Soon to be E61 Owner looking for advice
03-01-2016, 04:56 PM
#1
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My Ride: 2008 535xi with spot package, comfort access, HUD, Nav
Soon to be E61 Owner looking for advice
Just want to say hi to everyone and as for some advice.
I am currently looking for a 535xi wagon and will be looking at one Thursday. It is a dealer trade-in 2008 with 50k miles and they are asking for $19k. I am thinking that might be a little high but was wondering what a fair price is since the "guides" say 14k-19k.
I am really excited to be getting this car and be part of the BMW community again. I haven't owned a BMW but have auto crossed with the BMW CCA San Diego chapter and my dad was a BMW mechanic.
The first upgrades that I plan on doing are the JB4, BMS Data Cable, and Dual cone intake. Hopefully after that will be suspension and exhaust.
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
I am currently looking for a 535xi wagon and will be looking at one Thursday. It is a dealer trade-in 2008 with 50k miles and they are asking for $19k. I am thinking that might be a little high but was wondering what a fair price is since the "guides" say 14k-19k.
I am really excited to be getting this car and be part of the BMW community again. I haven't owned a BMW but have auto crossed with the BMW CCA San Diego chapter and my dad was a BMW mechanic.
The first upgrades that I plan on doing are the JB4, BMS Data Cable, and Dual cone intake. Hopefully after that will be suspension and exhaust.
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
03-01-2016, 05:55 PM
#2
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Look into the MHD tunes. A lot cheaper than buying an JB4. Unless you plan on really dialing in your car the MHD tunes offer great increased and power and a fraction of the cost.
MHD Flash Discussion - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
I recommend buying all the ultra strut bars (3 total) as it really stiffens up the chassis. They are made in Malaysia but they are high quality products. I have them on my E61.
Another great upgrade are the RD sway bars.
bmw e60-e61-e63-e64 sway bars
MHD Flash Discussion - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
I recommend buying all the ultra strut bars (3 total) as it really stiffens up the chassis. They are made in Malaysia but they are high quality products. I have them on my E61.
Another great upgrade are the RD sway bars.
bmw e60-e61-e63-e64 sway bars
03-01-2016, 07:30 PM
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My Ride: 2010, E61, 535i xDrive
Model Year: 2010
I second monkey about MHD, look into that software. Instead of exhaust, go for down pipe, I hear it gives it a different exhaust tone plus ~30-40 HP when tuned (also tuned via MHD).
If I had to do it again,, I would still look for a 2010, post LCI means updated bumper covers and different version of iDrive, a more friendly and faster interface. But you won't be able to find one with such low mileage and such low price. I think price is fair for a 2008 if it is in excellent shape, otherwise negotiate it down 1 or 2k. Good luck!
If I had to do it again,, I would still look for a 2010, post LCI means updated bumper covers and different version of iDrive, a more friendly and faster interface. But you won't be able to find one with such low mileage and such low price. I think price is fair for a 2008 if it is in excellent shape, otherwise negotiate it down 1 or 2k. Good luck!
Last edited by pocholin; 03-02-2016 at 04:36 AM. Reason: spelling corrections
03-01-2016, 10:05 PM
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My Ride: e61 / KW V3 / JB4 / M5 Rear Sway / FDL Coded / SAT Retrofit w GKE flash / ER FMIC / BMS DCI
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54
Another vote for the 2010! In my opinion, M-Sport and CIC options are worth the longer search and higher price, unless you really want to do the retrofits yourself. You can get low mileage, but price will be higher. However, price shouldn't be too much of an issue if you can afford to maintain the typical n54.
03-01-2016, 10:53 PM
#6
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There were more 2008 E61s imported than 2009 and 2010 combined. So you're looking for the unicorn of unicorns if you seek an 2010 manual E61. So rare I've never heard of one or seen one.
The navigation system in these cars is so bad, I rarely use it, so I wouldn't worry about the CCC vs. CIC idrive.. Find the best condition vehicle you can find 2008 or newer. The lower the miles the better. 2008 is the first year of the LCI so all from this year forward have the same bumpers, engine and tail lights.
The navigation system in these cars is so bad, I rarely use it, so I wouldn't worry about the CCC vs. CIC idrive.. Find the best condition vehicle you can find 2008 or newer. The lower the miles the better. 2008 is the first year of the LCI so all from this year forward have the same bumpers, engine and tail lights.
03-02-2016, 04:47 AM
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My Ride: 2010, E61, 535i xDrive
Model Year: 2010
There were more 2008 E61s imported than 2009 and 2010 combined. So you're looking for the unicorn of unicorns if you seek an 2010 manual E61. So rare I've never heard of one or seen one.
The navigation system in these cars is so bad, I rarely use it, so I wouldn't worry about the CCC vs. CIC idrive.. Find the best condition vehicle you can find 2008 or newer. The lower the miles the better. 2008 is the first year of the LCI so all from this year forward have the same bumpers, engine and tail lights.
The navigation system in these cars is so bad, I rarely use it, so I wouldn't worry about the CCC vs. CIC idrive.. Find the best condition vehicle you can find 2008 or newer. The lower the miles the better. 2008 is the first year of the LCI so all from this year forward have the same bumpers, engine and tail lights.
I'm not sure what you mean with "so bad". It might not be the fastest but it works really good for me. I updated my maps to 2015 version for about $50 and traffic info and route suggested works better than Waze! I have a couple of examples where Waze was telling me to go one route and my navigation was telling me to take a different one, both times I followed BMW's nav, exited per directions and saved time....I was able to see all the traffic I would've gone to had I listened to Waze.
At the end, 2008 or 2010.....as long as you're happy
03-02-2016, 06:42 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi with spot package, comfort access, HUD, Nav
Thanks for all the info. I was planning on sticking with the 2008 because my wife has set the budget at 20k and I would prefer a car with lower mileage to a newer model year. Most 2010s I have found are 16-24k with 60-120k miles. Also, my wife said that if I can get it for 17k or less I can have around $1500 for mods so that is also an incentive for the 2008.
I am not really planing on using the Nav so that really is not an issue for me. Unfortunately it has to be an auto because my wife does not want to drive a manual and this is going to be our shared car for a few years.
The MHD looks really easy to use and is a great price. I was wondering what the approximate total cost is for those using it since there is a variety of pricing. Do you have to buy each Map separately or only when you are changing a performance mod, i.e. add downpipes or exhaust. I was wondering since the JB4 and DCI are only $599 right now as a package deal.
Right now I am just looking to do a few easy mods such as the JB4 or MHD and DCI to ensure the engine remains reliable and isn't pushed too hard.
I am not really planing on using the Nav so that really is not an issue for me. Unfortunately it has to be an auto because my wife does not want to drive a manual and this is going to be our shared car for a few years.
The MHD looks really easy to use and is a great price. I was wondering what the approximate total cost is for those using it since there is a variety of pricing. Do you have to buy each Map separately or only when you are changing a performance mod, i.e. add downpipes or exhaust. I was wondering since the JB4 and DCI are only $599 right now as a package deal.
Right now I am just looking to do a few easy mods such as the JB4 or MHD and DCI to ensure the engine remains reliable and isn't pushed too hard.
03-02-2016, 08:02 AM
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My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
Cars for Sale: 2010 BMW 535i xDrive in Denver, CO 80211: Wagon Details - 421414326 - Autotrader
And
Cars for Sale: 2010 BMW 535i xDrive Wagon in Lakewood, CO 80215: Wagon Details - 423311233 - Autotrader
And a ridiculously rare red manual 2009:
Cars for Sale: 2009 BMW 535i xDrive Wagon in Joppatown, MD 21085: Wagon Details - 423020789 - Autotrader
03-02-2016, 09:49 AM
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My Ride: 2010, E61, 535i xDrive
Model Year: 2010
Thanks for all the info.
The MHD looks really easy to use and is a great price. I was wondering what the approximate total cost is for those using it since there is a variety of pricing. Do you have to buy each Map separately or only when you are changing a performance mod, i.e. add downpipes or exhaust. I was wondering since the JB4 and DCI are only $599 right now as a package deal.
Right now I am just looking to do a few easy mods such as the JB4 or MHD and DCI to ensure the engine remains reliable and isn't pushed too hard.
The MHD looks really easy to use and is a great price. I was wondering what the approximate total cost is for those using it since there is a variety of pricing. Do you have to buy each Map separately or only when you are changing a performance mod, i.e. add downpipes or exhaust. I was wondering since the JB4 and DCI are only $599 right now as a package deal.
Right now I am just looking to do a few easy mods such as the JB4 or MHD and DCI to ensure the engine remains reliable and isn't pushed too hard.
MHD will cost you less than $200 with the flasher+map 1+cable. Map1 has a few options, depending on the amount of mods you might have to go to map 2...another $50 or $60 bucks, I can't remember exact amount. DCI can be bought for $100-$120. You'd still save money going MHD. Use the savings for the charge pipe, or FMIC.