gas-filled shock absorber from...

Rear door adjustment (Touring)
Adjustment must be performed in case of installation of a new rear door or if it is not closed or locked correctly. In any case, the adjustment must be done...

Removal and installation gas-filled shock absorbers of the rear door and rear window frame Touring
Gas-filled shock absorbers for the rear door and rear window frame: 1 - gas-filled shock absorber of the rear window frame 2 - gas-filled shock absorber of the...

Removal and installation the rear door trim (Touring)
Removal Open the back door. Use a small screwdriver to push the upper rear door light out of the recess, disconnect the plug connector and remove the light....

Trunk lid device (Limousine)
1 - trunk lid 2 - seal 3 - hinge 4 - gas-filled shock absorber 5 - locking wedge 6 - slotted head screw with washer 7 - castle 8 - insert 9 - slotted head...

Removal and installation the trunk lid (Limousine)
Removal Unfasten the cladding. Remove the wiring harness from the boot lid. To do this, disconnect the plug connectors of the number plate light and the...

Adjusting the trunk lid (Limousine)
Note: Since the trunk lid is adjusted and secured at the factory with unpainted body parts, subsequent movement of the lid may expose unpainted surfaces....

Removal and installation the rear luggage compartment trim (Limousine)
Removal Open the trunk lid. Open the side compartment lids in the luggage compartment. Unscrew one plastic nut "1" on the left and right. Note: The picture...

Removal and installation the trunk lid lock/lock cylinder
Removal Open the boot lid and remove the lower trim. To do this, pull out the spacer rivets "1". Pull out the trim "2" from the handle recess and unscrew the...

Removal and installation gas-filled shock absorber of engine compartment hood/trunk lid
Removal Open the hood/lid. Trunk lid: Press the upper lock washer "1" to the side. Remove spring clip "2" using a screwdriver Press the shock absorber from the...

Replacement of protective pads / model designations
Replacing protective pads The protective pads are attached to the body parts with plastic expansion clamps. Remove the protective pads by hand or with a wide...

Removal and installation / adjustment of the door
The front and rear doors of the passenger compartment are removed and installed in the same way. Removal Remove the hex bolt at each hinge using a 10mm socket...

Removal and installation door trim
The procedure for removing the trim from the front doors is described. For the rear doors, removal is performed similarly. The differences in the operations...

Removal and installation the door lock
Removal Close the front door window, open the other windows. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable. The battery is located in the luggage compartment...

Removal and installation the outer door handle
Removal Note: The pictures show removal with the door trim installed. Removal requires 2 special BMW tools and some experience in performing the job....

Removal and installation the door lock cylinder
Removal Remove the door lock. Using a T25 slotted screwdriver, unscrew the screws and remove the outer handle holder together with the lock cylinder "1"....

Removal and installation the actuator motor/microswitch of the central locking system
Removal Remove the door lock. Using a screwdriver, press the locking mechanism "1" and remove the actuator motor from the lock with an upward movement. Remove...

Removal and installation / adjustment of the door window glass
Removal Starting from the bottom, remove the outer seal of the window glass shaft with an upward movement. Remove the inner door trim. Caution: For vehicles...

Removal and installation an electric window lifter
Removal Remove the door window glass. Disconnect the electric window lifter plug connector. Remove guide "1". Mark the mounting position of the screws with...

Removal and installation the outside rearview mirror
Removal Remove the door trim. Remove the tweeter cover. Remove the front part of the window glass trim from the passenger compartment side (anti-pinch pad) —...

Removal and installation mirror glass
Removal Caution: Before removing the mirror glass, the car must be warmed up to room temperature (approximately +20°C). At low temperatures, the clamps can...

Removal and installation the exterior rearview mirror housing
Removal Remove the mirror glass. Mirror with automatic dimming system Fold the mirror forward. Release the retaining clips and remove the cover. Fold the...

Paint and varnish coating — general information
Bodywork and paintwork on a car body require experience in handling and processing materials. Such experience usually comes with many years of practice. In...

Repair of damage from stone impacts
It makes sense to regularly repair minor damage to the varnish coating, as this helps to avoid corrosion and subsequent major repairs. To remove minor...

Body straightening / repair of corrosion holes
Small bulges can be straightened with a straightening hammer and a hand anvil. If there are corrosion holes in the body, it is recommended to replace the part...

Preparation for paint application
Each time before painting, the car must be washed to avoid scratches and dirt inclusions. Work only at temperatures above +12°C, not in direct sunlight or...

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Similar sections for other types of BMW cars:
Body: Exterior BMW 3 Series E30 (1982-1994)
Body: Exterior BMW 7 Series E38 (1994-2001)
Body: Exterior BMW X3 E83 (2003-2010)
Body: Exterior BMW X5 E53 (1999-2006)

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