E60 BMW 5 series on a shoestring
Discussion
Had a buckled 20" Range Rover wheel straightened out which then cracked the wheel. Had it welded up and it has been fine for 10k miles on low profile tyres with 750kg of Range Rover on it (assuming 3ton total weight). Some people are overly cautious about these things I think. Obviously depends on the crack but if its just the edge it should be fine to be welded.
I have been somewhat looking at these as my current E46 330i touring just isnt large enough inside. How would you say the space would be for rear passengers with a 6'4" driver?
I have been somewhat looking at these as my current E46 330i touring just isnt large enough inside. How would you say the space would be for rear passengers with a 6'4" driver?
Ok I'll look into wheel repair and refurb today. I could probably get it welded and all 4 wheels refurbed for the cost of 1 new wheel
Slow said:
I have been somewhat looking at these as my current E46 330i touring just isnt large enough inside. How would you say the space would be for rear passengers with a 6'4" driver?
There is probably a few inches more leg room than a 3 series, a noticeable difference but not hugeRegarding the wheel welding, I think you'll struggle to find many BMW's of this era fitted with 18's or 19's which haven't experienced cracked wheels at some point.
As long as the repair has been done to a decent standard, balances and holds air, then i'd be happy enough.
However, the local alloy refurbers did say that once a wheel had cracked, they usually go again eventually once repaired....how true that is i don't know but the struggle is real!
Yours truly, a 3 series on 8.5" wide, 19" on 30 series profile rubber owner.
As long as the repair has been done to a decent standard, balances and holds air, then i'd be happy enough.
However, the local alloy refurbers did say that once a wheel had cracked, they usually go again eventually once repaired....how true that is i don't know but the struggle is real!
Yours truly, a 3 series on 8.5" wide, 19" on 30 series profile rubber owner.
I have just been quoted £360 for a new wheel and £400 for a full 4 wheel refurb and welding of the cracked wheel. I think I'll go for the refurb as the other wheels could do with tidying up
Thinking about getting the paint work detailed, or whether I could improve the appearance of the paintwork myself, as a complete novice
Thinking about getting the paint work detailed, or whether I could improve the appearance of the paintwork myself, as a complete novice
Thanks for the advice on the cam cover
Yes I know there will be some costs in getting this car to a reasonable standard, but this was factored in prior to the purchase and was reflected in the price
I am hoping to have this car purchased and tidied up for less than 12 months PCP payments on the F30.
I have ordered a new bonnet roundel / badge today, £3.98. The original has seen better days
Yes I know there will be some costs in getting this car to a reasonable standard, but this was factored in prior to the purchase and was reflected in the price
I am hoping to have this car purchased and tidied up for less than 12 months PCP payments on the F30.
I have ordered a new bonnet roundel / badge today, £3.98. The original has seen better days
I have a very similar car, 2004 530i SE (I think the only real difference is that mine is a manual, as it looks like an almost identical spec) I bought my car about 18 months, having come from running virtually new company cars for the past 5/6 years.
Mine had 100k when I bought it and is now just under 120k. I've not had any real problems but a few points that may prove helpful:
-i was told that it's worth changing out the water pump (I didn't research this-just figured I might as well do it- so could be wrong, I was also advised to use OEM pump from BMW).
-One of my water hoses broke at the join -hard to explain properly without photographs- and the car dumped all of its water in a dramatic cloud of steam, leaving me stranded roadside. You can purchase all replacement pipes from BMW for about £150 and I would highly recommend that you do-getting stranded is no fun and tends to ruin any bond you might have with the car.
-Mine developed a very sudden misfire which proved to be a coil. Bosch replacements were about £23 each so I just did all of them, apparently a pretty common failure.
Other than that I've done 20k miles of daily use with no further issues whatsoever. The car had FBMWSH when I bought it and I've continued the servicing using a local BM specialist who seems to think that it's one of the most bombproof cars BM have made-Enjoy!
Oh, and I also had to do cam cover and oil filter base gaskets as it had a small leak.
Mine had 100k when I bought it and is now just under 120k. I've not had any real problems but a few points that may prove helpful:
-i was told that it's worth changing out the water pump (I didn't research this-just figured I might as well do it- so could be wrong, I was also advised to use OEM pump from BMW).
-One of my water hoses broke at the join -hard to explain properly without photographs- and the car dumped all of its water in a dramatic cloud of steam, leaving me stranded roadside. You can purchase all replacement pipes from BMW for about £150 and I would highly recommend that you do-getting stranded is no fun and tends to ruin any bond you might have with the car.
-Mine developed a very sudden misfire which proved to be a coil. Bosch replacements were about £23 each so I just did all of them, apparently a pretty common failure.
Other than that I've done 20k miles of daily use with no further issues whatsoever. The car had FBMWSH when I bought it and I've continued the servicing using a local BM specialist who seems to think that it's one of the most bombproof cars BM have made-Enjoy!
Oh, and I also had to do cam cover and oil filter base gaskets as it had a small leak.
How bad is the cam cover leak? If this is being run on a shoestring then I'd be tempted to leave it and keep an eye on the oil.
My e36 M3 leaks from the same gasket (or somewhere very nearby...) and it doesn't use a drop of oil between services (which to be fair are yearly/6000 miles) so the actual amount of oil loss is negligible.
My e36 M3 leaks from the same gasket (or somewhere very nearby...) and it doesn't use a drop of oil between services (which to be fair are yearly/6000 miles) so the actual amount of oil loss is negligible.
clio007 said:
You will probably end up spending 50% of the purchase price on tidying it up and fixing bits and pieces. Doesn't sound that appealing to me
You could quite easily spend 1300 quid on a 5k motor tidying up and fixing bits.The point is, after his spend, the OP is going to have a cracking example, and it looks like it´ll come in at less than 4k, plus a) he´ll know the work has been done, and b) it will have been done recently.
I can see the logic.
Barchettaman said:
You could quite easily spend 1300 quid on a 5k motor tidying up and fixing bits.
The point is, after his spend, the OP is going to have a cracking example, and it looks like it´ll come in at less than 4k, plus a) he´ll know the work has been done, and b) it will have been done recently.
I can see the logic.
AND...he will actually own the car after 3 years and have suffered only minute depreciation by comparison to something new on finance or PCP.The point is, after his spend, the OP is going to have a cracking example, and it looks like it´ll come in at less than 4k, plus a) he´ll know the work has been done, and b) it will have been done recently.
I can see the logic.
Yes these are all good points and were the motivating factors for doing it this way
At the end I hope to have a well sorted, comfy 5 series with a smooth straight 6 to run about in for a few years
Replaced the oil filter housing gasket today which looks to have been dripping down to the sump pan, so we'll see if that sorts the leak. Also renewed the brake fluid and spark plugs
Checked out the thermostat, seems to be operating correctly but is possibly leaking coolant, this will be monitored
At the end I hope to have a well sorted, comfy 5 series with a smooth straight 6 to run about in for a few years
Replaced the oil filter housing gasket today which looks to have been dripping down to the sump pan, so we'll see if that sorts the leak. Also renewed the brake fluid and spark plugs
Checked out the thermostat, seems to be operating correctly but is possibly leaking coolant, this will be monitored
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