Hello to all,

I've just bought my dream car, and I pick it up this Thursday. 530d M Sport Business Edition (auto/step) LCI on a late 2009 plate. (first registered 11/09).

I have a few questions and hoped you might be able to give me some advice.

I've read some really scary things online about swirl flaps breaking off and destroying engines. But have also read that its not so much of a problem with the later (LCI) models. Could someone give me some guidance please? Is it something I need to do something about? Currently scared to death and miserable; rather than happy and excited.

Also I have an iphone4 (not S), can I pair and charge my phone?

Can I use my iPod in the car? Will I be able to control it via idrive?

I guess these questions might be dependant on spec. I have the following:

Auxilliary point for auxilliary devices
BMW professional radio/CD/MP3
USB/audio interface
Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive - Assist
BMW ConnectedDrive - Online
iDrive Controller and Display w/6.5" monitor
Navigation System Professional Multimedia

As I collect it this Thursday, is there anything else I should be looking for? the test drive went well, autobox was very smooth. No judders changing down from 2 to 1.

Many Thanks

Adam

 

I can comment only following: some people having troubles connecting their Iphone4 with E60 - however not sure where the problem is (no-LCI/LCI, software version, etc...) Suprisingly its working to my friend - he has 2006. Speaking about Bluetooth pairing of course.

 

hello Adam,

The transition between the earlier, weaker and later, reinforced swirl flaps took place before the LCI introduction, all LCI's therefore have the stronger flap assys. However, these also can wear out and break, there are several well documented cases of this. It is not something that'll likely happen to you soon with such a relatively young car, however I strongly recommend to have them removed within a reasonable timeframe. Right now there are lots of diesels which have been without their flaps for years and have suffered no ill effects whatsoever, it seems safe to conclude that removal is the smart thing to do.

If possible discuss this with your dealer so they'll approve, this is such a common practice I've never met a dealer who didn't agree with the removal (after suggesting to frequently replace the entire manifold instead of course).

No reason to be scared, just enjoy the ride (pun). Overall these are solid cars with just a few weakpoints, read the foums thoroughly and familiarize yourself with them but don't get intimidated or scared. You might run into a problem at some point, it might cost you but in the end all the fun you'll have will easily negate that.

Some well known points of attention:
- Warning symbols (obviously)
- Diesel smell in the cabin (cracked outlet manifold)
- Ask for the no. of miles since the last complete DPF regeneration
- Check lower trunk area (remove all padding!) for water damage signs
- Check radio reception / remote access (diversity antenna)
- Leeway in suspension, you shouldn't be able to move the wheels when the car is on jacks/lift, if so the bushings might be worn.
- Turbo shouldn't be excessively noisy or loose excessive oil.
- Ask them for a readout on the diesel injection valves, if some values are out of range the engine might not run smooth and replacement is not cheap (*6).
- Check power steering reservoir and cooling system for small leaks.
- Ask the dealer to clean the drain of the e-box on the passenger side (LHD) and an identical drain on the other side.
- If there's a sunroof, check the seal for wear/compression and ask the dealer to clean out the drains.
- Minor: check Xenons for purple discoloration (if so just have them replaced)
- Last but not least: have them run a full diagnostic readout and file the printout for later comparison.

This might seem like a long list, it's all usual suspects stuff though and the mechanic/service rep will probably already know all about it.

One final note on this: I recommend you have the car inspected by a third party (non-affiliated dealer e.g.) and get a report on it. This will give you peace of mind and some leverage if something ends up being wrong with the car after all.

Pairing usually effortless though there are some reports of issues, charging might need a small Y-cable of some sorts.

Yes you can, yes you will. I assume there is an iPod integration/cable present, if not this is an affordable dealer upgrade.


I might have forgotten some useful stuff, others will chime in.

Enjoy the new ride!

 

Totally agree - this is the best way, how you can make a picture about car condition. Dont worry to put some money into this pre-buy check. It's worth.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice! Particulary Theo, thats a nice little checklist. I'll be sure to work through that.

Had a chat with BMW Customer Care UK today,I explained my mixture of excitement, misery and fear! They re-assured me a lot.

I now know its a Dec 2009 car, first registered in June 2010. Warranty until Dec 2012.

The first bit of good news...
The car has something called BMW Service Pack which is valid until Dec 2014! Which apparently means all of my servicing is free! (doesnt cover tyres, brakes, exhaust, wipers)

Second bit of good news...
The car has had the recall work completed on the battery cable cover. So no BBQ in the boot to worry about. With no recalls outstanding.

Third bit of good news...
BMW F.S.H its had all the relevant services at a single main dealer, and has visited them in 2011, early 2012 and then in June 2012. (one must've been for the recall) two I guess are services. Does anyone know what level or type of service these might be?

Forth bits of good news...
It has heated seats (didnt notice), Pro nav and multimedia, which means the iphone4 and ipod will work fine. (but they said explicitly the iphone4s and ipad nano will not work)
It has BMW tele assist AND remote assist of which both have never been registered which means I get 3 years of both!! Apparently there is an iphone app that when hooked up will allow me to remotely lock and unlock the car, and possibly flash the lights too. - just as remote assist would do. Apparently I have an SOS button too in the event of something not good happening.

They said that it was a clean car, excellent condition from their records and that the price I paid was excellent. £44,544 when purchased new.

I feel much more re-assured now and am getting into happy mode

I have one last question (for now), which I hope you dont mind me asking. When I inspected the car I noticed that as per the image below (highlighted in red) there was a triangle shaped tube leading upwards into the engine bay, which I guess relates to the intake. that was rattling around inside the bumper. It looked to me like it had simply popped loose of the clip it locks into, on the bumper. The dealer I bought from said they would check it out for me. I had a look underneath and saw some expected scrapes to the underside of the bumper. Am guessing that the previous owner went over a speed bump or up a ramp a little hard and knocked it out place. Is this anything to worry about? tried to find the part number online but I couldnt.

The other side (highlighted blue) was different, just looked like an angled black blanking plate. Rather than an intake or tube like the red side. This is a RHD car

 

I would not worry about that bumper so much. Just check if the car has/had Night-vision and active-cruise control, because place of their sensors are just in those 2 corners you marked on pictures (red/blue). If you suppose to have it and you dont see there anything like black bulge in each corner - the car was crashed, or someone stole it (both of them are quite expensive and might have value for some junkies...). Otherwise there are normally holes for fresh air which goes to help brakes to not over-heat. Its made from few plastic pieaces - you can buy them from BMW dealer.

 

I checked with BMW UK, no night vision or active cruise so nothing missing in that respect.
Interesting feedback about the bumper. I have a feeling one if the blanking plates is missing. (the one on the RED side).

If you go here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...52&hg=51&fg=15

I think that the part I'm going to need is either:

07 Dummy plug left ACC2 1 03/2007 51117178105
- Or -
05 Air duct, BKS, left 1 03/2007 51117178111

The part that was loose which they've now fixed is:

02 FRONT LEFT BRAKE AIR DUCT 1 03/2007 51117178085

Thanks!

Adam

 

adam, do you have CIC or the CCC navigation system?

 

Its the one with the hard drive, and no DVD player. Which I think is the CIC?

Thanks

Adam