E61 V8 Bearding

E61 V8 Bearding

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Discussion

men3cac

39 posts

190 months

Thursday 7th April 2016
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Jobbo said:
I nearly did on my 545i - I found an Alpina B5 exhaust at a very good price which I was told bolts straight on. I'm not sure whether it does because my gearbox went before I committed to the purchase (replaced under warranty, but it distracted me from modifications).
I've looked into this as there is one on eBay at the moment. According to realoem and the Alpina parts catalogue, the diameters are different between the two exhausts (assuming you'd keep the stock manifold). Nothing an exhaust place couldn't sort fairly easily, they're only 10 mm different on each bank

ATM

Original Poster:

18,299 posts

220 months

Sunday 10th April 2016
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I thought I'd switch to my summer wheel and tyre setup today but it didn't work.


I tried offering up one of the rear wheels but I think it's way too wide. It was catching the arch liner so I tried a 15 mm spacer and then it stuck out past the wing by about an inch.


hashtag

1,116 posts

155 months

Sunday 10th April 2016
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ATM said:
I thought I'd switch to my summer wheel and tyre setup today but it didn't work.


I tried offering up one of the rear wheels but I think it's way too wide. It was catching the arch liner so I tried a 15 mm spacer and then it stuck out past the wing by about an inch.
What size are the wheels?

ATM

Original Poster:

18,299 posts

220 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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hashtag said:
ATM said:
I thought I'd switch to my summer wheel and tyre setup today but it didn't work.


I tried offering up one of the rear wheels but I think it's way too wide. It was catching the arch liner so I tried a 15 mm spacer and then it stuck out past the wing by about an inch.
What size are the wheels?
Try this

http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=265&amp...

I've currently got:

265 35 18

10 inch

40 offset with a 15 mm spacer

The new ones are

295 30 19

10.5 inch

25 mm offset

hashtag

1,116 posts

155 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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philmots said:
The relay should of been changed with compressor really depending on where you got it from?

As should the solenoid valve, it's generally the solenoid valve that causes issues, my suspension was all over the place and the valve fixed mine, it's the only thing reaponsibe for air distribution side to side, it gets its info from the sensors. The pump is 'dumb' as long as it turns on and off that bit is working fine it's the other cheaper bits that are attached to it.

I've had a new solenoid valve, and replaced the seized links too on mine for over a year now and I've not had one issue with it. Works flawlessly.
The parts were fitted by BMW by the previous owner, so assume all required parts were fitted.

The pump is working as I would expect.

I suspect it may be a sensor on the links (?), does anyone know the part numbers for the links. I have studied RealOEM and a none the wiser!

The suspension appears to be functioning correctly.

regards

philmots

4,631 posts

261 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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It may be worth trying to get some good access to the links.

You can get to them easily if take the rear wheels off or if the cars in the air. See what they're like for movement, the ball in the joints on mine had swollen up with water and salt etc and it was seized solid into the arm so there was zero movement.

Because the links weren't allowing free movement of the sensors it would never sit right side to side, and sometimes would dip right down on one side.

Replacing the solenoid fixed one of my problems, replacing the links sorted the other!

ian_cab28

207 posts

218 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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Agreed, thought they'd be stampede for this, the magic seats, special leather, pronav, and panroof. Low mileage, potential modern classic status. Sensible price as well. Regards comments on DDC fault, could be something simple sensory. Better that than blue smokescreen of death!

Risk is that trader 550 sport with the engine knock at a similar price



Jobbo said:
That 39k miler looks a potential bargain even at the asking price. It even has exclusive nappa leather (which extends onto the centre console edges) - that's by far the nicest hide available on the E61. Does look like it's missing seat heating mind you.

smashie

685 posts

152 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
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Looks like I am going to have to try and trace a coolant leak. Not spotted any wet patches. Guess I will see if my guy can pressurise the system and find the leak if I cannot see anything over the weekend. Also air con is no longer cold. Could just need a re-gas, could also be a leak, or the Condenser. Last time my air con stopped going cold (mk5 golf), I had holed the condenser.
When is this car just going to let me enjoy it!

philmots

4,631 posts

261 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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Hah..

I had mine pressurised after I bought it at my Indy as let of my new car check up.. It needed a new coolant temperature sensor on the radiator as it had a slight leak. It was only about £12.

I've also had a holed condensor so that's been replaced too. It wasn't too expensive either about £120 for the genuine Behr part, local mobile Aircon guy fitted and gassed it.

Theophany

1,069 posts

131 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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smashie said:
Looks like I am going to have to try and trace a coolant leak. Not spotted any wet patches. Guess I will see if my guy can pressurise the system and find the leak if I cannot see anything over the weekend. Also air con is no longer cold. Could just need a re-gas, could also be a leak, or the Condenser. Last time my air con stopped going cold (mk5 golf), I had holed the condenser.
When is this car just going to let me enjoy it!
Assuming it's not a cracked expansion tank, I'd suggest checking your water pump just to be safe - weeping from behind the timing belt is the telltale sign.

Edited by Theophany on Wednesday 13th April 09:07

smashie

685 posts

152 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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Well just been to that place that you don't take your car to so I could get the air con re-gassed. It holds a vacuum, but is not performing to scratch so no charge. They reckon it could be a sensor. Going to get my guy to see what he can find.
With regards to the leak, I can see water/coolant (not tasted it) dripping from the bottom of the drivers side wheel arch. I can;t seem to locate where it is starting from so going to hand that to my guy as well as the track rod end ball joints that could do with replacement. One was an advisory on the MOT and it explains why I could feel some vibrations from that side (wheels were balanced and aligned fine).

Edited to add: The expansion tank should not be cracked as it is a genuine BMW part that I put in less than 6 months ago due to a huge crack in the other one.

AlasdairB10

141 posts

192 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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smashie said:
Edited to add: The expansion tank should not be cracked as it is a genuine BMW part that I put in less than 6 months ago due to a huge crack in the other one.
The other thing to rule out is a very thin pipe that runs along the top of the radiator - some sort of recirculation pipe. Mine let go on one of the plastic l bends and was fixed by roadside assist. The part was fairly cheap and I'd had a few unexplained leaks prior.

Jobbo

12,972 posts

265 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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AlasdairB10 said:
The other thing to rule out is a very thin pipe that runs along the top of the radiator - some sort of recirculation pipe. Mine let go on one of the plastic l bends and was fixed by roadside assist. The part was fairly cheap and I'd had a few unexplained leaks prior.
That went on mine too - it had popped out of the clips and was sliced by the fan when that came on as I sat in a queue. Glad I spotted the cloud of steam and switched off!

smashie

685 posts

152 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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Checked the thin pipe and all seems good. Turns out that after driving the car today, I have not lost any coolant. That means I got to keep checking after each drive to see if I lose anything.

trickywoo

11,809 posts

231 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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Just revisiting the brake discussion I picked up this for £26. Brand new boxed and from a reputable seler. Arrived next day. I did have to spend £60 with another company to get a matching pair as the £26 company only had one left, which I suspect was why it was a bargain.

Haven't fitted it yet but from all research the Brembo part number 09.9355.11 is the correct one. For all you beards the 11 on the end denotes its UV coated which is a superior anti corrosion treatment and is covering all the internal venting too. If I understand correctly it doesn't need to be cleaned off the faces before bedding in.

No messy oil and looks good.

If I was planning on going through some discs I'd be googling for bargains and stockpiling - £26 what a steal!

philmots

4,631 posts

261 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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Bargain.

I knew my rear pads were wearing a bit thin so started looking about.

Found the genuine BMW pads and sensor on eBay at a BMW dealer at £30 so I snapped them up! I'm not sure how much they are normally but that seemed reasonable.

hashtag

1,116 posts

155 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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trickywoo said:


Just revisiting the brake discussion I picked up this for £26. Brand new boxed and from a reputable seler. Arrived next day. I did have to spend £60 with another company to get a matching pair as the £26 company only had one left, which I suspect was why it was a bargain.

Haven't fitted it yet but from all research the Brembo part number 09.9355.11 is the correct one. For all you beards the 11 on the end denotes its UV coated which is a superior anti corrosion treatment and is covering all the internal venting too. If I understand correctly it doesn't need to be cleaned off the faces before bedding in.

No messy oil and looks good.

If I was planning on going through some discs I'd be googling for bargains and stockpiling - £26 what a steal!
£67.98 delivered per pair from Mister-Auto.co.uk

Are the front and rear the same?

hashtag

1,116 posts

155 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
quotequote all
hashtag said:
trickywoo said:


Just revisiting the brake discussion I picked up this for £26. Brand new boxed and from a reputable seler. Arrived next day. I did have to spend £60 with another company to get a matching pair as the £26 company only had one left, which I suspect was why it was a bargain.

Haven't fitted it yet but from all research the Brembo part number 09.9355.11 is the correct one. For all you beards the 11 on the end denotes its UV coated which is a superior anti corrosion treatment and is covering all the internal venting too. If I understand correctly it doesn't need to be cleaned off the faces before bedding in.

No messy oil and looks good.

If I was planning on going through some discs I'd be googling for bargains and stockpiling - £26 what a steal!
£67.98 delivered per pair from Mister-Auto.co.uk

Are the front and rear the same?
However Brembo do not list them to fit a 545, or a 550

Lurking

43 posts

158 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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So after an expensive few initial months my 545 had been behaving well, then I had two warnings about the cat and it went into limp home mode. Turning it off and restarting cleared the fault. I got PMW to take a look who thought it was a failed coil - replaced one and no more warnings until a couple of days ago. Again a quick off and on sorted it.
Common cause seems to be cold weather - has anyone else experienced this?

On a more positive note, I took it on a proper 'leg stretcher' up to North wales with the family - loaded to roof with gubbins for a 7 month old. Performed perfectly - soothing when required, but a nice thump in the back when you need it. There is something very satisfying about being able to move so much stuff so quickly! Highlights were fast A-roads in North Wales and making 'good progress' on the M6 toll.

Next outing is a trip to Spa for WEC.......

trickywoo

11,809 posts

231 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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hashtag said:
£67.98 delivered per pair from Mister-Auto.co.uk

Are the front and rear the same?
Fronts are 348mm and pretty sure the £67 is each but they sell in pairs.