2005 BMW M6 V10
Discussion
Evening all!
I decided to do the brake pipes myself, bled the system with fresh fluid and am really pleased with the results.
Prior to the job the brake pedal felt like it was travelling too far before giving resistance/braking force and at fill application the feel was best described as spongy. The travel was measured at approx 10cm from 0 - full application. That’s too far in my book.
Since the fitting and bleeding the travel is reduced to just over half that distance and the feel is firm and absolutely solid. Couldn’t be a bigger difference!
The job itself was relatively simple. The old connections came apart without issue and the new ones slotted on nicely with only giving me a battle to avoid cross threading. Getting to the brake fluid reservoir was a bit of a fiddle but I found a handy YouTube video that detailed it albeit on a US M5 but the idea is identical just the other way around. The filter uncovered in the process looked a little tired so I’m going to order one and get it replaced. It may actually be quite recent but I doubt it’s an expensive part so will just swap it out.
I used the two person process for bleeding so my dad did the needful on the pedal end.
In total the job took around 2.5hrs from wheels off to wheels back on.
Overall I’m really pleased. It was a satisfying job to do and feels like it was worthwhile.
The car goes to my local BMW specialist this week to have the headlights checked so they can also just check my work!
Sadly no pics of any of this process as my hands were going to be covered from the start and I didn’t want to ruin my phone!
I decided to do the brake pipes myself, bled the system with fresh fluid and am really pleased with the results.
Prior to the job the brake pedal felt like it was travelling too far before giving resistance/braking force and at fill application the feel was best described as spongy. The travel was measured at approx 10cm from 0 - full application. That’s too far in my book.
Since the fitting and bleeding the travel is reduced to just over half that distance and the feel is firm and absolutely solid. Couldn’t be a bigger difference!
The job itself was relatively simple. The old connections came apart without issue and the new ones slotted on nicely with only giving me a battle to avoid cross threading. Getting to the brake fluid reservoir was a bit of a fiddle but I found a handy YouTube video that detailed it albeit on a US M5 but the idea is identical just the other way around. The filter uncovered in the process looked a little tired so I’m going to order one and get it replaced. It may actually be quite recent but I doubt it’s an expensive part so will just swap it out.
I used the two person process for bleeding so my dad did the needful on the pedal end.
In total the job took around 2.5hrs from wheels off to wheels back on.
Overall I’m really pleased. It was a satisfying job to do and feels like it was worthwhile.
The car goes to my local BMW specialist this week to have the headlights checked so they can also just check my work!
Sadly no pics of any of this process as my hands were going to be covered from the start and I didn’t want to ruin my phone!
Well done.
I find working on my car very rewarding. Firstly I'm saving money, but I'm also learning about my car as well as spotting any potential future issues.
Im off in a week and have just brought replacement shocks / springs for my ML55. So will spend a day doing that. Just hoping the rain will have stopped by then.
SBK
I find working on my car very rewarding. Firstly I'm saving money, but I'm also learning about my car as well as spotting any potential future issues.
Im off in a week and have just brought replacement shocks / springs for my ML55. So will spend a day doing that. Just hoping the rain will have stopped by then.
SBK
Springs are something else I would consider doing myself but I am rather wary of spring compressors and the issues faced in their use. Aside from myself and any helpers I have some nice shiny stuff in the garage that I wouldn't want a spring shaped dent in! That may be a job I leave for the pro's.
James B said:
Springs are something else I would consider doing myself but I am rather wary of spring compressors and the issues faced in their use. Aside from myself and any helpers I have some nice shiny stuff in the garage that I wouldn't want a spring shaped dent in! That may be a job I leave for the pro's.
Having had one spring compressor ping off leaving a very lopsided spring/bomb in its wake I tend to take much the same approach.sbk1972 said:
Ohhh I'm totally on board with springs and the pain they cause. Luckily though I brought a set of rear shocks that came inside new springs, so just a case of installing them. If they hadn't then I would of gone to my local garage, got the springs swapped over for £25.
In that case enjoy! 
James B said:
Since the fitting and bleeding the travel is reduced to just over half that distance and the feel is firm and absolutely solid. Couldn’t be a bigger difference!
Excellent, thanks for the info. My perception of braided lines was obviously incorrect in that case. There must have been something else wrong with my M3 at the time - perhaps I hadn't got all the air out of the system? Either way, good to know it's made a nice difference on your car!Gallons Per Mile said:
James B said:
Since the fitting and bleeding the travel is reduced to just over half that distance and the feel is firm and absolutely solid. Couldn’t be a bigger difference!
Excellent, thanks for the info. My perception of braided lines was obviously incorrect in that case. There must have been something else wrong with my M3 at the time - perhaps I hadn't got all the air out of the system? Either way, good to know it's made a nice difference on your car!I got a chance to give the car a bit of a detoured run to work this morning and have decided that the major difference is the initial bite. The effect i felt before was a soft and progressive bite that I suspect was down to air/water in the system which was compressing and giving the longer pedal and reduced feel. Now the pedal feel is excellent and the initial bite is instant.
The car is also in with the specialists having the headlights looked at. They agree they're pointing down and that the manual adjustment is not the issue. The passenger side seems to react as it should but the drivers side isn't. The level sensors on the suspension arms are both functioning correctly according to the BMW system they have so they're going to take the headlight out for a closer look. Will update soonest.
Well I have the car back and all repaired!
It appears that BMW have some software that allows them to activate the motors on the vertical and horizontal axes. This somehow got both motors working again and have confirmed with a test drive and MOT headlight level check. Car sorted and bill for £150. I'm pretty pleased with that really.
It appears that BMW have some software that allows them to activate the motors on the vertical and horizontal axes. This somehow got both motors working again and have confirmed with a test drive and MOT headlight level check. Car sorted and bill for £150. I'm pretty pleased with that really.
James B said:
Well I have the car back and all repaired!
It appears that BMW have some software that allows them to activate the motors on the vertical and horizontal axes. This somehow got both motors working again and have confirmed with a test drive and MOT headlight level check. Car sorted and bill for £150. I'm pretty pleased with that really.
Well that could have been a lot worse! It appears that BMW have some software that allows them to activate the motors on the vertical and horizontal axes. This somehow got both motors working again and have confirmed with a test drive and MOT headlight level check. Car sorted and bill for £150. I'm pretty pleased with that really.
Speed addicted said:
Well that could have been a lot worse!
Absolutely. If it was a replacement headlight required then that's £1200 per headlight which would have been under warranty.If I had needed to replace myself then I would have been £350 or so but getting a decent one was looking very tough!
Hi James,
I'm loving this thread and totally enamoured by your infatuation with the M6 SMG driven over the beautiful drivers' roads to which you have access. Yes, us London drivers don't have the luxury on tap, but a swift drive into Surrey/Sussex offers some decent driving at the appropriate times of day!
Your feedback of the car is excellent and totally resonates with those of us that like to push on, but perhaps the racer in you enables a good quality of articulation of your driving experience, which translates to good reading, so do continue to indulge us as the days get longer. Hearing same/similar feedback from @SlippyDiff is awesome too; very high praise considering the cars he has owned.
I had a manual 645Ci (rare) with run flats which actually made the car a bit lively/interesting due to the lack of outright grip and pliability. However, the car was bland to drive and very unlike BMWs hallmarks of engaging driver's cars... until the TC was switched off. At that point the car felt relaxed and sure footed - for whom is TC installed anyway? Whenever a doubt pops up in my mind about switching a cars 'safety' off, I always remember my mate's advice before I stepped up to a Honda Fireblade from a 600cc... the throttle control is all in your wrist. In that respect, your comments on the linear nature of the V10 help explain why this must be such a nice car with which to attack undulating roads and most likely, get on the power a little earlier and a little harder you lucky lad!
About the NC500 trip that you have mentioned, presumably this is a private event rather that a group/forum organised affair? I only ask as I'm heading to Scotland next week and the thought of a swift escape appeals to the irresponsible family man that I threaten to be sometimes!
I'm loving this thread and totally enamoured by your infatuation with the M6 SMG driven over the beautiful drivers' roads to which you have access. Yes, us London drivers don't have the luxury on tap, but a swift drive into Surrey/Sussex offers some decent driving at the appropriate times of day!
Your feedback of the car is excellent and totally resonates with those of us that like to push on, but perhaps the racer in you enables a good quality of articulation of your driving experience, which translates to good reading, so do continue to indulge us as the days get longer. Hearing same/similar feedback from @SlippyDiff is awesome too; very high praise considering the cars he has owned.
I had a manual 645Ci (rare) with run flats which actually made the car a bit lively/interesting due to the lack of outright grip and pliability. However, the car was bland to drive and very unlike BMWs hallmarks of engaging driver's cars... until the TC was switched off. At that point the car felt relaxed and sure footed - for whom is TC installed anyway? Whenever a doubt pops up in my mind about switching a cars 'safety' off, I always remember my mate's advice before I stepped up to a Honda Fireblade from a 600cc... the throttle control is all in your wrist. In that respect, your comments on the linear nature of the V10 help explain why this must be such a nice car with which to attack undulating roads and most likely, get on the power a little earlier and a little harder you lucky lad!
About the NC500 trip that you have mentioned, presumably this is a private event rather that a group/forum organised affair? I only ask as I'm heading to Scotland next week and the thought of a swift escape appeals to the irresponsible family man that I threaten to be sometimes!
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 10th April 05:58
Michael,
Thanks for the comments. You’re clearly able to read between my lines as see the bigger picture of my general automotive experience and enjoyment.
I do enjoy talking about cars, the differences between them and anywhere I feel a improvement can be made to suit my driving style without great expense or changing the fundamentals of the car. I also thoroughly enjoy doing jobs myself as I learn a little more about the car I'm working on when doing so. I plan to keep this M6 as a longer term project and will catalogue the changes (hopefully improvements!) I make to it.
Our NC500 trip is a planned one with friends. I'm sure you would be welcome to join us for legs of it but accommodation may be an issue for you as we've had hotels booked for some time so I'm not sure of availability. We start in Aberdeen on Friday, drive to Lairg and then Lairg to Skye before heading back to Aberdeen. It's about 650 or so miles all in.
Thanks for the comments. You’re clearly able to read between my lines as see the bigger picture of my general automotive experience and enjoyment.
I do enjoy talking about cars, the differences between them and anywhere I feel a improvement can be made to suit my driving style without great expense or changing the fundamentals of the car. I also thoroughly enjoy doing jobs myself as I learn a little more about the car I'm working on when doing so. I plan to keep this M6 as a longer term project and will catalogue the changes (hopefully improvements!) I make to it.
Our NC500 trip is a planned one with friends. I'm sure you would be welcome to join us for legs of it but accommodation may be an issue for you as we've had hotels booked for some time so I'm not sure of availability. We start in Aberdeen on Friday, drive to Lairg and then Lairg to Skye before heading back to Aberdeen. It's about 650 or so miles all in.
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