Discussion
Slightly later than planned, but we're finally on the road!
So a few weeks ago the 540 spent a couple of days at a BMW specialist. It came home with all new front to rear brake pipes, new rubber flexi pipes, a new rear caliper and a flushed brake system. Not exactly how I planned to start 5 series ownership but at least it was now safe.
With the car back home I just need to do a couple more jobs. Firstly the rear tyres needed swapping over (old tyre on left, replacement on right):
Other rear tyre had tread, but all the rubber was severely perished. Not ideal for putting 282bhp through! So much for the "good tyres all round" in the Ebay ad.
With a new batch delivered, I also did an oil and filter change. As some else mentioned, it's very easy. Sump plug is accessed through a little hatch in the bottom engine cover, and oil filter is in a remote housing behind the headlight:
Simples!
Now, this is a big, heavy car that's really suited to wafting across large distances in total comfort. So for my test drive I decided to going a blat down some little, twisty country lanes. I don't think the 540 is going to worry my 205 GTI any time soon, but it was actually quite amusing to drive. With the dampers in firm mode body roll was minimised, and although it felt it bit "crashy" in this setting I think it coped marginally better with the roads in question. It's the engine that really made me smile though - hitting the loud pedal on the exit from a corner and letting the V8 sing was addicitive.
All in all, the old girl performed faultlessly. The brakes now inspire confidence, the engine seems to offer a full compliment of power, the autobox works well in all modes, and throughout the whole drive the temperature remained rock steady (cooling system on these can be a weakness). And a quick play with the Torque app on my phone suggests a 0-60mph time of 6.5s without being too aggressive - not bad at all! Couple of pics from the drive:
Unfortunately though, I've decided that I probably won't keep this one. The initial big bill on brakes was unplanned and has essentially emptied the kitty. I could plough more money and time into getting the car how I want, but I really should be directing that effort to my actual project car not the daily driver! A rare, sensible automotive decision (although I do reserve the right to change my mind!)
So a few weeks ago the 540 spent a couple of days at a BMW specialist. It came home with all new front to rear brake pipes, new rubber flexi pipes, a new rear caliper and a flushed brake system. Not exactly how I planned to start 5 series ownership but at least it was now safe.
With the car back home I just need to do a couple more jobs. Firstly the rear tyres needed swapping over (old tyre on left, replacement on right):
Other rear tyre had tread, but all the rubber was severely perished. Not ideal for putting 282bhp through! So much for the "good tyres all round" in the Ebay ad.
With a new batch delivered, I also did an oil and filter change. As some else mentioned, it's very easy. Sump plug is accessed through a little hatch in the bottom engine cover, and oil filter is in a remote housing behind the headlight:
Simples!
Now, this is a big, heavy car that's really suited to wafting across large distances in total comfort. So for my test drive I decided to going a blat down some little, twisty country lanes. I don't think the 540 is going to worry my 205 GTI any time soon, but it was actually quite amusing to drive. With the dampers in firm mode body roll was minimised, and although it felt it bit "crashy" in this setting I think it coped marginally better with the roads in question. It's the engine that really made me smile though - hitting the loud pedal on the exit from a corner and letting the V8 sing was addicitive.
All in all, the old girl performed faultlessly. The brakes now inspire confidence, the engine seems to offer a full compliment of power, the autobox works well in all modes, and throughout the whole drive the temperature remained rock steady (cooling system on these can be a weakness). And a quick play with the Torque app on my phone suggests a 0-60mph time of 6.5s without being too aggressive - not bad at all! Couple of pics from the drive:
Unfortunately though, I've decided that I probably won't keep this one. The initial big bill on brakes was unplanned and has essentially emptied the kitty. I could plough more money and time into getting the car how I want, but I really should be directing that effort to my actual project car not the daily driver! A rare, sensible automotive decision (although I do reserve the right to change my mind!)
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