E61 General Knowledge

[Kingy]

My old man is running a >200k 03 530i Sport Champagne II, and wants to change it for something newer, ideally more efficient, & ideally an estate.

The A6 is a handsome car, but it looks like the more efficient 3.0TDI didn't appear until 2009 which is more money than he's looking to spend really.

The E61 appears to fit the bill, & while I've got a general idea from scanning adverts, I wondered if anyone with a better general knowledge of the subject could bring me up to speed please?

When was the LCI introduced, & what did it change? I see LED rear clusters, but not sure about the rest from looking at AutoTrader photos.
When were the more efficient engines introduced (same time as LCI?), and what are the relevant engine codes (ie, he currently has an M54) for the 3.0 petrols/diesels either side of the efficiency upgrade?
Any particular issues to be aware of like the cheese cooling system in the E39? Are they expensive fixes at an indy? He's been doing ~30-40k a year, so does this mitigate any potential DPF clogging issues because they're actually given the chance to regen properly/regularly on a long run?
Is a warranty a must? BMW only, or consider Warranty Direct etc? Which warranty tier is the one to have? Are there any terms to consider before adding a BMW warranty to a currently non-warrantied car? ie like FSH/FBMWSH or the 111 point check that Porsche insist on?
Does the E61 have runflats as standard? Is there a hole in the boot floor if you want to upgrade to proper tyres & have a spare wheel or space saver?
Are Xenons/F&R parking sensors standard fit kit? Anything that you might think should be standard kit that isn't?
Any options to look out for? He likes the fully loaded aspect to his existing steed, so the more toys the better...
I gather the new Connected Drive is a cool toy? Can this be retrofitted, or is it standard fit but subject to activation / subscription?
Can the I-Drive be upgraded to CIC?
Does the standard I-Drive work with an iPhone? I'd seen (outdated?) reports of issues with the iPhone?

Cheers...

 

[Kingy]

Given that his current car is pretty much worthless, I'd suggested hanging on as long as possible, ideally until F11, or at least until the more economical engines became better value, but there's a pressing desire to get into an estate sooner rather than later.

Trouble is he'd rather not dip too heavily into savings, & has found an early E60 530d. I've had a look around & found this & this, & I think spending a bit extra would be a decent idea.

I hadn't realised how expensive the BMW warranty is on these. I ran a quote on an 08 530d & it was around a grand for under 60k miles, and around £1700 for over 60k. That seems mental!

 

[Kingy]

The interior received quite a few changes. Check out this document for a full description.

Thanks for that, very interesting...

Was the audio upgraded as part of LCI? How can you tell the difference (visually) between standard and Logic7 (or whatever the upgrade is called?)

Does anyone know what comfort seats are? Are they SE seats in an M Sport? Or are they an upgrade from M Sport seats?

 

[Kingy]

@Django x2: You have an LCI 530d right? What's your long term fuel average?

 

[Kingy]

Does anyone have a recent glasses guide to hand to value a private 08/2008 E61 530d M Sport with 82k & the following extras:-

Sports Auto Transmission
Pro Nav
Bluetooth
Comfort Seats
Heated & Cooled Front Seats
Adaptive Xenons
Cruise Control with Brake
Voice Control
DAB Radio
USB Input
High Beam Assist
Extended Light Pack

Which is the best HPI Check? Not necessarily the cheapest, but rather focussing on quality?

Is it possible to find the P11D value from a reg plate?

Thanks to all for all your help so far...

 

[Kingy]

Will have a look later but cant imagine it's cheap. Old Idrive and mileage too high for sensible warranty, really wouldn't replace a nice Champagne II with that. Can he not stretch to 20k for an early F11? I would suffer a 520d over any E60.

P11d will be pretty much list price of the vehicle when new.

It's up for £12.5k, private company director owner from new, FSH with a good spec. He's just set up on his own, & £20k is too much of a capital hit at this stage, not least as the engine/spec would be poorer at that money...

His 230k E39 has seen better days tbh... Plus the requirement for an estate is becoming more pressing...

The P11D thing was just an interest in what the car cost when new / the value of options etc. I figured the P11D value would probably be easier to find than the breakdown of what everything cost at the time?

 

[Kingy]

Deal done @ £11.9k. It was serviced last month but will need rear pads in 4800 miles and the rear tyres could do with being replaced shortly, which might present an opportunity to ditch the run flats & go for proper rubber all round...

Does the molibility kit include the space saver, or just tyre weld? Anyone know how much that goes for?

It's got electric folding mirrors too which didn't show up on the build sheet. It's blue (not sure what it's called) with a Beige Dakota & light walnut interior.

He's very pleased with it & should last him 4-5 years, which will hopefully last him until the right LCI F11 appears in budget...

 

[Kingy]

Sounds a nice car, got the ad or some pics?

I linked to the ad in an earlier post but it has expired now... I've just dropped it off to him but will get some pics next time I go round...

Mobility kit is just the spare and a wheelbrace IIRC. Think mine was £80 or so

Mobility kit is a can of tyre weld and an electric compressor, not a spare wheel.

Cheers, is there a proper kit that includes a spacesaver wheel, ie, there'll need to be a jack as well as the wheel?