BurtonSnol3order

Alright everyone, I'm new to the e60 world. I just sold my e46 and went with an '08 535i. I'm in love with the engine and just wanted to get a few questions answered.
1) what maintenance schedule should I follow?
2) what oil should I use? (same mobil1 0w40 i used before?)
3) what areas of concern should I have in regards to common issues?
4) how do I get rid of the nag screen on idrive? Can I use the BMW OBD2 scan tool from the e46?
5) why is there such little bass from the stereo? I was reading about the blaupunkt 555 amp upgrade, but I can't find many for sale with the bmw cable. Is there a better option out there?

Gangplank

Here is what I follow:

All BMWs Late 1999 to Present:
*Oil Service every 5,000 miles (BMW says 15,000 between Inspections but oil is cheap, motors are expensive)
*Brake Fluid Flush every 2 years
*Coolant Flush every 2 years
Power Steering Flush every 3 years
*Inspection I every 30,000 miles
*Inspection II every 60,000 miles Transmission fluid change w/ pan every 60,000 mi.

Oil... Check the manual.

The "nag" aka nanny-lawyer screen can be coded out.

BurtonSnol3order

Appreciate the help. After browsing the forums, here are some concerns. As always, the forums tend to always bring out the negatives more than is typically experienced but, does anyone have input on checking conditions or maintenance involving:
HPFP
water-pump
injectors
failed turbos
intake cleaning

seven11

i also just bought a 535i.

did the valve cover gasket, coils, plugs, plug tubes, vanos solenoids, hood shocks

then got jb4 and Dual Cone intake... wow such a monster now.

BurtonSnol3order

How many miles are on yours? What did your maintenence items cost to do?

skrelnik

I also picked up a 535 over the summer with 50k miles. So far changed the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing & oil change. Definatley drop a tune on it, JB4 and Cobb are two favorites. JB4 is cheaper but EXTREMELY more difficult to install, and you do risk frying your DME if you install incorrectly. The Cobb on the other hand can be installed by a 4 year old and you have nothing to worry about with the install. Unless you are racing your car, either one will supply you with the same power that will make the car so much more fun. Cobb is also 2x the money.

As for your stereo - you need to determine which system you have, Base, Hi-Fi or Logic 7. Let us know and then the forum can give you more color you on that project. If you don't know what you have, look up your VIN on BMW Model Archive · BMW VIN Decoder · bmwarchive.org

The HiFi option should be S676A. I just picked up some new speakers for xmas, and getting an amp next month so if you have HiFi I can share that with you.

BurtonSnol3order

I also have the HiFi option. Please let me know what amp you used. I know what sub upgrades I'd use, but I'm stuck on the amp. I'd assume there are some 5 channel amps that would be compatible.

What did the Valve cover gasket cost you? Did you DIY? Are you considering a warranty? I was looking at the Route 66 warranty which would give me 5yrs or 100k miles for under 2k. I've heard mostly positive things about it as well. Seems like cheap insurance even if it might be a bit of a hassle to get them to pay up.

skrelnik

[QUOTE=BurtonSnol3order;1554371]I also have the HiFi option. Please let me know what amp you used. I know what sub upgrades I'd use, but I'm stuck on the amp. I'd assume there are some 5 channel amps that would be compatible.

You currently have a 6 channel amp so would you stick with the stock speaker set-up or are your trying to do something different than the stock set-up? With a 5 channel amp you can power the front mids/tweets and underseat woofers, and add a sub in the trunk. But you would lose your rear deck speakers...A lot of people recommend that set-up.

I have not yet made my amp purchase, but I have looking at 6 channel amps and I narrowed my choices down to either of of these to power a set of Jehnert Flatline speakers.

1) JL Audio XD600/6v2
2) Arc Audio XDi 1200.6v2

I am not adding a sub to the trunk because I do not have a ski-pass. The cost of the upgrade is most likely not worth the results.

In order to get your amp to be plug and play you need to purchase a Harnass from forum member Technic, just PM him and tell him you need a harnass for a 2008 535 hi fi system. This harnass connects the new amp to the existing wiring and you are good to go.

This link has lots of audio info, including Technic's PM details: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

skrelnik

What did the Valve cover gasket cost you? Did you DIY? Are you considering a warranty? I was looking at the Route 66 warranty which would give me 5yrs or 100k miles for under 2k. I've heard mostly positive things about it as well. Seems like cheap insurance even if it might be a bit of a hassle to get them to pay up.[/QUOTE]



I have an aftermarket warranty which covered the valve gasket. The total was about $1,300 at the dealership which was fully covered. My warranty also has a $0 deductible so that was cool. Here is a short threat that i recently posted to about warranties and costs. I uploaded a picture of what's covered under my warranty so you can compare to the Route 66 one.

https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...ricing-140490/