View Full Version : BMW folks, buying tips etc please
Ok so the idea of an s4 is out of the window as I frankly can't be bothered with vag cars anymore and running one would be irritating. So the passat replacement has fallen to a 5 series touring. And as it turns out the one I want is an e60/e61 (first time I've ever known how an E number relates to model variant lol )
Any pitfalls of a 520d or 530d? Are there any common and big things to fail on higher mile cars etc. I'm hoping to hit something 80kish so not too high.
paul080803
01-04-13, 07:38 PM
Both 520d and 530d run swirl flaps, you need to remove them or fit blanking plates if not already done.
Apart from that they are pretty good no major faults.
Asa-James
01-04-13, 07:43 PM
^^ riggy had a problem with his iirc, other than that as paul says, never seen anything major on them. BMW and Mercedes are how german cars SHOULD be built.
Novasport
01-04-13, 07:46 PM
I dont think that affected later cars. E46 3 Series suffered with it most.
Check for water in the boot wells. There are control units in the wells so they go swimming if you get a leak.
Check wiring at the tailgate hinges, both sides. Wires can break.
Pretty robust cars though, you should not have that much of a problem if it has been looked after.
My choice would be a 530d auto. Some of the later 520d's were no slouch though, even the auto's, they were 188bhp iirc.
Avoid the early 525d, noth the best engine and very thirsty.
paul080803
01-04-13, 07:48 PM
I dont think that affected later cars. E46 3 Series suffered with it most.
Check for water in the boot wells. There are control units in the wells so they go swimming if you get a leak.
Check wiring at the tailgate hinges, both sides. Wires can break.
Pretty robust cars though, you should not have that much of a problem if it has been looked after.
My choice would be a 530d auto. Some of the later 520d's were no slouch though, even the auto's, they were 188bhp iirc.
Avoid the early 525d, noth the best engine and very thirsty.
The later ones have a revised intake manifold with thicker pins on the flaps, but they do still fail. Not as common but still happens. If you can do the job yourself just not worth the risk for a few pounds IMO.
If they fail do they stick and cause running issues, or do they break up and get eaten by the engine?
Not fussed either way on the gearbox, auto would be nice but manual isn't prohibitive.
Seems a reasonable era of car to be getting into then :)
paul080803
01-04-13, 07:54 PM
If they fail do they stick and cause running issues, or do they break up and get eaten by the engine?
Not fussed either way on the gearbox, auto would be nice but manual isn't prohibitive.
Seems a reasonable era of car to be getting into then :)
Break up and get eaten, causing serious running problems. They jam with soot then break as the motor twists them causing the pins/rods to snap.
Lovely. I will get blanking plates then lol
staggy_gsi
01-04-13, 08:28 PM
Are the turbo's not a weak point anymore? Ive replaced quite a few on the 2.0d and did one a while back on a 530d....
All of which were on older models than what stuart is looking at
Also, is there a Vagcom (vcds) type of kit available? Not pikey obdii stuff but proper homebrew kit lol
paul080803
01-04-13, 08:40 PM
Chris @ BMtechnic is your man for that. I think it is £36-£40 for the software and cable and excellent after sales service if you need/want it. Comes highly recommended by E46 M3 owners!
£45 :) not bad... Better than the Vagcom cables lol
Novasport
01-04-13, 09:07 PM
I don't know a vast amount about the programming on that era of 5 series but I do know they are very complex. They were tricky enough to program with the correct equipment.
meritlover
01-04-13, 09:14 PM
Take an adult with you when you go and see a car.
Take an adult with you when you go and see a car.
Where do I find one of those?
meritlover
01-04-13, 09:16 PM
Try Piston Heads or Autotrader for a start. Then trawl the internet and adds papers.
Try Piston Heads or Autotrader for a start. Then trawl the internet and adds papers.
To to find the adult?
Don't get a manual, IMO it doesn't suit the lazy nature of the 5 series.
I had a remapped 530d and it went well, swirl flaps removed for £140.
Look out for tired turbos and cracked exhaust manifolds.
Also just sold my M5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/dan16v/9AC3D1D3-3D79-408D-B5BF-47EB3909CB98-1963-000002A7DDFE555D.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/dan16v/12F28CDF-0F26-4446-8CAC-8F6D36F3FB52-794-000001290B7DA1CA.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/dan16v/BC68C75D-698E-40A8-B114-C20CB97C3286-2549-000002903EE7BC68-1.jpg
Insane car! 507bhp, just nuts best car I will own, but running cost was £1000 a month, which when I thought about it could have a second mortgage for that!!
Xx
Pussy, grand a month to keep the weather changing is a good investment.
Take a screwdriver to stab it for rust. lol
Pistol Pete
01-04-13, 09:35 PM
Didnt Dar buy one of these? Maybe ask him for info?
I personally would go for a 530 with an auto box. But personal preference i guess.
Wimped out, had full warranty but new engine is 20k/ new clutch 3k etc glad I had one V10 sounds amazing averaged 17.5mpg which I didn't think was bad! 530d only done 32mpg!
Pistol Pete
01-04-13, 09:40 PM
lol my Civic does 36mpg. Thats an 1800 petrol!
Wimped out, had full warranty but new engine is 20k/ new clutch 3k etc glad I had one V10 sounds amazing averaged 17.5mpg which I didn't think was bad! 530d only done 32mpg!
Not bad for the m5... Worryingly or more annoyingly low for the rattler, did you do short trips with the pedal nailed to the bulkhead?
Nope 18 miles to work at a steady 50mph! If you want econemy I'm afraid you need the 520d, 525 is just a strangled 530, 535 twin turbo will do 30ish so may aswell get that then remapped they are nuts!
Pistol Pete
01-04-13, 10:11 PM
I can vouch for the remap. My mate had a 330d with a map...was "amusing" lol
Once rolling remapped 530 will keep with an e46 m3
I'd sooner torch a car than ever get a post my2000 diesel of any type/brand remapped. Wy play roulette with several grands worth of fie lol
Looking at some forums, folks seem to get 35mpg on the type of commute I do and then more on a run :)
paul080803
01-04-13, 10:34 PM
Once rolling remapped 530 will keep with an e46 m3
Ha ha, that has just made me laugh!
My mate has a remapped 330d (same engine), manual and lighter than a 530d. He can't get anywhere near me in my e46 m3.
Yes they are quick, but not that quick. Now a remapped 335/535d is a different story!!
Dislike!
I know, but I want a new platform of niggles rather than exactly the same issues from the passat in a newer dress lol
Ha ha, that has just made me laugh!
My mate has a remapped 330d (same engine), manual and lighter than a 530d. He can't get anywhere near me in my e46 m3.
Yes they are quick, but not that quick. Now a remapped 335/535d is a different story!!
I've had them all e46 M included never thought the M3 was fast at all.
Played with many a M3's in the diesel kept up with them no worries from 50+
Remapped 535d would leave an M3 no worries, they are not far off an M5
Count Vaux Alot
02-04-13, 11:10 AM
Are the turbo's not a weak point anymore? Ive replaced quite a few on the 2.0d and did one a while back on a 530d....
All of which were on older models than what stuart is looking at
The turbos have never been a 'weak point' - the trouble stems from the service intervals being too long in the first place, blocked breather pipes and filter (that should be changed or at least cleaned on a majour serv) causing over speed of the turbo and the consumption of swirl flaps.
Check the history to see if they have done anything with the breather in the cam box or the breather filter.
Forgot a out breather, if its been done it should have the newer vortex breather rather than the loo roll type cartridge filter!
Not read all the replys stu so if stuff repeated sorry
All early ones had **** swirl flaps , later ones only fitted to autos , can still fail so just fit the blanks :)
Dpf faults around 100k are expensive , early one like mine don't have dpf , tailpipes point down if they haven't got dpf , straight if they do
Service schedule is a joke no way should you leave it for 18k like the I drive says haha , auto box fluid say lifetime , but needs changing about 80k so you don't kill torque converter , independent BMW garage charge £450 as you can't do it you self job due to the mechatronics
As dan said ^ breather filter needs replacing to a vortex one £50
Thermostats fail a lot causing low running temps plus low mpg , only buy genuine stats £85 for both , can do it yourself, main stats tight but do able
Glow plugs and controller fault a bit , stops dpf regen if car has dpf
Water gets into the wheel well on e61 tourer , frys PDC controls and other stuff , doesn't happen of a saloon
Water build under brake servo due to drain blocking , can get into servo and car and again kill electrics
Wishbones are expensive , cheaper ones are £100 for each side 2 arms but only last about 20k
Early Bluetooth ulf fail, and don't like pairing to newer iPhone , replace with latest unit you can find £200-300
Prob loads more but in a rush lol , give us a ring if you want :)
And you have to wash them all the time to stay looking good haha
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/riggy4/5646A5BF-D7C3-4240-8E07-2D1A8C44DA5C-4863-000005CFC4040346.jpg
I found out about the VAG style servo water collection and the rear water traps, easy fixes :) and the stats look straight forward enough to sort if need be.
pfft I'd only wash it once or twice a year lol
Cheers for the info. Still keen. Although I'm also weighing up the costs of a the 545 version lol
Avoid pre 2010 n47 engines. That is all.I learnt the hard way... That's the 2l Diesel engine by the way...
I was going to get a 330d and should have really. I went for a newer 123d and got a £5k bill within 3 weeks. Awesome.
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