dirtup

Hi, folks.

Just joined up after lurking for a while. My better half has decided she needs a wagon [er, Touring] as her daily driver BMW. We looked at 3ers and she said, "Too small."

After a few test rides in 530 and 535 -ixers, we are thinking used e61 [with an outside chance of low-mile e39]. We have only two requirements: Comfort Seats [me] and heated steering wheel [her].

A BMW salesman just informed me that e61 Sport Package automatically requires RFT and no spare. Since we have had several "S" and "M" models in the past that we liked, and since many Comfort Seat cars also have SP, we may be stuck with no spare. Can anyone verify what this guy said?

And speaking of comfort seats, I may be mistaken, but it appears after looking at various online ad pix that the head restraint on 2006 comfort seats was provided in two different styles. One version appears to have the articulated "wings", while the other appears to be monolithic. Am I blinder than I thought, or is this difference real?

TIA,

rford

330i SP/PP/CWP
325ix 6M [son's Touring]
535i, 325is, M3, 535is, R90S, R69S, 2002 [gone but not forgotten]

Hopco

I would double check that salesman.

I have owned two E61s - a 2006 (sport pac) and a 2010 (M-Sport pac). Both had spares, but they were the skinny little donut spares, good for speeds up to 50 mph and distances of 50-to-150 miles, depending on gross vehicle weight.

I always carry a can or two of liquid spare. I had a cut tire last summer that could not be patched. Two cans of Fix a Flat and I was on my way without unloading all the luggage in the back. I was able to make it the last 150 miles to our destination.

TireRack's tires arrived in CO after the weekend and all was well again. Of course I kept the speed below, but the cut tire never lost air. A tip to the tire mechanic and he was happy to clean the gunk out of the wheel.

My 2006 E61 had sport seats - I did not like them, but was stupid and cheap not to take my salesman's advice to get the comfort seats. It is my understanding that E60/61s MY 2007 and later had Confort Seats included in the Sport Pac. I have comfort seats in my new 2010 - they are great.

colb666

All E60/1's come standard with RFT's and even the spacesaver spare wheel is an optional extra.Sorry can't comment on the seats as my car just has plain old Dakota SE sort.

dirtup

Same salesman sent a copy of service records at my request. Car is 06 just off 15k/year lease. Here, directly quoted, is some of what has already been fixed under warranty:

-Tire failure indicator [RPA] permanent failure
-Front controller/joystick incorrect connection
-Window frame cover poorly fitted
-SIB #34-05-06 LBL 477 check SZL optical element
-Engine hood poorly fitted
-NAV CD/DVD road map/destination input incorrect/incomplete
-Outer weather strips front/loose
-SIB #84-22-06 and 84-23-06
-Radio reception aerial/tuner/radio MASK/CCC permanent failure
-Expansion valve leaking
-Transmitter function remote operation/radio remote control permanent malfunction
-Remote control locking function in control module permanent failure
-Air suspension [LF] control module, single axle suspension software error/internal device fault
-Switch/side lights/driving lights/lights permanent failure
-Engine hood lock cable cracked/broken/torn off
-Top steering shaft/steering column unpleasant noises
-Cigarette lighter insert too cold [this last one came after lease as the car was being prepped for CPO]

In addition, there was a recurring problem with radio reception.

Is this the kind of stuff all e61 owners have to endure? Some of these problems are safety-related, like total failure of the light switch; others are just PITA stuff. Since CPO only covers failure of "moving parts" [per the salesman], it seems reasonable to expect more electronic failures on this machine before 100k miles have been reached.

Makes me think twice about selling a 330i and 4Runner [both bought new] with NO service problems, just to move to a newer "UDE." This kind of history appears common for the 06 as a first year model. Still, I find the interior [steering wheel] and controls [gearshift] much more appealing than 07-up e61's. We are seeking a more comfortable vehicle for cross-country travel, and these cars seem to have the ideal mix of comfort, driving joy, utility, and looks. Again, the only serious competition would seem to be a low mileage e39 Touring.

Comments/anecdotes welcomed.

rford

andy535xi

My car has no spare because in the space where the spare would have been there are three computer modules. I think BMW stopped putting spares into the station wagon in North America

raddray

Just bought a used 2008 535xiT CPO - Sport Package, Premium, Cold, Nav, Active Cruise, 18" wheel with summer performance RFT upgrade, Park Distance, Premium Audio, and heated Rear seats, IPOD adapter, HD Radio, and Sirius Radio. I think that was everything...

It has a donut spare...

narvselius

Man o man, that's a long list... which makes me wonder if there are recurrent issues or if most of them were fixed fairly early. If some of above issues are fairly new I would walk away from that car. :thumbsdown:

ArneR.

+1

garychairson

That list is beyond believe... take a walk from that car. and try somewhere else...

aysc

Hi there,
i have e61, m-package, RFT and i do have a spare tyre (thin 17 inch)
So... it seems to be not the case in CH... Probably US has different packaging.