E61 520d Adventures
Discussion
Now... from the off this is not a "build" thread but more a place for me to document the life and ownership of a boring 13 year old 520d Estate.
I wasn't even looking for a new car but happened to come across a 535d for sale round the corner from me for a very reasonable £4995....unfortunately this is not that car, it sold before I could make contact with the seller but it did trigger the "I wonder what else is out there" thought and I dove into the classifieds with ZERO intention of buying a car....
I happened to stumble upon a car that was too far away and far more than I wanted to spend BUT... I was low mileage, just 58k and only two owners (from the same family)
I decided I didn't want it and I stuck by that for all of around half an hour and made contact with the seller, a few emails got exchanged over the following week or so which did absolutely nothing to put me off that just maybe I'd found "the one"
So a deal was done and arrangements we're made to meet and exchange car for cash.
A steady drive home from Bristol back to Loughborough convinced me I'd spent too much money on a car I didn't need but I had made the right decision, I've not owned a car for more that 10 months over the last few years since parting with my long term E91 320d and I've always had a soft spot for the Bangle era 5 series so it felt good to be back in a BMW.
So what's the plan... well the plan is to try and keep it for at least a year. As stated this Isn't a build thread but I will post up any little adventures my wife, the dog and I venture out on. Also anywhere it takes me and the mountain bike will be documented. Its my blog to keep track of the ownership and if anyone enjoys the read then thats a bonus!!
So here is the car in question
|https://thumbsnap.com/r7fzug3n[/url
There are a few initial issues to sort out like the headlights misting up, I need to protect the rear bumper from a Golden Retrievers claws as well as protecting the boot from his constant desire to rid himself of his fur.
I need to modernise the Audio system, I'd forgot just how out dated the idrive systems are now and after having apple car play in previous cars that is an absolute must for modern motoring
Tow bar is needed to I can fit the bike rack and carry my bike around as well as a set of roof bars.
There may be a bit of "light" modification, I've found a brake conversion to run the nicer 4 piston brake calipers from the later M sport cars and I may fit a maxton/similar splitter on the front. Maybe a remap, the smaller engine in the bigger car does need a bit more go but other than that I can't think of much, its just a nice daily driver that I wont drive daily.
I wasn't even looking for a new car but happened to come across a 535d for sale round the corner from me for a very reasonable £4995....unfortunately this is not that car, it sold before I could make contact with the seller but it did trigger the "I wonder what else is out there" thought and I dove into the classifieds with ZERO intention of buying a car....
I happened to stumble upon a car that was too far away and far more than I wanted to spend BUT... I was low mileage, just 58k and only two owners (from the same family)
I decided I didn't want it and I stuck by that for all of around half an hour and made contact with the seller, a few emails got exchanged over the following week or so which did absolutely nothing to put me off that just maybe I'd found "the one"
So a deal was done and arrangements we're made to meet and exchange car for cash.
A steady drive home from Bristol back to Loughborough convinced me I'd spent too much money on a car I didn't need but I had made the right decision, I've not owned a car for more that 10 months over the last few years since parting with my long term E91 320d and I've always had a soft spot for the Bangle era 5 series so it felt good to be back in a BMW.
So what's the plan... well the plan is to try and keep it for at least a year. As stated this Isn't a build thread but I will post up any little adventures my wife, the dog and I venture out on. Also anywhere it takes me and the mountain bike will be documented. Its my blog to keep track of the ownership and if anyone enjoys the read then thats a bonus!!
So here is the car in question
|https://thumbsnap.com/r7fzug3n[/urlThere are a few initial issues to sort out like the headlights misting up, I need to protect the rear bumper from a Golden Retrievers claws as well as protecting the boot from his constant desire to rid himself of his fur.
I need to modernise the Audio system, I'd forgot just how out dated the idrive systems are now and after having apple car play in previous cars that is an absolute must for modern motoring
Tow bar is needed to I can fit the bike rack and carry my bike around as well as a set of roof bars.
There may be a bit of "light" modification, I've found a brake conversion to run the nicer 4 piston brake calipers from the later M sport cars and I may fit a maxton/similar splitter on the front. Maybe a remap, the smaller engine in the bigger car does need a bit more go but other than that I can't think of much, its just a nice daily driver that I wont drive daily.
Edited by Jay_87 on Wednesday 4th October 15:16
I'll say it.. Timing chain?
I found CIC was actually pretty decent and modern in my E61, they used it up until 2017 in Z4's. Have you got the CIC Professional/Widescreen?
That aside.. Love an E61. I fitted Koni FSD all round an H&R front springs and found it rode and handled better. Really suited it.
I found CIC was actually pretty decent and modern in my E61, they used it up until 2017 in Z4's. Have you got the CIC Professional/Widescreen?
That aside.. Love an E61. I fitted Koni FSD all round an H&R front springs and found it rode and handled better. Really suited it.
Chain is on the list of jobs to look into and get it done if needs be, we have decent specialists locally so I'l visit one of them for a health check on it soon.
I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
Jay_87 said:
Chain is on the list of jobs to look into and get it done if needs be, we have decent specialists locally so I'l visit one of them for a health check on it soon.
I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
Definitely worth keeping an ear/eye on, my dad's needed doing at 70k.. I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
Ah! That is odd.. As a 10 plate I would expect that to have CIC.. CCC is indeed clunky and outdated.
Jhonno said:
Jay_87 said:
Chain is on the list of jobs to look into and get it done if needs be, we have decent specialists locally so I'l visit one of them for a health check on it soon.
I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
Definitely worth keeping an ear/eye on, my dad's needed doing at 70k.. I don't think its the widescreen but I have just ordered an Apple play upgrade that replace the screen for a new touch widescreen unit, looking forward to getting that installed once it arrives.
CIC is good, had it in my E91 but this has the older CCC system so it 100% needs an upgrade.
Ah! That is odd.. As a 10 plate I would expect that to have CIC.. CCC is indeed clunky and outdated.
Ooo, love an E61, especially LCI. Looks great!
This is my old one.
Ran it to 200k miles when it was just starting to give me a few regular headaches. Sold it to a friend who, predictably, has had no issues whatsoever with it!
To date, it's longest I've kept any kind of regular car. It just did everything so well that it was really, really hard to justify the huge cost of replacing it with something more modern. Via a couple of other cars, I've eventually ended up in an F11 which continues the theme but really isn't all that much different to the E61.
If your's is an auto, I would consider a gearbox oil change at some point. It's not on any official service schedules but having forked out for a gearbox rebuild on our's I'd certainly recommend it! If tailgate starts doing anything funny, there's a high chance it's the wiring that passes through the hinge. Our rear washer stopped working and the HRW, both solved relatively easily by repairing the loom at the hinge. I also found our's to be miles better on non-runflats. Made a big difference to ride comfort.
ETA, did you go for the Andream carplay unit by any chance? I put one in our E61 and it was brilliant. Have since done the same in an E91 and the F11. Not 100% perfect but bloody great value and transform the usefulness of the screen.
This is my old one.
Ran it to 200k miles when it was just starting to give me a few regular headaches. Sold it to a friend who, predictably, has had no issues whatsoever with it!
To date, it's longest I've kept any kind of regular car. It just did everything so well that it was really, really hard to justify the huge cost of replacing it with something more modern. Via a couple of other cars, I've eventually ended up in an F11 which continues the theme but really isn't all that much different to the E61.
If your's is an auto, I would consider a gearbox oil change at some point. It's not on any official service schedules but having forked out for a gearbox rebuild on our's I'd certainly recommend it! If tailgate starts doing anything funny, there's a high chance it's the wiring that passes through the hinge. Our rear washer stopped working and the HRW, both solved relatively easily by repairing the loom at the hinge. I also found our's to be miles better on non-runflats. Made a big difference to ride comfort.
ETA, did you go for the Andream carplay unit by any chance? I put one in our E61 and it was brilliant. Have since done the same in an E91 and the F11. Not 100% perfect but bloody great value and transform the usefulness of the screen.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Wednesday 4th October 21:24
Mr Tidy said:
Such a shame you missed out on the 535d!
Still my 123d with the notorious N47 got to 81K miles before I sold it with no issues so you may have many happy miles ahead of you.
Is yours Sparkling Graphite?
My E91 325i was, and it looked like a smaller version of your car!
I believe it is sparkling graphite, its a lovely colour.Still my 123d with the notorious N47 got to 81K miles before I sold it with no issues so you may have many happy miles ahead of you.
Is yours Sparkling Graphite?
My E91 325i was, and it looked like a smaller version of your car!
Lovely E61 OP
Really tempted by one of these to run alongside my E91 318d (currently on 155,000 miles) - love the E91's proportions, but a late E61 520d would be a nice thing to have too, just that little bit bigger (520d too, partly due to them having smaller brakes, so I can fit 16" wheels on them for my jaunts to Switzerland (nice cheap steel wheel with winter tyres)
My e91 sitting on its winter steels now.
Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
Really tempted by one of these to run alongside my E91 318d (currently on 155,000 miles) - love the E91's proportions, but a late E61 520d would be a nice thing to have too, just that little bit bigger (520d too, partly due to them having smaller brakes, so I can fit 16" wheels on them for my jaunts to Switzerland (nice cheap steel wheel with winter tyres)
My e91 sitting on its winter steels now.
Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
Jay_87 said:
Now... from the off this is not a "build" thread but more a place for me to document the life and ownership of a boring 13 year old 520d Estate.
I wasn't even looking for a new car but happened to come across a 535d for sale round the corner from me for a very reasonable £4995....unfortunately this is not that car, it sold before I could make contact with the seller but it did trigger the "I wonder what else is out there" thought and I dove into the classifieds with ZERO intention of buying a car....
I happened to stumble upon a car that was too far away and far more than I wanted to spend BUT... I was low mileage, just 58k and only two owners (from the same family)
I decided I didn't want it and I stuck by that for all of around half an hour and made contact with the seller, a few emails got exchanged over the following week or so which did absolutely nothing to put me off that just maybe I'd found "the one"
So a deal was done and arrangements we're made to meet and exchange car for cash.
A steady drive home from Bristol back to Loughborough convinced me I'd spent too much money on a car I didn't need but I had made the right decision, I've not owned a car for more that 10 months over the last few years since parting with my long term E91 320d and I've always had a soft spot for the Bangle era 5 series so it felt good to be back in a BMW.
So what's the plan... well the plan is to try and keep it for at least a year. As stated this Isn't a build thread but I will post up any little adventures my wife, the dog and I venture out on. Also anywhere it takes me and the mountain bike will be documented. Its my blog to keep track of the ownership and if anyone enjoys the read then thats a bonus!!
So here is the car in question
|https://thumbsnap.com/r7fzug3n[/url
There are a few initial issues to sort out like the headlights misting up, I need to protect the rear bumper from a Golden Retrievers claws as well as protecting the boot from his constant desire to rid himself of his fur.
I need to modernise the Audio system, I'd forgot just how out dated the idrive systems are now and after having apple car play in previous cars that is an absolute must for modern motoring
Tow bar is needed to I can fit the bike rack and carry my bike around as well as a set of roof bars.
There may be a bit of "light" modification, I've found a brake conversion to run the nicer 4 piston brake calipers from the later M sport cars and I may fit a maxton/similar splitter on the front. Maybe a remap, the smaller engine in the bigger car does need a bit more go but other than that I can't think of much, its just a nice daily driver that I wont drive daily.
Lovely car OP; these have deffo got better with age and the touring is such a good shape now... I wasn't even looking for a new car but happened to come across a 535d for sale round the corner from me for a very reasonable £4995....unfortunately this is not that car, it sold before I could make contact with the seller but it did trigger the "I wonder what else is out there" thought and I dove into the classifieds with ZERO intention of buying a car....
I happened to stumble upon a car that was too far away and far more than I wanted to spend BUT... I was low mileage, just 58k and only two owners (from the same family)
I decided I didn't want it and I stuck by that for all of around half an hour and made contact with the seller, a few emails got exchanged over the following week or so which did absolutely nothing to put me off that just maybe I'd found "the one"
So a deal was done and arrangements we're made to meet and exchange car for cash.
A steady drive home from Bristol back to Loughborough convinced me I'd spent too much money on a car I didn't need but I had made the right decision, I've not owned a car for more that 10 months over the last few years since parting with my long term E91 320d and I've always had a soft spot for the Bangle era 5 series so it felt good to be back in a BMW.
So what's the plan... well the plan is to try and keep it for at least a year. As stated this Isn't a build thread but I will post up any little adventures my wife, the dog and I venture out on. Also anywhere it takes me and the mountain bike will be documented. Its my blog to keep track of the ownership and if anyone enjoys the read then thats a bonus!!
So here is the car in question
|https://thumbsnap.com/r7fzug3n[/urlThere are a few initial issues to sort out like the headlights misting up, I need to protect the rear bumper from a Golden Retrievers claws as well as protecting the boot from his constant desire to rid himself of his fur.
I need to modernise the Audio system, I'd forgot just how out dated the idrive systems are now and after having apple car play in previous cars that is an absolute must for modern motoring
Tow bar is needed to I can fit the bike rack and carry my bike around as well as a set of roof bars.
There may be a bit of "light" modification, I've found a brake conversion to run the nicer 4 piston brake calipers from the later M sport cars and I may fit a maxton/similar splitter on the front. Maybe a remap, the smaller engine in the bigger car does need a bit more go but other than that I can't think of much, its just a nice daily driver that I wont drive daily.
Edited by Jay_87 on Wednesday 4th October 15:16
My pals Dad's 520D his 217k miles before it died; oil & filter changed every 6 months. His replacement E91 320D did nearly the same until that died too (blown diff and it did other damage too)
So looked after & maintained well; they'll run & run. Not all of them have chain issues
I’m another fan of the Bangle era having owned an E90 330i, an E87 116i, an E88 125i, and an E81 130i. We currently have an E92 335i and an E91 330i….I clearly have an affliction for this era! 
The E61 has aged well in M Sport trim; I love the spider alloys yours is on.
The CCC hasn’t aged very well but at least there are loads of options to get CarPlay and AndroidAuto in them now. I’ve fitted an a Andream screen and really rate it.
The E61 has aged well in M Sport trim; I love the spider alloys yours is on.
The CCC hasn’t aged very well but at least there are loads of options to get CarPlay and AndroidAuto in them now. I’ve fitted an a Andream screen and really rate it.
Owned mine for about 3 years.
Silver 520d lci sport, i really got it as all my other crap is so bad on fuel but they are too slow as standard. We removed the DPF and all the egr crap and mapped it to 210 hp with a smokeless map. Cant stand sooty tuning.
Works well and goes not bad though initial pickup is a bit crap. Otherwise all i have done is fit an android touchscreen and service it quite a lot.
Mine is just ticking over 100k miles and feels like it may need a torque converter rebuild, but its otherwise mechanically mint.
The later LCI cars run alloy calipers with larger disks so unless its for looks i wouldn't bother changing the brakes as you wont have the power to use them.
Silver 520d lci sport, i really got it as all my other crap is so bad on fuel but they are too slow as standard. We removed the DPF and all the egr crap and mapped it to 210 hp with a smokeless map. Cant stand sooty tuning.
Works well and goes not bad though initial pickup is a bit crap. Otherwise all i have done is fit an android touchscreen and service it quite a lot.
Mine is just ticking over 100k miles and feels like it may need a torque converter rebuild, but its otherwise mechanically mint.
The later LCI cars run alloy calipers with larger disks so unless its for looks i wouldn't bother changing the brakes as you wont have the power to use them.
7 5 7 said:
Lovely E61 OP
Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
I've never been too concerned by the N47 issues, I ran my old E90 320d with minimal maintenance to 100k and it never gave me any grief, I'm not very sympathetic with my cars but I also only do around 6000 miles a year however this will get an annual service at MOT time. I'l get the chain checked, if it needs doing it'll get done but I'm not too concerned at the moment, sounds smooth on idle, starts fine and drives lovely. Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
Court_S said:
The E61 has aged well in M Sport trim; I love the spider alloys yours is on.
.
It was the wheels that did it for me!.
There is currently a Z4 for sale local to me for 3k, its been on the forecourt for a few months, trying to convince my wife we need it for a weekend car, she has always wanted one but we never got round to buying one in the past..... this could be the time to add it to the fleet.
Jay_87 said:
It was the wheels that did it for me!
There is currently a Z4 for sale local to me for 3k, its been on the forecourt for a few months, trying to convince my wife we need it for a weekend car, she has always wanted one but we never got round to buying one in the past..... this could be the time to add it to the fleet.
I’d like a Z4 as a weekend car too. I’ve always been a big fan of them. There is currently a Z4 for sale local to me for 3k, its been on the forecourt for a few months, trying to convince my wife we need it for a weekend car, she has always wanted one but we never got round to buying one in the past..... this could be the time to add it to the fleet.
Jay_87 said:
7 5 7 said:
Lovely E61 OP
Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
I've never been too concerned by the N47 issues, I ran my old E90 320d with minimal maintenance to 100k and it never gave me any grief, I'm not very sympathetic with my cars but I also only do around 6000 miles a year however this will get an annual service at MOT time. I'l get the chain checked, if it needs doing it'll get done but I'm not too concerned at the moment, sounds smooth on idle, starts fine and drives lovely. Grown to be not too bothered about the N47 issues now, worried years ago...for no reason in the end - ran X2 of them, previously in a 2008 118d - managed to get to 185,000 in that, just been MOT I have seen, on 230,000 miles - luck of the draw I guess.
Court_S said:
The E61 has aged well in M Sport trim; I love the spider alloys yours is on.
.
It was the wheels that did it for me!.
There is currently a Z4 for sale local to me for 3k, its been on the forecourt for a few months, trying to convince my wife we need it for a weekend car, she has always wanted one but we never got round to buying one in the past..... this could be the time to add it to the fleet.
No good for me, not a cat in hells chance I fit
d_a_n1979 said:
That'd be a great driveway collection; more so if it's the 3.0 M54
No good for me, not a cat in hells chance I fit
Its not a 3.0, think its just a 4 cylinder but for a little weekend cruiser it could be quite a tempting little buy, keep it for a summer and then move it on.No good for me, not a cat in hells chance I fit
Anyway... back to the e61, Apple play upgrade has been ordered, just waiting for that to be delivered and then I can get it fitted. Also waiting for the V5 so I can get my private plate on.
The dog took his maiden trip in it and he seemed to enjoy it so much he decided it would be a good idea to cover the centre headrest in drool.
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