charles28

Bosses 2011 AMG CL63 needed new rotors and pads.. cost $12,000 heh $4500 NZD just for the Front Rotors alone http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-AMG-63-W212-2009-2012-FRONT-DISC-ROTORS-GENUINE-/131512302977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item1e9ebe7d81&vxp=mtr

When new these cars were known as Widow Makers, so its not that surprising, at least i remember reading that about E30 325i's a long time ago. Have owned 3x of them myself, they do feel rather old fashioned and flimsy after driving modern cars, I never had any problems with the handling. There is something cool about them too. The steering ratio, Brake pedal feel etc do however give it a 1970's Ford escort feel..ok maybe that's a bit harsh, they were designed over 30 years ago.

Agreed

Nice car, but if you can get the LCI model, it had quite a few improvements, these came out in 2007, so the 2007's are a mixture of the two. However currently it seems they are quite a bit more expensive. http://www.bmwdrives.com/bmw_cars/e60_my2008_detailed_changes.pdf

I would recommend getting a PPI done at a BMW specialist to ensure all is well, it may sound like a waste of time due to the low KM's, but the age factor is more important in some ways, this is probably better value than a warranty that often had a $350 per claim excess and strict servicing requirements to be followed (often more strict than the manufactures recommended).

How many km's will you be doing annually?

So after checking carefully the issue is the new fan shroud, its warped. I've made it fit in without the other stuff so far, so might leave it a while, so that it hopefully retains the shape. --- 2 Hours later --- Yeah its all back together now, but annoyingly the car had crept back a bit when on the jack stand and scrapped the back bumper against the garage door a bit.. aghh..

Today I replaced the Vanos oil hose and washers. Also the vent nipple on the radiator. Both jobs were straight forward and total time about 30 mins, but the vanos hose previously wasn't done up tight and had a missing washer (Oil filter housing end of it). However, it was leaking around the part where the metal piece is crimped onto the hose anyway. I torqued the banjo bolt to 32nm (as per spec) with new washers. At the top I had to use a spanner as theres not enough room to use anything else, so had to guess the torque. (Have had this end removed before when I did the vanos seals). I'm yet to see if either repair was effective, as I am having trouble getting the new radiator shroud to fit (My one was cracked in 2 places). If I get the tabs at the bottom line up and sit correctly in the radiator the top doesn't line up, if I get the top to line up the tabs at the bottom are not sitting in place at the bottom of the radiator. I need to pull it all out again and try again. The Radiator shroud has the correct part number and for the most part fits, its just being annoying. I have removed and installed the old one several times. The radiator appears to not be original, it has no branding on it at all and doesn't look very old. The fan clutch is a BEHR which is an OE brand, but not sure if these are branded BMW or not when original.

Did you buy that red one? Changed the battery today too, the original battery was still in the car (Bmw stickers and Japanese writing), it got to the point where it wasn't storing much power anymore.

Garage Rivals... The E39 is getting some much needed attention again soon. The Vanos oil line is leaking badly, its probably the source of the main oil leak I have, (the end that goes to oil filter housing). So I have ordered a new one with washers. I have also ordered a Power steering reservoir o-ring, repair nipple for the radiator, brand new radiator shroud (mines cracked in 2 places).

I got one of these at Xmas time for $549 http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/home-appliances/coffee-and-beverages/coffee-capsules-and-accessories/sunbeam-cafe-series-espresso-machine-grindfresh-grinder.html So far its been good, but it seems they only last about 3 years or so. I used to buy a coffee every morning on the way to work, but now I use this.

Really? I can't find much on google about this happening, found more about E39's catching on fire found one video of a Golf on fire, but have you seen this happen first hand?

Hmm think I've had as many VW's as BMW's 2x Mk2 Gti 8v, 2x Mk3 VR6, 1x Mk4 Gti, 1x Mk5 GTX (same engine as GTI) Even the old Mk4 Gti is more fun than my E39 in all honesty, but its manual and seems to be at 18-20psi boost, which i assume is better than usual

The edition 30 and Pirelli Models have a bigger turbo etc, in fact the same engine as the S3 of the same year, with a simple remap they make 220kw. But that said, a simple remap will take yours to 188kw and 411nm of torque, having driven one with this done, I highly recommend it. http://www.goapr.co.nz/products/ecu_upgrade_8golfgti.html

I still have a new spare Cam follower if you want one cheap

Yeah, its an expensive exercise buying an e39 owned by the average person, in the long term.

I suggest that you still remove the DISA and check it. You will need to scan the car to see what the error relates to, even a cheap tool like this works well. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OBD2-Creator-C110-V3-8-BMW-Trouble-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-ABS-Scan-Tool-/221267900788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3384983974 I've found it quite useful, as it soon adds up if you have to keep taking it somewhere to get it scanned. Your car (Same as mine) is at the age where little things will go wrong more often.

Actually, this seems to be the source of the coolant leak here.

yeah they are yeah they are not cheap at all. Ended up getting that one from The dealer, with a trade discount, but even then it wasn't cheap, but importing my own seemed like it was going to cost just as much due to shipping.

So, another issue It looks like the radiator is leaking, i guess between plastic end tank and the core.

I would get it checked over, paying careful attention to oil and coolant leaks. Most can be fixed quite cheap, but a leaky sump gasket for example can be 9-10 Hours labour.

Yeah, I was the first to do it on my E39 530i (same engine etc). at 139,000k the oil was in poor condition, i'd be getting the tranny oil checked to get an idea of what state the trans is in.

At least being high k's it might have had a lot of the common issues sorted already. I'd be wanting to ensure the transmission had been serviced before now though. The ZF transmission is a good one, but no transmission oil is good for 210,000k, at least that I know of.

I found the biggest issues for mine were the hoses from the oil separator, all of them were split/cracked and leaking.

Gave the little car a wash and cleaned the wheels etc.