E61 535d LCI - the Teutonic Touring
Discussion
Recently I've been restoring a 306 GTI-6 to its former glory, and while it's excellent fun on b roads, it's a bit much as an only car.
Having owned a pre-LCI 530d, a 535d LCI and then an E60 M5, the E6X 5-Series certainly makes an excellent case for itself as a versatile daily driver.
While the M5 was amazing fun, I always found the 535d almost as satisfying to drive, more utilitarian in its demeanour than quixotic. It also uses 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of fuel, and performance below the national speed limit isn't much different.
So recently I've been on a hunt for either a 535d LCI, or the only thing that came close was a prime ministerial XJ 3.0d.
I ended up stumbling upon this 87k mile late-2008 E61 535d LCI Touring, and collecting it a couple of days ago.
The dealer kindly put a fresh MOT on it and saw to the deteriorated brake hose, and windscreen washer issue advisories.
I've still got the BMW diagnostic tool, and noticed an error for glow plugs, trailer hitch lock, and a few other bits and bobs, and this should be covered by the dealer's warranty, but first of all I'll get my local specialist to take a good look over everything.
While the handling is a bit wallowy compared to my previous 535d (that was a Sport, whereas this in an SE), overall it drives superbly. It feels like the engine is stock, but after running a 1-litre iQ and GTI-6 for the last couple of years, it's awesome to have 428 lb-ft on tap, it makes for a very relaxing drive.
Future plans? I may upgrade the suspension, and ensure the engine is in tip top working order, and then will investigate the feasibility of hybrid turbos, along with the required uprated intercooler, 3" downpipe, R90 fuel pump, M50d rail sensor, and associated mapping, at which point it should be good for around 440 bhp and 737 lb-ft.
Before all of that though, I may get a cheeky stage 1 remap, perhaps an economy map, to take it from 286 bhp and 428 lb-ft, to around 340 bhp and 500 lb-ft. I'm not keen on removing the DPF this time as the fumes are awful. This might prevent me from taking it beyond stage 1. Perhaps a good compromise would be intercooler, downpipe only without the bigger turbo and fuelling, and stage 2 should be around 370 bhp and 550 lb-ft.
Mpg-wise it does 40+ mpg with ease pootling around b-roads, on a constant 60 mph cruise it can touch 50 mpg. Giving it some welly on b-roads it'll do about 28 mpg.
Being the Touring, the rear seats fold flat so it could become a decent mini-camper to sleep in the back of for the occasional trip away.
Having owned a pre-LCI 530d, a 535d LCI and then an E60 M5, the E6X 5-Series certainly makes an excellent case for itself as a versatile daily driver.
While the M5 was amazing fun, I always found the 535d almost as satisfying to drive, more utilitarian in its demeanour than quixotic. It also uses 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of fuel, and performance below the national speed limit isn't much different.
So recently I've been on a hunt for either a 535d LCI, or the only thing that came close was a prime ministerial XJ 3.0d.
I ended up stumbling upon this 87k mile late-2008 E61 535d LCI Touring, and collecting it a couple of days ago.
The dealer kindly put a fresh MOT on it and saw to the deteriorated brake hose, and windscreen washer issue advisories.
I've still got the BMW diagnostic tool, and noticed an error for glow plugs, trailer hitch lock, and a few other bits and bobs, and this should be covered by the dealer's warranty, but first of all I'll get my local specialist to take a good look over everything.
While the handling is a bit wallowy compared to my previous 535d (that was a Sport, whereas this in an SE), overall it drives superbly. It feels like the engine is stock, but after running a 1-litre iQ and GTI-6 for the last couple of years, it's awesome to have 428 lb-ft on tap, it makes for a very relaxing drive.
Future plans? I may upgrade the suspension, and ensure the engine is in tip top working order, and then will investigate the feasibility of hybrid turbos, along with the required uprated intercooler, 3" downpipe, R90 fuel pump, M50d rail sensor, and associated mapping, at which point it should be good for around 440 bhp and 737 lb-ft.
Before all of that though, I may get a cheeky stage 1 remap, perhaps an economy map, to take it from 286 bhp and 428 lb-ft, to around 340 bhp and 500 lb-ft. I'm not keen on removing the DPF this time as the fumes are awful. This might prevent me from taking it beyond stage 1. Perhaps a good compromise would be intercooler, downpipe only without the bigger turbo and fuelling, and stage 2 should be around 370 bhp and 550 lb-ft.
Mpg-wise it does 40+ mpg with ease pootling around b-roads, on a constant 60 mph cruise it can touch 50 mpg. Giving it some welly on b-roads it'll do about 28 mpg.
Being the Touring, the rear seats fold flat so it could become a decent mini-camper to sleep in the back of for the occasional trip away.
Edited by Limited100 on Friday 3rd May 08:48
I agree re handling and brakes first, yeh if I can get hold of some sports seats I can imagine they're a lot more supportive. Speakers aren't great either, so may upgrade, will certainly make for an interesting project.
I've been told the Koni Special Active is a good damper kit. Will also look at things like control arms and get alignment done.
I've been told the Koni Special Active is a good damper kit. Will also look at things like control arms and get alignment done.
d_a_n1979 said:
That looks a belting motor! Love the interior 
Have you thought about retrofitting the M Sport seats for that bit extra support etc?
And agree with above; I'd be going brakes and suspension before doing anything else personally
Those seats look like comfort seats to me rather than the standard se spec. Think I'd them Have you thought about retrofitting the M Sport seats for that bit extra support etc?
And agree with above; I'd be going brakes and suspension before doing anything else personally
Watchthis said:
d_a_n1979 said:
That looks a belting motor! Love the interior
Have you thought about retrofitting the M Sport seats for that bit extra support etc?
And agree with above; I'd be going brakes and suspension before doing anything else personally
Those seats look like comfort seats to me rather than the standard se spec. Think I'd them Have you thought about retrofitting the M Sport seats for that bit extra support etc?
And agree with above; I'd be going brakes and suspension before doing anything else personally
I have Koni special actives in my Alpina Touring- the reasoning being that they are more Alpina than the dampers Alpina specified. They are fantastic. Also have them on a 325i touring in the family, they are very helpful in London (where I live) and hold up well in fast sweeping corners- that’s the point of the tech. Would recommend (and finding sports seats, which should be easy)
That is waft-o-riffic.
Practical family estate, good MPG, enough torque to rip the surface off the tarmac and nice interior.
I've been hankering for an M4 for a while now, but sadly that ship is now just about over the horizon and not coming back anytime soon. Something like this ticks the boxes for me, Now, I'm fairly clueless about the BMW range generally, but can I ask when and if they made these in an X drive.
following this thread with interest and a pack of plain chocolate digestives.
Practical family estate, good MPG, enough torque to rip the surface off the tarmac and nice interior.
I've been hankering for an M4 for a while now, but sadly that ship is now just about over the horizon and not coming back anytime soon. Something like this ticks the boxes for me, Now, I'm fairly clueless about the BMW range generally, but can I ask when and if they made these in an X drive.
following this thread with interest and a pack of plain chocolate digestives.
texaxile said:
That is waft-o-riffic.
Practical family estate, good MPG, enough torque to rip the surface off the tarmac and nice interior.
I've been hankering for an M4 for a while now, but sadly that ship is now just about over the horizon and not coming back anytime soon. Something like this ticks the boxes for me, Now, I'm fairly clueless about the BMW range generally, but can I ask when and if they made these in an X drive.
following this thread with interest and a pack of plain chocolate digestives.
Cheers, none of these came with 4wd in the UK at least, but they do grip and go really well, and rwd is more efficient than 4wd as less drivetrain loss.Practical family estate, good MPG, enough torque to rip the surface off the tarmac and nice interior.
I've been hankering for an M4 for a while now, but sadly that ship is now just about over the horizon and not coming back anytime soon. Something like this ticks the boxes for me, Now, I'm fairly clueless about the BMW range generally, but can I ask when and if they made these in an X drive.
following this thread with interest and a pack of plain chocolate digestives.
E-numbers said:
I have Koni special actives in my Alpina Touring- the reasoning being that they are more Alpina than the dampers Alpina specified. They are fantastic. Also have them on a 325i touring in the family, they are very helpful in London (where I live) and hold up well in fast sweeping corners- that’s the point of the tech. Would recommend (and finding sports seats, which should be easy)
Sounds ideal, an Alpina+ setup would suit a 535d to a tee.cerb4.5lee said:
That will be lovely and comfortable in SE spec I reckon. I generally miss the bolster support on the SE seats in comparison to the M Sport ones though.
It will really shift with a map on it I reckon for sure.
Enjoy it.
Cheers, yeh it's very comfy, and will fly with a map. I was also tempted by a Touareg V10 TDI but they're barely quicker than a 520d in reality.It will really shift with a map on it I reckon for sure.
Enjoy it.
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