Starting Saturday, I replaced the front brakes on my 07 Odyssey (just pads) as well as front and rear pads and rotors on my e61 (fronts Sat., rears Sunday). While doing the rears I discovered that my (yes I knew they needed replacement) tires had actually worn to the threads. So new tires went on Tuesday....I replaced the God-aweful PS2s that the dealer I bought the car from had put on 25Kmi ago (yes I did at least squeak 5K extra miles out of the tires) with AS3s. I also had the wagon aligned....the rear toe was out which helped wear off the inside shoulders of the rears as it did.

In the midst of the brake work, I gave my ZHP a much needed bath, changed the oil, and spent some time cleaning around the very rear-most corner of the valve cover where a very minor oil dribble had pooled enough to start dripping on the first cat making the car smell like burning oil.

I was relatively pleased with how clean everything in the driveline area was. That being said, the first thing I did after removing the wheels was to spray everything down with simple green and scrub.

I ended up going with Centric pads and rotors...time will tell if I actually get less brake dust....I am really hoping it is substantially less. Although I really like the brakes so far, I have not burned them in yet. Didn't do it the day I finished because of the tire situation...and have not had a chance to find some long, quiet roads to burn them in at since then...hopefully soon.

 

Here's the wagon after the new tires:

 

Glad to see you kept her!

If you want a fun little twisty road to burn in the brakes and scrub in the tires

https://goo.gl/maps/WjBr7hWpTpF2

 

Fun times.....got my parts order in from Pelican Parts......Radiator for the e61 (plus updated oil-cooler hose, spacers, and coolant) as well as the VCG for the e46.

 

Yesterday, I got word that the extended warranty company approved a transmission replacement in our 2006 E61, 530xi wagon. Can you say, SWEET!

Jose

 

So what were the circumstances? Did you buy the wagon used and it came with an extended warranty so they are covering it because it's failing?

-r

 

You guessed it right. We bought used and put the extended warranty on it. We are 9 months into ownership and the tranny started shifting odd. If it was my dime, I might try a servotronic rebuild, but the shop had concerns about the clutches. So they recommended rebuild, and warranty company inspector signed off. Now, an OEM rebuilt ZF tranny is on it's way.

Jose

 

Good news Jose!!! Lucky for me, I have a good friend that can take apart and rebuild these ZFs like they're mere lego toys.....I hope to never need his help but I know where to go if mine ever acts up.

-r

 

The touring.
M5 bumper on its way...

 

Thinking. Yellow fog lights.
Still back and fort on the wheel issue.
Probably going for some 18" oem from Craigslist...