My new SS Commodore... in a sharp german suit

[Olaf 3340]

On 8/29/2019 at 6:09 AM, Olaf said:

time for some updates.  

19 August 2019.  175176kms

1.  Replacement rims painted and installed with new rubber.  

Sadly RE003 not available in niu zild in 275/35R18, so I've gone with Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 (H452).  They were pretty well-reviewed.  This was not a completely logical move, but the right rims came up and I wanted to try the staggered layout.  I'd certainly gotten my money's worth from the RE003's.  I usually replace tyres at 3 or 4mm tread remaining, slowed myself down while I dicked around with getting the new rims sorted.

 Jon at Auto 38 did a superb job of mounting the tyres.  35 series rubber certainly demands modern machinery.  This is not your Dad's 185SR14 from the 80's.  I'm still bedding them in, and getting rid of the mould release agent from the tyres.  I'll sort out glamour pics in a week or two.

On the Gentle Annie, last weekend.  Style 124 wheels mounted.

[Olaf 3340]

and a couple more 'glamour shots'

At The Sound Shell, Napier.  BMWCCNZ Show & Shine

[Goffy 39]

Nice good comparison, the crazy thing is the commodores i have seen with similar milage have cost more than the BMW and i think the BMW is the better car! 

[Olaf 3340]

Yep @Goffy the equivalent SS Commode would have cost $22-26k when I bought this.

[Olaf 3340]

14  October 2019.  176478kms

1.  Replaced wiper blades.  This time I successfully installed the Valeo blades I bought when I first bought the car.  They’re ‘handed’ - you can’t install them the wrong way round.  Hint:  short one on DRIVERS side (in RHD market)

 

first impressions of the Valeo:  they’re well made, may indeed be OE?  Work well.

Edited October 15, 2019 by Olaf

[Goffy 39]

On 10/15/2019 at 1:06 PM, Olaf said:

14  October 2019.  176478kms

1.  Replaced wiper blades.  This time I successfully installed the Valeo blades I bought when I first bought the car.  They’re ‘handed’ - you can’t install them the wrong way round.  Hint:  short one on DRIVERS side (in RHD market)

 

first impressions of the Valeo:  they’re well made, may indeed be OE?  Work well.

Olaf, where do you source your parts? 

[Olaf 3340]

@Goffy I try to buy from my local BMW dealer.  Though the indent nature and higher prices often see me sourcing offshore, faster and cheaper.  I’ve had great service over the years from FCP Euro. Some bits from eBay though that can be rather variable.

I mean to try Milland, in Dunedin.

HTH

[Olaf 3340]

21 November 2019.  177039kms

1.  Replaced lower oil pan, gasket, oil level sensor seal, 20 x pan bolts.  New oil filter and oil.

N62B44 with it's pants down.  Check out that aluminium subframe.

 

2. Annual Service to keep current for MBI.  

• Brake fluid flush & pressure bleed, cleaned and lubed all caliper sliders
• Genuine BMW coolant and demineralised water
• Replaced air filter and cabin filters.  
• Replaced LF indicator and RH failed bulbs.
• Checked belts, hoses, underbonnet fluid levels.
• Lubed all hinges and catches.
• Tyre pressures checked.
• Scanned and reset service items.

She's going like a bought one.  A new one, even!

As ever, craftsman work from Auto 38 in Newtown!  

Edited November 24, 2019 by Olaf
added image

[Olaf 3340]

6 December 2019.  177399kms

1.  Replaced Air Conditioning Drive Belt, and Serpentine Belt.

Jon at Auto38 had it done quickly.  The N62 in e60 chassis has no tensioner for the A/C belt (unlike the 7er of the time), so ensuring the belt is in a state of good repair, is essential.  By all accounts they're a right sh#t to change, so I thought sourcing the tool for the job might be a worthwhile thing.  The Serpentine belt wasn't that old, but if you're going to take it off to replace the A/C belt, might as well do it, eh.

Next:  Belt tensioner and pulley.

 

Edited December 14, 2019 by Olaf

[Olaf 3340]

27 November 2020.  180622kms

1.  Annual Service to keep current for MBI.  

• Oil & Filter (Penrite HPR5 & Hengst filter)
• Brake fluid flush & pressure bleed
• Genuine BMW coolant and demineralised water (I do annual as a precaution on N62 coolant tube)
• Removed cabin filters, wash filter boxes; vacuum out debris; remove & clean drains. Reassembled with new cabin filter. 
• Checked sunroof drains front and rear
• Replaced air filter
• Checked belts, hoses, underbonnet fluid levels.
• Lubed boot lid and bonnet hinges
• Replaced wiper blades
• Tyre pressures checked (nail removed left rear tyre).
• Scanned and reset service items.

The craftsman's workshop, Auto 38 in Newtown!  

I've only done 3583kms in this car in the last year.  Between Covid, lockdown etc, there hasn't been as much need or opportunity for use.  It still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Next steps:  

• Give it a damned good clean, clay, wax.
• Sort out the headlamp lens fogging - it's come back after a year
• Replace serpentine tensioner and pulley
• Replace rocker cover gaskets.  They're starting to leak again, wondering if they were actually replaced when the valve stem seals were done at 166699kms in Apr 2018.🙄  One wouldn't expect these to fail in just 2.5 years.

It's worth noting that oil consumption is ~0 since the valve stem seals were done.

 

Edited November 27, 2020 by Olaf

[GorGasm 563]

5 hours ago, Olaf said:

 One wouldn't expect these to fail in just 2.5 years.

One should definitely expect this of a BMW.

[Olaf 3340]

oh I'm used to oil leaks; I've run an M54 for 8.5 years.  Given one would expect them to have been replaced 2.5 years ago, they should last ~5 years in a BMW?

[Olaf 3340]

03 December 2020.  180754kms

1.  Four Wheel Alignment 

Jon had noticed the fronts were a little feathered, I may have been running a couple of PSI under.  Recommended alignment.  Turns out it was:

• Toe a little out on the front right
• Camber a little out on the rear left
• Toe a quite out on rear right

2.  All four wheels balanced 

I'd noticed a little wobble.  Time for a tickle up on the machine.  5,578kms since they were mounted.  I find ~5000kms is the right time for rebalance.  Two were find, the other two:

• Front left 10g out
• Rear right 10g out.

Happy days.  Just needs a good clean and she’s ready for summer roadies.  Summer.  Better do the windscreen with Rain-X, eh?! 

Next steps:

• Serpentine belt tensioner and pulley
• Valve cover gaskets
• PDR for a couple of pin dents
• Sort out the headlight fading
• Give it a thorough clean, including clean and condition the leather
• Consider plan for rear thrust arms (upper and lower).

Edited December 3, 2020 by Olaf
formatting, added next steps

[Olaf 3340]

Update.

PDR was done some time ago.  

I put air in the tyres last weekend, checked the oil (nil used), 98 in the tank (as usual), gave it a wash and removed the leaves that accumulate beneath the cabin filter shrouds [essential e60 maintenance].  Then enjoyed a club run to Raumati and back.  It's a joy to drive; smooth, tight, great handling with light weight and 50/50 weight distribution, and awesome power train.

Parts have arrived for the Valve Cover Gaskets (Elring), Serpentine Belt Tensioner & Pulley (INA)(and a new Conti belt for good measure), and the PCV bellows (Vaico).  Now to get them sorted when we're out of the latest lockdown.

I'll get the headlights polished up, give the car a thorough valet, and it may then be time to find it a new home next month.  It's not getting as much use as we're not doing so many long distance trips.  This car is a mile-muncher!

Edited August 17, 2021 by Olaf

[balancerider 771]

@Olaf whoever buys it will get a well looked after car. hopefully stays in the Bimmersport family. 

[Olaf 3340]

05 November 2021.  185???kms

1.  Service by Jon Begley (of Auto 38 and JK Southern Euro fame)

• Valve Cover Gaskets (Elring) replaced 
• Exhaust Cam Position Sensors and Seals (VNE)
• Serpentine Tensioner & Pulley (INA), Belt (Continental)
• VANOS motor seals
• PCV Bellows (Vaico)
• Oil and Filter (Penrite HPR5 & Mann filter)
• Air Filter (Hengst)
• Brake Hoses front and rear (Corteco), full brake flush & bleed
• Vacuumed out cowling drains

It's running soooooo nicely.   Seventeen years old and not a rattle or a squeak, rides well, handles brilliantly, and is quick, comfortable and just munches miles.

Edited November 7, 2021 by Olaf
added image

[balancerider 771]

You know Jon is good when it’s 250k each way to get the car serviced!

[Olaf 3340]

oh I forgot to mention, he re-coiled a thread in a bracket above the valley that secures one of the engine cover bolts.  It was stripped by the previous workshop when the valve stem seals were sorted (they promised to repair it, never did).

[Olaf 3340]

05-07 March 2022.  186794kms

It had been sitting patiently since November while we took care of more renovation work at home, and resettled into our new kitchen.  I had no time for the e60, though did run it up once a month to operating temperature and dry the condensation from the exhaust.  Having a little more time together, it was time to get it sorted.  Renewing the insurance last week was a reminder I'm nearly at 5 years ownership.

1.  Polished Headlamp Lenses

The headlamps were looking a little yellowed.  Time for a spruce-up.  On Saturday afternoon I set up and used the Turtle Wax kit, and was suitably impressed.  This kit uses ‘clarifying paste’, a special lube (ooh err matron), and four grades of very very fine wet and dry.  Once the wet and dry refinishing is completed, you apply more clarifying paste, and buff off after drying.  Finally there's two wipes - a base coat, followed by a sealant coat.  It then takes 24 hrs to cure, though the instructions say you can use the car.

End result was very good in my opinion.  I took my time, playing an 80's funk playlist on Spotify while I worked, and took about two hours all up.

 

 

Pretty good finish!

powered by Funk 

I left it till Monday morning to have plenty of time to cure.

2.  WoF

It flew through it's WoF today.  Front tyres at 6mm, rears at 5mm.  No advisories.  Commentary "This is sooooo nice to drive!  It's got the same pickup as my 550i, and doesn't have the loud exhaust.  Don't let it go cheap, it's a really good one.  Find it a good home".  

Front (Right I think)

Front (left I think)

 

Right Rear

 

Left Rear

 

3.  Registration

12 months rego bought and paid for, now current to 31/3/2023.

4.  Next steps

Give it a thorough valet, clean the interior and use colorlock leather finisher, do the steering wheel, photograph it, advertise it, find it a new home.

It's been a brilliant five years, a superb car.  I shall miss it. 

Edited March 7, 2022 by Olaf
Added images, formatted images

[Olaf 3340]

14 March 2022.  186844kms

Today's the fifth anniversary of acquiring the 545i.  Yesterday I gave it a thorough wash and dry, and took it up into the hills for some for-sale shots.  

Remaining tasks:  underbonnet detailing, interior clean and detail.

 

[Young Thrash Driver 1020]

I might have missed it, but... What are your thoughts on what to replace it with?

[TermiPeteNZ 1319]

2 hours ago, Olaf said:

 

14 March 2022.  186844kms

Today's the fifth anniversary of acquiring the 545i.  Yesterday I gave it a thorough wash and dry, and took it up into the hills for some for-sale shots.  

Remaining tasks:  underbonnet detailing, interior clean and detail.

 

Looks fantastic! Still love the aesthetic of the E60. Churton Park hills again? 

[Olaf 3340]

1 hour ago, Young Thrash Driver said:

I might have missed it, but... What are your thoughts on what to replace it with?

Our needs have changed.  I found we'd been doing more round-town shorter trips, so our e46 325i Touring fits me better.  We now have an F25 X3 30D ///M (since Sept last year) for my wife to drive, and for us to use on trips.  Being a Diesel we'll need to ensure we get those runs to the Wairarapa or Hawkes Bay in, to keep the DPF in good order.  The F25 provides plenty of headroom and legroom for our 6'2" son (and our daughter) , so works as a family round-town and trip wagon, and replaces her e46.  The F25 Provides easier entry and exit, more visibility, and about the same luggage capacity as the e46. 

I'm taking the e46 as my runaround (we've had it ten years this month), as I don't need a flash 5er for round-town duties.  At least I will when she spends more time behind the wheel! 

So we'll miss the 333hp, the amazing handling, braking, steering, comfort, and all-round capability of this e60. EDIT:  AND THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL!!! The power train is superb.  50:50 weight distribution, dynamic drive and active steering make for a brilliant drive.  The F25 is a slower drive on a trip, with a very different style.  I may get an F30 X5 30D ///M in future for the extra luggage capacity.  

 

59 minutes ago, TermiPeteNZ said:

Looks fantastic! Still love the aesthetic of the E60. Churton Park hills again? 

Thanks Pete, no regrets buying this car from you, I've loved it.  I may regret selling it, but it's the e30 or this - something's gotta go.  I still haven't finished the e30, and it's a different kind of fun.  Yep, Churton Park - they're close to opening up some more parts.  

Edited March 14, 2022 by Olaf

[Sammo 2550]

Damn @Olaf you have my sensible dream garage - F25  / E46 runabout and a Lachs E30 2 door 👌

[Olaf 3340]

@Sammo once the e46 gets back into my hands it may get a little suspension refresh - it's been about 9 years since I did Meyle HD LCAs, all the bushes etc and Sachs OE shocks.  I then went to the fatter ARBs and the Style 194s staggered.  Makes it pretty flat.  I may go for Konis and Msport springs.  Orientblau, too - the best non-///M colour in e46landia, IMHO!

 

PS - should expand on my 'thanks' icon above.  Very nice of you to say, mate.  Arrived there more by serendipity than a grand plan.  I just enjoy the e46 Touring too much, despite it being just an M54B25.

Edited March 14, 2022 by Olaf
PS - thanks @sammo!