Soldato
Trouble is they're the sort of people who don't even have £2k to hand. Living beyond their means sadly.
BMW and M Power Owners
- Thread starter panthro
- Start date
Trouble is they're the sort of people who don't even have £2k to hand. Living beyond their means sadly.
So last year they paid 12k for a 2006 model 630i? Isn't that way overpriced? Thought 8k would be nearer to it.
Soldato
Yeah, at the time it was one of the most expensive for sale. Silly decision. They just wanted something a bit bling without thinking about running costs. It's a 2007 I think.
Soldato
Wow! Where did Rix Motor Company buy their x-ray specs? To be able to tell it's wear and tear presumably without taking the gearbox out is one impressive feat!
What is the actual problem with the car?
They either fight the "it's wear and tear" crap, or tell them to cram it and take it somewhere else.
If you're in Oxford, this company seems very reputable http://www.oxfordgermancars.com/
Or Mark Purcell BMW independent specialists.
^ Those guys are my local specialist. They seem very professional but wont go outside the box which i dont find helpful (i asked them about some unusual programming, and they werent interested despite me knowing that they have the equipment to do it).
But yeah, they have all of the latest diagnostic equipment and seem like a decent outfit generally.
But yeah, they have all of the latest diagnostic equipment and seem like a decent outfit generally.
Soldato
How can a gearbox failure be attributed to wear and tear? How many miles has it done?
I got this crap from a Nissan garage years ago, I then used to own Nissan Bluebird ZX Turbo which was still under warranty and after a year it would get stuck in reverse, unfortunately it happened when I was in Southend and being dark skinned the local Nissan dealer took an instant dislike to me. Refused to check it etc... without payment, refused it under warranty etc... anyway I got the work done, paid for it then got a solicitor to send them a letter probing into the fault and what was done to fix the issue which again they refused to tell me. After a few letters sent out a cheque arrived.
I got this crap from a Nissan garage years ago, I then used to own Nissan Bluebird ZX Turbo which was still under warranty and after a year it would get stuck in reverse, unfortunately it happened when I was in Southend and being dark skinned the local Nissan dealer took an instant dislike to me. Refused to check it etc... without payment, refused it under warranty etc... anyway I got the work done, paid for it then got a solicitor to send them a letter probing into the fault and what was done to fix the issue which again they refused to tell me. After a few letters sent out a cheque arrived.
Soldato
No idea - especially an auto gearbox!! I wonder what they'd say if you asked them which part had worn causing the failure?
Realistically - we all know it won't be "wear and tear", but the garage is relying on the fact that it'd cost the customer thousands to have a specialist look at it to potentially prove them wrong, then they'd have to spend thousands more and several months of their life on a court battle to prove that whatever failed couldn't be classed as wear and tear. In other words, they're relying on the fact that it's too much effort to prove them wrong.
Been looking to scratch the V8 itch;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-540i-SPORT-AUTO/282523330550?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Probably the tidiest example of a 540i I've seen whilst looking these last few months but, it's £6k for a 14 year old E39 that isn't an M5...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-540i-SPORT-AUTO/282523330550?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Probably the tidiest example of a 540i I've seen whilst looking these last few months but, it's £6k for a 14 year old E39 that isn't an M5...
Soldato
Still a good looking car to this day, Then BMW released the E60.........
Caporegime
A 7 Series for... occasional weekend use?!
Stick the V70 in the bin and use the E38. Otherwise what was the point?
The point is the e38 was bought because it was something I wanted, not needed, it's actually wholly unsuitable for day to day use for me, I get dirty at work and covered in grease invariably, this I don't want over the cream leather seats neither do I want to transport my two German Shepherds around in it or use it for tip runs etc, there's a high chance of it getting dinged in the work car park not to mention it being covered in crap every day due to the land reclamation site next door to my employers which liberally covers every car with a film of sandy dust daily.
Everyone who's seen the e38 in the flesh since I've had it have been blown away by its condition - it truly is immaculate - and the general agreement is it's far too good to use as a daily which was my original intention so,I'm going to keep the V70 on the road and keep the e38 as an occasional use car which will minimise it's mileage increase and just enjoy it for what it is to me, an exceptional example of a car I've always wanted and something I'm going to cherish and enjoy family time in and perhaps even show it (I've had this suggestion from a few who've seen it)
I caravan quite a lot and in the summer I'll use the e38 (it has a BMW detachable tow bar which has never been used) when we goto Cornwall. next weekend on the other hand I'm off to Ashbourne for a weekend break and I'll use the V70 for that, the e38 will get used but only occasionally and I doubt I'll use it over the winter at all.
It's going to stay under cover at my other halfs house - I have no garage at my place - I could argue why don't you bin your e39 given you don't need it and realistically it'll not increase in value any time soon due to its many miles? You won't because it's special to you and why not keep it?
If I keep my e38 in the condition it's in and don't pile miles on it it'll ultimately only go up in value (which isn't my long term goal more an added bonus) now I've finally found the e38 I've always wanted I've decided not to ruin it by the daily grind when I have a far more suitable hack (the V70) for that purpose.
Soldato
One of the bulbs appears to have gone on my rear left light of my E89 Z4 (not indicator or brake light). Anyone have know how easy this is to replace? Have 2 bulb part numbers from realoem.
Soldato
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It's things like that that really put me off an E89
Soldato
Sadly she doesn't live near me otherwise I'd sort it out for her. BMW apparently did run diagnostics on it yesterday and it gave them a few different error codes - basically 5th and 6th gear were slipping which suggests a knackered torque converter. So when she rang the independent in Warrington she told him the codes and he said that it's such a big job that it'd be £2500 at least to fix and agreed that it was wear and tear. He thought that she should jump at their offer of another car at the same value as they originally paid so they're going to look at what they've got this weekend.
If Rix's offer of another car from stock is as good as it sounds, I'd probably just do the same at this point. Sadly I think they're just going to end up buying another car that's overpriced and liable to some kind of failure within a year or so.
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As WillGill says they're not hard to get into to replace. However, it might be worth having a poke around before ordering a new bulb. Early models of the E89 had a recall for the rear light units as the seals were pap and leaked. If it looks like water has got in and damaged things it'll be worth ringing a dealer to see if it qualified for and had the recall done as
- Free replacement,
- If the seal has gone it could blow your replacement bulb shortly after fitting.
I'll see if I can dig out the relevant PDF tommorrow.
Caporegime
Guy at the dealers this morning brought his 8 series in. Had it since new. 66k on the clock.
Maroon
Maroon
Soldato
Yeah deffo check on the E89 light units. I have had 4 replaced under warranty since 2012, all for leaking into the indicator until they changed seal/part over. E89's also have/had boot venting problems (if you have a green trim plug inside the boot behind the place where the Z4 badge should be then you've had the work done) that was done under recall years ago and last month i had an electronics recall. Extended warranty on E89 i35 now paid for: 4 light pods, idrive controller, 1 rear coil spring, 1 rear boot seal (250 quid, this is taking the mick), 1 door seal, 1 exhaust replacement (35i/is muffler + pipes on driver side). On the upside, the warranty is really cheap every year 
Caporegime
BMW have got my car overnight again
Soldato
Much want.
If my M5 is ever written off (heaven forbid) I'd seriously consider buying the salvage and doing an engine/drivetrain swap into an E31, or if too difficult, an E38. They both have such svelte styling compared with more modern cars. It's hard to believe they were considered rather vulgar when new - showy or flashy.