E61 V8 Bearding
Discussion
g3org3y said:
Looks like a great spec with some very rare options (night vision for example!) and I really like that tan interior.
How easy are the 'undisclosed' issues to sort?
How frequent have the oil changes been?
Has the autobox had a ZF service?
Have the valve stem seals been done?
I'd be interested to know the source of the Feb 2020 oil leak and how it was sorted (and whether other preventative measures were taken at the same time).
I notice it has Option S2TB 'Sports Automatic Gearbox'. Unfortunately I don't know much about that? Is that the regular autobox with a different sports map and flappy paddles or it is a whole different type of box?
In terms of reliability, depends who you ask (not US YouTubers!)! They do have a rep for leaking oil and coolant (small cheap gaskets but labour intensive to sort). I believe this 4.8 is better than the earlier 4.4 in that regard. Then of course you have the valve stem seals which is often considered a 'when' rather than 'if' situation. This chap outlines a lot of the issues.
Sports auto gearbox is the same ZF box with a sportier map, and you got a slightly different shaped joystick gearlever. It was only £150 or so as an option when new compared to the standard auto. Which still came with a sport mode, and paddles in both my 545is. How easy are the 'undisclosed' issues to sort?
How frequent have the oil changes been?
Has the autobox had a ZF service?
Have the valve stem seals been done?
I'd be interested to know the source of the Feb 2020 oil leak and how it was sorted (and whether other preventative measures were taken at the same time).
I notice it has Option S2TB 'Sports Automatic Gearbox'. Unfortunately I don't know much about that? Is that the regular autobox with a different sports map and flappy paddles or it is a whole different type of box?
In terms of reliability, depends who you ask (not US YouTubers!)! They do have a rep for leaking oil and coolant (small cheap gaskets but labour intensive to sort). I believe this 4.8 is better than the earlier 4.4 in that regard. Then of course you have the valve stem seals which is often considered a 'when' rather than 'if' situation. This chap outlines a lot of the issues.
Edited by g3org3y on Saturday 31st July 06:28
Not sure that one has radar cruise as the chap says in the eBay ad. Cruise with brake function just means it’ll keep your speed from increasing when going down hills.
Jobbo said:
Sports auto gearbox is the same ZF box with a sportier map, and you got a slightly different shaped joystick gearlever. It was only £150 or so as an option when new compared to the standard auto. Which still came with a sport mode, and paddles in both my 545is.
No paddles on my 550iJobbo said:
ATM said:
No paddles on my 550i
Just checked my early E61 brochure and it seems paddles weren’t standard on my 545is. They did come with sport auto transmission on the F11 so I assume the same is true for sport auto on the E61. BigMacDaddy said:
Any joy with the battery ATM?
I left the old Halford charger on there. And this morning it is showing a green light for charged. Checked with my 3 quid Lidl tester and it too says charged. Now not sure what to do with it as the car has a different battery in there right now. Seems the Internet says the real test test a battery is if it can keep charge. Not sure how to test that. I have been pondering one if those little LiPo jump starter packs. Having 4 cars now it feels like that could be useful. Need to book the 550i in for an MOT next.
g3org3y said:
ATM said:
ATM said:
Need to book the 550i in for an MOT next.
BookedThursday is MOT today.
I'd like it to pass. No new warnings on the dash. Suspension has stayed up over night. Brake discs have all cleaned up from rust.
My only blind spots are Suspension bushes and maybe emissions.
bolidemichael said:
It's shaving one's testicles and enjoying the stubble feeling on cooled leather seats.
Much as this amuses me, for the poster who asked the question I've always assumed it meant 'anoraking' although having just googled it there seems to be a much more modern meaning that doesn't apply here!
Took the 550i out yesterday in celebration of getting an MOT. I was alarmed when someone pulled up next to me and wanted to tell me something. My initial reaction was concern because I am usually being told to slow down by other less confident road users. In this instance it was actually a helpful gentlemen who wanted to warn me I have something dragging on the road from underneath the car. I will admit I still have some of the underside plastic panels in the back garden. So maybe this needs my attention. Or I just keep driving till the offending item falls off.
I'm not sure how the term Beard came about or where it is from. I think Jules is right. I think it refers to the bearded types who seem to know more than everyone else about a car model. From my many years on PH I have seen people make comments like good bearding when someone has demonstrated a detailed knowledge about a specific car or engine or model etc. So I decided to name the thread Bearding. We're just owner operators, past or present and enthusiasts. Dont think of me as any kind of hero for having started the thread, having owned my 550i the longest out of everyone else on here and also for having what appears to be the earliest BMW press car in the country. Any excuse to post the pic again of BMW magazine from 2006 with my car featured.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff