BMW and M Power Owners

Jez said:
Manual gearboxes are totally lost on me, always have been. I wont even have a manual rental car if i can avoid it.

I would genuinely rather drive a 3 speed 80s autobox of utter fail equipped car than a manual car. :p
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I'd be inclined to agree with you for most of my normal everyday driving, I really love having an auto gear box. However the 5 speed box in my 330d is truly awful and I'd not want to step down any further. When I sell the 330d I will definitely get another auto or dual clutch gearbox.
However I prefer manual in sports cars. It has to be manual or dual clutch for me. If I was spending £20k+ again on another car it would have to come with a dual clutch box. The manual in my M3 is good, and my preferred gearbox for that car.
 
Got my M3 back from the garage after a service and sorting out various issues. Couple of minor oil leaks (CPV and timing chain tensioner, both v common) still be to sorted. As soon as I get home the check engine light comes on :( :(
 
mrk said:
Ouch. Didn't yours have an inspection 2 done recently before being put up for sale?
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No, it was in need of a service hence why I got it relatively cheap. The EML light has gone out now, v strange. Also found out that the car has Tein springs and a Scorpion cat back system when my friend put it up on the ramps. I might keep the exhaust but change the springs to Eibach or OEM.

 
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Here's a pic of my recently acquired M3 CS. I have normal front indicators and a few other bits to fit at the weekend. I'm also looking at new springs as the Tein ones fitted are too low and too firm for my liking. Car is running ok at the moment after being serviced last week, but is running a little rough. The garage thinks it may be the plugs so it's going back shortly to get that sorted, plus the CPV o ring oil leak and chain tensioner leak fixed. Also the hand brake shoes need adjusting. I have a ridiculously long list of things to do, most of which have been done, but I have to admit I'm really enjoying doing a lot of the work myself.

 
I sold my 35i M Sport with 38k on the clock, with BMW warranty for £17.5k, similar spec but mine didn't have adaptive suspension. £18k for that is an ok price. Struggled to sell it for months. Lesson learned, don't try and sell a convertible during the winter months. I panicked because we were moving house and I thought I needed the money, but it turned out we didn't :(
 
Raymond Lin said:
How long ago?

I hope you are right, I really ought to stick to my plan to get the car after the summer, both because I have lots more jobs around the country to do so easier on fuel, known car reliability wise, financially better position and also hopefully cheaper as the summer will be over.
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January. My advice is buy after summer. Prices do fluctuate on these during summer months and go down significantly during winter, despite what anyone tells you, I've got first hand experience!
 
Rewired my side lights in after taking out the crappy angel eyes from the previous owner. Happy days :)

Now all that's left is to fix the oil leaks, fit the new suspension, replace the plugs and coils (as I'm sure that's what's causing the misfire) and I'll be happy for the time being.
 
[TW]Fox;28208212 said:
I don't think there is any point spending more than £8k on one, true 'minters' rarely really exist and with an £8k one you can spend the money that needs spending on pretty much all of them much easier.

They are all old cars, a 'minter' is probably just as in need of a suspension refresh as an £8k one.
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Define "minter". For me, a "minter" would mean all original parts with full BMWSH, no rust, no resprays spotless interior and high spec.

sigma said:
Yeah, I think you've hit the nail on the head there, Fox.

The more I look into it the more I'm wondering whether to get one, considering the potential for hassle. The thing is, I can't see anything better for the money, nothing is quite as special whilst still being relatively practical. For under £10k nothing much can match it.
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They are a hassle because you will always find something that needs doing on it even if it's not out of necessity it will be something minor like an oil leak, or a warning light on the dash that intermittently appears.
 
I've only had it a month, there are only usually 2 oil leaks to look out for; the CPV valve and the timing change tensioner. The CPV is caused by a cheap O ring failure and the tensioner is the gasket. They are so minor I'm not planning to do them until mid next month.
I ran an E46 in 2010-2011 and had the usual snapped rear springs and replaced the starter motor. Apart from that it was normal running costs. I also had an E92, which apart from the seat belt arm breaking was also faultless.
My current E46 is a CS, which I got for a good price so just planning to do it up as a little project and then sell in the near future. It's needed a fair bit of work aside from the oil leaks it's needed new hand brake shoes, oil and brake fluid service, new side light rewiring, new rear alloy, new front brake sensor (warning light on the dash when I bought it but I knew what it was, £15 for a new one and 30 mins to fit), new plugs and coils and a few other things I can't remember now. Once it's all done I'll do a full post about what I've done with some pictures.
 
SDK^ said:
The boot is only 100 litres bigger than a 1 Series BUT it's the letter box size boot entry which limits its use. I can get 2 full size mountain bikes in the back of a 1 but I couldn't get any bikes in a 6.

Also, for the price and its weight, it's not that powerful - the x35i/d have more power and are lighter.
An Audi S7 has 150bhp more power and is the same RRP.

The more I research the 6 the more I'm going off it. No wonder they have massive discounts.
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You won't be able to get a roof rack either, so apart from fitting a tow bar there is no way you can transport bikes in or on a 6 Series, which is the only thing that stopped me from buying one.
 
My car is in the garage today. If I get it back tonight I'll attend the meet up tomorrow, but it doesn't sound likely as it seems to be overfuelling, which is not a common problem on the S54.
 
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Mine isn't showing any of the common signs such as the pinking noise you usually get. If you take it to a proper garage to get the test done I don't see why anyone would mind.
 
You should get the gearbox oil changed. BMW say "sealed for life" but it's widely acknowledged that this is BS. I've seen the state of the oil coming out from 10 year old gearbox with 80k miles on. It's filthy.
 
mrk said:
I plan on getting my gearbox and diff oils changed when I have the brakes switched over later in the year. Stick to dealer oil or a better alternative available?
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Just use what BMW recommend for the gearbox and diff. They should change all the transmission fluids during an inspection 2 anyway.
 
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