-=Prevention Thread=-
07-08-2009, 07:29 AM
#11
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My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
2005 530i
I bought mine 2 years ago CPO with 16k on the clock. I now have 43k and I have had no nagging issues other than the squeaking brakes (which seems to have been resolved with the new wheels) and interior trim at the bottom of the A pillars (the ones that attach the windshield) comes free every now and then and been replaced 3 times. Recently I got a new issue which most here wouldn't find annoying at all, but since I'm a smoker: My lighter doesn't work anymore.
I bought mine 2 years ago CPO with 16k on the clock. I now have 43k and I have had no nagging issues other than the squeaking brakes (which seems to have been resolved with the new wheels) and interior trim at the bottom of the A pillars (the ones that attach the windshield) comes free every now and then and been replaced 3 times. Recently I got a new issue which most here wouldn't find annoying at all, but since I'm a smoker: My lighter doesn't work anymore.
07-08-2009, 07:32 AM
#12
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Well lets see, my car is a 12/03 production 2004 530i with 67,000 miles.
The car has within the past year the following done to it:
1) Battery compartment had a known issue with a vent hole allowing water into the electrical area. Thank god water never touched any of it but I seriously found the batter sitting in about 5" of water. The vent needed to be sealed up. The dealer covered it no charge under CPO even though they said that normally isn't covered.
2) Battery replaced.
3) Leaking gasket, new valve cover gaskets were put on / new grommets etc.
4) Spark plugs replaced at 60k miles, noticed performance gain, less knocking, and better fuel economy after doing that.
I would assume there is a large laundry list of crap I need to do to this car right around this mileage to make sure it runs perfectly for many years which I want. I am a little unclear as to what those things are though. I'm assuming belts, hoses, etc? I mean what else can be done really?
The car has within the past year the following done to it:
1) Battery compartment had a known issue with a vent hole allowing water into the electrical area. Thank god water never touched any of it but I seriously found the batter sitting in about 5" of water. The vent needed to be sealed up. The dealer covered it no charge under CPO even though they said that normally isn't covered.
2) Battery replaced.
3) Leaking gasket, new valve cover gaskets were put on / new grommets etc.
4) Spark plugs replaced at 60k miles, noticed performance gain, less knocking, and better fuel economy after doing that.
I would assume there is a large laundry list of crap I need to do to this car right around this mileage to make sure it runs perfectly for many years which I want. I am a little unclear as to what those things are though. I'm assuming belts, hoses, etc? I mean what else can be done really?
07-08-2009, 07:47 AM
#13
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My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
04 545i with 87K on the OD, purchased in 06 with 23k on the OD. The fun has included:
2 cracked rear 124 Style rims
Transmission Slam reprogramming
Transmission main seal replacement
MPM & PDC module failures due to liquid in the trunk spare tire wheel well (why the modules were put there by BMW is still beyond my comprehension)
Passenger Restraint seat mat failure
water pump
valve cover gaskets replacement
Coolant expansion tank vent pipe assembly
Battery failure
spark plugs @ around 55K
Active Steering failure (periodic resets are a routine it seems)
Sunroof/Lt rear/lt front window anti-trap failures requiring reinitialization (thanks Rudy for the info!)
That's all I can remember right now.
2 cracked rear 124 Style rims
Transmission Slam reprogramming
Transmission main seal replacement
MPM & PDC module failures due to liquid in the trunk spare tire wheel well (why the modules were put there by BMW is still beyond my comprehension)
Passenger Restraint seat mat failure
water pump
valve cover gaskets replacement
Coolant expansion tank vent pipe assembly
Battery failure
spark plugs @ around 55K
Active Steering failure (periodic resets are a routine it seems)
Sunroof/Lt rear/lt front window anti-trap failures requiring reinitialization (thanks Rudy for the info!)
That's all I can remember right now.
07-08-2009, 07:51 AM
#14
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My Ride: Mach5 05' 530i Black Sapphire Metallic w/Auburn Leather Seats, Heated Front/Rear Seats, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Pkg, Sports Pkg, Xenon Headlights, NAV, Mud Flaps, 20" 166 Style Rims
Model Year: 2005
Engine: N54
Wow, someone has over 100k mileage already 
07-08-2009, 08:02 AM
#15
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
how common is the gasket failure on the N52 engine exactly, I wonder...ALSO A GREAT THREAD ON GASKETS
07-10-2009, 08:14 PM
#16
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My Ride: 2004 530isport packagepremium packageactive steeringxenon hids20mm H&R spacers in the rear6 spd51kpurchase price , 32k back in 2006
Model Year: 2004 530i
jeez. I don't know if i should sell my car now or what. I just spent 800 on the starter due to the battery neglect..
07-11-2009, 07:45 AM
#18
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My Ride: BMW 535xi
Model Year: 2008
Cracked rims question- Is the crack always seen only on the inside (requiring a dismount and interior cleaning) or typically seen on the outside? Or both?
10-18-2009, 06:36 PM
#19
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My Ride: '04 525i. Bluetooth upgrade, SS brake lines, iPod interface upgrade. Air intake kit, sport suspension, 20% tint.
Other: 2001 Audi A4 Avant: S4 suspension, 20% tint, painted calipers, slotted rotors, iPod interface, custom grilles.
Originally Posted by sakserv' post='936069' date='Jul 8 2009, 08:34 AM
06 550i - 40k miles
+1 I'd like to know as well - I've been fighting a shimmy since the day I drove my 550i home from the dealership. To date - both front rotors replaced, 2 bent/cracked rims replaced, Front passenger side tire replaced (30+lbs out on the road force) and STILL have a shimmy at around 72mph.
It goes back in on Friday for transmission slam (3rd trip, going to push for a new transmission), sunroof seal (2nd trip they said it was "normal" now I'm getting condensation on the inside), and the front end shimmy (5th? 6th? trip I've had trying to get it fixed).
+1 I'd like to know as well - I've been fighting a shimmy since the day I drove my 550i home from the dealership. To date - both front rotors replaced, 2 bent/cracked rims replaced, Front passenger side tire replaced (30+lbs out on the road force) and STILL have a shimmy at around 72mph.
It goes back in on Friday for transmission slam (3rd trip, going to push for a new transmission), sunroof seal (2nd trip they said it was "normal" now I'm getting condensation on the inside), and the front end shimmy (5th? 6th? trip I've had trying to get it fixed).
10-18-2009, 06:48 PM
#20
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My Ride: '04 525i. Bluetooth upgrade, SS brake lines, iPod interface upgrade. Air intake kit, sport suspension, 20% tint.
Other: 2001 Audi A4 Avant: S4 suspension, 20% tint, painted calipers, slotted rotors, iPod interface, custom grilles.
2004 525i
I only have 44K on this vehicle, but here's what I'm planning to replace sometime before 80K.
Spark plugs every 40K (possibly wires), timing belt/water pump/thermostate/belts/idlers, battery, air filter (every 20K), fuel filter (every 40K), oxygen sensors, cabin filters (every 20K, with air filter), check all coolant/radiator hoses. Some control arms will likely be replaced between 40-80K.
Probably replace by 100K
All coolant/radiator hoses, coolant tank, radiator, exhaust components, differential seals, transmission service (filter, new gaskets, seals, fluid), maybe alternator.
I also have an Audi A4, so many of these thoughts are from my experience with that vehicle - fyi. If you have experience something different or if this sounds ridiculous, let me know.
I only have 44K on this vehicle, but here's what I'm planning to replace sometime before 80K.
Spark plugs every 40K (possibly wires), timing belt/water pump/thermostate/belts/idlers, battery, air filter (every 20K), fuel filter (every 40K), oxygen sensors, cabin filters (every 20K, with air filter), check all coolant/radiator hoses. Some control arms will likely be replaced between 40-80K.
Probably replace by 100K
All coolant/radiator hoses, coolant tank, radiator, exhaust components, differential seals, transmission service (filter, new gaskets, seals, fluid), maybe alternator.
I also have an Audi A4, so many of these thoughts are from my experience with that vehicle - fyi. If you have experience something different or if this sounds ridiculous, let me know.