E61 V8 Bearding

[ATM]

mondeoman said:

It has a habit of slamming into first just before you come to a halt when breaking, that creates quite a jolt.

Mine does not do this.

[Jobbo]

The first gear jerk is a known issue with E60s throughout their lives, even when new. A software update or even just a reset might well cure that, at least temporarily.

[dom9]

Jobbo said:

The first gear jerk is a known issue with E60s throughout their lives, even when new. A software update or even just a reset might well cure that, at least temporarily.

I had this on my 545i...

Can't remember (may be documented in this thread) whether I fixed it by doing the reset (engine off, ignition on, accelerator to the floor) or whether it was the oil change and updates performed when I had the new plastic sump etc.

Either way - have had no issues since...

[dom9]

Doh - mine just failed the MOT on ARB drop-link boots being excessively worn or something... So they will be replaced this week, then a retest

However, other than that (and a fuel cap seal - just bought a brand new fuel cap from BMW for £20) there were no advisories etc.

Still need to book it in for someone to do the plugs and coils I bought but never fitted (as access is atrocious)!

[jboy72]

mondeoman said:

Aye did.
Having spent more time in it today, it isn't as smooth all round as the 545, transmission wise. It has a habit of slamming into first just before you come to a halt when breaking, that creates quite a jolt. And it takes a while to think about dropping a cog away from 1st/2nd gear crawling: eg Pootle round a roundabout behind a bus, try to accelerate and it seems to cough (metaphorically speaking), lurch and then launch.

And its not as linear as the 545, which was constant acceleration, this has a distinct jump at about 3k rpm - thats neither good nor bad, just an observation.

My e61 550i used to come to rest in 3rd. It also left junctions, roundabouts, lights etc in 3rd gear. Are you sure it is slamming into first? I also noticed the "lurch then launch" but assumed that must have something to do with traction. If you suddenly try to force 370 horses through the rear wheels it is only fair you give them a bit of time to get used to the idea!

Anyway, the good news is that the car looks absolutely lovely!!

[Collectingbrass]

So about a month ago I got myself an 04 plate 645i, Gorgeous car and it will do until Liz Hurley starts returning my calls. The only thing that is bugging me is where do you put your sunglasses*? I'm used to the knee cubby hole in the E39 where the OBD port is, but that's not present in this lovely car.

*Alright, reading glasses for the maps...

[ATM]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222314190921

[dom9]

That looks very nice in grey and one of the lowest milers we've had for a while! Presents nicely and probably well under half the price of a 550i with similar miles.

We all know the 545i SE Touring is the connoisseur's choice! Very nice.

I notice there is also a 40k miler with pano roof on for twice the cash...

[marmite monster]

ATM said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222314190921

I'm holding out for a manual..... could be a long wait lol

[ATM]

I destroyed a front tyre on my winter setup. Pinched the tyre wall on a rogue brick and it went down immediately - poof. So I decided to switch the car back to its new summer setup for now. Lucky I did because I found some nasty looking bulges on the back of one of the tyres.

The good news is the wheels are definitely genuine BMW wheels as they are stamped on the back.

Edited by ATM on Friday 5th April 19:42

[mondeoman]

Ouch!

[ATM]

mondeoman said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

Have we had this:

Reg Date 17/03/2009
130,850 Miles
£12,995.00

Carbon Black Metallic Paint,
Black Dakota Leather,
Sports Auto Transmission,
Detachable Towbar,
Rear Side Airbags,
USB Audio,
Media Pack with Professional Navigation and Bluetooth Telephone,
Logic 7 Hi-Fi System,
Visibility Pack with Adaptive Xenon Headlamps,
Sports Seats with Electric Adjustment and Memory Function,
Heated Seats,
Electric Folding Mirrors,
Lane departure Warning System,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262587990706

£10,995

£9,995

Sold, to me, at £9500

Ad still showing on eBay.

[mondeoman]

ATM said:

mondeoman said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

Have we had this:

Reg Date 17/03/2009
130,850 Miles
£12,995.00

Carbon Black Metallic Paint,
Black Dakota Leather,
Sports Auto Transmission,
Detachable Towbar,
Rear Side Airbags,
USB Audio,
Media Pack with Professional Navigation and Bluetooth Telephone,
Logic 7 Hi-Fi System,
Visibility Pack with Adaptive Xenon Headlamps,
Sports Seats with Electric Adjustment and Memory Function,
Heated Seats,
Electric Folding Mirrors,
Lane departure Warning System,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262587990706

£10,995

£9,995

Sold, to me, at £9500

Ad still showing on eBay.

I can guarantee its on my drive

[ATM]

mondeoman said:

ATM said:

mondeoman said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

ATM said:

Have we had this:

Reg Date 17/03/2009
130,850 Miles
£12,995.00

Carbon Black Metallic Paint,
Black Dakota Leather,
Sports Auto Transmission,
Detachable Towbar,
Rear Side Airbags,
USB Audio,
Media Pack with Professional Navigation and Bluetooth Telephone,
Logic 7 Hi-Fi System,
Visibility Pack with Adaptive Xenon Headlamps,
Sports Seats with Electric Adjustment and Memory Function,
Heated Seats,
Electric Folding Mirrors,
Lane departure Warning System,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262587990706

£10,995

£9,995

Sold, to me, at £9500

Ad still showing on eBay.

I can guarantee its on my drive

Pics man - come on!

[marmite monster]

ATM said:

Pics man - come on!

yes we need pics of this !!

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 5th April 19:43

[ATM]

So I've been trying out my summer setup earlier than expected. I got these tyres used off a friend who had them on his M3. Front tyres are 255 40 18 and rears are 275 40 18. So far so good. I'd like a new winter setup but haven't decided what to get just yet. Here is a before and after showing the sticky out Winters. I still cant understand why the garage did this.

Edited by ATM on Friday 5th April 19:43

[Theophany]

Collectingbrass said:

So about a month ago I got myself an 04 plate 645i, Gorgeous car and it will do until Liz Hurley starts returning my calls. The only thing that is bugging me is where do you put your sunglasses*? I'm used to the knee cubby hole in the E39 where the OBD port is, but that's not present in this lovely car.

*Alright, reading glasses for the maps...

Centre console armrest for me along with meter change purse, OBD reader, tyre depth gauge and various other assorted junk. Today has not been a fun day; went to Enfield to pick up the missus and I could see the iDrive was flickering out of the corner of my eye. 'No worries' I thought, 'it'll stop in a minute.' Two minutes down the road, big red icon and a bong sound to inform me that there was a charging fault. By this point I was on the North Circ and decided that whilst stopping to investigate may be the smart move, if I stop and can't get the old lump to turnover I'm in a spot of bother. The car has been known to randomly flag up a pretty serious error for no reason, only for it to go away a few miles later. Plus, given the way that turnover has been labouring for the last few weeks I figure the battery is on its last legs anyway.

40 minutes later, I've picked up the missus, gotten back to my little North London enclave, stuck at traffic lights and the old girl decides to go all HAL9000 on me. It cycles between ABS failure, DTC failure, Dynamic Drive failure and transmission failure all whilst killing off any electrical subsystems one-by-one. With rather sweaty palms and a few choice expletives hurled at dawdling drivers as the gearbox seemed to take a 'let's see if this cog fits' approach to changing gears, I managed to get parked up on the driveway. Knowing full well starting the car was not going to happen, I had a go anyway and got exactly what I expected.

Dropped a new AGM battery in the car, she woofles into life on first turn of the key and then, almost smugly, bongs with that big red bloody battery icon to say there was still a charging fault. Rather miffed at having just dropped £250 on a new battery, I found that EuroCarParts had an E6x OEM alternator on some Black Friday/Cyber Monday hangover sale. £420 off RRP and a shiny new alternator for £170 being delivered tomorrow.

[helix402]

Did you register the new battery with the car?

[Theophany]

helix402 said:

Did you register the new battery with the car?

No, but it's the same type and Ah rating, so once I can move the car without it going all Christmas tree on me I'll get my local indy to do the particulars. The alternator is giving an 11v reading on the multimeter though, so well below what it should be.