E61 V8 Bearding

[ATM]

philmots said:

smashie said:

Well I went and done it. The 550i is on my drive now. Man maths did not fully add up, but hey you only live once and the other half likes it so at least not in the Dog house.

Congrats mate.

I thought about selling mine in a year or two but I keep thinking more and more ill just run and run it. My mileage is only 3/4k a year so it should stay pretty fresh.

It's a lovely engine with a decent turn of speed when needed.

I think PH may own the majority of these cars shortly! I think one fella has two..

I can see why. At day to day sensible stuff it is just so good. Tickling round at 1/10 throttle being sensible it feels like you're driving something like a 750i. But then the added boot space makes it so much more practical. I think I could fit a washing machine in there easily. I've driven a 745i and it felt more lardy on a b road. Plus parking a 7 at Asda is almost impossible if you try to use one space.

[ATM]

I've heard this argument a few times. I also know that the fuel in the states is very poor compared to ours. They have 3 types at the pumps and I dont think their best compares to our super unleaded. I can believe that a tune specific to our super unleaded should unleash some more horses. But then you need to top up with super every time. Will you notice an extra 20bhp?

Now adding a blower is a completely different proposition. Will you feel another 100bhp - you better do. If you can create a home brewed Alpina B5 for sensible money then I'd be tempted. The B5's are hovering around the just under 20k range and I dont know if they made any tourings. If you can keep the engine and box standard with the addition of a blower then in the future should the engine fail or the gearbox it is a relatively simple task to replace them.

Of course it is then debatable if you'll realise any extra money come resale time. If this doesn't bother you or you're planning on keeping it for a while then why not do it.

You could maybe save some money by buying a used blower off something like an LSA or the E55 amg or the blown Jag V8's.

[ATM]

philmots said:

I'm sure the ESS Supercharger made 500hp and was about 6k, so not cheap! The only way you'd get part of your money back is by selling it off the car when the time comes.

I see the appeal but that 6k could nearly buy a newer XFR - which I'm tempted to do next. Unless I just keep mine!

Apparently made 3 B5 Tourings for here, I think one was written off.. and the last silver one that sold was silly money.

They made an XFR Wagon?

[ATM]

I think I'd be looking at a C63 wagon with LSD option if I was going for a change. They sound awesome. My brother has a few video clips from a friend of his who has one. They just show the clocks and how it goes from 10/15 mph up to 100. It's impressive.

[ATM]

dom9 said:

ATM said:

I think I'd be looking at a C63 wagon with LSD option if I was going for a change. They sound awesome. My brother has a few video clips from a friend of his who has one. They just show the clocks and how it goes from 10/15 mph up to 100. It's impressive.

hornetrider said:

AMGs are in another league for performance and running costs to our humble NA V8. I have often considered an AMG Wagon but the empeegees are just too severe for running as a daily, at least at the mileage I'm doing.

I'd love a C63, especially if there were any 507 Wagons floating about (did they make any)!

However, I suspect they'll always be out of budget as a 'dog car' and difficult to justify to myself. Can anyone see them dropping below say £20k, ever?!

I could chuck a supercharger on mine, fix every niggle and still have change from £10k, I'd guess. And that can be done over a period of years, if needs be.

What's a 507?

[ATM]

dom9 said:

ATM said:

What's a 507?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-mercedes-benz-c63-amg-edition-507-test-review

Google is your friend, you lazy so and so!

So what's a vanilla C63 got under the hood bhp wise?

[ATM]

dom9 said:

ATM said:

48 quid and the blower is cold.

Still cold now?

No

It's now warm again.

[ATM]

quavey said:

ATM said:

So what's a vanilla C63 got under the hood bhp wise?

Very similar engine, just in a slightly different state of tune.

451bhp for standard C63
480bhp with performance package
500bhp for the C63 507 (507ps)

From just a remap?

[ATM]

philmots said:

ATM said:

dom9 said:

ATM said:

48 quid and the blower is cold.

Still cold now?

No

It's now warm again.

Join club. Mine started making funny noises about 4/5 weeks ago up until last week when it packed in all together.. Got a big hole in the condenser FFS, new one getting fit on Wednesday.

So can I take the bus to any old garage and say make my ac work please?

[ATM]

Jobbo said:

Depends on size of excess, mileage when you take it out etc. I think I paid £68 a month for my drivetrain warranty on a car which had 132k miles on it; the warranty had a £250 excess and I excluded emergency recovery. Paid for a £5k gearbox replacement at 146k miles

Where would you recommend I start my search for a warranty?

And is it just drivetrain that's worth having or can I go for other bells and whistles?

My AC doesn't seem to be working after a recent regas....

[ATM]

dom9 said:

philmots said:

Your symptoms sound like the torque converter, you could have this repaired for that £625..

A full recon box you could have fitted for less than 3 years cover.

Repairs are generally huge as people use main dealers who'll just swap out the whole gearbox, if you use an independent and the Internet most repairs can be done for a fraction.

Absolutely - been looking at pocket rockets (106 GTI and Rallye, Twingo 133) for my commute but for a few grand, I could probably have my 545i scrubbed up to perfect and to hell with the economy!

I have my Clio V6 for hoons and while Mrs 9 is sunning herself in Costa Rica, avoiding the house move - I've been making the most of keeping her Fiat 500 on the boil!

The warranty direct screen I looked at said it paid 100% of labour but only 50% of parts on older vehicles. The gearbox new must be 3-4000. That's a big bill with a warranty.



Vehicle age or Mileage Parts Labour
Up to 6 years or 60,000 miles 100% 100%
Up to 7 years or 70,000 miles 80% 100%
Up to 8 years or 80,000 miles 70% 100%
Up to 9 years or 90,000 miles 60% 100%
Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles 50% 100%
Over 10 years or 100,000 miles 50% 100%

[ATM]

dom9 said:

ATM said:

The warranty direct screen I looked at said it paid 100% of labour but only 50% of parts on older vehicles. The gearbox new must be 3-4000. That's a big bill with a warranty.



Vehicle age or Mileage Parts Labour
Up to 6 years or 60,000 miles 100% 100%
Up to 7 years or 70,000 miles 80% 100%
Up to 8 years or 80,000 miles 70% 100%
Up to 9 years or 90,000 miles 60% 100%
Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles 50% 100%
Over 10 years or 100,000 miles 50% 100%

Is that the higher of years or miles? As in, mine is 75,000 but 10 years old. So, would they pay 70% labour or 50%.

I think my 'box is fine - my ZF specialists reckon it's the torque converter, as does our learned friend above. 'Feeling' the symptoms, I'd say they were right.

new torque converter, maybe a map, a bit of paint, a polish, full service and some Michelin Pilot Supersports and that's probably around £2,500 and a great car for years to come!

Vehicle age or Mileage ::::::::::: Parts
Up to 6 years or 60,000 miles :::100%
Up to 7 years or 70,000 miles :::80%
Up to 8 years or 80,000 miles :::70%
Up to 9 years or 90,000 miles :::60%
Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles 50%
Over 10 years or 100,000 miles :50%



Vehicle age or Mileage ::::::::::: Labour
Up to 6 years or 60,000 miles :::100%
Up to 7 years or 70,000 miles :::100%
Up to 8 years or 80,000 miles :::100%
Up to 9 years or 90,000 miles :::100%
Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles 100%
Over 10 years or 100,000 miles :100%

[ATM]

ian_cab28 said:

Hi,

Mild thread hijack, looking at moving from a near 200k e39 540 touring to a 3 year 04 plate younger model, only 100k. From a london based indie dealer, an SE model, normal spec, pan roof, leather, basic nav, 17" alloys, non-xenon badly fogged, all in all in pretty good condition, plenty of history . Negotiated him down a bit, does £4.9k sound ok for this ? PDC not working, likely 2+ sensors/water ingress :-(, dealer says will fix for 4.9k. Also how much for a loaded e39, double glazing, comfort seats, electro hydraulic tailgate (rusty!), etc. etc feels like worth more in pieces to a latvian ! Attracted by change of car to modern e60 shape had the e39 old girl for 7.5 year now.

Thanks, Ian

7.5 year now - we need pics of this Shirley!

I think the e39 540 touring is always worth money to a scruffy dog owner who wants top get a swerve on. But then you need to find one. If the garage is only offering you say £500 for it then why sell it? I mean how does it still work - go / stop etc?

[ATM]

dom9 said:

Hang on, so is it a 545i E61 that you're looking at for £4.9k? If it's in good nick, that sounds excellent! I paid £6.6k for mine (albeit 75k miles) a couple of months back!

Maybe it's 4900 to change. My view on cars is if they're cheap enough compared to market price then go for it. You can always pass it on if it doesn't suit and you shouldn't lose a fortune. I'd be tempted to keep the E39 if it's only worth peanuts. Try the 545 for a few months and then decide which one to dispose of.

[ATM]

Practicality update.

Swallowed 2 bikes quite easy. I don't have the cover today but I think I could cover them with it so they're unseen.

This is without folding seats down.

Edited by ATM on Saturday 18th August 17:49

[ATM]

Jobbo said:

Private sale on eBay as an auction too, London car with higher mileage but the desirable comfort seats (and a few niggles): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-545I-SE-TOURING... - no bids at £3,600 currently but in view of the niggles and mileage you might get it for that.

Advert said:

I've also changed the gearbox solenoids and changed the gearbox oil which has made the car feel brand new again!

This sounds interesting. No I've not google'd it. Anyone here heard of this?

[ATM]

dom9 said:

bad it behaved (even the torque converter) faultlessly

Can you decipher this for us?

bad ... faultlessly

dom9 said:

Have you got those wheels on yet? If so, where are the pics?

No

I'm having weird dreams about 19 inch wheels. A new set of boots in 18 or 19 is basically the same price. I'm a sucker for a bargain so keeping my eye out for a set of wheels with/without tyres which are close by.

[ATM]

dom9 said:

I have been having thoughts of buying a 1.7 Puma (or 106 GTi/ Rallye but good ones are hard to come by) and chucking a couple of grand at it to create my own B-road blaster for the 6.5 mile (each way) B-road blat to work but I am not so sure now, with winter approaching and the weather we've been having recently...

This I can understand. Big barges are good but they are not the be all and end all. I'd much rather throw a smaller car around given the opportunity. The thing is I have 2 cars already and a third small city fun car just for ... I had an R5 GT Turbo when I was a kid. I still find myself looking at them on ebay. Maybe something old school which you can enjoy without having to go quickly.

[ATM]

dom9 said:

I wish VW had made the Up GTi - That would have been a nice blend of 'miniature executive' and lightweight, buzzy performance. I guess that is why Lupo GTis seem to hold their money so well. Shame they are not bargain money.

You seem to be able to get a spanking 1.7 Puma for £1k but maybe I should just put that towards fuel in the 545i (would probably be a good year + worth).

The lupo gti is a good car. I think they'll hold their money well enough.

[ATM]

dom9 said:

ATM said:

The lupo gti is a good car. I think they'll hold their money well enough.

Anything with over 100k miles seems to be £3k+ and anything with 'low' miles seems to be £6k+... Too rich for me when you could get a nice, low miles Puma 1.7 for £1k!

Pumas without serious tin worm do not exist.