My 'new to me' 2011 F01 730D SE Luxury

[B'stard Child]

That looks lovely but I’m sure it will look even better in a very short space of time

Bookmarked for the journey

[d_a_n1979]

B'stard Child said:

That looks lovely but I’m sure it will look even better in a very short space of time

Bookmarked for the journey

Cheers

Yup; it'll soon be looking spiffing compared to how it looks now. I'm not even washing it, it looks that sorry for itself very unlike me!

New headlights, some paintwork and cleaner alloys & it'll look much better.

Just need to decide what to do with the 20s

[GrantD5]

Love this! I see these around from time to time and always fancied one

[d_a_n1979]

GrantD5 said:

Love this! I see these around from time to time and always fancied one

Thanks

TBH I've only ever seen a few on the road; I've seen more G 7'ers than I have F 7'ers locally; there are a few E65s though

I knew I wanted to get back into a 7'er and was seriously considering a well looked after (albeit basic spec) E65 750i; but decided against it as it was only 4 years younger than my previous E39 touring. So stumped up for the F01 and got a superb spec IMO

[d_a_n1979]

Small service stuff ordered; so:

- New Exide AGM battery (the cars still on its original one)!
- 5W40 oil & Mann filter
- Mann air filter
- Mahle carbon pollen filter

I've also ordered Moog front drop links, inner tie rods and track rod ends; as it's BMW, we all know how these likes to seize and the car needs a full tracking & alignment set up anyways; so I'll replace those for peace of mind before it gets its tracking done!

I've also bought Lunex 6000K D1S bulbs and Osram H8 bulbs for when the front bumper comes off and I replace the OS headlight (I'll do a full bulb change for both; may as well as it's a bumper off jobby anyway)!

[d_a_n1979]

Replacement Exide battery landed today, it's on the trickle charger currently & overnight. Will get it fitted & registered to the car tomorrow

Rear Kumho. PS91 tyres fitted today, I'll refit the 20" alloys tomorrow when it's not lashing it down

Rear Jurid discs, Textar pads and an OEM BMW brake sensor ordered too. Removing the alloys yesterday for the tyres to be fitted let me have a decent look over the brakes. They're OK, but for me not in good enough condition, so they'll get replaced next week whilst it's in with my pal.

MOT due next month, so more peace of mind...

[Davie_GLA]

I miss my F01 loads. This thread has me looking at others.

Mine had a great spec, HUD, lane departure but for some reason didn't have a power boot. Had soft close too.

It was a 'demonstrator' whatever that is.

[Mrinsignia]

What a lovely example of a 7 series. I love how you get loads of car for your money, and the comfort is second to none as well.

[Jhonno]

d_a_n1979 said:

Small service stuff ordered; so:

- New Exide AGM battery (the cars still on its original one)!
- 5W40 oil & Mann filter
- Mann air filter
- Mahle carbon pollen filter

I've also ordered Moog front drop links, inner tie rods and track rod ends; as it's BMW, we all know how these likes to seize and the car needs a full tracking & alignment set up anyways; so I'll replace those for peace of mind before it gets its tracking done!

I've also bought Lunex 6000K D1S bulbs and Osram H8 bulbs for when the front bumper comes off and I replace the OS headlight (I'll do a full bulb change for both; may as well as it's a bumper off jobby anyway)!

Is the later 3.0d lump spec'd to use 5W40? Or is it using a bit of oil?

I do like a 7.. Just too big for what I need.. Although saying that I drive an E61

[d_a_n1979]

Jhonno said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Small service stuff ordered; so:

- New Exide AGM battery (the cars still on its original one)!
- 5W40 oil & Mann filter
- Mann air filter
- Mahle carbon pollen filter

I've also ordered Moog front drop links, inner tie rods and track rod ends; as it's BMW, we all know how these likes to seize and the car needs a full tracking & alignment set up anyways; so I'll replace those for peace of mind before it gets its tracking done!

I've also bought Lunex 6000K D1S bulbs and Osram H8 bulbs for when the front bumper comes off and I replace the OS headlight (I'll do a full bulb change for both; may as well as it's a bumper off jobby anyway)!

Is the later 3.0d lump spec'd to use 5W40? Or is it using a bit of oil?

I do like a 7.. Just too big for what I need.. Although saying that I drive an E61

I've gone for 5W40 as after quite a bit of reading; a lot of folk have said how much quieter their engine runs with it

5W30 & 5W40 are more then fine for the N57

[d_a_n1979]

Fitted a Nextbase 512GW dashcam; same that I had in the touring

I've got the hardwire kit; but for now (as I'm unsure which fuse to use for the hardwire kit, so researching), I've used the main 12v connection and it's long enough (more than long enough) to reach one of the rear 12v sockets and still be hidden in the door rubber trims and up over the A pillar and the wire tucked into the headlining

All the bits together for the mini-service and tracking & alignment set up for Tuesday

Will fit the pollen filter tomorrow; looks like I need to do some footwell gymnastics

[Court_S]

Slightly off topic, but how do you find the Moog parts?

I’ve been advised to buy some track rods for my 130 because they’re most likely going it be seized solid and they’re a chunk cheaper than Lemforder jobbies but not a brand that I’ve come across before.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

Slightly off topic, but how do you find the Moog parts?

I’ve been advised to buy some track rods for my 130 because they’re most likely going it be seized solid and they’re a chunk cheaper than Lemforder jobbies but not a brand that I’ve come across before.

Absolutely brilliant pal; had more issues with Lemforder and OEM BMW over the last few years; Moog & Meyle never let me down. Plus Moog have great warranty; that's why they're now my go-to brand TBH

I'm fitting all new Moog inner tie rods, track rod ends and front drop links tomorrow for the 7'er tracking & alignment. Exactly the same reasons that you've stated; they all seize up & don't like to come undone, so replace it in one lot and that's it done

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Absolutely brilliant pal; had more issues with Lemforder and OEM BMW over the last few years; Moog & Meyle never let me down. Plus Moog have great warranty; that's why they're now my go-to brand TBH

I'm fitting all new Moog inner tie rods, track rod ends and front drop links tomorrow for the 7'er tracking & alignment. Exactly the same reasons that you've stated; they all seize up & don't like to come undone, so replace it in one lot and that's it done

Good to know….I’ve ordered a set!

Talking to the guys at String Theory, they reckon they’re a good design in terms of giving lots of adjustability they’re just prone to seizing. Bloody things (same happened to her 125i too).

If I get chance tomorrow, I might have a crack at seeing how easily the old track rods loosen off (main worry is that the bolt spins in the rubber).

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Absolutely brilliant pal; had more issues with Lemforder and OEM BMW over the last few years; Moog & Meyle never let me down. Plus Moog have great warranty; that's why they're now my go-to brand TBH

I'm fitting all new Moog inner tie rods, track rod ends and front drop links tomorrow for the 7'er tracking & alignment. Exactly the same reasons that you've stated; they all seize up & don't like to come undone, so replace it in one lot and that's it done

Good to know….I’ve ordered a set!

Talking to the guys at String Theory, they reckon they’re a good design in terms of giving lots of adjustability they’re just prone to seizing. Bloody things (same happened to her 125i too).

If I get chance tomorrow, I might have a crack at seeing how easily the old track rods loosen off (main worry is that the bolt spins in the rubber).

It's usually the locking nut that ends up spinning; or they seize in the rod itself and then they've had it. Sometimes heat will cure it; take them apart and liberally grease them; but they'll still seize... The parts aren't expensive at all; so IMO well worth replacing as part of the normal suspension consumables etc

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

It's usually the locking nut that ends up spinning; or they seize in the rod itself and then they've had it. Sometimes heat will cure it; take them apart and liberally grease them; but they'll still seize... The parts aren't expensive at all; so IMO well worth replacing as part of the normal suspension consumables etc

They’re a pain in the arse to be honest. My E90 escaped them being seized, but her 125’s were seized solid, my mates 125 needed new track rods and I’m guessing mine will too. I’m grabbing the new ones tomorrow before I get the front end aligned (it’s all the place I’m going have time for, but it’ll be drivable before I can get it booked in properly).

The passenger side looks like it’s had a good covering of copper slip applied at some point.

[d_a_n1979]

Oil & filter change; air filter, inner tie rods/track rod ends, front drop links, rear discs & pads and full tracking & alignment set up done

Car drives straight & true now; no more clunking at the front either Both the inner tie roads/track rod ends and front drop links were all OEM BMW dated 2011! Well past their due date IMO















Next... Bodyshop on Monday

[Court_S]

Good work. You’re going to have this knocked into shape in no time.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

Good work. You’re going to have this knocked into shape in no time.

Hoping so pal

Realistically it'll be next year when I've got it fully licked into shape; having the bodywork that I want sorting done over 2, maybe 3 visits rather than in one blast. Mainly because of the time of year and we're going to be in the Highlands mDec, Jan & Feb this time around; so potential stone chip galore on the motorways and A9 etc!

[Sn1ckers]

I’m hoping to pick up my first F01 next week. I had an E65 for a couple of years (a record for me!) and really looking forward to wafting around in a 7 again.

Will be keeping an eye on your progress and may well pick your brain on stuff that’s likely to need doing (mine will be similar age / miles).