E61 V8 Bearding

Brilliant write up thank you, I've just done mine and would not have given it a go had I not stumbled on this saying it was actually doable on axle stands by someone with half a clue.

Few pics, discovered the coolant was incorrect too and rectified that so a very successful day's work:

Woah parking

Not a V8 but my E61 535D Touring has been diagnosed with a knackered Air con compressor, (assuming they are similar to V8 ones) just been quoted
over £800 to replace / re-gas / labour ??/ If I purchase the compressor myself (Denso brand) it knocks almost £300 quid off the bill ... Does this sound about right ? Bit gutted as only just purchased the car within last month.

2006
550i SE
117000 miles

£4000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275944288404

I like mine too but dont drive it much as I have a lot of cars and a Van. This is really my only 4 seater. I think if it was 600 - 700 tax that would make it a sell. My total road tax bill is already ridiculous.

Mine has brand new coils and plugs, basically brand new discs and pads all round, all new front suspension arms and recent Bilstein suspension kit. So it drives well if it is not misfiring. I now have a rotten boot lid and some wiring gremlins in the boot lid also. That and the occasional misfire are my only 2 niggles. If I keep it then they will need sorting.

Already replaced with genuine BMW part last year and the valves too. My fault code reader says misifre on cyl 2. I have swapped the new coils between 1 and 2 and the fault stays with 2.

I suppose the new plug could be faulty. That would be seriously unlucky but maybe I should test it.

Just back from a 2,000+ mile round trip to Corsica in the beast so thought this would be a good time to provide an update on the restoration of my e61 550i manual. Little did I know that it was a restoration project....

Given that I already had an e60 550i manual with just 63k miles on the clock some people would probably think I'm a bit thick for buying a Touring with lower spec and 45k more miles on the clock but I just never fell in love with the looks of the saloon. Anyway, that's beside the point, I thought it would be useful for others to know what to expect when taking a labour of love like this on....

Here's what's been done since last November:

1. Replace both rocker cover gaskets (oil leak from engine)
2. Replace vacuum pump
3. Replace auxillary belt
4. Replace the garbage tyres fitted on the car for 4x Continental Sport Contact 7s (these are seriously good tyres)
5. New OEM front discs & Brembo brake pads fitted (massive improvement in what was on there)
6. Replace tailgate gas struts (Magnetti Marelli)
7. Replace front wishbone suspension arms (Febi Bilstein)
8. Replace front suspension control arms (Febi Bilstein)
9. Replace rear suspension air bags (Dunlop)
10. Replace rear suspension compressor (Febi Bilstein)
11. Replace rear suspension air pipes (BMW dealer)
12. Replace thermostat (OEM)
13. Replace water pump (Febi Bilstein) - leak could be seen (previous one only covered 20k miles)
14. Replace AC condenser (Mahle)

Booked in for 2 weeks time:

15. Replace both front track rods (inner and outer) Febi Bilstein
16. Replace all valve stem seals (it's been smoking like a Havana and I've had enough of it)

It's not for the faint hearted that's for sure but for me there is simply nothing else out there that can do what this motor can do.

If you're thinking of buying one go in with your eyes open!!

Went and asked how its going at the garage. It seems they have changed all the plugs and coils - even though I had already done this myself very very recently - and they mentioned an air mass sensor so I presume the MAF. I have never changed this so it could well have been a problem. The car has been there for 6 weeks and in this time the MOT has lapsed so this is also to do. Hopefully I will get some more news soon.

No idea

Starts fine from Cold. Also runs fine when warm until you let it idle and if the revs drop it starts having a fit. So if you never let the revs drop it seems fine - left foot braking and keeping the throttle pressed slightly when stopping and stationary.

So I gave up and took it to the garage. Never had any work done by them before. Just use them for MOT.