Our new to us 2015 F31 325D M Sport

[d_a_n1979]

MDMA . said:

Looks a good one. Are these not the newer B47 engine, not N47?

N47D20D pal; B47 was late 2016/early 2017 onwards IIRC from what I've read

[Escort3500]

Nice car, you’ll not regret your purchase

We’ve had ours for nearly 3 years now and it’s a great all-rounder. I’d say the build quality isn’t as good as the E46 320d we had before it, but in every other respect it’s a far nicer car. It’s a bit thirsty if you hoof it (340i), but since I’ve retired we don’t do such a high mileage so it’s not really relevant. Lovely gearbox, effortless performance and nice, predictable handling. Agree about the RFTs - they’re awful. Noisy, and on 19” rims I feel every bump in the road, especially with the poor state of surfaces these days. They’re on 25k miles and still have 5mm of tread left, so they’ve done well, but like you I’ll be swapping them out for non-RFTs and rely on a repair kit or the AA

It’s worth coating your rims and brake callipers with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour. It’s not cheap, but very effective at repelling brake dust and other nasties that can cause damage to the lacquered finish.

Oh, and Cotswold BMW give decent discount to members of the BMW Owners’ Club UK on Facebook (though my local dealer will often price match).

Keep the updates coming!

[MarkJS]

Looks great - nice car.

I’m not sure what difference it makes, but your wheel bolt threads should be dry according to BMW. I only know because I used to use the same stuff as you when changing to summer/winter wheels on my E92 but found this out when I checked the torque spec on the F32.

[HelldogBE]

MarkJS said:

I’m not sure what difference it makes, but your wheel bolt threads should be dry according to BMW. I only know because I used to use the same stuff as you when changing to summer/winter wheels on my E92 but found this out when I checked the torque spec on the F32.

There's theory and then there's practice. When I bought my car it needed a breaker bar of over 2 meters to loosen them. Never again!

[d_a_n1979]

Escort3500 said:

Nice car, you’ll not regret your purchase

We’ve had ours for nearly 3 years now and it’s a great all-rounder. I’d say the build quality isn’t as good as the E46 320d we had before it, but in every other respect it’s a far nicer car. It’s a bit thirsty if you hoof it (340i), but since I’ve retired we don’t do such a high mileage so it’s not really relevant. Lovely gearbox, effortless performance and nice, predictable handling. Agree about the RFTs - they’re awful. Noisy, and on 19” rims I feel every bump in the road, especially with the poor state of surfaces these days. They’re on 25k miles and still have 5mm of tread left, so they’ve done well, but like you I’ll be swapping them out for non-RFTs and rely on a repair kit or the AA

It’s worth coating your rims and brake callipers with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour. It’s not cheap, but very effective at repelling brake dust and other nasties that can cause damage to the lacquered finish.

Oh, and Cotswold BMW give decent discount to members of the BMW Owners’ Club UK on Facebook (though my local dealer will often price match).

Keep the updates coming!

Thanks; very happy with it so far (apart from its filthyness)

And yes, big fan of Gtechniq C5; used it on all m y previous alloys when I've had them refurbed. When I sort the replacement wheels (18s or 19s) I'll be doing just that and as you said; on the brake calipers also

I'm part of numerous BMW groups/forums inc the newly refreshed BMW 5 Forums; so have been using Cotswolds BMW for years; they're where I've ordered the OEM mats and M Sport grilles from, which should land next week

For me the build quality is just as good as my previous Japanese import E39 530i Sport touring; but it's not on the same level as a previous F01 730D - however that's to be expected!

I think one thing I'll be doing in the near future is getting the ZF8 serviced; the cars done 96k miles and there's no mention of this happening, so I'll take it to Grant at Automatic Transmissions, Preston and get him to wave his magic wand over it

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 24th January 17:32

[d_a_n1979]

MarkJS said:

I’m not sure what difference it makes, but your wheel bolt threads should be dry according to BMW. I only know because I used to use the same stuff as you when changing to summer/winter wheels on my E92 but found this out when I checked the torque spec on the F32.

Cheers - this I know, but a very light coating won't do them any harm... After years of undoing other peoples bad/lazy work; it's a personal preference and never had any issues

One thing I don't do, is lather any on the hub or mating surfaces; I know that's a no-no now on the BMW cars. Not like the old days where folk would spread copper grease on like butter

HelldogBE said:

There's theory and then there's practice. When I bought my car it needed a breaker bar of over 2 meters to loosen them. Never again!

^^^ This

I'm a powerlifter and idiotic stone lifter; using the breaker bar I nigh on lifted the rear end of the car up trying to undo the rear wheels bolts... Ended up getting my 7ft alu scaffolding pole that I use as a makeshift 'axle' for grip training - that gave me the leverage I needed

God knows what they used to anchor the bolts on; but they were rusty as hell and in far too tight!

[Sim89]

Just remember to back the torque off 20% or so if the fasteners are lubricated, I do them very lightly but torque to 110Nm.

Also had my ZF8 serviced by Automatic Transmissions in Preston at 65k, great service and price.

[d_a_n1979]

Sim89 said:

Just remember to back the torque off 20% or so if the fasteners are lubricated, I do them very lightly but torque to 110Nm.

Also had my ZF8 serviced by Automatic Transmissions in Preston at 65k, great service and price.

Yup

They're 140NM IIRC

The locking bolt I've only done to 110NM and the rest to 120NM; they'll be absolutely fine. Exactly what I did on my F01 until I converted to a stud kit which I may do on this car as well

And yes; Grant & his lad know their stuff

[d_a_n1979]

First wash:



Just snowfoamed as it's raining here - all the nooks & crannies cleaned with Citrus APC and a detailing brush (absolutely full of cack & grime etc) and then all rinsed

I've also snowfoamed the wheel arches/liners as they were caked in mud and crap; so that's all been soaked and blasted off for now; I'll do them properly at a later date (up on axle stands, wheels off etc)

Glass all cleaned & treated too; tyres tyre-gelled with Gyeon tyre gel :thumup:

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 10th January 14:53

[Escort3500]

d_a_n1979 said:

Escort3500 said:

Nice car, you’ll not regret your purchase

We’ve had ours for nearly 3 years now and it’s a great all-rounder. I’d say the build quality isn’t as good as the E46 320d we had before it, but in every other respect it’s a far nicer car. It’s a bit thirsty if you hoof it (340i), but since I’ve retired we don’t do such a high mileage so it’s not really relevant. Lovely gearbox, effortless performance and nice, predictable handling. Agree about the RFTs - they’re awful. Noisy, and on 19” rims I feel every bump in the road, especially with the poor state of surfaces these days. They’re on 25k miles and still have 5mm of tread left, so they’ve done well, but like you I’ll be swapping them out for non-RFTs and rely on a repair kit or the AA

It’s worth coating your rims and brake callipers with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour. It’s not cheap, but very effective at repelling brake dust and other nasties that can cause damage to the lacquered finish.

Oh, and Cotswold BMW give decent discount to members of the BMW Owners’ Club UK on Facebook (though my local dealer will often price match).

Keep the updates coming!

Thanks; very happy with it so far (apart from its filthyness)

And yes, big fan of Gtechniq C5; used it on all m y previous alloys when I've had them refurbed. When I sort the replacement wheels (18s or 19s) I'll be doing just that and as you said; on the brake calipers also

I'm part of numerous BMW groups/forums inc the newly refreshed BMW 5 Forums; so have been using Cotswolds BMW for years; they're where I've ordered the OEM mats and M Sport grilles from, which should land next week

For me the build quality is just as good as my previous Japanese import E30 530i Sport touring; but it's not on the same level as a previous F01 730D - however that's to be expected!

I think one thing I'll be doing in the near future is getting the ZF8 serviced; the cars done 96k miles and there's no mention of this happening, so I'll take it to Grant at Automatic Transmissions, Preston and get him to wave his magic wand over it

That’s a useful recommendation for the ZF servicing when mines’s due

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

First wash:



Just snowfoamed as it's raining here - all the nooks & crannies cleaned with APL and a detailing brush (absolutely full of cack & grime etc) and then all rinsed

I've also snowfoamed the wheel arches/liners as they were caked in mud and crap; so that's all been soaked and blasted off for now; I'll do them properly at a later date (up on axle stands, wheels off etc)

Glass all cleaned & treated too; tyres tyre-gelled with Gyeon tyre gel :thumup:

Yeah the weather isn’t helpful today. Managed to get mine done but just as I’d snowfoamed her car it went jet black and shat it down. Joy. At least the worst of the cack has been rinsed off.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

First wash:



Just snowfoamed as it's raining here - all the nooks & crannies cleaned with APL and a detailing brush (absolutely full of cack & grime etc) and then all rinsed

I've also snowfoamed the wheel arches/liners as they were caked in mud and crap; so that's all been soaked and blasted off for now; I'll do them properly at a later date (up on axle stands, wheels off etc)

Glass all cleaned & treated too; tyres tyre-gelled with Gyeon tyre gel :thumup:

Yeah the weather isn’t helpful today. Managed to get mine done but just as I’d snowfoamed her car it went jet black and shat it down. Joy. At least the worst of the cack has been rinsed off.

Yeah; looks much better pal. But up close it's still filthy and needs a full de-tar ASAP; the lower sills and doors are coated etc

[Ruskie]

Escort3500 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Escort3500 said:

Nice car, you’ll not regret your purchase

We’ve had ours for nearly 3 years now and it’s a great all-rounder. I’d say the build quality isn’t as good as the E46 320d we had before it, but in every other respect it’s a far nicer car. It’s a bit thirsty if you hoof it (340i), but since I’ve retired we don’t do such a high mileage so it’s not really relevant. Lovely gearbox, effortless performance and nice, predictable handling. Agree about the RFTs - they’re awful. Noisy, and on 19” rims I feel every bump in the road, especially with the poor state of surfaces these days. They’re on 25k miles and still have 5mm of tread left, so they’ve done well, but like you I’ll be swapping them out for non-RFTs and rely on a repair kit or the AA

It’s worth coating your rims and brake callipers with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour. It’s not cheap, but very effective at repelling brake dust and other nasties that can cause damage to the lacquered finish.

Oh, and Cotswold BMW give decent discount to members of the BMW Owners’ Club UK on Facebook (though my local dealer will often price match).

Keep the updates coming!

Thanks; very happy with it so far (apart from its filthyness)

And yes, big fan of Gtechniq C5; used it on all m y previous alloys when I've had them refurbed. When I sort the replacement wheels (18s or 19s) I'll be doing just that and as you said; on the brake calipers also

I'm part of numerous BMW groups/forums inc the newly refreshed BMW 5 Forums; so have been using Cotswolds BMW for years; they're where I've ordered the OEM mats and M Sport grilles from, which should land next week

For me the build quality is just as good as my previous Japanese import E30 530i Sport touring; but it's not on the same level as a previous F01 730D - however that's to be expected!

I think one thing I'll be doing in the near future is getting the ZF8 serviced; the cars done 96k miles and there's no mention of this happening, so I'll take it to Grant at Automatic Transmissions, Preston and get him to wave his magic wand over it

That’s a useful recommendation for the ZF servicing when mines’s due

I got the official kit from AutoDoc for about £170. Then around £150 labour unless you do it yourself.

[Escort3500]

Thanks

[d_a_n1979]

OEM interior mats and M Sport front gloss black grilles landed with me today from Cotswolds BMW

Will fit the grilles ASAP; but wanted to get the leather cleaned (Furniture Clinic leather cleaner and leather conditioner used) and fit the new mats...

Ignore the bits; it's blowing a hoolie here today and bits are flying off the conifers everywhere










The leathers's come up great, really dirty front seats but back seats were very clean! Done the steering wheel too; so will see how that fairs but can see an email being sent to Jack at RSW very soon

Smells much nicer too with cleaned leather

Will fit the grilles soon (when it stops lashing it down)

Got the nav up to date too thanks to Rusty @ satnavupgrades.co.uk

[cerb4.5lee]

I'm going to draft you in Dan to help me buy my next car...because you always pick the really nice ones out I reckon. That interior looks well clean/smart.

[d_a_n1979]

cerb4.5lee said:

I'm going to draft you in Dan to help me buy my next car...because you always pick the really nice ones out I reckon. That interior looks well clean/smart.

Haha no worries; I like a challenge

[d_a_n1979]

First full wash...

BH snowfoamed, wheels cleaned with AG Magma and various wheel brushes, rinsed, hand washed with Autobrites Purple Velvet, rinsed, AG Polar Seal applied, rinsed, towel dried (in between rain showers) , all door shuts towel dried inc fuel filler area and tailgate shuts, both of them, wheels towel dried and tyres treated with Gyeon tyre gel

Done...

Now its lashing it down, again

[W00DY]

Very nice Dan, those brakes look brilliant. New grilles should be a big improvement.

[d_a_n1979]

W00DY said:

Very nice Dan, those brakes look brilliant. New grilles should be a big improvement.

Cheers pal

They’re impressive brakes TBH, work very well indeed!

They’ll be better once I upgrade the fronts back to OEM spec with decent pads and new lines/fluid all round

Yup, will get the grilles fitted soon, do not like those aftermarket ones at all