E61 530i - What should I be looking for? (Advice)

[axel1990chp]

Afternoon folks,

After being on the hunt for a large estate for some time - with plenty of trials and tribulations, I scouted an E61 530i for sale - it looks to good to be true, so I've reserved it!

57 plate - only 60,000 miles, 1 owner - all services complete barring one at Berry Chiswick (believe this is London based BMW?) Had some pictures through of the underneath and within the arches and it looks immaculate for the age, like its barely a year old.

I've done the usual youtube/internet trawling for some basic checks to go through which I intend to follow up on.
The car comes with a few receipts of work, so I'm curious if there any major flags I need to avoid or anything I should be looking to ensure its had done.

Ive done the usual MOT checks, a couple failures over the years - tyre sidewall, tyre bulge, Nearside rear wheel cracked (ill be checking this as it could be the cause of the previous tyre issues - but has passed numerous times since) and, fittingly.... Nearside & Offside repeaters not working... a BMW thing?

Heading down Saturday to scope it out with the hopes of being over the moon and driving it back home the same day.

Any info would be a huge benefit, so thanks in advance!

[bmwmike]

If it's the n53 engine check for evidence of injectors and coilpacks etc being done fairly recently. If it's cheap and seems too good to be true it probably needs a set of injectors. You need to see it cold start after standing all night, check exhaust for black smoke puff or blue smoke puff, both of which may mean leaky injector, as fuel leaks into the chamber overnight. It may start misfiring too. If the idle is smooth and no smoke, may be ok.

If it's n52 less issues.

2007 is cut over for n52 then later n53 so it could be either.

[axel1990chp]

bmwmike said:

If it's the n53 engine check for evidence of injectors and coilpacks etc being done fairly recently. If it's cheap and seems too good to be true it probably needs a set of injectors. You need to see it cold start after standing all night, check exhaust for black smoke puff or blue smoke puff, both of which may mean leaky injector, as fuel leaks into the chamber overnight. It may start misfiring too. If the idle is smooth and no smoke, may be ok.

If it's n52 less issues.

2007 is cut over for n52 then later n53 so it could be either.

Hey Mike. December 07 date, with 275bhp quoted, I think I'm correct in saying thats the N53?

I queried the seller on injectors and I have been told that all were removed and cleaned, 1 replaced under service.

Thank you for the tip, ill definitely be asking for a cold startup!
Do these suffer with coking and need walnut blasting at all?

[Court_S]

axel1990chp said:

Hey Mike. December 07 date, with 275bhp quoted, I think I'm correct in saying thats the N53?

I queried the seller on injectors and I have been told that all were removed and cleaned, 1 replaced under service.

Thank you for the tip, ill definitely be asking for a cold startup!
Do these suffer with coking and need walnut blasting at all?

Also ask re the High Pressure Fuel Pump and history of that being changed since they’re quite expensive although a drop in the ocean compared to six of the latest injectors. I believe the NOX sensor can cause issues on the N53.

They’re a direct injection engine so will probably suffer coking; my N54 was pretty bad when I had that walnut blasted.

Like any BMW, oil leaks are a common issue too (oil filter housing, oil cooler, rocker cover and sump are the common spots).

[bmwmike]

axel1990chp said:

bmwmike said:

If it's the n53 engine check for evidence of injectors and coilpacks etc being done fairly recently. If it's cheap and seems too good to be true it probably needs a set of injectors. You need to see it cold start after standing all night, check exhaust for black smoke puff or blue smoke puff, both of which may mean leaky injector, as fuel leaks into the chamber overnight. It may start misfiring too. If the idle is smooth and no smoke, may be ok.

If it's n52 less issues.

2007 is cut over for n52 then later n53 so it could be either.

Hey Mike. December 07 date, with 275bhp quoted, I think I'm correct in saying thats the N53?

I queried the seller on injectors and I have been told that all were removed and cleaned, 1 replaced under service.

Thank you for the tip, ill definitely be asking for a cold startup!
Do these suffer with coking and need walnut blasting at all?

First up the injectors can't be cleaned or refurbed so that would be a red flag to me, as they are trying to solve a problem of some sort. Why else would they clean em?

Second yes n53 can coke up but mine showed minimal at 85k when I sold it. DI turbo are worse for coking up.

Nox sensor is another expensive item on these. If you test drive it, reset the mpg and should show 23mpg thereabouts after 20 mins or so test drive, higher on motorway. If it's under 19mpg it's probably not running stratified and it may need a nox sensor.

Even better take a code reader and read the codes after it's been driven.

I loved my n53, one of BMW's best nasp six petrols imo but... They can throw some expensive bills and ultimately why I let mine go - injectors are 300 odd quid a pop and there are six of them. Mine was showing a little glitch and off it went to the great auction house in the sky..

Edited by bmwmike on Tuesday 1st August 18:26

[axel1990chp]

Court_S said:

Also ask re the High Pressure Fuel Pump and history of that being changed since they’re quite expensive although a drop in the ocean compared to six of the latest injectors. I believe the NOX sensor can cause issues on the N53.

They’re a direct injection engine so will probably suffer coking; my N54 was pretty bad when I had that walnut blasted.

Like any BMW, oil leaks are a common issue too (oil filter housing, oil cooler, rocker cover and sump are the common spots).

Hey man, really enjoy reading your readers Cars threads, seriously jealous with the man mechanic understanding, lovely to see! Maybe I’ll finally have my own readers car in the form of a touring like yourself by weeks end!

Thanks for raising those points, the HPFP was something that there is a receipt for if I remember rightly, but that could be me mistaking it for a previous car I’ve viewed! I’ll definitely raise questions and do some digging on the NOX sensor!

I’ve made a request to have the car cold and not moved from its spot until I’m there, so hopefully I’ll catch any obvious leaks and spot a dodgy start up.

bmwmike said:

First up the injectors can't be cleaned or refurbed so that would be a red flag to me, as they are trying to solve a problem of some sort. Why else would they clean em?

Second yes n53 can coke up but mine showed minimal at 85k when I sold it. DI turbo are worse for coking up.

Nox sensor is another expensive item on these. If you test drive it, reset the mpg and should show 23mpg thereabouts after 20 mins or so test drive, higher on motorway. If it's under 19mpg it's probably not running stratified and it may need a nox sensor.

Even better take a code reader and read the codes after it's been driven.

I loved my n53, one of BMW's best nasp six petrols imo but... They can throw some expensive bills and ultimately why I let mine go - injectors are 300 odd quid a pop and there are six of them. Mine was showing a little glitch and off it went to the great auction house in the sky..

Edited by bmwmike on Tuesday 1st August 18:26

Thanks again Mike, as above I’ve requested a fresh coke start when I arrive with a reasonably long solo test drive, so I’ll keep an eye out for these things, but excellent trick on the MPG, I’ll have to figure out how to reset it as a newbie to a BMW.

I just had a little look at the Carly app to plug In, can actually get one locally from someone for the trip by complete chance, I’ll Take your recommendation as a go for that one! Cheers! Is there any sort of codes that raise the red flag of get the hell out of dodge?

[axel1990chp]

bmwmike said:

First up the injectors can't be cleaned or refurbed so that would be a red flag to me, as they are trying to solve a problem of some sort. Why else would they clean em?

Edited by bmwmike on Tuesday 1st August 18:26

Just checked the email, he’s replaced a plug - all injectors were changed in 2021. My bad! That’s a relief

[Court_S]

axel1990chp said:

Just checked the email, he’s replaced a plug - all injectors were changed in 2021. My bad! That’s a relief

That’s potentially really good; new or used ones? New is a big old bill.

[oldaudi]

Is this oil cooler gasket a problem on these. Easy cheap fix but mine was leaking and provided a nice oil burning smell until it was fixed.

This was on a n52 in a 630 but it looks like the n53 has it in exactly the same place

Edited by oldaudi on Wednesday 2nd August 08:06

[axel1990chp]

I've got a few oil leak areas to keep a check up on so it would seem!

Appreciate these responses guys, i'm seriously excited by this, so much that I think I might even jump in feet first but i'll reign it in!

Injector is new which is a bonus!

Cant get hold of a reader in time for tomorrow which is a minor hit, but i've got it for when im back and can give it a check over and a full service!

How's the operation of changing from Run flats to normal tyres?

[d_a_n1979]

axel1990chp said:

I've got a few oil leak areas to keep a check up on so it would seem!

Appreciate these responses guys, i'm seriously excited by this, so much that I think I might even jump in feet first but i'll reign it in!

Injector is new which is a bonus!

Cant get hold of a reader in time for tomorrow which is a minor hit, but i've got it for when im back and can give it a check over and a full service!

How's the operation of changing from Run flats to normal tyres?

You could get this delivered by 1pm tomorrow if you order ASAP:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Battery-Registrat...

It's a great code reader and small enough to keep in the car at all times too

Re RFTs to non RFTs; no operation. Get them fitted, reap the rewards of a quieter, smoother drive with better handling and no tramlining

[axel1990chp]

d_a_n1979 said:

You could get this delivered by 1pm tomorrow if you order ASAP:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Battery-Registrat...

It's a great code reader and small enough to keep in the car at all times too

Re RFTs to non RFTs; no operation. Get them fitted, reap the rewards of a quieter, smoother drive with better handling and no tramlining

Legend, Dan!

The perks of Amazon Prime!

Will report back tomorrow eve!

[Collectingbrass]

As its a fairly common platform the E63 buying guide could be worth a read

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...

[d_a_n1979]

axel1990chp said:

d_a_n1979 said:

You could get this delivered by 1pm tomorrow if you order ASAP:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Battery-Registrat...

It's a great code reader and small enough to keep in the car at all times too

Re RFTs to non RFTs; no operation. Get them fitted, reap the rewards of a quieter, smoother drive with better handling and no tramlining

Legend, Dan!

The perks of Amazon Prime!

Will report back tomorrow eve!

Yup; let us know how you get on...

I had the Creator C310 for my E39s; but bought the C410 for when I went to 2nd test drive my F31 as wanted to read the codes whilst I was out & about

Does a great job and easy to use; gives great peace of mind etc!

[axel1990chp]

Well I bought it.

Absolutely immaculate condition for the age, inside and out.
Minor stone chip at the front, slight peeling around door handle at the passenger rear, some dirt ingress into the rear lights and the top “lip” if you like. Nothing some elbow grease won’t whip up.

Car performed excellent, no major faults within the reader. Just 1 AC sensor that seems, after a quick google, to be a fairly pain free and cost limited fix.

Walked away with 300 quid left over from the asking price. That will head nicely towards chucking some MP4S all around and rid of the RFTs!

Thanks for all the advice people! I’ll post a photo of it when I get some time tomorrow along with the faults that came up.

In love with it! Now I just need a fitting name for her, I’m thinking Bertha!

[d_a_n1979]

axel1990chp said:

Well I bought it.

Absolutely immaculate condition for the age, inside and out.
Minor stone chip at the front, slight peeling around door handle at the passenger rear, some dirt ingress into the rear lights and the top “lip” if you like. Nothing some elbow grease won’t whip up.

Car performed excellent, no major faults within the reader. Just 1 AC sensor that seems, after a quick google, to be a fairly pain free and cost limited fix.

Walked away with 300 quid left over from the asking price. That will head nicely towards chucking some MP4S all around and rid of the RFTs!

Thanks for all the advice people! I’ll post a photo of it when I get some time tomorrow along with the faults that came up.

In love with it! Now I just need a fitting name for her, I’m thinking Bertha!

Great news; don't name it, just drive it

[Court_S]

axel1990chp said:

Well I bought it.

Absolutely immaculate condition for the age, inside and out.
Minor stone chip at the front, slight peeling around door handle at the passenger rear, some dirt ingress into the rear lights and the top “lip” if you like. Nothing some elbow grease won’t whip up.

Car performed excellent, no major faults within the reader. Just 1 AC sensor that seems, after a quick google, to be a fairly pain free and cost limited fix.

Walked away with 300 quid left over from the asking price. That will head nicely towards chucking some MP4S all around and rid of the RFTs!

Thanks for all the advice people! I’ll post a photo of it when I get some time tomorrow along with the faults that came up.

In love with it! Now I just need a fitting name for her, I’m thinking Bertha!

Good stuff, sounds like a good car.

Ditching the RFT’s is a good call.

[d_a_n1979]

axel1990chp said:

Well I bought it.

Absolutely immaculate condition for the age, inside and out.
Minor stone chip at the front, slight peeling around door handle at the passenger rear, some dirt ingress into the rear lights and the top “lip” if you like. Nothing some elbow grease won’t whip up.

Car performed excellent, no major faults within the reader. Just 1 AC sensor that seems, after a quick google, to be a fairly pain free and cost limited fix.

Walked away with 300 quid left over from the asking price. That will head nicely towards chucking some MP4S all around and rid of the RFTs!

Thanks for all the advice people! I’ll post a photo of it when I get some time tomorrow along with the faults that came up.

In love with it! Now I just need a fitting name for her, I’m thinking Bertha!

Can I just add one thing....

[axel1990chp]

Hahaha sorry folks!

I’m having a manic week prepping for a festival and trying to get my old car cleaned up to stick on the motorway.

I’ll grab an awful one in the work car park and stick it on this evening!

In for alignment this evening as it’s slightly pulling to the left when the suspension is decompressing. Will order some new rubber for it at the same time.

Stuck the rear netting up this morning, to add to the grandad persona.

In love

[axel1990chp]

As above! Apologies for the poor rushed picture, I may start a little readers thread as I dive into the car!

I’m not that mechanically savvy when it comes to the nitty gritty, but I aren’t stupid either! I’m looking forward to what this car brings

Just popped in for alignment check and it’s fine, so the pulling is coming elsewhere (it’s only minor). A quick google suggests tie rods may be a place to look!