Loss of Coolant
02-14-2006, 07:49 AM
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My Ride: 545i Orient Blue, Auburn Int. Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Satellite Radio, Logic 7 , Nav... European Delivery 3/21/05 Redelivery 6/1/05.
My wife and I were taking about a two hour trip into the mountains in North California and looking forward to seeing our first grandchild that was born that day. As we neared our destination the "Coolant level too low!" warning appeared. After about 30 seconds it went away. 20 minutes later as we entered the parking lot of the Hospital the car was steaming like a 1880 locomotive! 
As I parked the car there was coolant literally blowing out of the bottom of the car. We called BMW assist and they suggested I replace the coolant and drive to the dealership for service. I explained that I doubted the vehicle would make it that far. BMW assist said "It should be OK". 
Went to the store bought two gallons of antifreeze and as I wa pouring it in, it was running out the bottom! So, back on the line with BMW assist (Roadside assistance) and told them this piece of S--- needed towing! Ok... but they would only tow it to the nearest dealership that was within 50 miles of my location (the opposite direction of my home) or I'd had to pay for towing anywhere else. My preferred dealer was 88 miles from my location, but they wouldn't budge. I even offered to pay the difference. Still no dice. Now the car is twice as far from my home as it could have been. The tow truck driver wasn't much help either. He was a very young man who was only on the job for a week. Somehow between the both of us we managed to get the car up on the flatbed. Anyway, I am waiting to hear what went wrong with the car... 
As I parked the car there was coolant literally blowing out of the bottom of the car. We called BMW assist and they suggested I replace the coolant and drive to the dealership for service. I explained that I doubted the vehicle would make it that far. BMW assist said "It should be OK". Went to the store bought two gallons of antifreeze and as I wa pouring it in, it was running out the bottom! So, back on the line with BMW assist (Roadside assistance) and told them this piece of S--- needed towing! Ok... but they would only tow it to the nearest dealership that was within 50 miles of my location (the opposite direction of my home) or I'd had to pay for towing anywhere else. My preferred dealer was 88 miles from my location, but they wouldn't budge. I even offered to pay the difference. Still no dice. Now the car is twice as far from my home as it could have been. The tow truck driver wasn't much help either. He was a very young man who was only on the job for a week. Somehow between the both of us we managed to get the car up on the flatbed. Anyway, I am waiting to hear what went wrong with the car...
02-14-2006, 07:56 AM
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My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on �116-style� rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman.
Mods done:
� Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110
� Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130,
� Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120
� Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122
� Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216
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� Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060
� Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117
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� Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409)
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� ///M pack rear
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most improtant:
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Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange
DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315
10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625
Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20
� Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125
� Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM
� Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120
� Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235
� Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange)
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E60.net Clings
Still to do list;-):
� Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com).
� Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!
just do not get paniced my friend, you have the best car and I feel sorry for you.
How was the child???
Ps. the dealer can go to
!!! and tell them that you did not opt a car for $$$$$$$$$ to treat you like that. Poor guys in the US you pay less for a car than we here but your service sometimes suck$ sorry... seems like.
There is a leakage it is evident, but why you have BMW Assist for if they do nothing
If thing get worse write to BMW NA and then to Germany HQ. Good luck to you!
How was the child???
Ps. the dealer can go to
!!! and tell them that you did not opt a car for $$$$$$$$$ to treat you like that. Poor guys in the US you pay less for a car than we here but your service sometimes suck$ sorry... seems like.There is a leakage it is evident, but why you have BMW Assist for if they do nothing
If thing get worse write to BMW NA and then to Germany HQ. Good luck to you!
02-14-2006, 07:59 AM
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My Ride: 2005 525i Titanium Silver Metalic and 2003 325xi Jet Black with the Premium Package in both cars.
sorry to hear about that, I would imagine it has something to do with the radiator. Don't loose faith in your BMW, hopefully it is something minor and easily resolved. Best of luck to you 
02-14-2006, 04:07 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
No wait! Read the BMW Assist document... I know it says it tows to the nearest dealer OR the NEXT nearest dealer of your choice less than 50 miles... I KNOW I've read that before unless they changed it.
So I think that means if the nearest dealer is 5 miles away you have a choice of that dealer or whatever dealer you can reach within a 55mile radius.
So I think that means if the nearest dealer is 5 miles away you have a choice of that dealer or whatever dealer you can reach within a 55mile radius.
02-14-2006, 06:44 PM
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My Ride: 545i Orient Blue, Auburn Int. Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Satellite Radio, Logic 7 , Nav... European Delivery 3/21/05 Redelivery 6/1/05.
Update... The SA at the dealership has said that a hose was blown and needed replacement. Will take two days because they need to order it. Why would a hose on a relatively new car (11,000 miles) just blow? Also I hope that they check the engine for any overheat damage... never got an alarm, but it had to get pretty hot without any coolant 
02-15-2006, 05:57 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Well, a hose is a lot better than the top of the radiator, which was typical of every E39 at about 70K miles. Thankfully, mine started weeping around the top seam and gave me warning; other were not so fortunate; and of course, blowing out on top presented a surprise, if not a downright safety hazard when the hapless owner popped that hood.
It was a commonly recognized structural fault in that brand of OEM radiator, that I gather was also used on Benzes.
Ray Hull
It was a commonly recognized structural fault in that brand of OEM radiator, that I gather was also used on Benzes.
Ray Hull
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