jenksy0198

Hi, my E64 has just clicked over 100K miles and Im looking to undertake a significant service so looking for items to change. Have already done auto transmission fluid, new water pump and belts, pollen filters, air filters, a number of suspension items, battery is fine, replaced some small hoses due to leaks, new discs done but now looking at : Plugs and HT leads Oil and filter, of course, with a stop smoke additive which works well for E64 issues with valve springs, Replaced the filter holder a little while back Check anti freeze levels Wipers all good Air con top up needs attention as no longer blowing cold. Brakes wear and tear good Any other consumables which I should look to change out. Any advice gratefully received.

HI, I clean, colour and proof the soft top once per year but have recently noticed some green spots appearing on it. Is there anything that is especially effective at lifting these out. Any advice gratefully received.

Finally, I did take it the damaged part into BMW but heard nothing........

Hi Dave, that is a possibility, over tightening, but I understand the material used does have weaknesses especially when it is cold. I was lucky, the day before Im doing 85 on the motorway, no issue, the next day on start up, part failed and luckily no heat got into the engine before I realised. Hence the question. But good to know there is no actual recommendation to change at intervals. Appreciate the research.

Yes, in normal driving mode if you take you foot of the gas you will hear the engine changing down. When in Sport mode however that does not happen unless you are using the manual change down. Check out the video I referenced.

HI, havnig been very nearly caught out due to a failure of the holder - holder cracked but only on start up. I am trying to educate myself on when they should be changed. Is this a once a year or once every 3 years or once each 10000 miles etc. Is there a recommendation?

Ah so it is oil, thankfully I checked this and all good. I'll make a mental note to change this at oil change time. Thanks for the advice.

HI all, I am being displayed this image on the dash LED when I turn the car off. Cannot find it referenced anywhere and it seems to show both an oil can and a level indicator as the oil has been checked and is fine as is the rad. Can anyone advise please.

OK will look to adopt that advice. Oil filter does get changed out annually but will look to the air filter also. Good idea on hoovering the pollen filters though.

HI all, is there a recommended change out period for air filter and Pollen filters on the 6 series, E64. Currently air filter and cabin pollen filters are 2023. Any advice or thoughts gratefully received. Car does about 3.5K miles per annum.

Nice looking motor, don't forget, when driving in sport mode on auto you lose all engine breaking and can get out of shape very easily.

Got to keep writing about this stuff, especially the plastic parts as they do degrade with pressure and temp cycles as I am discovering. Should probably be replaced each 60K miles Im thinking, just to be safe. The plastic oil filter holder lifeing was alerted to me by a canadian BMW specialist garage who I called in on when there to ask about the part. They were very informative and knowledgeable. Mind you the air temp swings there really do cause issues. I mean one day I was clocking 85 on the motorway and all was good and the next day I started the car and dropped the whole oil load on the drive. So so lucky on that one.

HI all, having previously reported on the hairline crack in the oil filter plastic cup holder that resulted in massive and sudden oil loss albeit at low speed with a cold engine which thankfully didn't result in a lost engine, I have again experienced the same issue but this time in the coolant reservoir. Looks like the same kind of plastic material but I could not testify to that, however I knew I was losing coolant slowly and on closer inspection the garage has determined a hairline crack in the plastic reservoir vessel. The car is 19 years old this year but you don't expect such structures to fail in my case with with two, oil filter holder and now the coolant reservoir it does look like the these plastic parts are suffering under pressure cycles for sure. Does any one else have any similar experience, as I cannot see any other contributor to such failures, no sunlight exposure, no impacts, just pressure cycles? Looking forward to the experience share. Paul

OK, so had the stethoscope test done and yes, water pump had gone. Not a bad life to be fair, 97K mls. New one installed and also had the belt changed as well. Onwards.......

Cheers Dave, took some planning to ensure it was in the correct position though..