Long-time reliability of the E61 ...
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hey Guys,
With over 60 modules (I've already replaced 3 under warranty - PDC, Wipers, something else) rear air suspension, twin turbo, and a faulty designed HPFP ... has anyone wondered how much they will be spending on repairs once the car is out of warranty. I mean, I love the car, the power is great, the ride is awesome, but I don't think I want to own it after warranty expires. Hoiw many of you guys are spending too much money to maintain this car?
With over 60 modules (I've already replaced 3 under warranty - PDC, Wipers, something else) rear air suspension, twin turbo, and a faulty designed HPFP ... has anyone wondered how much they will be spending on repairs once the car is out of warranty. I mean, I love the car, the power is great, the ride is awesome, but I don't think I want to own it after warranty expires. Hoiw many of you guys are spending too much money to maintain this car?
Members
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 153
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On my 535d ive replaced a pdc censor, the charge censor, a cam censor and the car computer module. All under warranty. But without the warranty it would be very expencive so i hope i dont have to keep changing censors and modules after the warranty goes out. But i love the car so i dont mind as long as its not to bad.
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Finland
My Ride: 2008 Black E61 530Xd - M-sport - Comfort - Advantage
Originally Posted by andy535xi' post='1038183' date='Oct 22 2009, 06:38 PM
Hey Guys,
With over 60 modules (I've already replaced 3 under warranty - PDC, Wipers, something else) rear air suspension, twin turbo, and a faulty designed HPFP ... has anyone wondered how much they will be spending on repairs once the car is out of warranty. I mean, I love the car, the power is great, the ride is awesome, but I don't think I want to own it after warranty expires. Hoiw many of you guys are spending too much money to maintain this car?
With over 60 modules (I've already replaced 3 under warranty - PDC, Wipers, something else) rear air suspension, twin turbo, and a faulty designed HPFP ... has anyone wondered how much they will be spending on repairs once the car is out of warranty. I mean, I love the car, the power is great, the ride is awesome, but I don't think I want to own it after warranty expires. Hoiw many of you guys are spending too much money to maintain this car?
I have one year left of warranty.
Members
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
My Ride: 2006 Audi A8 4.2TDI
Previous rides:
2005 E61 530d, 20" Breyton reps, Eibach springs, M5 bumper/mirrors/MFSW
2000 Audi S6 Avant, 18" OZ, RS6 exhaust etc
1998 Audi A8 4,2Q, 19" RS4 wheels, Remus exhaust KW coilovers etc
1986 Audi 100CC, funky fresh steel rims w plastic covers, rubber lip on boot.....
1987 BMW 320i, 15" alloys + rubber lip on boot :)
1982 Opel Ascona 1,6DL, tinted windows and a big-ass subwoofer :P
I had mine for close to 2 years now and added 65000kms on it, total mileage 160000.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by Hilden' post='1038320' date='Oct 22 2009, 02:37 PM
I had mine for close to 2 years now and added 65000kms on it, total mileage 160000.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
Members
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
My Ride: 01CA Selection of COP-relevant vehicles
02NP M Light-alloy wheels double spoke 135 M with runflat
0203 4-Traction System
0205 Automatic transmission
0216 Servotronic Steering
0300 Space Saver Wheel
0316 Automatic tailgate operation
0320 Without Script Name Plate
0322 Comfort access system
0337 M sport package
0386 Roof Railing
04M3 Interior trim finishers Alu Cube Pure
0417 Side window Sun Blind, Rear Door, Mechanical
0423 Velour floor mats
0428 Warning Triangle/First Aid Kit
0430 Automatic Dimming Interior Rearview Mirror
0431 Interior Mirror (photo-sensitive)
0442 Beverage Holder
0453 Air Conditioned Seat Front
0456 Electrical Adjustable Comfort Seats
0502 Headlight Washing System
0508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
0522 Xenon Headlights
0524 Adaptive driving Lights Control
0534 Automatic Air Conditioning
0540 Multifunction Steering Wheel Include. Cruise Control
0548 Speedometer in Kilometers per Hour
0563 Lights package
0609 Navigation System Professional w/TV and On-board Computer
0672 BMW 6-Disc CD Changer
0676 Premium Audio System
0698 Area Code 2 For DVD
0710 M Style Leather Steering Wheel
0715 M Aerodynamic Package
0760 Individual High-gloss Shadowline
0761 Individual Sun-Protection Glazing
0775 Individual Roof Headlining Anthracite
08SA Country-specific TeleService activation
08SP CO2 Emissions Control
0863 Service Contact Flyer Europe
0869 Radio Preparations for CH/DE
0879 German Language Owner's Manual
0896 Daytime Running Light Switch (Circuit)
0962 Country-specific Motor (Engine Mapping)
Originally Posted by Hilden' post='1038320' date='Oct 22 2009, 08:37 PM
I had mine for close to 2 years now and added 65000kms on it, total mileage 160000.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
So far I replaced a wheel bearing a month ago @ 110 EUR cost (did the work myself), that's it. I also try to be proactive and fix any ticking bombs I discover through this and other forums, like breather filter, swirl flaps etc. If I was depending on dealer to replace parts and fix minor issues, I would def get rid of any German car before warranty expires so the key for me is that I can fix most of the wear & tear stuff myself. For electronics, gearbox and engine-internal stuff I have to rely on the professionals but then I already "saved" a bunch on the small fixes so I could live with a larger blow to the leather as long as it's not too frequent.
That said this is probably the most reliable car I owned to date. Big improvement over the 3 Audis I had before signing up here.
any chance on "how-to change wheel bearing on e61"?
Members
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
My Ride: 2006 Audi A8 4.2TDI
Previous rides:
2005 E61 530d, 20" Breyton reps, Eibach springs, M5 bumper/mirrors/MFSW
2000 Audi S6 Avant, 18" OZ, RS6 exhaust etc
1998 Audi A8 4,2Q, 19" RS4 wheels, Remus exhaust KW coilovers etc
1986 Audi 100CC, funky fresh steel rims w plastic covers, rubber lip on boot.....
1987 BMW 320i, 15" alloys + rubber lip on boot :)
1982 Opel Ascona 1,6DL, tinted windows and a big-ass subwoofer :P
Yes I made one so the DIY section and/or search button are your friends, at least for the front bearing 
Members
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow,Scotland
My Ride: E91 sport + touring
I loved my E61 but,in it's last year with me the electrical problems came thick and fast( and damned expensive)pdc failure,self levelling suspension failure,CD changer failed and the last problem with it was when I broke down late one night with no electrics at all which was down to the module that wakes the cars systems up when you unlock it(can't remember what it was called).
Apart from the electrics I found it heavy on front brakes with pads always out lasting discs with them being prone to warping. The only other thing that needed replacing was the N/S/F wheel bearing which wasn't all that painfull in comparison to all my other issues.
Once the warranty is out it is an expensive machine to repair and keep tip top.
Apart from the electrics I found it heavy on front brakes with pads always out lasting discs with them being prone to warping. The only other thing that needed replacing was the N/S/F wheel bearing which wasn't all that painfull in comparison to all my other issues.
Once the warranty is out it is an expensive machine to repair and keep tip top.
Senior Members
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: UK
My Ride: 2007 E61 M5, 1989 Z1
I bought my 535d when it was three years old with 44K miles. 2 years later at 69K it's needed the following:
replacement of the DVD drive for the nav system
SW reload
new compressor for the rear suspension
new oil/water heat exchanger
new steering column
new pano sunroof cassette
2nd new DVD drive for the nav system
The previous owner replaced the sunroof motors, the DVD drive and the heat exchanger under the new car warranty.
It's the first car I've ever owned where I took out the BMW extended warranty. The driving experience is great but the ownership experience is a bit frustrating.
replacement of the DVD drive for the nav system
SW reload
new compressor for the rear suspension
new oil/water heat exchanger
new steering column
new pano sunroof cassette
2nd new DVD drive for the nav system
The previous owner replaced the sunroof motors, the DVD drive and the heat exchanger under the new car warranty.
It's the first car I've ever owned where I took out the BMW extended warranty. The driving experience is great but the ownership experience is a bit frustrating.
Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Cornwall / Suffolk UK
My Ride: 535d Sport Tourer - E34 M5 Race Car
I don't know what you guys do with your cars ! My E61 535d has 175,000 miles (280,000 kms) and since the warranty ran out in May 2008 (intake manifold under warranty) my 'non-service' bills have been :
bulbs - c. ?10
Rear Pads & Sensor c. ?50
Tyres - 6 @ c. ?180 each
Purchase cost was around ?42,000 new, worth about ?8k now, so excluding service items & fuel, it's so far cost me 19pence per mile - probably the 'cheapest' and most reliable car I've ever owned - can't afford to mess about with unreliable cars with my commute of 400 miles each way to work.
Having said that, something big is bound to fall off / break next time I get in it now :-)
bulbs - c. ?10
Rear Pads & Sensor c. ?50
Tyres - 6 @ c. ?180 each
Purchase cost was around ?42,000 new, worth about ?8k now, so excluding service items & fuel, it's so far cost me 19pence per mile - probably the 'cheapest' and most reliable car I've ever owned - can't afford to mess about with unreliable cars with my commute of 400 miles each way to work.
Having said that, something big is bound to fall off / break next time I get in it now :-)