2002 E39 530i Sport

[sparks_E39]

MOT failure today. It isn't due till June but I needed to get it done early. Unfortunately because it failed I'm technically not allowed to drive it till it passes, so it's staying overnight at my trusted indie till the correct parts (mostly suspension) come in from BMW tomorrow. I can't remember exactly what it failed on as I couldn't stay on the phone long, front suspension bits and rear arb covers maybe? Costs less than £300 including the MOT and labour so all in all not too shabby!

[sparks_E39]

No I just thought I couldn't, fair enough! Although it wasn't due till June...

Have you found an F10 yet?

[sparks_E39]

E65Ross said:

Best of luck with the fix, hope it's not too costly!

replacing developed a mild vibration under high speed braking which I'll get looked at soon. Barges are great but being heavy they don't do suspension components many favours!

All fixed Ross! It failed on both front tie bars/rods and the NSF upper anti roll bar joint dust cover. Only advisory was rear tyres which I knew about anyway. Costs in my blog

I guess mines at that age now where suspension stuff is going to need replacing.

Edited by sparks_E39 on Tuesday 1st April 18:33

[sparks_E39]

Fox- said:

Not yet, they always seem to have that one thing missing, ie everything but sports auto, or everything except Xenons, etc.

I would of thought Xenons would be standard!

[sparks_E39]

I was a tad relieved because this was the first MOT in my ownership, but other than those small problems it was fine. Mine doesn't use or lose any water now I've had much of the cooling system renewed. I'd suggest you may have a small leak somewhere. I'd get the system pressure tested by your garage and they should be able to spot where it is. It shouldn't really use any between services. Mine uses about a litre of oil every 1200 miles which is normal for these engines.

[sparks_E39]

New air filter today.. the old one was a make I've not heard of. Stuck a Bosch one in there instead.

Old one was minging, definitely not replaced at the last service (main dealer) I don't know if this is just a placebo effect, but I'm sure the car seems to run and go a bit better now. Might even see a slight MPG increase. Sound normal? I'll see when I go to Donnington for the BTTC this weekend (400 mile round trip)

[sparks_E39]

Quick clean today... looks 100% better when shiny!

[sparks_E39]

Tonberry said:

How does this compare to your 528i?

Quicker, more efficient, handles better (528i was an SE) and it's better looking. The 528i was a great car though.

[sparks_E39]

I'd love the facelift B10 3.3 but it was out of budget

[sparks_E39]

I'm tempted to change to a late E38 740i Sport now. Kind of have a V8 barge itch. I care not about MPG, it's just other E38 costs to weigh up.... I wish I could have both!

[sparks_E39]

CCV failed spectacularly over the weekend, all fixed now. Not cheap, especially with new tyres the week before

[sparks_E39]

S3_Graham said:

what were the symptoms btw? Sold mine a while back now! I do miss it, but the new CLK55 is helping. Drives very similarly but the interior isnt as nice a place to be.

Loads of white smoke from exhaust, intermittent loss of power. I do like the CLK55. Wanting a V8 now!