E39 530i Sport Touring

E39 530i Sport Touring

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meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Wednesday 9th March 2022
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Short update for this evening.

This evening saw me swap to the summer wheels and tyres. Done for two reasons:
1) The temperatures are about right but mainly because
2) Last time I used the touring it started making a squealing noise akin to a dust shield rubbing on a brake disc. So as I was investigating that, I decided the wheels could be swapped. Typically I found the issue on the last wheel I removed - a small stone wedged between the disc and heat shield. Once evicted, the front nearside wheel rotates silently again biggrin

Although I did find that front offside disc dust shield has a loose fixing, but although the dust sheild can move a little, its not going to cause any damage. I'll have a look if I can get hold of new dust shields and replace at some point smile

Sits at 99,964 miles so nearly at 100,000 eek

therusterman

127 posts

120 months

Wednesday 9th March 2022
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Not sure if it's the same as the E46, but will new dust shields mean replacing the wheel bearings.

d_a_n1979

8,682 posts

73 months

Wednesday 9th March 2022
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meb90 said:
Short update for this evening.

This evening saw me swap to the summer wheels and tyres. Done for two reasons:
1) The temperatures are about right but mainly because
2) Last time I used the touring it started making a squealing noise akin to a dust shield rubbing on a brake disc. So as I was investigating that, I decided the wheels could be swapped. Typically I found the issue on the last wheel I removed - a small stone wedged between the disc and heat shield. Once evicted, the front nearside wheel rotates silently again biggrin

Although I did find that front offside disc dust shield has a loose fixing, but although the dust sheild can move a little, its not going to cause any damage. I'll have a look if I can get hold of new dust shields and replace at some point smile

Sits at 99,964 miles so nearly at 100,000 eek
Wow you've done some miles in it Matt...

And one it hits 100k it'll fall apart into a small heap haha wink

It's not even run in yet pal thumbupbiggrin

Re brake disc shield; leave it until it falls off... Its a hub off jobby and not really worth it TBH.

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
quotequote all
therusterman said:
Not sure if it's the same as the E46, but will new dust shields mean replacing the wheel bearings.
Ahh, thanks for that useful piece of information smile

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
quotequote all
d_a_n1979 said:
Wow you've done some miles in it Matt...

And one it hits 100k it'll fall apart into a small heap haha wink

It's not even run in yet pal thumbupbiggrin

Re brake disc shield; leave it until it falls off... Its a hub off jobby and not really worth it TBH.
Haha! I know. It maybe hasn't been used as much as it should be, but it doesn't help I've got this and the Fiesta which gets used most days, if I'm not working from home. Also, and I know it sounds ridiculous (it does to me but I couldn't help it), I was weirdly nervous of getting to 100,000 miles for no good reason. I don't know why... Once it passes 100,000 miles I probably won't care especially as I don't actually do that many miles any more.

Thanks for the thought on the dust shield, it as above it is a hub off job then I am happy to put that off smile The shield had a very small witness mark so I don't think it's a big issue.

d_a_n1979

8,682 posts

73 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
quotequote all
meb90 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Wow you've done some miles in it Matt...

And one it hits 100k it'll fall apart into a small heap haha wink

It's not even run in yet pal thumbupbiggrin

Re brake disc shield; leave it until it falls off... Its a hub off jobby and not really worth it TBH.
Haha! I know. It maybe hasn't been used as much as it should be, but it doesn't help I've got this and the Fiesta which gets used most days, if I'm not working from home. Also, and I know it sounds ridiculous (it does to me but I couldn't help it), I was weirdly nervous of getting to 100,000 miles for no good reason. I don't know why... Once it passes 100,000 miles I probably won't care especially as I don't actually do that many miles any more.

Thanks for the thought on the dust shield, it as above it is a hub off job then I am happy to put that off smile The shield had a very small witness mark so I don't think it's a big issue.
It'll be absolutely fine pal; it'll do 300k plus if looked after & maintained properly

Bullet proof engines; but do need to be looked after well smile

How's the touring otherwise; no issues at all?

5 In a Row

1,511 posts

228 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
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I had a 530d a few years back and it was very proficient at collecting small stones between the dust shield and disc - on one occasion somehow managing it while making progress on the motorway!
Anyway, from memory I simply cut one of the shields off because it was rattling and only held by 1 rivet.

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
quotequote all
5 In a Row said:
I had a 530d a few years back and it was very proficient at collecting small stones between the dust shield and disc - on one occasion somehow managing it while making progress on the motorway!
Anyway, from memory I simply cut one of the shields off because it was rattling and only held by 1 rivet.
It's only the first time it's happened to me (so far). Noting the comments above I'll leave the dust shields for now and if they become an issue I'll sort them out then smile

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
quotequote all
d_a_n1979 said:
It'll be absolutely fine pal; it'll do 300k plus if looked after & maintained properly

Bullet proof engines; but do need to be looked after well smile

How's the touring otherwise; no issues at all?
I completely agree - it was/is an irrational feeling and I can't work out where it came from. My previous Mondeo went to well over 200,000 miles and I've never been worried about mileage on a car before.

Regardless, the touring will get used this weekend so it'll be over 100,000 miles by Sunday smile

Otherwise, all is good smile the EML hasn't made an appearance for a trip or two so I've probably cursed it now!

aaron_2000

5,407 posts

84 months

Thursday 10th March 2022
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therusterman said:
Not sure if it's the same as the E46, but will new dust shields mean replacing the wheel bearings.
I just fixed my E46 dust shield with zipties today. Couldn't get at it with an angle grinder and not willing to remove the rotor to get to it

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Friday 10th June 2022
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Heck, is it that long since the last update! I have been a bit lax.

Though, part of the reason is that not much has happened!

I haven't had any issues with dust shields since the last update, so no problems there - I'll leave well alone for now.

The EML came back on a couple of times after I thought it had gone away. Due to some guidance from Dan and other E39 owners, the prime suspects where the vacuum lines (including the blanking cap at the rear of the inlet manifold) and the MAF. I inspected the vacuum lines but couldn't see anything obvious, but the blanking cap had gone hard and had several cracks. Easy fix I thought! It transpired that a new cap didn't fix the issue which left me suspecting the MAF.

Deciding to bite the bullet, I ordered an OEM spec VDO MAF but the seller I used didn't have any in stock. They did however have a Pierburg MAF which I decided to go for. This was fitted and no EML issues have been had since, so I think the old one at 20 years old had had enough. A picture of these exciting parts:



As you can see, I swapped one of the vacuum lines as it was cheap and peace of mind going forward.

I used it to ferry my bike one weekend - I'd tried to get it in my Mk6 Fiesta, but the Touring just swallowed it! Shouldn't have bothered with the Fiesta!



Last thing for now is that I got the gearbox oil flushed and changed. I did this because Dan said it had been done, but there wasn't any proof (not that I didn't believe this). I decided to get it done for peace of mind, rather than risk a gearbox going bang. I used a recommended garage from the BMW forums, and the gearchanges are slightly smoother now in my opinion, especially when the gearbox is cold. The mechanic did say they believed the oil had been changed previously, which confirms what Dan said.

One issue it has developed is that the passenger side wing mirror no longer dips when in reverse which I need to investigate. I suspect its an issue at the gear lever, but only because all other functions of the wing mirror work - unless anyone has some pearls of wisdom smile

The Touring now sits just under 102,000 miles. I ought to use it more...

Somerset Jim

161 posts

64 months

Saturday 11th June 2022
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Sounds daft but with the mirror dipping automatically, make sure that you do not have the passenger mirror selected otherwise it will remain in its normal position. It’s obvious, but it might help.

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
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Somerset Jim said:
Sounds daft but with the mirror dipping automatically, make sure that you do not have the passenger mirror selected otherwise it will remain in its normal position. It’s obvious, but it might help.
Jim - thank you. It was exactly this!

d_a_n1979

8,682 posts

73 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
quotequote all
meb90 said:
Somerset Jim said:
Sounds daft but with the mirror dipping automatically, make sure that you do not have the passenger mirror selected otherwise it will remain in its normal position. It’s obvious, but it might help.
Jim - thank you. It was exactly this!
Easily done thumbup

IAche

167 posts

123 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
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meb90 said:
Last thing for now is that I got the gearbox oil flushed and changed. I did this because Dan said it had been done, but there wasn't any proof (not that I didn't believe this). I decided to get it done for peace of mind, rather than risk a gearbox going bang. I used a recommended garage from the BMW forums, and the gearchanges are slightly smoother now in my opinion, especially when the gearbox is cold. The mechanic did say they believed the oil had been changed previously, which confirms what Dan said.
Where did you get the gearbox serviced and can I ask how much it was? I've got a ZF6 in an E91 330i that needs doing.

Don't worry about high miles, my old 125i with the 3.0l N52 did 180k with no issues.

SKM1984

203 posts

150 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
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meb90 said:
Sounds like it was me! What were you driving/do you drive?
I work on Ascot Drive, i was on foot but drive an LS430 with massive blingy chrome wheels

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
quotequote all
IAche said:
Where did you get the gearbox serviced and can I ask how much it was? I've got a ZF6 in an E91 330i that needs doing.

Don't worry about high miles, my old 125i with the 3.0l N52 did 180k with no issues.
I went down to Dartford Transmissions, as they were recommended in a couple of BMW owners groups. Only small complaint I had was that they took longer than planned to do the job, but I understand these things happen. Otherwise, all was good. Price was £365, which I was happy with & they flush the gearbox so no old oil is left.

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
quotequote all
SKM1984 said:
I work on Ascot Drive, i was on foot but drive an LS430 with massive blingy chrome wheels
Aha, fair enough. I'll keep my eyes open for you!

d_a_n1979

8,682 posts

73 months

Wednesday 28th September 2022
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All Quiet on the Western Front Matt? wink

Anything new?

meb90

Original Poster:

361 posts

94 months

Sunday 5th March 2023
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Well blow me down, I can't believe that it is that long since I posted an update. Partly inspired by Dan's question on his old thread about whether I still own the car.

I do still have it smile

But it hasn't had a lot of use lately frown

I didn't post anything at the time but in the tail end of last year whilst out for the day I managed to hit a deer (literally jumper out of a hedge - I had no chance to avoid). Fortunately, the deer didn't suffer, and it wasn't a large one. But it smashed a headlight and the front bumper. Car drove home without issue, and I'm pretty sure the damage is restricted to the bumper and headlight.

Unfortunately, my life has been pretty hectic this year so far so the car has langusihed on the driveway awaiting me finding some time to fix it. I keep a look out for a new bumper occasionally but I'd like to use a genuine bumper however they seem to be fairly difficult as it is a sport one.

I'll put a couple of pictures below: