yes, the problem will happen if you drive aggressively very often and the engine is getting very hot specially in hot weather. Obviously that ring will broke (BMW is aware of this). I think the 545i needs a bigger or better radiator to cool the coolant or bigger oil cooler (I think 545i can use the OEM or aftermarket M5 cooler). I wanted to do this but not very mandatory because Canada has long cold climate in a year.. so not sure... but maybe yes for hot climates such Ca, Tx, Fl, etc... I don't know...

 

Even the new F10 v8?

 

Dude, you have clearly made your point it was a mistake to buy a V8 BMW. I would never own a BMW that didn't have a V8. Hell, I don't think I could own any car that didn't have a V8. But can you please keep your fear mongering to a minuium? Thanks.

To the OP... enjoy your car all that you can. If you are in the least be mechanically inclined, you can fix a majority of problems yourself. I have had a few things go wrong, but they have all been really enexpensive. One job was $6.25 to repair and took about an hour mostly looking for tools.

 

DUDE,

I am only trying to let everyone know that having or buying one of those V8 engines is a huge mistake.
Isn't a forum exactly for that, discussing and gaining experience?

Again: Buyer beware!
Especially when you know how you get treated by BMW!!!

 

Trust me You will change Your mind when something serious will happen to Your car. Everyone have the right to post it's own opinion here. Trust me You CAN'T fix MAJORITY problems by Yourself. For most stuff You need to run diagnostics and Yes this is the electronics that F**** our cars up the most. What will You be able to do with a set of wrenches and screwdriver then? My 545 after 54K miles is in the shop for engine replacement. Will I buy a BMW again? I probably will. Did that destroyed BMW reputation as having strong engines? BIG TIME.

 

Although BMW has had V8s way back in the past the companies philosophy has been built around the flat two, four and straight 6 motors. Porsche flat 6s are their specialty but when they went to water cooling everything changed for them
When I went to the dealer to test diver various BMWs I really wanted to walk out of there with a V8 but decided against it remembering the bad times my friend had trying to fix the radiator amongst other things.

 

Well now I'm offically worried, lol.

 

Beautiful

 

I wonder if there are some types of antifreeze that have better lubricants for seals like that o ring. Or, if in fact these o rings are going out on cars that aren't getting the coolant changed as often as they should. Come to think of it, I have yet to flush/change the coolant in my car, and I've had it for a year now. I wonder if this issue will drastically devalue the already swiftly depreciating 545?

 

You just had a freak accident. Its not like these engines are dropping like flys everyday. I have rebuild OHC engines before. Set timing chains for the cams. These cars don't run on magic. They are more mechanical then we get them credit for. It is not a big deal to pay a $75 fee for the dealer to diagnose the car, I fix it, then they program if needed for those electronic module. The only thing that really worries me on these cars are the transmissions. But the 545i transmission is in literaly millions of cars on the road. Everything from Audis to Land Rovers to the Hyundie Genises and even a Kia SUV. I have experience with hydrualic systems and repair. It would be nothing to take apart a component figure out what seals o-rings and who made them, find a supplier to rebuild. Do you thing your active sway bar needs to be reprogrammed because it leaks? No, it has zero electrical connections. Its a mechanical peice. Unbolt the old one, bolt in the new $1500 sway bar. I will be doing the valve cover gasket soon. All you have to do is unbolt the engine mounts and jack up one side of the engine on the oil pan lip( as per BMW dealer mechaninc) and things go much smoother.

Did you ever find out why your engine failed?