E61 V8 Bearding
Discussion
Spuffington said:
jboy72 said:
Ellieb10 said:
My E61 545i has adaptive drive - I find it the only thing I really dislike about the car. Why BMW thought lighter steering at speed is desirable is beyond me. Perhaps the 550i's steering is recalibrated? Anyway, I run an Alpina B5 alignment pattern which makes a slight improvement.
I'm interested in a slightly more expressive back box too. Thought about the mod where you pull some of the wadding out and reweld the back boxes but decided it was too ghetto.
Do you perhaps have active steering rather than adaptive drive? I have never heard a bad word said about adaptive drive... plus I think it adjusts the suspension rather than the steering rack...I'm interested in a slightly more expressive back box too. Thought about the mod where you pull some of the wadding out and reweld the back boxes but decided it was too ghetto.
Edited by jboy72 on Thursday 30th July 16:48
Ok, so not unlikely that you could have Active Steering AND Adaptive Drive but I would suggest it's the former which will make the steering light, not the latter. Never had any issue with mine and made the 550i SO much more comfortable and capable than my 535d lci.
Another E61 545i owner here 
I've had it a few months ready for the arrival of first kid.
Very happy with, can throw loads in the back, waft round the M25 and then when you floor it.
Still need to sort out the mystery of the cables in the glove box so I can listen to MP3s (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1526781&nmt=another+e60%5Ce61+blue+tooth+question%2E%2E%2E%2E&mid=245638) but very happy otherwise.
I've had it a few months ready for the arrival of first kid.Very happy with, can throw loads in the back, waft round the M25 and then
when you floor it.Still need to sort out the mystery of the cables in the glove box so I can listen to MP3s (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1526781&nmt=another+e60%5Ce61+blue+tooth+question%2E%2E%2E%2E&mid=245638) but very happy otherwise.
Lurking said:
Another E61 545i owner here I've had it a few months ready for the arrival of first kid.
Very happy with, can throw loads in the back, waft round the M25 and then when you floor it.
Still need to sort out the mystery of the cables in the glove box so I can listen to MP3s (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1526781&nmt=another+e60%5Ce61+blue+tooth+question%2E%2E%2E%2E&mid=245638) but very happy otherwise.
Does that make us 2 of 8? The guy who sold me my car reckoned there were only 8 left in the UK... Not sure if that was e61 545i or SE spec or what though!? I've had it a few months ready for the arrival of first kid.Very happy with, can throw loads in the back, waft round the M25 and then
when you floor it.Still need to sort out the mystery of the cables in the glove box so I can listen to MP3s (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1526781&nmt=another+e60%5Ce61+blue+tooth+question%2E%2E%2E%2E&mid=245638) but very happy otherwise.
jboy72 said:
Do you perhaps have active steering rather than adaptive drive? I have never heard a bad word said about adaptive drive... plus I think it adjusts the suspension rather than the steering rack...
My bad Jboy - I've got "S217 dynamic steering" and "S229A active drive" but the steering is the one that bugs me the most (obviously). Today I have learnt to concentrate more when reading the forums. Edited by jboy72 on Thursday 30th July 16:48
Edited by Ellieb10 on Friday 31st July 15:33
Edited by Ellieb10 on Friday 31st July 15:42
Ellieb10 said:
My bad Jboy - I've got "S217 dynamic steering" and "S229A active drive" but the steering is the one that bugs me the most (obviously). Today I have learnt to concentrate more when reading the forums.
Interesting - I must admit I had heard of neither! But I get the idea - I am not too fond of my "active steering". Unfortunately for me the only thing I really get to contrast it with is the steering in my Alfa 156 which is old school, direct, lightly assisted, 2.2 turns lock to lock near-perfection. Hardly a fair fight really.Edited by Ellieb10 on Friday 31st July 15:33
Edited by Ellieb10 on Friday 31st July 15:42
Lurking said:
@dom9 I think there are only 7 manual 545i E61's still on the road from last time I looked at the how many left web site
How long have you had yours?
Mine is an auto (actually wanted it as it's around town most of the time and on motorway and dog duties) and I've only had it a couple of months but I LOVE it! The new exhaust gives it such a menacing growl and in SE spec, it's a bit of a sleeper!How long have you had yours?
philmots said:
ATM said:
I just had a brief interaction with a 2007 530i e61. The demonstration was swiftly over.
How do you find it compares with other stuff you've had? I'm getting various messages popping up on the screen which could be worrying if these things bother you. I've had it 2 weeks and so far I've had these:
Engage Park - every time I stop
Oil level - not checked it
Reverse light bulb failure
Airbag warning
You've had an oil warning yet you haven't checked the level? The mind boggles.
Of the many aspects of this car that are impressive to me, one is the fact that it absolutely does not use any oil. All my six pot Beemers have enjoyed a drink, the V8 doesn't drink a drop.
So... I'd check it out.
Of the many aspects of this car that are impressive to me, one is the fact that it absolutely does not use any oil. All my six pot Beemers have enjoyed a drink, the V8 doesn't drink a drop.
So... I'd check it out.
I had a low water warning one morning... Topped off the header tank and that hasn't reappeared... Can't see a leak and it doesn't seem to be steaming though!?
Quite often get a PDC failure that clears itself. Probably the fairly common 'bad connection' with one of the parking sensors. Has behaved recently.
Last night the transmission threw up a warning and locked itself in 3rd/ 4th.
Didn't fancy cruising for hours on the motorway at 4,500-5,000rpm so pulled over and turned the ignition off.
Restarted and that seemed to have cleared itself fine. Think it got confused with some heavy-footed inputs in the overtaking lane.
Otherwise, did a few hundred miles yesterday, returning from Crete and having to pick up the monster and was as effortless and comfortable as always!
Quite often get a PDC failure that clears itself. Probably the fairly common 'bad connection' with one of the parking sensors. Has behaved recently.
Last night the transmission threw up a warning and locked itself in 3rd/ 4th.
Didn't fancy cruising for hours on the motorway at 4,500-5,000rpm so pulled over and turned the ignition off.
Restarted and that seemed to have cleared itself fine. Think it got confused with some heavy-footed inputs in the overtaking lane.
Otherwise, did a few hundred miles yesterday, returning from Crete and having to pick up the monster and was as effortless and comfortable as always!
Wow, the oil level i'd be checking asap, you can do it through the idrive or if you're like me and don't trust it there's a dipstick hiding at the back of engine..
Are the other warnings just at random? Have you actually checked the reverse lights? It could be the wiring in the boot hinges but if it's seemingly at random and combined with the other errors I'd be looking at the battery, they're properly sensitive to tired batteries. If it's never had one it will need one now.
Are the other warnings just at random? Have you actually checked the reverse lights? It could be the wiring in the boot hinges but if it's seemingly at random and combined with the other errors I'd be looking at the battery, they're properly sensitive to tired batteries. If it's never had one it will need one now.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff