E61 530i - What should I be looking for? (Advice)
Discussion
I feel your pain. I had a 2009 E61 530i SE a few years ago which I bought at around 39K miles in 2014 from a main dealer in Manchester. Problems started soon after collection and continued for the 3 years I owned it. In that time two main dealers replaced the HPFP twice, LPFP, NOX sensors, full exhaust including the CAT, Cam carrier and cams. Injectors and coils individually and then all six at once on two different occasions around 18 months apart. The symptoms on all occasions were the rough running you describe. I ended up with zero confidence in the car or BMW's ability or knowledge to fix the N53 engine. Thankfully all of the above was covered under AUC and then extended BMW warranty but it was my first BMW and almost my last. Add to the engine reliability woes the engine sounded rubbish and the rear air suspension went up and down for fun (compressor failure and then each rear shock) I was glad to see the back of it.
Extremely bad news.
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
axel1990chp said:
Extremely bad news.
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
That’s a real pisser. Trouble is, I guess you’re not going to k who which one it is without spending further cash in stripping the engine down and spending more money.Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Having just sorted the injectors, I’d be tempted to try and repair it since you’ve already been hit with the biggest bill.
axel1990chp said:
Extremely bad news.
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Ah damn; what bugger Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Really sorry to be reading this! How the hell has that happened I wonder...Either way don't add any sealant to it or similar; if you can, get it fixed properly or see if you can source a replacement engine? Quarry Motors or Rotrip for example?
That's if you want to keep it; therein lies the question?! Do you fix it, run it until you've got your money back/used it to its potential; or as you said; bin it now and let someone else take the task on, but potentially only get pennies for it...
If you've the time/patience/money and a decent indy; personally I'd look to save it and get it fixed once and for all etc
Keep us posted with how you get on
axel1990chp said:
Extremely bad news.
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Oh man that sucks. N53’s aren’t known for that so it’s surprising, especially as you haven’t had the car overheat on you. Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Did the garage provide any indication of price to rectify?
Just a thought… Did you actually need the injectors replaced then? Initially you were getting a cylinder 1 code which didn’t change when moving over the injector to another cylinder. Now it’s apparent why, because of the leakage into cylinder 1. Has this been the issue the whole time and not the injectors? Or is the garage confident the injectors were shot and that along with the cylinder 1 leakage caused your issues.
I may be forgetting some details here but just a thought and a potential question to the garage which may provide some bargaining power if you choose to fix the car.
Edited by DKIE92 on Thursday 16th May 16:27
Edited by DKIE92 on Thursday 16th May 17:11
axel1990chp said:
Extremely bad news.
Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
How did they diagnose that, out of interest? Camera into the bore? Chemical analysis of the coolant?Coolant leak into cylinder 1.
Gasket or cylinder head is cracked?
Either way, expensive... again.
Cars maybe worth 10 now? paid 11 for it last year. Spent c~4 on it trying to fix this coolant/misfire issue.
Trying to save to move house with the missus, do I spend on it, keep it and hope nothing ever goes wrong again with it for 5/10 years. Do I spend on it, fix it up and sell the bugger? Do I write it off now and sell as is and take a huge cut knowing someone will turn a profit?
Think I need to go for a run...
Exceedingly rare on an n53 as far as I know.
So I’m currently waiting on quotes for best case and worst case scenario. I will be pushing for as much help as possible with the bill, seeing as though I’ve gone to them with misfire issues and coolant issues and they haven’t put the 2 together… I wanted to have a good barny with the fella on the phone, but I was at work and I feel it’s something I need to go down there and discuss with them in person next Monday. He was genuinely surprised that such an incident is happening on this engine, especially given how well maintained and looked after it has been its life. I put it down to my absolutely rotten luck with anything with an engine.
They stuck a camera in and pressured the coolant up beyond, weeped into C1, nothing major, but anything is more than enough unfortunately.
I asked if it must surely be going the other way too, seeing as though there’s >12bar? under compression, but apparently there isn’t.
Either way, I’m going to have to take the plunge, it’s money I don’t have unfortunately but that’s a problem for another day. The missus might leave when I tell her the news so I’ll make some savings on gas and electricity to pay it off…
Do I keep it or do I sell it afterwards is more what’s on my mind at the moment, but it’s pretty raw and I’m slightly moody about it
They stuck a camera in and pressured the coolant up beyond, weeped into C1, nothing major, but anything is more than enough unfortunately.
I asked if it must surely be going the other way too, seeing as though there’s >12bar? under compression, but apparently there isn’t.
Either way, I’m going to have to take the plunge, it’s money I don’t have unfortunately but that’s a problem for another day. The missus might leave when I tell her the news so I’ll make some savings on gas and electricity to pay it off…
Do I keep it or do I sell it afterwards is more what’s on my mind at the moment, but it’s pretty raw and I’m slightly moody about it
They still have the old ones Mike, so there could be some cash to be made if it comes to it, not sure how the warranty would stand up with only replacing/keeping one of the newer injectors however!
Oh well, with all that on my mind I’ve been for a record 5k, didn’t even feel like much of an effort either, so its benefit me in one way!
Will update this thread tomorrow with any news. Should of made this a readers car thread, they’re always extra juicy to read when things go wrong
Oh well, with all that on my mind I’ve been for a record 5k, didn’t even feel like much of an effort either, so its benefit me in one way!
Will update this thread tomorrow with any news. Should of made this a readers car thread, they’re always extra juicy to read when things go wrong
axel1990chp said:
Try and find the parts and part numbers on RealOEM and then email BMW Cotswolds with that and ask them for a quote for pricesNot sure what N52 / N53s are like for coming apart; but the previous M52s and M54s didn't like it at all and generally it made more sense to fit another engine
I can’t recall off the top of my head the labour rate but it wasn’t too outlandish compared with a few other Indy’s when I first started looking.
To me I thought some of those quoted would come in “the kit” and things like charging for waste disposal etc is a bit stomach to the gut, especially when I’m particularly pissed off they dismissed me saying head gasket when I first took it in - owing to the fact I was having coolant issues.
At a loss tbh.
Going in to chat to them Tuesday to see what the next steps I can take are. My current situation means I have money best suited going somewhere else, but it’s financial ruin either way haha.
To me I thought some of those quoted would come in “the kit” and things like charging for waste disposal etc is a bit stomach to the gut, especially when I’m particularly pissed off they dismissed me saying head gasket when I first took it in - owing to the fact I was having coolant issues.
At a loss tbh.
Going in to chat to them Tuesday to see what the next steps I can take are. My current situation means I have money best suited going somewhere else, but it’s financial ruin either way haha.
axel1990chp said:
I can’t recall off the top of my head the labour rate but it wasn’t too outlandish compared with a few other Indy’s when I first started looking.
To me I thought some of those quoted would come in “the kit” and things like charging for waste disposal etc is a bit stomach to the gut, especially when I’m particularly pissed off they dismissed me saying head gasket when I first took it in - owing to the fact I was having coolant issues.
At a loss tbh.
Going in to chat to them Tuesday to see what the next steps I can take are. My current situation means I have money best suited going somewhere else, but it’s financial ruin either way haha.
Unfortunately no kits. It’s like to the silver top N52’s the gasket and replacement bolts are sold separately despite not bing able to install the gasket without replacing the bolts. To me I thought some of those quoted would come in “the kit” and things like charging for waste disposal etc is a bit stomach to the gut, especially when I’m particularly pissed off they dismissed me saying head gasket when I first took it in - owing to the fact I was having coolant issues.
At a loss tbh.
Going in to chat to them Tuesday to see what the next steps I can take are. My current situation means I have money best suited going somewhere else, but it’s financial ruin either way haha.
But the you get strange bits like the oil filter housing which comes with the gaskets, filter and filter cap. Odd.
If it was a guarantee that it was unequivocally the head gasket and nothing more, id be inclined to give it the green light.
The issue that it could be a cracked/damaged cylinder head is the issue. I ok the gasket job for c~2k, they strip it down and the cylinder head needs replacing, well then it has to be done, and the price of that.. well its just not justifiable.
All in it's a £9147.47 job with VAT.
The issue that it could be a cracked/damaged cylinder head is the issue. I ok the gasket job for c~2k, they strip it down and the cylinder head needs replacing, well then it has to be done, and the price of that.. well its just not justifiable.
All in it's a £9147.47 job with VAT.
Are they 100% sure its coolant getting into the cylinder? Its not unheard of on this engine, but it is pretty rare. Only asking as they fluffed the injector diagnosis, so, ya know, they might be wrong about the HG too.
Presumably they've done a gas analysis on the coolant and confirmed combustion gases?
Presumably they've done a gas analysis on the coolant and confirmed combustion gases?
Morning Mike.
These are the questions I am going to ask tomorrow when I head down to them and discuss what on earth has gone on and what is the next step.
When I spoke over the phone on Friday they were convinced there's no evidence anything going the other way, into the coolant. I'm not quite sure how they can be convinced given the time they had it and what they'd told me so far.
I'm less than convinced in the garage to be honest, or the spiel they've given me over the last few months. I aren't making any rash decisions just yet and I want evidence or proof of it. The issue is, they're not willing to dive deeper without being paid, something they told me via email they would do all the investigation work at cost to them... but ill report back discussions from tomorrow.
Not sure what my consumer rights are re the purchase of the vehicle too. Their diagnostics tool puts my fault codes down as being recorded at 100k miles. It was bought in August last year with 61000 miles? Perhaps an issue with their code reader, or if its completely unrelated.
Not looking forward to the any of the outcomes, however
These are the questions I am going to ask tomorrow when I head down to them and discuss what on earth has gone on and what is the next step.
When I spoke over the phone on Friday they were convinced there's no evidence anything going the other way, into the coolant. I'm not quite sure how they can be convinced given the time they had it and what they'd told me so far.
I'm less than convinced in the garage to be honest, or the spiel they've given me over the last few months. I aren't making any rash decisions just yet and I want evidence or proof of it. The issue is, they're not willing to dive deeper without being paid, something they told me via email they would do all the investigation work at cost to them... but ill report back discussions from tomorrow.
Not sure what my consumer rights are re the purchase of the vehicle too. Their diagnostics tool puts my fault codes down as being recorded at 100k miles. It was bought in August last year with 61000 miles? Perhaps an issue with their code reader, or if its completely unrelated.
Not looking forward to the any of the outcomes, however
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