sam.s

Hi guys,

On the weekend I took it for a drive 600 km (370 ml) away. Weather was averaging 10'C (50'F) after about 5 hours of driving the engine gave an overheating message and finally shut down after 10 minutes. I pulled over and waited for it to cool and then tried driving it again. Did this for 3 times until I arrived where I had to be. It was near the middle of the night.

I've read a few posts and I think the water pump has gone bad. So I'm planning to change the water pump and thermostat regardless what the dealer finds out. I think it's time for it to be replaced anyway.

I'm planning to keep this car forever. Could you guys tell me what other things I should be on the lookout for since it is now fairly old. A month ago the bluetooth module went bust and I had to replace it at $2000 So I just want to be prepared with more things that may need to be replaced.

BTW oil consumption is incredibly high. I add oil every 3000 km (1800ml) and in the morning when i start the car i can smell the fuel burning rich. I have taken it to the dealer but they can't find anything wrong.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

540i

If you received an overheating message, then you should have pulled over immediately! You can cause a lot of damage in one minute, let alone in 10 minutes of driving. Are you saying that you shut the car down or it shut down by itself?

When I had coolant issues earlier in the year and got an "overheating" message one light from where I lived, I was scared to drive for another 30 seconds into my driveway.

sam.s

The car shutdown by itself. I was in the middle of nowhere and the closest town was 100km away. Plus it was near midnight so I had to keep going :/

What caused your overheating?

540i

Thermostat, upper hose and bleeding the cooling system.

I don't mean to freak you out but if the car shut down by itself, it doesn't sound good...unless the E60 has some type of limp mode where it shuts the car down when it gets too hot.

I understand you were far away, but it could have been much worse (blown gaskets) and then you would have been stuck there. Next time I would pull over, let the car cool down and then drive again.

540i

I just did some research and it looks like the E60 has a "safe mode." Not sure if it's supposed to limit your speed or shut down completely though, so you might be safe.

Function of safe/limp mode - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

sam.s

I was on cruise control and all of the sudden it went "limp" so I'm assuming this is the safe mode. I pulled over straight away and waited for a few minutes.