Our new to us 2015 F31 325D M Sport

[d_a_n1979]

S600BSB said:

I bought a F31 330i just before Christmas. They are great cars.

So far, very impressed...

It's bloody comfy in the back too and more than enough room, more so for someone of my build/height!

[d_a_n1979]

cerb4.5lee said:

Court_S said:

Looking good Dan. Not a fan of the double skat grilles even on M cars.

I used to like you Sam!!

All joking aside...I'm loving your attention to detail big time Dan with this(as with all your cars too).

^^^

I'm siding with Sam, sorry pal

Thanks pal; it's getting there...

I've noted the parts I want sorting at my pals bodyshop one winter is through and I'm going to get it onto my pals ramps ASAP to have a good once-over under it to see what's what & what might need replacing (rear ARB bushes look like they could do to be refreshed); but other than that it's very tight!

Thinking I'm going to go with TRW 370mm discs up front with either Ferodo DS2500, Brembo Xtra brake pads (although the Textar Performance pads seem to be well thought of) and new HEL lines all round - I might see if I can get that done ASAP rather than hang on until we're back from the Highlands

[d_a_n1979]

New front brakes ordered

Gone for Brembo OE spec 370mm by 30mm slotted discs:

https://www.bremboparts.com/europe/en/catalogue/di...

And I've gone for OEM BMW pads for now; will see how they fair

Just need to get some Motul DOT5.1 brake fluid in and the brake refresh is ready to go

Might do the lines too; will see how soon I can source the replacement lines

[d_a_n1979]

roadie said:

Very handsome car that I know will be perfectly looked after!

Thank you

And yes, it will

[d_a_n1979]

Well; as it is with cars / 2nd hand cars; the F31 tested me yesterday, so much so it's gone back to the dealers to get fixed...

Popped out yesterday on a 15min errand and at my first stop a huge plume of smoke appeared from under the bonnet and into the car through the vents (burning oil)...

Luckily I was round the corner from my pals garage, so popped into his to borrow his bright inspection torch and it appears the turbo is leaking oil (no idea whether it's a seal or something more serious); but the rocker gasket was leaking too and it's wet all down that side of the engine

Unfortunately my BMW warranty doesn't kick in until mid Feb (4 weeks after I first took it you & you can understand why); but as I bought it from a dealer, they've got the task to sort it.

So it's gone to them on the back of an RAC truck this morning, will wait to see what they come back with...

[d_a_n1979]

cerb4.5lee said:

Oh no Dan, really sorry to hear this.

Fingers crossed that it gets sorted as quickly/easy as possible for you.

Just one of them things pal!

The dealer has been great; I would have preferred it to go to Bowker BMW in Preston, but as warranty doesn't kick in for another 2 weeks, I've no choice

But the dealer didn't hesitate in getting it sorted and into his garage, so it's been dealt with well so far

[d_a_n1979]

helix402 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Well; as it is with cars / 2nd hand cars; the F31 tested me yesterday, so much so it's gone back to the dealers to get fixed...

Popped out yesterday on a 15min errand and at my first stop a huge plume of smoke appeared from under the bonnet and into the car through the vents (burning oil)...

Luckily I was round the corner from my pals garage, so popped into his to borrow his bright inspection torch and it appears the turbo is leaking oil (no idea whether it's a seal or something more serious); but the rocker gasket was leaking too and it's wet all down that side of the engine

Unfortunately my BMW warranty doesn't kick in until mid Feb (4 weeks after I first took it you & you can understand why); but as I bought it from a dealer, they've got the task to sort it.

So it's gone to them on the back of an RAC truck this morning, will wait to see what they come back with...

Hasn’t it got two turbos?

Yup; but could only really see what's going on from the top

The garage have it now and they'll keep me posted; when I spoke to him this morning to detail what my pal & I had seen; he could then see straight away...

Doing some reading, it could be along the lines of the PVC/rocker gasket and the oils being blown back that way etc; but it needs a proper look over

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

Bit of a pisser, but it sounds like the dealer is on the ball. Hopefully it’ll be fixed and back with you before you I know it.

It is pal; but as said he's been really sound all the way through this deal and had the patience over Christmas to let the car sit ready for us to collect beginning of this month

He also know's I know BMWs etc; so he can't fob me off

[d_a_n1979]

Mr Tidy said:

That's a bummer OP.

But at least it looks like your car will get sorted.

Yup; sods law. It is what it is, so will see what they come back with...

[d_a_n1979]

Ken986 said:

Hi Dan , only just seen your new thread .
Bit unfortunate to have an issue but you’re taking it well .

Great work as usual bringing it up to your standard. Liking the silver wheels, lifts the appearance in my eyes.

I have a 428i to go with the E38 . The f30/32 platform is a nice place to be

Cheers Ken

It is unfortunately but not a lot I can do; the dealer has been faultless and he knows I know BMWs well; so it's in his interests to get this sorted really... Just hope he gets into it ASAP as we're off to the Highlands 2 weeks tomorrow...!

And yes, the 18s are much better wheels; they'll do the car well through winter with the winter tyres on and I'll probably get another set, get them refurbed in platinum silver and shod with premium summer tyres

I had a look at a 428i GC; lovely car but a bit too small. Superb engine though!

[d_a_n1979]

Macron said:

It's good they're fixing it.

Where's the boot mat from?

Agree; lucky to have that option!

And eBay pal: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303989587142

I've used these boot liners for a few years now; had one in the E39 touring and they're faultless and work really well

[d_a_n1979]

Just got an update

The turbo seals are leaking, so they've been stripped & sent off to Turbo Force, a company that's literally round the corner from me and one that my motorsport mechanic uses when they have cars in with turbo issues

Should have the turbo turned around in a few days and then we'll have the car back hopefully Friday; if not a week today!

The dealer has played a blinder with this; every credit to him

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Just got an update

The turbo seals are leaking, so they've been stripped & sent off to Turbo Force, a company that's literally round the corner from me and one that my motorsport mechanic uses when they have cars in with turbo issues

Should have the turbo turned around in a few days and then we'll have the car back hopefully Friday; if not a week today!

The dealer has played a blinder with this; every credit to him

That’s a good result Dan; cars break but it’s how dealers react to it that’s important.

Absolutely...

Adam's kept me up to speed every step of the way; can't ask for more really!

[d_a_n1979]

Finally got it back after collecting it this afternoon; after having its turbo fully rebuilt, a few pipes replaced and new rocker gasket!

Dropping it off with my pals tomorrow for a full front brake overhaul and oil & filter change and then it's ready for The Highlands road trip on Saturday

[d_a_n1979]

Ice_blue_tvr said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Winter Style 400s with Bridgestone winter tyres fitted collected this morning...

All cleaned as best they can be; brakes wire brushed and cleaned, calipers cleaned and winters fitted

All the 19s wheels had been windy-gunned on; had to break out the breaker bar to get the bolts undone

All refitted and torqued to spec with Liqui Moly ceramic paste

Are 400m's pretty generic in size/width/offset?

Looking to put some on ours to replace the 19" 403s, but seeing conflicting info about fitting over the bigger calipers.

Seem to be able to pick up a set on ebay for around £400

Full specs here

https://www.auto-treff.com/wcf/index.php?article/3...

They're the smallest wheel you can fit over the 370mm front brakes FYI

[d_a_n1979]

skullandbiscuits said:

Dan, what was the reason for going for the 325d? I thought your were going to for a 328i/330i?

Couldn't find the spec of car that I wanted and petrols were far & few between and over budget

Plus as the wife will be main user of the car & she'll be insuring it come April when my current policy runs out; it was cheaper to stick with a 4 pot rather than a 6 pot petrol or diesel...

It's more than enough power; driving it back yesterday and using it's torque to get up to speed on the M65 showed me just that

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Friday 3rd February 17:34

[d_a_n1979]

JakeT said:

Just caught up with this, Dan. Good on the supplying dealer to take care of the turbo issue and valve cover gasket. I’m sure it will give many good miles of service now and once you’ve got the other bits how you’d like them to be.

The big question is now, is this one going to be a keeper?

Haha I think so pal; 2-3 years absolutely...

We're reducing to one car, so wanted to make sure the car we got suits all needs (touring, a car I can fit in, good engine, decent enough economy for some 'in the head' planned road trips - NCS500/Skye, Normandy etc)

Just get the car up to my spec and it's done...

Bought the summer wheels for it too yesterday; so will sort tyres for them sometime later this month and then it'll be ready for their swap-over come the warmer weather in March onwards

[d_a_n1979]

Brembo slotted / dimpled 370mm discs and OEM pads fitted this morning alongside a full Liqui Moly 5W30 / Mann filter oil change done…

Cars disgusting inside & out, so that’ll get sorted tomorrow and then it’ll be rammed to the roof ready to head to the Highlands come Saturday

[d_a_n1979]

New black wheel nuts fitted; OEM ones plus locking nuts binned!

New air & cabin filters fitted

Car cleaned inside; contactless washed outside, door-shuts, glass and alloys/tyres towel dried. Tyres treated

Pics of the new front Brembo brakes installed also

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Friday 3rd February 13:04

[d_a_n1979]

JakeT said:

Looks good, and ready now I’m sure.

Next weekend I’m doing a similar trip with some friends for one of our annual trips. North of Inverness for a few days.

Yup; looking forward to the drive & week away. Hopefully we'll get some snow, looks like it'll be dry & colder the latter half of the week... Should put the winter tyres to good use, more so if we head up to The Cairngorm now the funicular is open again