Advice needed on service history of 07 E60 before I buy

Triptych

Hi,

I've driven a 2007 520d which currently has 144k on it. The salesman has just mailed me the service history below. It reveals also that the car was owned by hertz lease while the salesman earlier told me it was owned by a 'company director' who presumably leased it.

Personally, I don't really know that much about cars so I was wondering what people make of the record below? All advice and comments will be greatly appreciated.

Should I be comfortable going forward with the purchase or is there anything I should be concerned about?

Edit: apologies for grid not being laid out more clearly.


Date Odo Repairer RTS N Approval
15/03/2011 121034 D21 SERVICE ROUTINE 724073
10/03/2011 115600 A01 SUSPENSION TRACK 723893
10/03/2011 115600 A01 TYRE 2 WORN 723893
03/02/2011 115149 A01 TYRE 2 WORN 721845
22/11/2010 95704 W16 BULB REAR LAMP 718573
11/08/2010 95704 W16 SEAT BELT B 713658
16/06/2010 88412 D21 SERVICE ROUTINE 710379
27/04/2010 85244 A01 BULB HEAD LAMP 707840
22/03/2010 82296 A01 TYRE 1 DAMAGE 705732
04/03/2010 81887 D21 BRAKE H BRAKE CABLE 708043
02/03/2010 80180 A01 TYRES  WHEEL ALIGN 717071
02/03/2010 80180 A01 TYRE 2 WORN 704836
02/03/2010 80180 A01 TYRES  WHEEL ALIGN 704836
20/11/2009 68000 D21 WHEEL ALLOY REPAIR 700800
17/11/2009 67000 D21 BRAKE H BRAKE ADJUST 699101
14/07/2009 62060 A01 TYRES  WHEEL ALIGN 692702
14/07/2009 62060 A01 TYRE 2 WORN 692702
03/06/2009 58905 D21 SERVICE ROUTINE 689946
24/07/2008 34776 T08 SERVICE ROUTINE 671763
21/09/2007 6858 C18 BULBS 655490

_Kaiser_

I'm sure others will give you more info, but reading through that it seems to eat tyres!

darragh o meara

Lease cars generally are very well looked after as the driver doesn't have to pay for service in most cases. Any of the lease drivers I've dealt with over the years have kept the vehicles well up to date service wise and any issues outside of service are generally solved very quickly. The upside to this is that services and repair work is done on time all the time, privately owned cars in some cases are serviced whenever something goes wrong and not always by a recommended service agent. I've seen lads paying 100k for an S class merc and getting it serviced by lads you wouldn't get to service a wheel barrow, wheras a lease car will most likely be done in the main dealer.

The downside to buying ex lease is that some drivers drive the ring out of them akin to hire cars. As the saying goes the fastest car in the road is a hire car! So having a good nose around is definitely advised.

Onwardandupwar

Firstly let me say I work on bmws
The reason it eats tyres as you can see is it c
Got front control arms this is a very common problem on this model but it takes a experienced BMW mechanic to spot it there doesn't be play in them as such.

Secondly it looked like its being well looked after that's one good point about a leased car you no its service and looked after.


The next thing is I presume with the mileage that's in it the turbo has being replaced already if not just budget for it as its not a case of if it goes it's when it goes.also if you do buy it make sure it got a turbo breather valve also

Any other questions giz a shout

unkel

Is 4 oil changes in 5 years and 90k miles (144k km) really enough on these cars?

Onwardandupwar

unkel wrote: »

Is 4 oil changes in 5 years and 90k miles (144k km) really enough on these cars?

About 20k with the right oil and filters being done would be plenty. If it was a good garage doing it and the right checks being done then every 20k r so would be fine for the oil change

Triptych

Thanks for the insights. I'll get on to the garage tomorrow and see what the story is with the turbo. I assume that a replacement would be at least 1.5K?

4 oil changes in 90k miles seems a little miserly but I assume this is due to the programmed service interval?

Does it look like the tyres will be due soon again for changing? I'll have to have another look at them. Anything else I should look out for?

Onwardandupwar

That price is a little steep for the turbo. 350e for recon turbo and about 200 to 300 to fit but it will depend where u go to get it done. But anywhere apart from BMW. A BMW specialist would be best. Have s look at the tyres front and rear and let us no how there wearing if the front are wearing inside it's front alloy arms need changeing if rear are wearing inside it's the rear pivot bearings which is also another common bushing that needs changing

Hope this helps

unkel

Onwardandupwar is right. Just looked it up for the craic and the service indicator indicates 30k km after the service reset

It is due a full service right now though, you are aware of that?

Triptych

It's being sold serviced so that fits with it being due a service. Anything in particular that should be done at this interval beyond oil?

challengemaster

unkel wrote: »

Is 4 oil changes in 5 years and 90k miles (144k km) really enough on these cars?

Don't E60's come with (CBS) condition based servicing, so it would have indicated when different items needed doing?

ongarite

challengemaster wrote: »

Don't E60's come with (CBS) condition based servicing, so it would have indicated when different items needed doing?

They do. Everything is flagged for regular service either based on time period, mileage or wear rate.

bazz26

I get the oil and filters changed on my E90 diesel every 15k or 20k km. I don't feel comfortable with these long service intervals that manufacturers like to give these days.

I'd also genuinely like to know where you can source a reconed turbo for €350. From what I was reading they are costing over €600.

coylemj

darragh o meara wrote: »

Lease cars generally are very well looked after as the driver doesn't have to pay for service in most cases.

Only if the driver plans on buying the car from the leasing company at the end of the lease, otherwise they couldn't give a XXXX.

I worked in a company once where a female colleague had an Alfa 147, she never got an oil change or any kind of service in the three years it was on lease.

Onwardandupwar

bazz26 wrote: »

I get the oil and filters changed on my E90 diesel every 15k or 20k km. I don't feel comfortable with these long service intervals that manufacturers like to give these days.

I'd also genuinely like to know where you can source a reconed turbo for €350. From what I was reading they are costing over €600.

Correct 600 retail. I said around 350e that could be 499 and that's trade price as we by all our turbos from the online supplier. The bm turbos used to be expensive but so so anymore

TestTransmission

Onwardandupwar wrote: »

Correct 600 retail. I said around 350e that could be 499 and that's trade price as we by all our turbos from the online supplier. The bm turbos used to be expensive but so so anymore

What's the point in giving trade and ex-vat prices here?Makes no sense if you ask me.Your last few personas did the same.

C Eng

OP if the car has an Automatic gearbox, not sure from your post.
Check the service history to see if the Gearbox has had the sump pan and gear oil replaced. The sump pan is made of plastic, become's brittle and leaks.

Onwardandupwar

My apologies I was just trying to make the point of how cheap the parts could be got, as people do think that parts are so expensive sorry won't quote trade prices anymore

bazz26

OP, is the pre LCI model or LCI model you are looking at? LCI being BMW speak for facelift. There were a good few changes to the E60 in 2007. March 2007 saw the introduction of the LCI (facelift model) which among other things gained rear LED lights, slightly different bumpers and changes to the interior. In Sept 2007 the 520d got a new more efficent engine (N47) with 177bhp. It also gained a new automatic gearbox. Prior to this the 520d had the M47 engine which had 163bhp.

The M47 engine needs to have the turbo breather filter replaced every second oil service otherwise it could get blocked and blow the turbo. While the inlet manifold was redesigned in the E60 some owners still like to have the swirl flaps removed, not an expensive job.

The N47 doesn't need the turbo breather filter replaced as they were redesigned. A common problem on the N47 engine is premature timing chain failure even though BMW refuse to acknowledge it. Make sure to listen for any loud rattle sounds from the engine.

Triptych

It's the pre LCI, as that's as far as my budget will go. It's an automatic which hasnt had an oil change. Garage told me that BMW only recommend gearbox oil changes if the gearbox needs extensive repairs.

Should I be concerned about the turbo or the gearbox? Would these be seen as dealbreakers?

Onwardandupwar

No defo wouldn't be deal breakers as I've said already its just the plastic sump and seal on the gearbox that needs changing along with the filter.dont listen to BMW about the oil change in the gearbox they don't no how badly burt the oil is. BMW also say that the rear diff on the e90 oil doesn't need to be changed that it's for life but yet the diffs are all failing on them from no maintenance. Don't worry about the oil change it's common on auto mastics. As for the turbo it's not a deal breaker what so ever just keep it in the back of ur head as I said b4 it might of being changed already but never wrote up in the paper work.

Every car has there faults so don't let this put u off go for it and u won't be sorry it's a dream to drive.

Gary ITR

coylemj wrote: »

I worked in a company once where a female colleague had an Alfa 147, she never got an oil change or any kind of service in the three years it was on lease.

You'll find her company would get a hefty bill from the lease company should anything go wrong with that car

coylemj

Gary ITR wrote: »

You'll find her company would get a hefty bill from the lease company should anything go wrong with that car

Don't think so. The procedure was that the leasing company offloaded the cars to the trade. They had a compound in south Dublin where dealers came and bought the cars, obviously 'as seen' with no warranty of any kind so there would be no comeback whatsoever.

For every few bargains (Golfs & 3-series with low mileage) there would be the odd turkey like an unserviced Alfa.

Loch Garman Gael

Howya Teds

I recently suffered a blown turbo on a 2008 BMW 520d got no warning whatsoever it just blew.
Cutting a long story very short I got my Turbo re-conditioned by a company called Turbo Ireland in Mountrath Co.Laois for €500. Labour costs by a BMW mechanic working as a mixer were €170 plus oil + filter + new pipes for turbo came to €97.

All in all very happy with the job. I really recommend the guys above in Mountrath they really know they're stuff.
I also found out that the turbo on the M47 engine is a actually a Mitsubishi part. I could have imported from Germany a new turbo with carriage included for €970 but the turnaround on the recon job was quicker & cheaper & I'm very happy.

I'm told that the reason the turbos are failing is that BMW gave Mitsubishi a spec for the turbos mitsubishi then
Are the turbo to this spec but in the meantime BMW changed the spec - bottom line now is that these turbos are running at maximum capacity with no buffer & are thus prone to failure.

I was advised to drive my car every couple of months at 3,000 rpm for about 10 miles this will allow turbo to reach high enough temperatures to enable it to burn off all carbon deposits etc

Finally the oil change service intervals in the BMW are way too long. Change your oil every 10,000 miles maximum otherwise you run the risk of expensive turbo failure

Good luck

sunnysoutheast

Loch Garman Gael wrote: »

Howya Teds

I recently suffered a blown turbo on a 2008 BMW 520d got no warning whatsoever it just blew.
Cutting a long story very short I got my Turbo re-conditioned by a company called Turbo Ireland in Mountrath Co.Laois for €500. Labour costs by a BMW mechanic working as a mixer were €170 plus oil + filter + new pipes for turbo came to €97.

All in all very happy with the job. I really recommend the guys above in Mountrath they really know they're stuff.
I also found out that the turbo on the M47 engine is a actually a Mitsubishi part. I could have imported from Germany a new turbo with carriage included for €970 but the turnaround on the recon job was quicker & cheaper & I'm very happy.

I'm told that the reason the turbos are failing is that BMW gave Mitsubishi a spec for the turbos mitsubishi then
Are the turbo to this spec but in the meantime BMW changed the spec - bottom line now is that these turbos are running at maximum capacity with no buffer & are thus prone to failure.

I was advised to drive my car every couple of months at 3,000 rpm for about 10 miles this will allow turbo to reach high enough temperatures to enable it to burn off all carbon deposits etc

Finally the oil change service intervals in the BMW are way too long. Change your oil every 10,000 miles maximum otherwise you run the risk of expensive turbo failure

Good luck

You also need to simmer the turbos after a hot run, when pulling into mway services etc. leave the engine ticking over for a couple of mins. Otherwisr the oil carbonises in the bearings.

SSE

Gumbo

Loch Garman Gael wrote: »

Howya Teds

I recently suffered a blown turbo on a 2008 BMW 520d got no warning whatsoever it just blew.
Cutting a long story very short I got my Turbo re-conditioned by a company called Turbo Ireland in Mountrath Co.Laois for €500. Labour costs by a BMW mechanic working as a mixer were €170 plus oil + filter + new pipes for turbo came to €97.

All in all very happy with the job. I really recommend the guys above in Mountrath they really know they're stuff.
I also found out that the turbo on the M47 engine is a actually a Mitsubishi part. I could have imported from Germany a new turbo with carriage included for €970 but the turnaround on the recon job was quicker & cheaper & I'm very happy.

I'm told that the reason the turbos are failing is that BMW gave Mitsubishi a spec for the turbos mitsubishi then
Are the turbo to this spec but in the meantime BMW changed the spec - bottom line now is that these turbos are running at maximum capacity with no buffer & are thus prone to failure.

I was advised to drive my car every couple of months at 3,000 rpm for about 10 miles this will allow turbo to reach high enough temperatures to enable it to burn off all carbon deposits etc

Finally the oil change service intervals in the BMW are way too long. Change your oil every 10,000 miles maximum otherwise you run the risk of expensive turbo failure

Good luck

its not only the oil, but change the turbo breather filter every second oil change too!

PaulKK

bazz26 wrote: »

The M47 engine needs to have the turbo breather filter replaced every second oil service otherwise it could get blocked and blow the turbo.

kceire wrote: »

its not only the oil, but change the turbo breather filter every second oil change too!

Lads I'm nearly sure the M47 in the E90 had the vortex breather which does not get blocked.

You are correct about the old type though, that would require changing every 40k miles or so.


On a side note, thinking of upgrading to an E90 next year but probably going to stick to the 163bhp M47, I couldn't be dealing with worrying about the timing chain in the N47!

the culture of deference

C Eng wrote: »

OP if the car has an Automatic gearbox, not sure from your post.
Check the service history to see if the Gearbox has had the sump pan and gear oil replaced. The sump pan is made of plastic, become's brittle and leaks.

I would defo get the gearbox oil changed at 90,000 miles. They are not a sealed for life gearbox.

Loch Garman Gael wrote: »

I recently suffered a blown turbo on a 2008 BMW 520d got no warning whatsoever it just blew.

Surely BMW should have helped you out after the Turbo goes on a 4 year old €45,000 luxury car. FFS KIA and Renault can offer 7 and 5 years warranty.

Loch Garman Gael wrote: »

I was advised to drive my car every couple of months at 3,000 rpm for about 10 miles this will allow turbo to reach high enough temperatures to enable it to burn off all carbon deposits etc
Good luck

Thats 10 miles at 160kmh, where are you supposed to do that?

kceire wrote: »

its not only the oil, but change the turbo breather filter every second oil change too!

Are BMW making mistakes while servicing these cars?

Gumbo

the culture of deference wrote: »

Are BMW making mistakes while servicing these cars?

breather filter is not a standard service item, and needs to be requested to be changed.

Even the vortex type filter should be cleaned out every oil change or 2nd oil change imho.

the culture of deference

kceire wrote: »

breather filter is not a standard service item, and needs to be requested to be changed.

Even the vortex type filter should be cleaned out every oil change or 2nd oil change imho.

I like the E60 and would like to have an 08 or newer in a few years, but that item should be on the service list. Are BMW not acknowledging any problems with the car. What else could they do to stop the issues. Are the service intervals too long?

Loch Garman Gael

Service intervals for Oil Change are too long...oil should be charged every 15,000 miles maximum...preferably every 10,000 miles
These e60 Beemers are a real pleasure to drive but there is a real problem with the Turbos. This is my 2nd e60 I previously owned a 2005 model with the 163 bhp engine which has a Garret Turbo which also failed. My current 2008 model as explained in previous post I a Mitsubishi turbo the BMW mechanic that did the work for me has said he is sick of doing turbos.
Bottom line is these BMW cars are a pleasure to drive loads of power & economy the turbo is one of those things but as someone here has said u can help things png great by allowing turbo to simmer ie not switching off engine straight away leave tickig over for a minute if you can...
LGG