2005 BMW M6 V10

[Slippydiff]

James B said:

RS Grant said:

James B said:

Part of me is wanting to see if there's such a thing as a fast road setup...

...and so it begins.

It's in my genes!

Really though, it's just to see if there are any improvements that can be made. I remember the 996 GT2 when it came out receiving considerable criticism of its handling in general but a quick trip to Centre Gravity and hey presto it was transformed.

Anyway I did a search and it wasn't obvious that there is anything so i'll leave it there for the moment. I'm not about to go sticking camber bolts in or adjustable top mounts. That is all to remain BMW's original.

Cough

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Some subtle tweaks to the geo will sharpen things up and make the car more fun to drive James. No need to start bolting adjustable top mounts on it just yet.

[James B]

I got the car back from the Geo setup and it has definitely improved. Not had much chance to run it quickly but it feels pointier and the steering feels more centred and balanced.

Looking at the below before and after printouts it was certainly worth doing!




At the same time I got the guys to do a quick battery health check for me. They tell me that the battery appears fine and the comment to charge may be from my relatively frequent short journeys.


I think I’m going to begin a programme of trickle charging the battery most nights. I have an easy to access Power supply adjacent to the car but want to get an easy to access battery charging point in the boot rather than going to the jump points in the engine bay. Any ideas? I know the battery lives in the boot but the recommendation from BMW is that you only charge from the jump points as the charging system is intelligent and monitors battery usage and demand so knows how much to top it up by. Supposedly by charging the battery directly to its terminals you bypass that system and confuse it thus the car short charges the battery and kills it sooner.

[Speed addicted]

Where did you get the geo done? It’s always good to know good places!

[James B]

That was the guys at AW Autotech. Alan is a rally driver so knows a thing or two about car setup. They’re also BMW specialists so knew their way around the M6. They were extremely complimentary about the car. Said it was unbelievably clean and belies it’s true age.

[James B]

I got the car out for a short run last night. It was a little slippery as it was -1c but the handling is most certainly improved. It's a very predictable car and have very enjoyable handling characteristics. I'm really loving it!

Oh and I will astonished if i get more than 100 miles to this tank! It is incredible that they didn't fit a larger one.

[Rocket.]

Very nice car OP, I often wondered about these but never took the plunge, I actually really like the cab version too but I don't suppose it drives nearly as well.

I assume that the fuel tank is the same size as for 630d which might explain a lot, I had an Audi B7 RS4 that had same pathetic range, there is always a compromise I guess.

[Slippydiff]

Rocket. said:

Very nice car OP, I often wondered about these but never took the plunge, I actually really like the cab version too but I don't suppose it drives nearly as well.

I assume that the fuel tank is the same size as for 630d which might explain a lot, I had an Audi B7 RS4 that had same pathetic range, there is always a compromise I guess.

Three fill ups in one day was my record ...
It does get somewhat tedious once the novelty has worn off ! !

[Terzo123]

James B said:

I now have a conclusive answer and that is it is not required to have maindealer servicing in order to keep up the BMW insured warranty as long as they are VAT registered and issue a full service invoice.

That means I can have it serviced by the specialists in Aberdeen without issue....which is nice.

How did you find out?

I'm looking for the answer to the same question but with Mercedes instead.

[James B]

Terzo123 said:

How did you find out?

I'm looking for the answer to the same question but with Mercedes instead.

The policy stated:

1. a) Care of the Vehicle - you must
keep your vehicle in an efficient and
road worthy condition and regularly
service it in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations and
genuine parts, or parts of equivalent
specification must be used.
b) After each service, please ensure
that the relevant service details are
completed in your service records by
the servicing garage and obtain a VAT
receipt for the service. You must
keep all such receipts for reference in
the event of a claim.

So i called them to clarify the term 'servicing garage' which they confirmed to be any VAT registered garage and as long as BMW parts are used.

[Eddieslofart]

Terzo123 said:

How did you find out?

I'm looking for the answer to the same question but with Mercedes instead.

I was under the impression it was european law ? Thought it had to be gen manufacturer parts though.

[Terzo123]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll read the warranty documents with a fine tooth comb.

I'm hoping to be able to use a specialist as opposed to the franchise dealer.

Sorry for the thread digression.

[James B]

Morning! The car is now being detailed and then getting a ceramic coating. The paint, despite being 12yrs old is in surprisingly good condition but the detailer is using something called CarPro Essence which has a pigment to it and will 'fill' a great number of the surface marks. He's done day 1 of the detail, 2 further days to go.

I'm also just collecting any items I need to bring the car up to as complete as possible.
I bought and fitted the glovebox torch which was missing. I'll likely change the bulb in the torch for an LED one.

The under bonnet insulation is very tatty in one part but is otherwise perfect. I'm trying to find another for a reasonable cost but think i've found a new one for £150 which is reasonable. I'll likely wait a bit before pulling the trigger on it however.

I also spotted on the purchase inspection that there were a couple of tools missing from the tool kit in the boot floor. I'll try to track down what they were and replace them. If anyone can help on this that would be great. I'm also guessing there may be a relay missing from the electrical spares bit too?

[Shnozz]

alec.e said:

Looks great, maybe I should try one. That V10 engine must be a beast and they have aged quite well, just wish they came up with a proper cupholder

I think these have really grown into their looks. A lot of criticism when they first came out but in time they look better by the day. There was a purpley blue one parked outside where I was staying in Marbella last month and it looked just perfectly suited sat in the sun.

[James B]

So i've sourced the screwdriver that goes in the slot i've coloured red and i'm guessing its some form of wrench/crank for the wheel nuts that goes in the yellow one....just to find which one is right!

[Prinny]

It’s for the sunroof... that the M6 doesn’t have.
Here’s mine for comparison.

So you’re not missing it.

[Shnozz]

oooof that's going to mess with James' OCD

[James B]

Prinny, thank you for that! Really useful to know I don't need to find what that is then!

haha! If it wasn't meant to be there in the first place then I can live with that. Anyway, i have a couple of cans of tyre weld i'll be secreting in the boot somewhere so that may be the ideal slot for the nozzle!

[Speed addicted]

James B said:

Prinny, thank you for that! Really useful to know I don't need to find what that is then!

haha! If it wasn't meant to be there in the first place then I can live with that. Anyway, i have a couple of cans of tyre weld i'll be secreting in the boot somewhere so that may be the ideal slot for the nozzle!

If it's the same as mine there should be another layer under the toolkit with a space to put a can of tyre goop and compressor, got mine form ebay as any BMW compressor and goop kit will do.

[Prinny]

Speed addicted said:

James B said:

Prinny, thank you for that! Really useful to know I don't need to find what that is then!

haha! If it wasn't meant to be there in the first place then I can live with that. Anyway, i have a couple of cans of tyre weld i'll be secreting in the boot somewhere so that may be the ideal slot for the nozzle!

If it's the same as mine there should be another layer under the toolkit with a space to put a can of tyre goop and compressor, got mine form ebay as any BMW compressor and goop kit will do.

You are indeed correct, and there is. Apropos of not much... Do you know whether tyre goop has a best-before date? Mine’s the original from ‘06 I think. GG thread I think.

In terms of storing stuff, I bought some grey boot bags a while back, which have velcro strips on base & backside so they stick to the boot carpet. One holds a 12v compressor, the other has ‘emergency’ stuff (torch, maglite, leatherman, hi-vis, tape, etc...)

Search Amazon with this: Sakura SS5233 Car Boot

One small & one large per car. (Large ones fit a 6D-maglite in lengthways, or I’d have gone for more small ones).

I’ll try & get a pic later when I’m near the car.

[Speed addicted]

The goop does have a best before date as far as I can remember, should be on it somewhere.

To need storage bags I’d actually need to keep things in the car, everything that’s normally in there lives under the boot floor!

Mines a total garage queen, does about 2-3k a year and isn’t used in winter. It was supposed to be a cheap stopgap but I’ve had it three years and have no intention of changing it.