F11 520d. Unnecessary and Expensive
Discussion
Good cars these. I have a 2016 ‘Luxury’ version currently on 112k miles. Have recently done the EGR, O2 sensor and rear air springs.
Up until lockdown it was up and down the m4/m5 all the time racking up miles which it’s brilliant for. The 3.0 diesel is lovely but a bit of a waste when you are sat on a motorway so the 2.0 is fine.
Mine has the panoramic sunroof and a reddy/brown interior which makes it a lovely place to be. My wife hates the interior colour though but I can’t stand black.
I changed the awful run flats for Goodyear Eagle F1s pretty early on and they made a massive improvement in ride and noise. Would recommend them but a little susceptible to punctures.
The only niggle I have is keep getting a blow from the exhaust. Last about 10/15 mins then goes away. Get it checked every time it goes for a service but no one can find a leak.
Doesn’t get used as much these days and keep toying with selling but the value of the car versus the value to me it’s difficult to justify getting something else.
Yours looks great so I’ll watch this thread with interest to see your progress.
Up until lockdown it was up and down the m4/m5 all the time racking up miles which it’s brilliant for. The 3.0 diesel is lovely but a bit of a waste when you are sat on a motorway so the 2.0 is fine.
Mine has the panoramic sunroof and a reddy/brown interior which makes it a lovely place to be. My wife hates the interior colour though but I can’t stand black.
I changed the awful run flats for Goodyear Eagle F1s pretty early on and they made a massive improvement in ride and noise. Would recommend them but a little susceptible to punctures.
The only niggle I have is keep getting a blow from the exhaust. Last about 10/15 mins then goes away. Get it checked every time it goes for a service but no one can find a leak.
Doesn’t get used as much these days and keep toying with selling but the value of the car versus the value to me it’s difficult to justify getting something else.
Yours looks great so I’ll watch this thread with interest to see your progress.
stevemcs said:
ballans said:
The only niggle I have is keep getting a blow from the exhaust. Last about 10/15 mins then goes away. Get it checked every time it goes for a service but no one can find a leak.
Are you sure it’s not the front flexi on the dpf - they are always splitting.I’ve had a 520d estate for the past 4 years. It’s gone from 45k to 125k miles in that time. Mostly up and down the motorway. It’s superb on the motorway, annoying over bumpy suburban roads, but does handle really well for such a big car on smoother A and B roads.
In the 4yrs and 80k miles I’ve done, the only issues have been the rear airbags (replaced with Continental branded bags - the tech said they’re loads better than the OEM ones?) and the regular on-screen error messages that flash up and promptly disappear again. Worrying at first but now I don’t even bother unless they stay on after I’ve turned the engine off and back on again. No idea what causes the messages as they disappear so quickly I can’t find out!
Other than that it’s been fault free (EGR recall aside I suppose). Does need new brake discs and pads now so the links above are really helpful - thanks for those
In the 4yrs and 80k miles I’ve done, the only issues have been the rear airbags (replaced with Continental branded bags - the tech said they’re loads better than the OEM ones?) and the regular on-screen error messages that flash up and promptly disappear again. Worrying at first but now I don’t even bother unless they stay on after I’ve turned the engine off and back on again. No idea what causes the messages as they disappear so quickly I can’t find out!
Other than that it’s been fault free (EGR recall aside I suppose). Does need new brake discs and pads now so the links above are really helpful - thanks for those
Hard to put together a complete response at the mo but interesting read regarding your 5s. I do have a soft spot for mine but would really like a face lifted version in the future, especially with a sunroof and brown interior 
HIDs are essential next time, I didn’t mention that i’d ‘upgraded’ to OSRAM Nightbreakers +200 just before I left but they are horrendous to the point that they’re dangerous and i’m figuring i’ve put them in wrong if that’s possible? I need to look into that but wish I’d left them as is.
Despite already thinking of the next one (as most of us do constantly) with all the work that’s done to this one I'm really enjoying putting miles on it and will continue to do so for a few years yet I think.
Next job will potentially be engine mounts as there’s a slight vibration through the gear lever and the engine can move around quite a bit when starting / stopping so think that needs investigation at least.
Then an Andream CarPlay HU I think!
For now it’s wafting around the country lanes of Pays De La Loire in supreme comfort (can even have so fun pushing on as it’s a great chassis) and I’m only slightly disappointed in the average 44mpg it’s returning, got 60+ in the E91 320d! To be fair the 5 does feel about twice the size of the previous gen 3.
HIDs are essential next time, I didn’t mention that i’d ‘upgraded’ to OSRAM Nightbreakers +200 just before I left but they are horrendous to the point that they’re dangerous and i’m figuring i’ve put them in wrong if that’s possible? I need to look into that but wish I’d left them as is. Despite already thinking of the next one (as most of us do constantly) with all the work that’s done to this one I'm really enjoying putting miles on it and will continue to do so for a few years yet I think.
Next job will potentially be engine mounts as there’s a slight vibration through the gear lever and the engine can move around quite a bit when starting / stopping so think that needs investigation at least.
Then an Andream CarPlay HU I think!
For now it’s wafting around the country lanes of Pays De La Loire in supreme comfort (can even have so fun pushing on as it’s a great chassis) and I’m only slightly disappointed in the average 44mpg it’s returning, got 60+ in the E91 320d! To be fair the 5 does feel about twice the size of the previous gen 3.
squareflops said:
Hard to put together a complete response at the mo but interesting read regarding your 5s. I do have a soft spot for mine but would really like a face lifted version in the future, especially with a sunroof and brown interior HIDs are essential next time, I didn’t mention that i’d ‘upgraded’ to OSRAM Nightbreakers +200 just before I left but they are horrendous to the point that they’re dangerous and i’m figuring i’ve put them in wrong if that’s possible? I need to look into that but wish I’d left them as is.
Despite already thinking of the next one (as most of us do constantly) with all the work that’s done to this one I'm really enjoying putting miles on it and will continue to do so for a few years yet I think.
Next job will potentially be engine mounts as there’s a slight vibration through the gear lever and the engine can move around quite a bit when starting / stopping so think that needs investigation at least.
Then an Andream CarPlay HU I think!
For now it’s wafting around the country lanes of Pays De La Loire in supreme comfort (can even have so fun pushing on as it’s a great chassis) and I’m only slightly disappointed in the average 44mpg it’s returning, got 60+ in the E91 320d! To be fair the 5 does feel about twice the size of the previous gen 3.
Haha, poor MPG is the price you pay for wafting around the Loire in comfort! At least you have the space and self levelling air suspension to bring some good wine back. HIDs are essential next time, I didn’t mention that i’d ‘upgraded’ to OSRAM Nightbreakers +200 just before I left but they are horrendous to the point that they’re dangerous and i’m figuring i’ve put them in wrong if that’s possible? I need to look into that but wish I’d left them as is. Despite already thinking of the next one (as most of us do constantly) with all the work that’s done to this one I'm really enjoying putting miles on it and will continue to do so for a few years yet I think.
Next job will potentially be engine mounts as there’s a slight vibration through the gear lever and the engine can move around quite a bit when starting / stopping so think that needs investigation at least.
Then an Andream CarPlay HU I think!
For now it’s wafting around the country lanes of Pays De La Loire in supreme comfort (can even have so fun pushing on as it’s a great chassis) and I’m only slightly disappointed in the average 44mpg it’s returning, got 60+ in the E91 320d! To be fair the 5 does feel about twice the size of the previous gen 3.
Off the motorway I find 44mpg is about right. Might be worth checking the EGR as that can have an effect and it took my fuel consumption down noticeably.
Not sure what headlights mine has but they are very good. I live in the sticks so always driving around dark country lanes and never had a problem. I’ll find out and let you know.
Appleplay would be nice but mine links up with Spotify well and I tend to use Google maps on my phone so don’t really need it.
, annoying over bumpy suburban roads, but does handle really well for such a big car on smoother A and B roads.
Is yours the Msport? I tried one and found the larger wheels (19”) and ‘Sport’ suspension ruined the ride. They look good though.
If you haven’t already done so getting rid of the run flats really improves the ride.
Is yours the Msport? I tried one and found the larger wheels (19”) and ‘Sport’ suspension ruined the ride. They look good though.
If you haven’t already done so getting rid of the run flats really improves the ride.
EGR is a good shout, I’m hoping I get a recall on it.
No this is the SE bud, first thing I did was remove the (winter) Pirelli run flats and replaced with the Contis. I did the same on my E91, sold the 17”s and went down to 16” with a bigger non RF Uniroyal. I’m a big believer in smallest wheel / largest tyre; especially on crack-prone BM wheels. Ride is great now, I do find road noise on the current Contis a bit higher than expected though. Not bad just noticeable.
No this is the SE bud, first thing I did was remove the (winter) Pirelli run flats and replaced with the Contis. I did the same on my E91, sold the 17”s and went down to 16” with a bigger non RF Uniroyal. I’m a big believer in smallest wheel / largest tyre; especially on crack-prone BM wheels. Ride is great now, I do find road noise on the current Contis a bit higher than expected though. Not bad just noticeable.
squareflops said:
Hard I didn’t mention that i’d ‘upgraded’ to OSRAM Nightbreakers +200 just before I left but they are horrendous to the point that they’re dangerous and i’m figuring i’ve put them in wrong if that’s possible? I need to look into that but wish I’d left them as is.
I've got a remarkably similar F11 SE, the lights I find are somewhat pants.I fitted "Philips RacingVision +150% H7" which are better than standard, and more importantly for me haven't got a chavtastic tint to them.
Miss my HID's of previous cars though :-(
I didn’t think there’d be another one as weirdly specced as this ha.
I had HIDs in the 530 with auto high beam and they were superb. These halogens are indeed s
t but that’s not news to us, I just had to settle on that one. I think i’ll go back to the standard bulbs and see what happens as i’ve been ‘bitten’ by these OSRAMS so now don’t trust aftermarket bulbs.
How similar is your SE? Same colour?
I had HIDs in the 530 with auto high beam and they were superb. These halogens are indeed s
t but that’s not news to us, I just had to settle on that one. I think i’ll go back to the standard bulbs and see what happens as i’ve been ‘bitten’ by these OSRAMS so now don’t trust aftermarket bulbs. How similar is your SE? Same colour?
squareflops said:
I didn’t think there’d be another one as weirdly specced as this ha.
I had HIDs in the 530 with auto high beam and they were superb. These halogens are indeed st but that’s not news to us, I just had to settle on that one. I think i’ll go back to the standard bulbs and see what happens as i’ve been ‘bitten’ by these OSRAMS so now don’t trust aftermarket bulbs.
How similar is your SE? Same colour?
Actually in terms of similarity it's a 60plate 520SE !I had HIDs in the 530 with auto high beam and they were superb. These halogens are indeed s
t but that’s not news to us, I just had to settle on that one. I think i’ll go back to the standard bulbs and see what happens as i’ve been ‘bitten’ by these OSRAMS so now don’t trust aftermarket bulbs. How similar is your SE? Same colour?
Mines boggo standard silver colour with black interior.
Similar to mine, boggo spec and double beige
Was speaking to a mechanic this evening about the halogens and he said (I don’t know much about bulbs
) the H7s can actually be put in upside down so I’ll pull them out tomorrow and have a look for a small spring inside the inside which apparently needs to be facing up
Was speaking to a mechanic this evening about the halogens and he said (I don’t know much about bulbs
) the H7s can actually be put in upside down so I’ll pull them out tomorrow and have a look for a small spring inside the inside which apparently needs to be facing up Edited by squareflops on Sunday 24th July 18:51
TeaNoSugar said:
I’ve had a 520d estate for the past 4 years. It’s gone from 45k to 125k miles in that time. Mostly up and down the motorway. It’s superb on the motorway, annoying over bumpy suburban roads, but does handle really well for such a big car on smoother A and B roads.
In the 4yrs and 80k miles I’ve done, the only issues have been the rear airbags (replaced with Continental branded bags - the tech said they’re loads better than the OEM ones?) and the regular on-screen error messages that flash up and promptly disappear again. Worrying at first but now I don’t even bother unless they stay on after I’ve turned the engine off and back on again. No idea what causes the messages as they disappear so quickly I can’t find out!
Other than that it’s been fault free (EGR recall aside I suppose). Does need new brake discs and pads now so the links above are really helpful - thanks for those
Check your battery, I used to get random electrical issues until I replaced mine. In the 4yrs and 80k miles I’ve done, the only issues have been the rear airbags (replaced with Continental branded bags - the tech said they’re loads better than the OEM ones?) and the regular on-screen error messages that flash up and promptly disappear again. Worrying at first but now I don’t even bother unless they stay on after I’ve turned the engine off and back on again. No idea what causes the messages as they disappear so quickly I can’t find out!
Other than that it’s been fault free (EGR recall aside I suppose). Does need new brake discs and pads now so the links above are really helpful - thanks for those
H7s are certainly possible to put in upside down and if you do you'll get a very strange beam pattern.
You could probably fit a decent aftermarket xenon kit which as long as you go for the oem colour temperature should in theory give very similar results to OEM as they are projector units.
Fitting any bulb on these is a fiddly and unpleasant job.
You could probably fit a decent aftermarket xenon kit which as long as you go for the oem colour temperature should in theory give very similar results to OEM as they are projector units.
Fitting any bulb on these is a fiddly and unpleasant job.
confused_buyer said:
H7s are certainly possible to put in upside down and if you do you'll get a very strange beam pattern.
You could probably fit a decent aftermarket xenon kit which as long as you go for the oem colour temperature should in theory give very similar results to OEM as they are projector units.
Fitting any bulb on these is a fiddly and unpleasant job.
Word. School boy error in hindsight, I normally do my due diligence but rushing at the moment due to a 2 year old and exasperated OH.. I’ll whip them out and re-install but as you say they’re a potch, wheels off to get my hands in there and then it’s still fiddly. I’ll have a go tomorrow mostly likely before returning to Blighty on Wednesday You could probably fit a decent aftermarket xenon kit which as long as you go for the oem colour temperature should in theory give very similar results to OEM as they are projector units.
Fitting any bulb on these is a fiddly and unpleasant job.
If you turn the front wheels and jack the car up a little bit it is just about possible to do without removing the wheels. Annoyingly the access slot isn't actually inline with the opening on the back of the headlamp.
Why manufacturers have to make this such a faff I have no idea. Ford and Volvo proved two metal prongs and 5 seconds to remove whole headlamp was possible (I don't even know if Ford have this on current models?).
Why manufacturers have to make this such a faff I have no idea. Ford and Volvo proved two metal prongs and 5 seconds to remove whole headlamp was possible (I don't even know if Ford have this on current models?).
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