psam550

Just hit this milestone. Still looks great and drives strong. The tranny was replaced under warranty at 100k. And I replaced most of the common problems, such as the coolant pipe, valley pan, valve stem seals, alternator w/ gasket, water pump, and other gaskets. Should I move on? Thx.

KyleB

What would you move on to?

psam550

I'm turning 50 this year – so maybe it's time for a Mercedes-Benz! A slightly used E350 would be nice. Or, the TwinTurbo V6 in the Infiniti Q50 is pretty sweet! And they have some excellent deals. What about a Lexus GS? Or, of course, a BMW 535. As you can see, I think my next car will be a V-6 to save a little bit of gas. It's a very difficult decision because I'm still quite fond of my E60. I'm just concerned that if I wait another six months or so, a large malfunction will occur which will preclude me from getting the $6000 or so that someone is offering me right now.

FormerE30Owner

If you have just recently done all of those things, it sounds like you are good for another 200K miles, with proper continued maintenance. I would keep, but then I have kept some BMWs up to 375K miles!

Salut, Bob P.

PS. V-6's aren't inherently better mileage engines than I-6 engines.

psam550

Yes, I did all that work in the last 2-3 years. It's running great! Frankly, my biggest concern is a transmission failure. Does anybody wish to chime in on the reliability of these transmissions over 100,000 miles or any major problem areas that I have not addressed? Remember, BMW put a new tranny in this one at 100,000 miles. Thanks for your feedback!

FormerE30Owner

Can't help you there, since I have had only manual transmissions on all of my 8 BMWs over 1,600,000 kms (1,000,000 miles) in 45+ years. Did replace the throw-out bearing on one clutch at 300K kms, however.
Salut, Bob p.

EddieboyS

I've also got an 06 550i but with 6 sp manual, 103k miles. Generally is running well except for rough idle. Did you replace the coolant transfer pipe as PM or when it failed? Curious as to when I might expect to have to deal with that issue as it is so expensive a fix.

FormerE30Owner

Mine is a 2005 545 with 6SP manual and 185,000 miles and absolutely no sign of valve seal leaks nor coolant transfer pipe. The valve cover, alternator bracket and front timing chain cover gaskets were just done at 175,000 miles, since some were leaking slightly and might have caused the alternator to go at 170K miles. Salut, Bob P.

jtbgonesailing

OP, So your ZF automatic was changed out at 100k miles and you have put 100k miles on the replacement transmission. What service has been preformed to this transmission? Fluid/pan/filter changed at 40-60k mile enterval? ZF several years back, went on record stating their transmissions were not filled with LifeTime fills, but need fluid/filter changes.

psam550

I replaced the coolant pipe when it failed at about 160k. All German Auto here used some kit which it cut into place.

I changed the ATF at 150k, along with some plastic sleeve of sorts in the tranny which supposedly tends to fail. (That's after 50k on the new tranny). The original tranny did not fail in the classic sense. Rather, it was slamming and stuttering on occasion. New tranny has been great.

People don't believe it has 200k on the clock. It truly looks like new. I'm leaning towards keeping her....