E61 535d LCI - the Teutonic Touring

[Limited100]

657 said:

I put FSDs on my E60 535d, replacing the Msport ones which were knackered. Not impressed, car lost a lot of sharpness. About to have another refresh and koni will not be in the reckoning.

Now or not?

[Limited100]

CornedBeef said:

Lovely car OP, I've essentially got the coupe version of this in my 635D - I think it's mostly E60 chassis underneath. Mines got a gentle map and is at 335hp at the minute which feels swift!

Cheers, I was looking at 635Ds, they're a fair bit lighter, it much absolutely fly! Who did the map?

E61 535d LCI is 1835 kg
E60 535d LCI is 1735kg
635d is 1650kg

[S8QUATTRO]

I’ve got the 635d mapped too. 2009 with 247,000 miles on now, excellent engine and transmission. I over service it..every 5-6k miles. Nice lazy cruiser that can really effortlessly shift when required! Very comfortable cars and decent mpg, regular Motorway use returns 42-43mpg

Limited100 said:

CornedBeef said:

Lovely car OP, I've essentially got the coupe version of this in my 635D - I think it's mostly E60 chassis underneath. Mines got a gentle map and is at 335hp at the minute which feels swift!

Cheers, I was looking at 635Ds, they're a fair bit lighter, it much absolutely fly! Who did the map?

E61 535d LCI is 1835 kg
E60 535d LCI is 1735kg
635d is 1650kg

[657]

Limited100 said:

657 said:

I put FSDs on my E60 535d, replacing the Msport ones which were knackered. Not impressed, car lost a lot of sharpness. About to have another refresh and koni will not be in the reckoning.

Now or not?

Full 2 pence:

A few years ago I broke a rear spring. Decided to renew shocks as old ones a bit past their best. Got Koni FSDs as my “Msport” in my opinion was a bit on the harsh side on less than perfect roads but I did like how the car felt apart from that. The FSDs were advertised as solving the harshness without loosing handling. Well I felt they did neither, bumps were just as harsh and handling lost a lot of sharpness. So I would not consider any of the koni products advertising similar qualities

[Jhonno]

657 said:

Full 2 pence:

A few years ago I broke a rear spring. Decided to renew shocks as old ones a bit past their best. Got Koni FSDs as my “Msport” in my opinion was a bit on the harsh side on less than perfect roads but I did like how the car felt apart from that. The FSDs were advertised as solving the harshness without loosing handling. Well I felt they did neither, bumps were just as harsh and handling lost a lot of sharpness. So I would not consider any of the koni products advertising similar qualities

To counter this.. Replaced my M-Sport setup with FSDs and H&R front springs (E61) and it was night and day better. Sharper, smoother, rode so much better, REALLY suited the car. Smashing out miles was a pleasure, and it was great fun to hustle.

[d_a_n1979]

657 said:

Limited100 said:

657 said:

I put FSDs on my E60 535d, replacing the Msport ones which were knackered. Not impressed, car lost a lot of sharpness. About to have another refresh and koni will not be in the reckoning.

Now or not?

Full 2 pence:

A few years ago I broke a rear spring. Decided to renew shocks as old ones a bit past their best. Got Koni FSDs as my “Msport” in my opinion was a bit on the harsh side on less than perfect roads but I did like how the car felt apart from that. The FSDs were advertised as solving the harshness without loosing handling. Well I felt they did neither, bumps were just as harsh and handling lost a lot of sharpness. So I would not consider any of the koni products advertising similar qualities

I'm with you re Koni's; never had a good experience with them unfortunately. Bilstein B4S shocks, IMO, would be a much better fit for the E61; that or OEM Sachs Sport spec shocks (if they do them for the E61) - they're what I ran on my E39 touring and found them to be superb. Paired really well with the Eibach pro kit springs

However, suspension is a very personal choice. I don't like the over-jarring M SPort suspension my F31 came with; the Bilstein B4S / Eibach pro kit springs have been a superb upgrade

But some folk will find the Koni's to be superb and suit their requirements...

For me a big touring needs controlled suspension; not too soft/not too hard, if that makes sense?

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 7th May 12:23

[Jhonno]

d_a_n1979 said:

For me a big touring needs controlled suspension; not too soft/not too hard, if that makes sense?

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 7th May 12:23

Which is exactly what the Koni Actives offer.

I was on 19's also. The guy who bought it off me took it around Brands and it didn't shame itself for a big touring!

[NormalWisdom]

I loved mine - Longest I've ever owned a car (6+ years!!).

I would service the gearbox especially if considering adding power and check the torque converter which has a tendency to die at 100k mile!

[Limited100]

NormalWisdom said:

I loved mine - Longest I've ever owned a car (6+ years!!).

I would service the gearbox especially if considering adding power and check the torque converter which has a tendency to die at 100k mile!

Gearbox will be serviced soon, along with mechatronic thing.

I didn't realise torque converters went that soon, many of these have done 200k+ miles on original one?

Took 535d to my specialist earlier and I'll be treating it to some preventative maintenance:

Glow plugs, glow plug relay, engine thermostat, air quality sensor, pollen cabin filters, brake pads front and rear, brake sleeves front and rear, intake manifold gasket set, anti-fog sensor, brake pad wear sensors, wiper arm cover, air filter, vacuum pump seals, engine oil and filter, and then a remap retaining the DPF, EGR and cat.

[Limited100]

S8QUATTRO said:

Lovely. 247,000 miles.. still on original torque converter perchance?

[CornedBeef]

My old 335D was on the OG torque converter on nearly 200k if it helps. I think the older 5HP boxes on E46/E39 era cars were known for having more of a choccy torque converter.

RE the remap, mine was done at about 10000 miles and is in the service history at a local specialist! So not sure, I suspect it's a bit of a generic map - I had it on a rolling road shortly after buying and it made 335hp.

[Limited100]

CornedBeef said:

My old 335D was on the OG torque converter on nearly 200k if it helps. I think the older 5HP boxes on E46/E39 era cars were known for having more of a choccy torque converter.

RE the remap, mine was done at about 10000 miles and is in the service history at a local specialist! So not sure, I suspect it's a bit of a generic map - I had it on a rolling road shortly after buying and it made 335hp.

Yeh I think these LCI boxes are stronger, rated to 700 NM rather than 600 NM (pre-LCI).

[Limited100]

Limited100 said:

Cheers, I was looking at 635Ds, they're a fair bit lighter, it much absolutely fly! Who did the map?

E61 535d LCI is 1835 kg
E60 535d LCI is 1735kg
635d is 1650kg

Correction:

E61 535d LCI is 1760 kg
E60 535d LCI is 1660kg
635d is 1650kg

Put mine on a weighbridge yesterday and it was 1760 kg with a load of luggage in and quarter of a tank.

Wonder how I can get the weight down without any silly mods. Turn it into a van? Not very often I have rear passengers.

[S8QUATTRO]

Limited100 said:

S8QUATTRO said:

Lovely. 247,000 miles.. still on original torque converter perchance?

Yes, its had a couple of gearbox services so far and ill have another service done at 250,000 just for peace of mind. The kits are not expensive these days.

[S8QUATTRO]

Limited100 said:

CornedBeef said:

My old 335D was on the OG torque converter on nearly 200k if it helps. I think the older 5HP boxes on E46/E39 era cars were known for having more of a choccy torque converter.

RE the remap, mine was done at about 10000 miles and is in the service history at a local specialist! So not sure, I suspect it's a bit of a generic map - I had it on a rolling road shortly after buying and it made 335hp.

Yeh I think these LCI boxes are stronger, rated to 700 NM rather than 600 NM (pre-LCI).

I recently read this too, earlier models the 6HP26 and LCI and 35d the 6HP28 version. Mine is mapped but not driven hard. I think overservicing oil/filter is a good idea.

[Limited100]

Just ordered:

11.0101-5706.2 – Guide Sleeve Kit, brake caliper – 2.

11.0101-5402.2 – Guide Sleeve Kit, brake caliper – 2.

2373001 – Brake pad set – 1.

2379101 – Brake pad set – 1.

228.690 – Gasket Set, intake manifold – 1.

6PX 012 684-021 – Air Quality Sensor – 1.

TI 234 88 – Engine thermostat – 1.

407W0005 – Brake pad wear sensor – 1.

407W0015 – Brake pad wear sensor – 1.

V20-72-5180 – Anti-fog Sensor – 1.

E2963LB – Pollen filter – 2.

132197 – Glow plug relay – 1.

BMW E60 E61 M47N2 M57N2 M57N Vacuum Pump Repair Kit Uprated Seals

1 X BONNET BADGE EMBLEM 82MM REPLACEMENT FOR BMW - E46 E36 E90 E60 E83 E92 M3 M5

GENUINE OE BMW 5&6 E60 E61 E63 FRONT RIGHT WIPER ARM CAP COVER 61617035103

Air Filter fits BMW ALPINA B5 E60, E61 4.4 05 to 10 Mahle 13717793647 7793647

FOR BMW E60 E61 525d,530d,535d engs Glow Plugs Set of 6 BOSCH oe no.12237786869

All in these lot were about £600, will be installed soon, bit of preventative maintenance. Other than these it'll be getting a remap and gearbox service soon. Possibly some Koni dampers but need to find out which springs and presumably the rear dampers will replace the air bags, which I believe all E61s have.