A 'free' E61 525i Touring
Discussion
Okay, this car was free but it arrived with me with a knackered gearbox so hasn't exactly been as free as my click-baity title suggests!
Long story short, my dad has owned the car for several years. The gearbox lunched itself at about the same time I was looking for something along similar lines. He said it's mine if I want to fix it and £3.5k later (really!) the gearbox was fixed. It seemed madness at the time spending so much money repairing a 12 year old 140k mile car but on the flip side of that it was a car knew well and knew it had been looked after and if I was spending that same lump of money on something else, I'm not sure I'd have ended up with something as nice or at least it would have been a bigger gamble.
The gearbox was essentially rebuilt and now has a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty on it. I could have maybe got it done cheaper elsewhere or cut the odd corner but it was done at a local ZF specialist who has an excellent reputation so I'm happy enough.
My dad had his fair share of problems with the car, not least of which was a requirement for a brand new engine at 120,000 miles. Can't recall the exact issue but I imagine it was a bitter pill to swallow! It was probably a bit of a lemon but the last few years, it's been pretty good until the box gave up. It should have had an oil/filter which may have prevented it but it's not part of BMW service schedule and i guess it never crossed my dad's mind.
So the good stuff, the car drives beautifully. Everything really nice and tight and super comfortable. The seats have a crazy amount of adjustment and are heated and soooo comfy. I confess I never liked these Bangle BM's that much but E39's et al are getting very long in the tooth now where as this feels fairly modern and not a hint of rust anywhere that I've found. It replaces a Leon Cupra so in all honesty the car doesn't feel all that quick to me but it gets along just fine with a the usual silky straight six soundtrack and it's all wonderfully relaxing. I love these engines! And now that we have an ever expanding dalmation and a couple of nippers, having a big estate is fantastic. Love it for camping trips, tip runs etc. Makes life so easy.
So far I've put about 4k miles on it and done very little to it other than a few bulbs and swapping it onto a set of winter wheels. I have fitted a Dension gateway unit that allows me to play podasts etc from my phone and do hands free calling. That's quite neat. Oh, and a I gave it really thorough clean up and machine polish although it's currently brown again!
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/jFtczZf9.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/khaursTo" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/khaursTo.jpg)
Long story short, my dad has owned the car for several years. The gearbox lunched itself at about the same time I was looking for something along similar lines. He said it's mine if I want to fix it and £3.5k later (really!) the gearbox was fixed. It seemed madness at the time spending so much money repairing a 12 year old 140k mile car but on the flip side of that it was a car knew well and knew it had been looked after and if I was spending that same lump of money on something else, I'm not sure I'd have ended up with something as nice or at least it would have been a bigger gamble.
The gearbox was essentially rebuilt and now has a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty on it. I could have maybe got it done cheaper elsewhere or cut the odd corner but it was done at a local ZF specialist who has an excellent reputation so I'm happy enough.
My dad had his fair share of problems with the car, not least of which was a requirement for a brand new engine at 120,000 miles. Can't recall the exact issue but I imagine it was a bitter pill to swallow! It was probably a bit of a lemon but the last few years, it's been pretty good until the box gave up. It should have had an oil/filter which may have prevented it but it's not part of BMW service schedule and i guess it never crossed my dad's mind.
So the good stuff, the car drives beautifully. Everything really nice and tight and super comfortable. The seats have a crazy amount of adjustment and are heated and soooo comfy. I confess I never liked these Bangle BM's that much but E39's et al are getting very long in the tooth now where as this feels fairly modern and not a hint of rust anywhere that I've found. It replaces a Leon Cupra so in all honesty the car doesn't feel all that quick to me but it gets along just fine with a the usual silky straight six soundtrack and it's all wonderfully relaxing. I love these engines! And now that we have an ever expanding dalmation and a couple of nippers, having a big estate is fantastic. Love it for camping trips, tip runs etc. Makes life so easy.
So far I've put about 4k miles on it and done very little to it other than a few bulbs and swapping it onto a set of winter wheels. I have fitted a Dension gateway unit that allows me to play podasts etc from my phone and do hands free calling. That's quite neat. Oh, and a I gave it really thorough clean up and machine polish although it's currently brown again!
Macron said:
Surely a recon box would have been £6-800?
They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
Thanks!Everyone kept telling me I could get a reconditioned box for a few hundred quid. I don't honestly think you can. I did look into this avenue. Ebay and the scrap yards can sell you a used box (not recon) for about £500+deliver but no fitting, transport (car was dead!) or coding. So although you get a short warranty, if you fit it and it doesn't work then tough luck on the labour and coding cost. You'd need to get the box out again, get the car back and start again. Or if it does work, you could fit it and get a couple of thousand miles out of it and it do the same thing. I either needed to buy another car or get this one fixed and into use as I didn't really have time to faff around. I couldn't find any genuinely reputable, guaranteed recon boxes installed and coded for anything like the numbers you mention otherwise I'd have gone down that road. But if you really can find those, why would you not do the same if your box goes?
I'm sure I could have found a much cheaper option but I do intend to use this car for a while and it's carting me to work every day so in the end (reluctantly) I felt it right to go with the reputable repair and the comprehensive warranty that comes with it.
They do seem nice enough cars and as I say for my total outlay I'm pretty happy with the end result and if someone is enjoying Christmas on me, then so be it.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Saturday 30th November 21:31
Nickp82 said:
I am far from an expert on used BMW values but £3500 for a 5 series wagon with a 20k engine and a fresh gearbox doesn’t sound bad to me .
I don't know either actually but I was of the same opinion. I was looking at V70's and Skoda Superbs etc and everything 'has a bit of leg on it' at this sort of money I think. And although the BMW has had it's problems, I know it's been looked after so I didn't go into it with usual paranoia that buying cars at this end of the market entails. Pretty happy with it which means the diff will probably blow up tomorrow! Looks like you have the comfort seats option there. Very nice.
I had a gearbox go on one of these too. Cost around 2k to repair here in the uae but labour is cheap. You did the right thing to get a proper rebuild.
I am surprised about the engine as they appear bulletproof.
The other thing that plays up is the I drive. There are plenty of specialists out there to put them right.
I had a gearbox go on one of these too. Cost around 2k to repair here in the uae but labour is cheap. You did the right thing to get a proper rebuild.
I am surprised about the engine as they appear bulletproof.
The other thing that plays up is the I drive. There are plenty of specialists out there to put them right.
Macron said:
Surely a recon box would have been £6-800?
They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
If I was in the same boat, I'd have done exactly the same as the OP. I'm guessing he probably doesn't have a ramp so the £3.5k will likely be all in including removing and replacing the box and fluids, as well as the actual recondition itself.They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
The problem with slinging an ebay special recon box in is that you have absolutely no guarantee that it's been done and to what level or standard. Fair enough if you're trying to chuck the car back together as cheaply as possible to sell on, however if you're intending to keep it and use it, I'd far rather spend a bit more and get the job done properly.
OP, your car looks lovely, LCI E61's with Comfort Seats aren't super common, and yours has the later iDrive as well and newer style transmission selector. The seats are the same as the Comfort Seats from similar vintage 7 series, I had them in a 730Ld and they're absolutely phenomenal.
Should be a very nicely sorted car for many miles to come now! I agree with what others have said, I wasn't keen on the E60/61 when they launched, but they've aged incredibly well, they look brilliant to my eye now.
D4MJT said:
Macron said:
Surely a recon box would have been £6-800?
They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
If I was in the same boat, I'd have done exactly the same as the OP. I'm guessing he probably doesn't have a ramp so the £3.5k will likely be all in including removing and replacing the box and fluids, as well as the actual recondition itself.They're having a great Xmas party on you.
I have an E60 530i, if the box goes, so does the car!
The problem with slinging an ebay special recon box in is that you have absolutely no guarantee that it's been done and to what level or standard. Fair enough if you're trying to chuck the car back together as cheaply as possible to sell on, however if you're intending to keep it and use it, I'd far rather spend a bit more and get the job done properly.
OP, your car looks lovely, LCI E61's with Comfort Seats aren't super common, and yours has the later iDrive as well and newer style transmission selector. The seats are the same as the Comfort Seats from similar vintage 7 series, I had them in a 730Ld and they're absolutely phenomenal.
Should be a very nicely sorted car for many miles to come now! I agree with what others have said, I wasn't keen on the E60/61 when they launched, but they've aged incredibly well, they look brilliant to my eye now.
Didn't realise the seats were unusual but as you're say they're fantastically comfortable an infinitely adjustable. Crazy amount of adjustment actually, I haven't really explored it all yet! Interesting that the gear selector is an updated one. It's perhaps one of the few things I'm not that keen on. It feels just little bit flimsy to me but it works and is quick and east to use.
The roads are seriously icy around here this weekend. A 'dab of oppo' at times today with a Christmas tree on the roof. Why not?!
Gad-Westy said:
...coding.
Forgive my ignorance but what is 'coding'? I presume that you need to (in some way) introduce the new gearbox to the car's electronics so it will work. How much of a job is this? What do you need to do it? A simple scan tool or £20,000/s worth of dealer-only computer software? 2Btoo said:
Gad-Westy said:
...coding.
Forgive my ignorance but what is 'coding'? I presume that you need to (in some way) introduce the new gearbox to the car's electronics so it will work. How much of a job is this? What do you need to do it? A simple scan tool or £20,000/s worth of dealer-only computer software? This is a nice looking car, and I don't even think it's bad for the money. The gearbox is what I am always concerned about with an auto. No worrying needed!
Comfort seats are the nice option to have, too. The split backrest, and thigh support make for a good long distance cruiser. Looks like it has Xenon lights too.
I like the look of the wheels, they're a nice one. Not too big, just right for the 5er.
The facelift on these cars helped out massively, too. The rear lights still look fresh today. LED indicators on the rear make it feel modern still, too.
Happy motoring. The BMW six is my favourite engine ever made.
Comfort seats are the nice option to have, too. The split backrest, and thigh support make for a good long distance cruiser. Looks like it has Xenon lights too.
I like the look of the wheels, they're a nice one. Not too big, just right for the 5er.
The facelift on these cars helped out massively, too. The rear lights still look fresh today. LED indicators on the rear make it feel modern still, too.
Happy motoring. The BMW six is my favourite engine ever made.
Gad-Westy said:
I don’t know actually. Once the gearbox was in my car it was transported to a BMW main dealer so I assume it’s not something that you can just do with a laptop. But I’d be interested to know too.
You can run the dealer software on your own laptop these days. When it first came it out (DIS) it was £40k for the workshop computer. (Which was basically a big box on wheels with some leads, a screen and hardware inside.) The current software is ISTA D and P.I would be amazed if anyone can rebuild an automatic BMW gearbox for £6-700. Then there’s the question define “rebuilt”. Automatics are tricky to rebuild correctly - been there, done that.
As for mine a 5L40E
First you have to take it out, pull it apart, clean it – a day
Torque converter - £225
Rebuild kit – steels and linings/clutches, gaskets, seal and washers £400
Regulators taken out, cleaned, checked, new seals etc.. This is assuming they all work as they should do. If not its £40+ each. There are 4 of them.
Fix whatever is knackered, In mine, there’s a valve that’s usually worn, so there is machine work required on the valve body and an oversized accumulator piston/valve thingy fitted. Reassemble it, put it back in again - another day.
Fill it with fluid
Goodbye £2K+ , no doubt a ZF is more expensive than that.
If you work at ZF/Getrag/GM and can buy the bits at cost- and your mate will help you do it for beer tokens, then fair enough.
As for mine a 5L40E
First you have to take it out, pull it apart, clean it – a day
Torque converter - £225
Rebuild kit – steels and linings/clutches, gaskets, seal and washers £400
Regulators taken out, cleaned, checked, new seals etc.. This is assuming they all work as they should do. If not its £40+ each. There are 4 of them.
Fix whatever is knackered, In mine, there’s a valve that’s usually worn, so there is machine work required on the valve body and an oversized accumulator piston/valve thingy fitted. Reassemble it, put it back in again - another day.
Fill it with fluid
Goodbye £2K+ , no doubt a ZF is more expensive than that.
If you work at ZF/Getrag/GM and can buy the bits at cost- and your mate will help you do it for beer tokens, then fair enough.
helix402 said:
You can run the dealer software on your own laptop these days. When it first came it out (DIS) it was £40k for the workshop computer. (Which was basically a big box on wheels with some leads, a screen and hardware inside.) The current software is ISTA D and P.
Does that cover pairing of major lumps? I seem to remember mutterings about matching chassis numbers and therefore needing bmw cooperation. Like coding a new key. But could be wrong. bucksmanuk said:
I would be amazed if anyone can rebuild an automatic BMW gearbox for £6-700. Then there’s the question define “rebuilt”. Automatics are tricky to rebuild correctly - been there, done that.
As for mine a 5L40E
First you have to take it out, pull it apart, clean it – a day
Torque converter - £225
Rebuild kit – steels and linings/clutches, gaskets, seal and washers £400
Regulators taken out, cleaned, checked, new seals etc.. This is assuming they all work as they should do. If not its £40+ each. There are 4 of them.
Fix whatever is knackered, In mine, there’s a valve that’s usually worn, so there is machine work required on the valve body and an oversized accumulator piston/valve thingy fitted. Reassemble it, put it back in again - another day.
Fill it with fluid
Goodbye £2K+ , no doubt a ZF is more expensive than that.
If you work at ZF/Getrag/GM and can buy the bits at cost- and your mate will help you do it for beer tokens, then fair enough.
Looking at my bill, there is approx £2k in parts. Mechatronics Unit is more than half of that. The rest is made up of labour (14 hours), transports, coding, £250 of oil. Adds up. But having seen a cut away zf box, I can see where the costs come in! As for mine a 5L40E
First you have to take it out, pull it apart, clean it – a day
Torque converter - £225
Rebuild kit – steels and linings/clutches, gaskets, seal and washers £400
Regulators taken out, cleaned, checked, new seals etc.. This is assuming they all work as they should do. If not its £40+ each. There are 4 of them.
Fix whatever is knackered, In mine, there’s a valve that’s usually worn, so there is machine work required on the valve body and an oversized accumulator piston/valve thingy fitted. Reassemble it, put it back in again - another day.
Fill it with fluid
Goodbye £2K+ , no doubt a ZF is more expensive than that.
If you work at ZF/Getrag/GM and can buy the bits at cost- and your mate will help you do it for beer tokens, then fair enough.
Gad-Westy said:
Does that cover pairing of major lumps? I seem to remember mutterings about matching chassis numbers and therefore needing bmw cooperation. Like coding a new key. But could be wrong.
Yes. It does everything the dealers can. It just isn’t hooked up to BMW central servers, so you’re running the software level on your machine-not necessary the latest. If you subscribe you will a link to the central server. If you don’t subscribe you also can’t update the service history online.helix402 said:
Gad-Westy said:
Does that cover pairing of major lumps? I seem to remember mutterings about matching chassis numbers and therefore needing bmw cooperation. Like coding a new key. But could be wrong.
Yes. It does everything the dealers can. It just isn’t hooked up to BMW central servers, so you’re running the software level on your machine-not necessary the latest. If you subscribe you will a link to the central server. If you don’t subscribe you also can’t update the service history online.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff