car sitting idle for 4 months, what to check?

[digger_R]

as the title, my BMW 528 E39 auto has been sitting on the drive for the last few months and has hardly done any miles this year as I've been out of the country for the last year.
My father drove it a little for the first few months then my cousin borrowed it for another couple (passed the MOT 4 months ago).

So what should I check before driving it, I'll be insured and taxed thursday (today) morning, I'm slightly mech capable.
It will be getting an oil change soon - as it was down to the last service light before I left a year ago.

I'd appreciate it if someone can recommend a good indy BMW specialist around the Walsall or Wolverhampton area too

[bikemonster]

A modern car should be good to go after 4 months. The battery will almost certainly be flatter than a pancake (unless it was disconnected).

Charge the battery, enter the code for the stereo and away you go.

I recently left my MG TF160 sitting for 3 months and apart from the flat battery, no problems.

[steveo3002]

yeah shouldnt really be a problem , check the levels and tyre pressures and carry on . battery might well be caput if you didnt disconect it

[anonymous-user]

I left my 96 Mini for 6 months with the battery disconnected. Connected it up and it burst into life almost instantly on the first turn of the key. If that shoddy heap can do it, anything can! I'd check tyre pressures and expect flat spots for the first few miles.

Dave

[Diablos-666]

Flat spots on the tyres?

[Jonny_693]

Diablos-666 said:

Flat spots on the tyres?

Not after four months.

[alfa pint]

Check the brakes for pitting and rusting. On a manual, the clutch sometimes sticks but not a problem with an auto. Electrics as already mentioned. Oh, and the boot releases / bonnet releases / back doors may be a bit sticky.

[tomwoodis]

You might find that if the handbrake has been on that the pads/disks may be slightly stuck together. Some cars are worse for this than others in my experience.

If it's stuck. some gentle rocking back and forward usually does the trick.

[300bhp/ton]

digger_R said:

as the title, my BMW 528 E39 auto has been sitting on the drive for the last few months and has hardly done any miles this year as I've been out of the country for the last year.
My father drove it a little for the first few months then my cousin borrowed it for another couple (passed the MOT 4 months ago).

So what should I check before driving it

If someone else drove it last, I'd be well tempted to check the radio first. Unacceptable music taste is simply beyond reproach.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 15th July 12:11

[mat205125]

Clean all the windows and the wiper blades. Nothing worth than an accumulation of grime/sap/dirt on the screen that turns to a horrible slimy emulsion the second that the wipers are turned on in the rain.

This is PH anyway - Wash it with two buckets of clay bricks, and all that malarky.

[TonyRPH]

mat205125 said:

This is PH anyway - Wash it with two buckets of clay bricks, and all that malarky.

This made me chuckle out loud.

[Arese]

I had a similar situation with a Primera that had been left for 18 months!

Someone on here advised to remove the fuse for the fuel pump, and turn the car over for a few seconds to get the oil moving around. Then put the fuse back in, and fire it up. Just in case all the oil had dripped down to the bottom of the engine I guess.

The Primera started straight away.

[williamp]

if its the standard in-built radio on the e39 then it wont have a radio code.

Reconnect battery. Start. Persoanlyl I weould let it idle for a while-check for leaks underneath **in case** a mouse has decided to like the taste of rubber or somesuch

The handbrake might have stuck on.
The brakes might be rusty

If it starts and idles fine with no leaks, etc then slowly drive forward/back. if all is Ok, then it should be fine

[spitfire-ian]

After my Spitfire has been sat for a few months I just try starting it. If it starts then all's well and good. If it doesn't, then I worry about what could be wrong

[digger_R]

Needed a jump start today, steering felt a little heavy too but otherwise it seems it's good to go. Far from being a banger but an absurdly good car for the little cash it's cost me over the last few years.
thanks for the advice esp the washing stuff, I've been away from here for too long to remember such stuff.

Anyone looking for a black E39 with tax, mot etc 113k .... (well it's worth a try)

[bodhi]

I just tried starting my old Punto, which has been on the drive for 12 months now. Connect battery, put fuel in, bugger started first time.


Why did it never do that when I needed it to????

Other than that, it moves fine, although some sort of brake is clearly stuck on. Me mate wants it now as he is desperate for a car, and is going to try and get it MOT'd this weekend. Could be interesting....