F10 520d

[afromaan]

Thinking of getting one for the old man. Looking for one at 3 years old and about 60k. Anything to look out for? I also need to get a space saver as I don't trust run flats. Does anyone know if the e60 space saver would fit the f10. There's like £250 difference in the two wheels. [/code]

[Andyboy]

Lovely car, one of the best current models - but a 60'000 mile N47 2.0 diesel is asking for trouble. Other common issues are diff seal oil leaks and manual gearboxes. Buy a 6 cyl 528i auto instead.

[afromaan]

What kind of real world mpg would you expect from the 528i in town. Mpg is the main reason we are looking at it as he had a 2007 Merc e320 cdi with 7 speed auto and got low 20s over two years. Crippled him.

[Andyboy]

Hmm. 528i's won't be anywhere near as good on fuel as a 520d. But the 520i is very good but sadly very rare. With a 520d you WILL have a very big bill for timing chain work at some point - guaranteed. Rather than a 3 year old I'd be getting a deal on a new or ex demo car with 3 years warranty.

[capri_rob]

Still find it ridiculous how BMW have gone from making cars which would do an easy 150-200k with little more than regular servicing to mass produced sh1tboxes which can't get past 60k without major expense. Sad.

[M-sport325]

I've looked into newer BMW models as well for my old man , I'm a bit of a E90 fan myself but having seen my sister in laws 57 plate 120d hit 50k & the chain tensioner go is a bit worrying & I believe this is a common problem with the 2 litre Diesel engines , I also had a 56 plate e90 318d & the body controle module went down on it again a common problem & not cheap to fix ,

[afromaan]

How much does the chain tensioner cost? When should it get done? And when it goes bang because of it what's the damage??

[pacerpete]

The problem is that the chain is at the back of the engine and it is seldom just the tensioner that is the problem, though replacing it may quieten a turd enough to serve it to an unsuspecting victim.........

Engine out to fix properly. Some gynaecological types reckon it can be done with engine in situ , gearbox out. Either way it = dollarz

[csl]

Are there any newish cars that don't eat into your dollarz these days? Horror stories a plenty. Think I will stick with me 36 wagon.

[capri_rob]

Are there any newish cars that don't eat into your dollarz these days?

No. All sensor riddled mass produced tat designed to last as long as the warranty and hopelessly unfixable unless you have the full dealer array of special tools and software.

We're all doomed I tell thee !!!!

[Andyboy]

Audis also have rear chains now and GM are set to follow. There are no simply engineered cars left. Most are reliable up to a certain age or mileage but when they go fail, count on a massive bill.

[Simon13]

an early 6 pot petrol e90 with the N52 engine is a fine chariot with none of the major dramas everything else its age suffers from

They're not savage on fuel either but most of us know the 6 pots aren't as bad as people make out. Barrys the only person i know who manages v8 consumption figures

[tom325ise]

I only discovered recently that the N52 engine was available until last year in the 125i coupe in detuned 3.0 form.

According to a couple of the guys on Pistonheads it's only a couple of hundred quid to get it retuned to 258bhp.

I thought they were talking bo11ocks at first but ended up putting a couple of 125i reg numbers through the VIN checker, and they all came up as N52's.

It seems bizarre that for quite a few years they were simultaneously putting the N52 3.0 in the 125i, the N53 3.0 in the 325i (both detuned), as well as the 2.5 N52 in the Z4 SDrive23i.

[Simon13]

i think its more like fitting the 3.0 inlet manifold and a remap, i think the "2.5" is a bit strangled on the inlet manifolds ala M52 2.5 and 2.8 engines are

[tom325ise]

I thought that, but according to a number of people on Pistonheads and the 1 series forums the 125i has the 3 stage manifold of the 130i/330i and only needs a remap to achieve an extra 50bhp

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=53282

The N53 325i requires more work though

[Simon13]

i see, thats even better then! Mossleman make the kit to get the "25" engine to 3.0 power but i can't for the life of me remember which engine its for N52 or N53, its quite expensive at £1200 odd

So can you buy a similar ages 325i to the 125i and do the same then? A "130i" coupe/cab as such is a very appealing car as they never build a factory version?

[tom325ise]

No, you can only do the p-torque remap on the 125i which is the N52 (less than £500).

The 325i is the N53 and does need the £1200 kit.

[Simon13]

didn't the 325i appear with the N52 engine aswell then?!

[tom325ise]

Only as a 2.5 early on. Later versions were a detuned 3.0 N53.

It's really confusing buying one of these cars. You need to be on the ball to make sure you get the engine you want.

[pony]

What are people's thoughts on 135i Coupe Manual/Auto with Quaife LSD and BMW M Performance steering wheel, brakes, exhaust ????
The spec reads tasty

[Simon13]

A standard one is a weapon, my bro in law had an early twin turbo 135i coupe manual and i drove it a few times. A hero chariot, there isn't much to not like about them. They're like a newer e30 in alot of ways

[Blitz]

Are the brakes smaller on the 25i?

[pony]

135i don't they have similar mass to E46 M3 ? They just seem more compact
With a Quaife LSD and remap they must be quick

[maxfield]

A mate of mine had a 130i remapped with a quaife and BMW performance brakes. Seriously fun car, and it had 5 doors.

[afromaan]

Can any one tell me where the fuel pump relay/fuse would be on this 520d f10. Bought a lower mile just over 3 years old. Drove fine on test drive and 150 mile journey back. Started a few times fine. Went for a drive and it stopped itself then wouldn't start. No errors coming up even when plugged in. Recovery guy thinks it's the fuel relay or fuse. Please help me!!!

[bss325i]

The have an EKPS module in the drivers side C pillar base behind the seat squab.

It's the control unit for the fuel pump.

Also, the fuse for the pump is on the right hand side of the boot from memory in the rear junction box.

The pump is run by a pulse width modulated signal from the EKPS, which gets load info from the DME via the PT can bus network, if there is a fault with the EKPS, its defaults to run the pump at full speed.

Also, when the car is unlocked, the EKPS primes the pump ready for start up.

[afromaan]

It snapped the timing chain. It's 2 months out of warrenty, full bmw history. Anyone have any advise on what to say to bmw customer services? Been suggested to contact them as it's a 3 year old full dealer service car. Any help would be appreciated. And thanks to everyone for the advise so far.

[Simon13]

i've got to say you didn't listen to any of the advise given!! I'd not hold your breath on a repair but its worth a try to BMW

[Kos]

Private purchase of from a trader ?

If it's from a trader if take it back to them and get your money back

[pony]

Unless is a proper garage you are unlikely to get money back
Private sales or from traders usually don't get your money back IMO

[pony]

Take it to your nearest BMW Dealer and also ring up BMW UK Customer Services

http://www.number-direct.co.uk/bmw-customer-services/

[pony]

If you are on Twitter tweet your problem to @BMW_UK that usually gets them replying and in gear ASAP
But do that as last resort after having contacted your local BMW Dealer and BMW UK phone number

Also this may be helpful but again last resort
http://www.complaintsdepartment.com/bmw-uk-limited/

[pacerpete]

I assume you have bought it off a trader. If so, get it backed. You DON'T want it fixed, you want a FULL REFUND.

I hope your dad still has his Merc........

[pony]

Oi but pacer your a trader and do u give refunds innit ?

[pacerpete]

Oi but pacer your a trader and do u give refunds innit ?

Trader my 4rse, I'm an enthusiastic purveyor of lightly used cherished cream puffs