The V8 Bike Bus
Discussion
Macron said:
Is the 4.8 in the E70 shape the same? Prices there are all over the shop, and of course big tax compared to most of these (pre Mar 06).
Similar. I had a really nicely spec'd 4.8i Sport: HUD, pan roof, hidden towbar etc. 
They're not as good a car as the 4.8is IMO. They're slightly down on power in comparison and the extra weight blunts the performance. It felt just like a diesel E70 feels but with a nice noise. The E53 feels special in comparison.
I've found a few pics of the Bike Bus have cropped up in various places. One of my favourites is this one someone took at Retro Rides back in the summer.
It's continued to truck on. I had a really good early-morning run to Dunsfold towards the end of the summer. My son was racing in the Greenpower electric car championship and I had to drop him very early on a Sunday morning. The V8 had chance to clear its lungs on the empty roads.
You may remember I'd always intended to change the exhaust. The system on there had two small silencers in place of the large standard one and small aftermarket back-boxes. It actually sounded really good, although slightly strange at idle as the two banks essentially fed 2 separate exhaust systems that didn't interact at all. I also hated the oval exhaust tips.
I also needed the gutted cat replacing before I could get an MOT. Eventually I got it booked into a Brighton exhaust place that was recommended to me. They fitted two new smaller, sport cats, an x-pipe in place of the 2 small separate centre-silencers and a pair of standard back-boxes that I'd bought.
I'd like this to be a recommendation for them, but when I went to collect the car they'd very obviously damaged the front lower corner, presumably catching it on the ramp.
They denied it and initially tried to say it was already damaged and I was trying to pull a fast one. They got aggressive with me but I refused to just pay my bill until they sorted something out. Eventually they decided to waive all the labour costs and I paid and left. I still wasn't at all happy, but decided to cut my losses and I'll get a smart repair done to the corner.
Next stop was a new set of tyres as the rears were getting low. The fronts had loads of tread but I wanted to change to a different tyre so did the full set. I wanted something that was available for both front and rear axle sizes (275/40/20 & 315/35/20) and that wasn't a run-flat and found options were actually very limited. I ended up with a set of Toyo Sports that I ordered online and then delivered to Wheel Works UK, a wheel refurbishment place to fit them as I knew I could trust them not to mark my wheels.
It was then ready for its MOT...
...which it passed with flying colours.
The new tyres have a wider shoulder and look chunkier and fill the arches even better than the previous ones.
I think it looks really good with the new tyres and exhaust tips. The new exhaust sounds good too, a deep burble with an air of menace without being too loud.
So I'm still enjoying it and it's still doing the job I bought it for perfectly. It's just the right size too. It's actually ridiculous how large a new X5 is in comparison.
It's continued to truck on. I had a really good early-morning run to Dunsfold towards the end of the summer. My son was racing in the Greenpower electric car championship and I had to drop him very early on a Sunday morning. The V8 had chance to clear its lungs on the empty roads.
You may remember I'd always intended to change the exhaust. The system on there had two small silencers in place of the large standard one and small aftermarket back-boxes. It actually sounded really good, although slightly strange at idle as the two banks essentially fed 2 separate exhaust systems that didn't interact at all. I also hated the oval exhaust tips.
I also needed the gutted cat replacing before I could get an MOT. Eventually I got it booked into a Brighton exhaust place that was recommended to me. They fitted two new smaller, sport cats, an x-pipe in place of the 2 small separate centre-silencers and a pair of standard back-boxes that I'd bought.
I'd like this to be a recommendation for them, but when I went to collect the car they'd very obviously damaged the front lower corner, presumably catching it on the ramp.
They denied it and initially tried to say it was already damaged and I was trying to pull a fast one. They got aggressive with me but I refused to just pay my bill until they sorted something out. Eventually they decided to waive all the labour costs and I paid and left. I still wasn't at all happy, but decided to cut my losses and I'll get a smart repair done to the corner.
Next stop was a new set of tyres as the rears were getting low. The fronts had loads of tread but I wanted to change to a different tyre so did the full set. I wanted something that was available for both front and rear axle sizes (275/40/20 & 315/35/20) and that wasn't a run-flat and found options were actually very limited. I ended up with a set of Toyo Sports that I ordered online and then delivered to Wheel Works UK, a wheel refurbishment place to fit them as I knew I could trust them not to mark my wheels.
It was then ready for its MOT...
...which it passed with flying colours.
The new tyres have a wider shoulder and look chunkier and fill the arches even better than the previous ones.
I think it looks really good with the new tyres and exhaust tips. The new exhaust sounds good too, a deep burble with an air of menace without being too loud.
So I'm still enjoying it and it's still doing the job I bought it for perfectly. It's just the right size too. It's actually ridiculous how large a new X5 is in comparison.
t welding I can see that for myself. It serves the purpose though and whilst not pretty is solid and doesn’t leak.
I've owned the Bike Bus for a year, which means it's almost a year since it was serviced. So, last week it went in for an Inspection II. I used my usual favourite indi, Owen Garages in Haywards Heath.
BMW claim the gearbox is sealed for life, yet they also sell a service kit that includes a filter, pick-up pipe and sump gasket. They also sell very expensive, specific gearbox oil. I've always been in 2 minds about servicing the box. It worked perfectly as far as I was concerned and I had an element of thinking I'd 'let sleeping dog's lie'. However mechanical sympathy and common sense led me to decide that a fresh filter and new oil could only be a positive thing, so I had them conduct a gearbox service too.
I thought it worked perfectly before, but after the service it is significantly more responsive. It now changes gear smoother and hunts the ratios less but most of all take-off from standstill is much more immediate. it wasn't a cheap process but I'm really pleased I decided to do it.
This week it's booked to have a smart repair done on the near-side front lower corner to repair the damage caused by the idiots at the exhaust place. I'll report back on the results.
BMW claim the gearbox is sealed for life, yet they also sell a service kit that includes a filter, pick-up pipe and sump gasket. They also sell very expensive, specific gearbox oil. I've always been in 2 minds about servicing the box. It worked perfectly as far as I was concerned and I had an element of thinking I'd 'let sleeping dog's lie'. However mechanical sympathy and common sense led me to decide that a fresh filter and new oil could only be a positive thing, so I had them conduct a gearbox service too.
I thought it worked perfectly before, but after the service it is significantly more responsive. It now changes gear smoother and hunts the ratios less but most of all take-off from standstill is much more immediate. it wasn't a cheap process but I'm really pleased I decided to do it.
This week it's booked to have a smart repair done on the near-side front lower corner to repair the damage caused by the idiots at the exhaust place. I'll report back on the results.
Edited by 573 on Monday 27th January 15:07
Edited by 573 on Monday 27th January 15:08
The ZF service kit with oil is available for about €100 from the likes of https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/zf-getriebe/8815873
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