E61 V8 Bearding

[ATM]

No idea Dom. Quite sad to see he has a 545i breaking but at least it's only a saloon.

Now that I'm down to 3 cars I find myself emailing sellers of early 650i cars but so far they are all 500 road tax. I quite like the idea of a convertible 6 with the glorious 4.8 engine. That's got to make a good wafter.

[philmots]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[hornetrider]

Prices seem to have dropped off a cliff since Phil and I sold ours

The arrival of the G30 perhaps meaning this is now two generations old?

[dom9]

Really seem to have dropped a chunk the last few months!

Just means I can pick up a 550i cheaper when the 545i dies!

Any thoughts on that bumper colour on the previous page?

[hornetrider]

Sorry mate no clue!

[dom9]

No problem, bud.

Will pull the bumper today and see if I can't de-dent it and make it look more presentable.

If not, may be worth finding 'any' colour 2nd hand, locally and take it to my buddies at Claremont Coachworks.

[ATM]

dom9 said:

Really seem to have dropped a chunk the last few months!

Just means I can pick up a 550i cheaper when the 545i dies!

Any thoughts on that bumper colour on the previous page?

Ah ha - you 545i die hards all want a 550i really.

[dom9]

LOL - I just need more POWER! I'm sure I'd soon need more out of the 4.8!

I think we'll run this one into the ground since the 'box seems to be hanging on and it's picking up a few dings and dents.

New rear light went on (£55 delivered) and I pulled the bumper off and gave the dent a stamping/ bashing and it looks presentable-ish.

Will keep an eye out for a 2nd hand bumper, locally and fit that if one comes up for say £100 in the right colour.

That one in Bootle is pick up only and just too far away to take the risk on

The way I see it is the cost to change when I got mine was around £4k (£6-7k 545i to £10-11k 550i) and mine would probably still get £2k+ on a bad day (still low miles etc) and maybe £4-5k if I sort the box and do some cosmetics, which seems to put you into 550i territory, either way.

My biggest issue is that Mrs9 wants kids, which probably means an SUV for lifting the spawn into, hence running this into the ground and not looking elsewhere yet... Although an Audi V10 S6 Avant appeals!

[ATM]

I've got a quote of £390 for Gearbox service which is just fluid and filter right. Does that sound about right?

[JakeT]

The ZF 6HP can be a bit of a mare to service. Required the special ZF fluid, and a new plastic sump. If both of those are included I can't see why not.

[trickywoo]

ATM said:

I've got a quote of £390 for Gearbox service which is just fluid and filter right. Does that sound about right?

That is what I paid at an approved ZF place a few years ago.

[ATM]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[philmots]

Just couldn't cope with the grey leather!

[hornetrider]

For the love of God spend a fiver on a towing eye cover. Doesn't anyone know how to sell cars? Jesus.

....also. I wonder why it's been used...

[ATM]

JakeT said:

The ZF 6HP can be a bit of a mare to service. Required the special ZF fluid, and a new plastic sump. If both of those are included I can't see why not.

Kits are readily available on ebay. Do we think this is worth trying DIY?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131163393536

[Jobbo]

I had the gearbox oil changed on my second 545i by the Midlands ZF agent in Cannock. Must have been about 4-5 years ago. I think it cost about £350 and I know it took them a couple of hours because they did it while I waited. There's a specific temperature the fluid must be drained at to get it all out. Not worth the saving, I'd say.

[dom9]

I'm nut and bolt rebuilding another car and I didn't contemplate once (well, maybe, but not seriously) doing my 'box oil change myself...

Perhaps I should have done though, since my issues have show up worse since having it done

[ATM]

Jobbo said:

I had the gearbox oil changed on my second 545i by the Midlands ZF agent in Cannock. Must have been about 4-5 years ago. I think it cost about £350 and I know it took them a couple of hours because they did it while I waited. There's a specific temperature the fluid must be drained at to get it all out. Not worth the saving, I'd say.

This one?

http://vmtp-midlands.co.uk/vmtp-midlands-ltd/

[Jobbo]

ATM said:

Jobbo said:

I had the gearbox oil changed on my second 545i by the Midlands ZF agent in Cannock. Must have been about 4-5 years ago. I think it cost about £350 and I know it took them a couple of hours because they did it while I waited. There's a specific temperature the fluid must be drained at to get it all out. Not worth the saving, I'd say.

This one?

http://vmtp-midlands.co.uk/vmtp-midlands-ltd/

That's the one. Although I had my gearbox replaced a year later (under warranty). So I'd only recommend a gearbox fluid change now if it's a nice early bit of normal maintenance, not to cure any issues; you're going to have the fluid replaced as part of any work on the box so don't pay twice.

[ATM]

Jobbo said:

ATM said:

Jobbo said:

I had the gearbox oil changed on my second 545i by the Midlands ZF agent in Cannock. Must have been about 4-5 years ago. I think it cost about £350 and I know it took them a couple of hours because they did it while I waited. There's a specific temperature the fluid must be drained at to get it all out. Not worth the saving, I'd say.

This one?

http://vmtp-midlands.co.uk/vmtp-midlands-ltd/

That's the one. Although I had my gearbox replaced a year later (under warranty). So I'd only recommend a gearbox fluid change now if it's a nice early bit of normal maintenance, not to cure any issues; you're going to have the fluid replaced as part of any work on the box so don't pay twice.

I just get the occasional jerk.