Well here goes my first post on the forum.

Looking for some words of wisdom, or at least helpful comments.
I have almost bought a 535d M Sport Touring, I am 90% there, all I need to do is drive it this Saturday and if all goes well, deal done.
What should I be looking for? Issues, faults, problem areas? I am buying the car through the approved used BMW scheme from a dealership I know so I have confidence the car will be right but are there things to check?

The car spec is as far as I know:

• E61 535d A M Sport Touring M57 3.0d 2006
• Titanium Silver Metallic
• Black Dakota leather
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Maple Wood - High Gloss
• Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
• Seat heating. front
• Sun protection glass
• Visibility package
• Media Package
  

 

Welcome to the forum. The E61 that you have chosen sounds very nice, especially a 535d with M-Sport.

There are some common problems with the E61, and many threads on these here.

In brief:

- clogged Panorama sunroof drain tubes
- Panorama sunroof wind noise
- rear air suspension compressor failure
- cargo (rear) door wire harness failure
- intake swirl flap failure (more common on E39/E60/61 3.0d engines)

Perhaps someone else will chime in with more, but those five have been beaten to death. Ironically, all of them are design failures by BMW. As the 2006 model will not be under warranty, if these fail, you get stuck with the bill.

You could probably ask if this E61 has had any of these "serviced", but who knows if you will get a straight story about them.

Good luck with the purchase, and let us know how it goes.

And if you buy it, we will all immediately demand pics.

 

The car is coming through the approved BMW scheme from a BMW Main dealer (the general manager is a family friend ) so I plan on giving them a list of my concerns before purchasing. I assume the BMW warranty I am getting will cover these areas, but I will be sure to ask anyway.

More comments welcome, and I apologise if these are all over the forum, I just could not see them in one place.

And of course pics will be forth coming once I get the keys....!!

 

If you are connected with someone in BMW, then you are probably set.

The threads about these issues are not in one place, but here, there and everywhere.

Rear suspension failures:

https://5series.net/forums/topic/775...sion-failures/

https://5series.net/forums/topic/940...on-gone-again/

Cargo door wire harness:

https://5series.net/forums/topic/727...s-replacement/

https://5series.net/forums/topic/928...-harness-rear/

Sunroof drain tubes (there are other threads about this as well):

https://5series.net/forums/topic/810...panorama-roof/

https://5series.net/forums/topic/940...-leak-in-boot/

https://5series.net/forums/topic/854...blem-in-wagon/

Panorama sunroof:

https://5series.net/forums/topic/956...panorama-roof/

That will probably keep you busy for a day or two.

 

Well?

It is Saturday...

 

Exhaust manifold (check for hints of failure/micro cracks)

Some full failures here:
530d exhaust manilfold cracked


(and in my e61)

Good luck with the purchase, you'll absolutely love it!

 

Oh what a car!!

seriously, it was such fun dropping the hammer coming down a slip road and leaving the Audi S3 (that had previously been glued to my bumper) trailing in my wake as it did a nodding dog impersonation trying to catch up! Lol

The wife also loved the car so job done , just got to wait a week or so for my plate to be transferred. I will post photos later (writing on an iPad and cannot figure how to do that as yet).

Right got a few questions,

1. Cowl: the soft touch plastic around the steering wheel is worn at the edges I have asked if they can replace it, is this an easy job? Does anyone do a carbon version?
2. USB: Where would you find the USB port of it's been fitted, there was an aux-in between the air vents in the back.
3. Comfort seats: the car has full electric seats in the front with memory. Now I thought this meant they were comfort seats but the head rests are standard and I could not find a lumbar control.
4. STD tyres: The dealer has fitted a new set of boots ton the car, NCT is all I can remember, bridgestone? I assume these are run flat as there was a clear lack of spare wheel in the boot. Are these the STD tyres?
5. Rear cover: when I opened the boot the rear cover slide up (nice touch) but when I closed the boot it stayed up, is this an issue?
6. iPhone: I have seen iPhone BMW car phone holders (for the Centre arm rest) on flea-bay anyone tried one of these?
7. Satnav: I have asked if they can give me a 2010 sat nave disc, should I push for the official BMW one or get one of the net? Is it only the "un-official ones" that have speed cameras on it?

As I say will load some photos later!

 

Pics as promised.






Now next quandary, as well as the posts above (appreciate if anyone could advise) I could potentially swap my wheels (plus some cash) for either M5 or M6 alloys (neighbour does the accounts for a local alloys shop, sweet!).

Patrick 61, your car looks smart and if you do add the carbon diffuser I may need to copy your style.


comments please....

 

Welcome to the silver e61 club. Save 300 quid and paint the diffuser like I did .
https://5series.net/forums/index.php...tach_id=114518

 

Is that gloss black? Looks good!! I'm thinking carbon though to go with a front lip

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170450238634&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1725wt_911 Front

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/E60-E61-M-Tech-Carbon-Fiber-Rear-Bumper-Diffuser-Single-/350360735125?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5193208d95#ht_2621wt_1137 Back