Some dealers don't have a clue!
Some dealers don't have a clue!
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N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Tuesday 16th July 2013
quotequote all
A short story about my introduction to the M6.

Having sold my car and needing a proper machine to drive around the UK on my hols, decided a nice M6 would fit the bill. Quick tour of the classifieds and found one at a Land Rover dealer near me. 55 plate in black, 40k miles, and all for under £20k. Too good to be true? scratchchin

Salesman rushes out and pounces on us within 5 secs, 'can I help you? which car are you interested in?' etc etc...... His eyes light up when M6 is mentioned and in a nano second he has the keys. 'Oh yes a very nice car, the previous owner traded it in for a C63. He couldn't find the right Land Rover to trade.'

So take the keys, check all the panels, wheels etc and sit in, put key in and start her up. I do not rev the bcensoreds out of performance engines so left it to warm up for a couple of minutes. Then gave it a quick rev up to hear the exhaust sound. Lovely cloud9 Other half - clueless about cars other than the colour - is stood outside and says to salesman 'is it a diesel?' yikes

Open the bonnet and listen to the Vanos units which are doing an impression of a John Bonham solo. Both are very loud so shut the bonnet and hand keys back. Explaining to said salesman that the pump has failed he said he would have it diagnosed and repaired at the local BMW specialist they use.

Today I called them having not heard anything to be told the car has been withdrawn from sale and is going to the auctions. The specialist agreed with my diagnosis and quoted the dealer £4,500 for a fix. Pointing out that these early cars had pump issues plus feed pipes they should have known all this. Sales manager replies, 'It was okay when I drove it. It has happened while it has been stood on the forecourt.'

Obviously did not occur to him that the now happy owner of a nice C63 may have had a reason to part-ex it???
So, my search continues. Happy days.

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Tuesday 16th July 2013
quotequote all
Those V10's are awesome engines but very highly strung and high maintenance.

Butter Face

34,273 posts

186 months

Tuesday 16th July 2013
quotequote all
And therein lies the issue with taking PX's that you're not acquainted with.

A colleague of mine took in an M3 Cab a few year back without checking the history properly and it had missed the running in service which is supposedly quite important! Cost us a bit to get shot of it..

Good luck finding an M6 that you're after, great car.

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

216 months

Tuesday 16th July 2013
quotequote all
Butter Face said:
And therein lies the issue with taking PX's that you're not acquainted with.

A colleague of mine took in an M3 Cab a few year back without checking the history properly and it had missed the running in service which is supposedly quite important! Cost us a bit to get shot of it..

Good luck finding an M6 that you're after, great car.
Yes, it is an important one and I can't understand why some of them were missed. They were free iirc.

Birdster

2,539 posts

169 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
Always like to learn more from those in the know. So had a google to find a video.

I know this is a different engine, but is it the loud tick that come and goes alongside the usual engine ticking over sound?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d9OFQADEOl4&deskt...

Thanks

Vladimir

6,917 posts

184 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
We bought an absolute howler of a Land Rover ( Defender 110 xs) from Harwoods. It had clearly (after owning it for a bit) been mercilessly thrashed and was only good for auction. When I complained and asked for advice on an on-line on a forum, they threatened me with legal action.

In the year we had it, everything broke; we thought Used Approved meant something but not in this case; it would amuse me if it was the same dealer...

We sold it and lost out financially but Harwoods did themselves some serious marketing damage within the LR Defender community.


Edited by Vladimir on Thursday 18th July 08:36

N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
Birdster said:
Always like to learn more from those in the know. So had a google to find a video.

I know this is a different engine, but is it the loud tick that come and goes alongside the usual engine ticking over sound?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d9OFQADEOl4&deskt...

Thanks
The noise is much louder than a 'tick'. It is similar to diesel knock and is so loud you can hear it inside the car. If in doubt, stand at the front of the engine then lean forward and listen to the top front of each bank. If only one is tapping loudly then it may be the Vanos unit (variable timing unit on the inlet camshaft) but if both are making a rattle, knock or loud tap then almost certainly the oil pump for this system.
There are lots of horror stories and complaints on the BMW forums too.

Birdster

2,539 posts

169 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for that. smile

BlackPorker

394 posts

201 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
The V10 in the M5/M6 can be noisy and rattly at idle (especially when cold). Even Tiff acknowledged this in a Fifth Gear review when the car was launched:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zYWOqm_Zkc&t=4...

I wouldn't say there's an issue with the car just because it's noisy on idle!

N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
BlackPorker said:
The V10 in the M5/M6 can be noisy and rattly at idle (especially when cold). Even Tiff acknowledged this in a Fifth Gear review when the car was launched:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zYWOqm_Zkc&t=4...

I wouldn't say there's an issue with the car just because it's noisy on idle!
Really? So German Autocare, myself and the Sytner BMW specialist are wrong then as the oil pressure has been tested and found to be too low.

Its gone to an auction if you want to buy it cheap!

Bigglez

147 posts

161 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
I think the key here is that the S85 actually isn't highly strung at all. It's a pretty bulletproof motor. The thrum at idle whilst a bit off putting is no way like what the OP has described.

For detective work try the V8 motor in the B6/7 Audi RS/S4. The timing chain rattles when you start it up. That's normal. But if it rattles for more than 2 seconds - uh oh!

The amount of poor sods who've had their engined munch itself because of not realising this is legendary.

When I bought my one of those you could always weed out the dodgy ones by saying up front - I want the car cold and I'm going to start it with the bonnet open.. Suddenly the owner was washing their hair/going away on business...



Edited by Bigglez on Thursday 18th July 21:47

N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Its all history now as far as an M6 goes as I bought a 2002 M3 with 27,000 miles on it. My third M3 and I just luv 'em cloud9

BlackPorker

394 posts

201 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
N7GTX said:
Really? So German Autocare, myself and the Sytner BMW specialist are wrong then as the oil pressure has been tested and found to be too low.

Its gone to an auction if you want to buy it cheap!
Nope they're not wrong. I'm just saying a noisy/rattly S85 does not necessarily indicate a problem! That's all...

Birdster

2,539 posts

169 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
N7GTX said:
Its all history now as far as an M6 goes as I bought a 2002 M3 with 27,000 miles on it. My third M3 and I just luv 'em cloud9
So that needs to be followed up with pics. Sound like a tidy low mileage car.

N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Birdster said:
So that needs to be followed up with pics. Sound like a tidy low mileage car.
The dealer has removed it from website so I will take some pics next week AFTER I have given it the Meguiars treatment. Imola red, black leather, fully reconditioned alloys, new tyres, discs, pads all round plus other stuff. Can't wait till I pick it up Tuesday.

It is one of the things I agree with Clarkson about - the best all round car IMO too.

Birdster

2,539 posts

169 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
quotequote all
Is that quite a rare colour. As I've only seen a few. They are normally silver, or black. Was it from a BMW dealer, or a specialist?

N7GTX

Original Poster:

8,288 posts

169 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
quotequote all
Birdster said:
Is that quite a rare colour. As I've only seen a few. They are normally silver, or black. Was it from a BMW dealer, or a specialist?
Fairly rare I suppose. Got it from a specialist dealer in Ripon, N Yorks. Last M3 was black and manual and before that an Estoril blue with grey interior but I hated the SMG box, just could not get to grips with it.

andygtt

8,345 posts

290 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Schermerhorn said:
Those V10's are awesome engines but very highly strung and high maintenance.
Expensive to fix if they go wrong yes, but high maintenance they are not!

BlackPorker

394 posts

201 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
andygtt said:
Schermerhorn said:
Those V10's are awesome engines but very highly strung and high maintenance.
Expensive to fix if they go wrong yes, but high maintenance they are not!
That's what the warranty is for. smile

I've just renewed my BMW Warranty until August 2014. Comprehensive cover with £250 excess cost me just over £600. Pretty good price and well worth it for peace of mind!

Edited by BlackPorker on Tuesday 23 July 10:31

wheelsmith

138 posts

168 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
N7GTX said:
A short story about my introduction to the M6.

Having sold my car and needing a proper machine to drive around the UK on my hols, decided a nice M6 would fit the bill. Quick tour of the classifieds and found one at a Land Rover dealer near me. 55 plate in black, 40k miles, and all for under £20k. Too good to be true? scratchchin

Salesman rushes out and pounces on us within 5 secs, 'can I help you? which car are you interested in?' etc etc...... His eyes light up when M6 is mentioned and in a nano second he has the keys. 'Oh yes a very nice car, the previous owner traded it in for a C63. He couldn't find the right Land Rover to trade.'

So take the keys, check all the panels, wheels etc and sit in, put key in and start her up. I do not rev the bcensoreds out of performance engines so left it to warm up for a couple of minutes. Then gave it a quick rev up to hear the exhaust sound. Lovely cloud9 Other half - clueless about cars other than the colour - is stood outside and says to salesman 'is it a diesel?' yikes

Open the bonnet and listen to the Vanos units which are doing an impression of a John Bonham solo. Both are very loud so shut the bonnet and hand keys back. Explaining to said salesman that the pump has failed he said he would have it diagnosed and repaired at the local BMW specialist they use.

Today I called them having not heard anything to be told the car has been withdrawn from sale and is going to the auctions. The specialist agreed with my diagnosis and quoted the dealer £4,500 for a fix. Pointing out that these early cars had pump issues plus feed pipes they should have known all this. Sales manager replies, 'It was okay when I drove it. It has happened while it has been stood on the forecourt.'

Obviously did not occur to him that the now happy owner of a nice C63 may have had a reason to part-ex it???
So, my search continues. Happy days.
possibly the smuggest post ever :-D