Slowly ticking off the common problems.

[dhobbs]

5 years ownership and slowly ticking off all the known problems.

Headlight washers both replaced.
Roof and roof motor replaced (under warranty thankfully). Motor in boot too.
Lollipops replaced (twice)
ABS control unit reconditioned
Radiator green wire replaced. Wire was actually dust!!
Exhaust hanger welded back on (latest thing)

All springs replaced but weren't broken. Replaced by eibachs.

Only the dreaded water pump left. Not looking forward to that one going!

Oh, expansion tank is still going strong.

Anything else on the N52?

 

[Mr Tidy]

It sounds like you are getting there!

If/when your water pump does let go (the pump on my first Coupe only made it to 9 years and 60K miles) just don't let your local BMW Indy order it from BMW as it costs over £500 with the VAT - just don't ask how I know!

Just get a Pierburg one from ECP or someone similar - at least I'll know for next time! :roll:

 

[dhobbs]

I'm tempted to get a pump now and keep it in the garage. It's the only thing that really worries me about the car.

 

[Ewazix]

Radiator green wire is a new one on me? Sensor maybe?

Is it just a facelift / N52 issue?

 

[dhobbs]

Radiator green wire is a new one on me? Sensor maybe?

Is it just a facelift / N52 issue?

It's the radiator fan sense wire. Gets corroded so badly it turns to dust. Code 2EFE if I remember. Stops your fan from working. New contact and a bit of wire and all fixed.

Should have added fogged fog lights, but keeping an eye on those.

 

[Ewazix]

Radiator green wire is a new one on me? Sensor maybe?

Is it just a facelift / N52 issue?

It's the radiator fan sense wire. Gets corroded so badly it turns to dust. Code 2EFE if I remember. Stops your fan from working. New contact and a bit of wire and all fixed.

Should have added fogged fog lights, but keeping an eye on those.

Cheers, one to keep an eye on

 

[Newbers]

I've just had my 'Exhaust hanger welded back on (latest thing)' - I thought it was just me!

 

[Mr Tidy]

I drilled my fog lights and they are nice and clear now!

And last year I had the rear brake pipes replaced as the originals were corroded - worth keeping an eye on them as crud builds up at the rear of the cover under the floor.

 

[dhobbs]

All the joys of a 10 year old plus car!

Cheaper than depreciation and still better looking than modern cars.

 

[Thierry]

I'm tempted to get a pump now and keep it in the garage. It's the only thing that really worries me about the car.

My car is 12 years old an on 85k miles so was worried about mine going. Bought the pierburg one on eBay for about £230 and got it fitted. Didn't see the point in waiting for the original to fail.

Well worth it for the peace of mind

 

[dhobbs]

I'm tempted to get a pump now and keep it in the garage. It's the only thing that really worries me about the car.

My car is 12 years old an on 85k miles so was worried about mine going. Bought the pierburg one on eBay for about £230 and got it fitted. Didn't see the point in waiting for the original to fail.

Well worth it for the peace of mind

That's my thoughts too. Pump going could be catastrophic so probably best to preempt it.
Thanks

 

[davelo]

Coolant pump failure on the N52 isn't necessarily immediately catastrophic, and will often give some warning signs. I recently replaced mine in my 2005 330i at approx 125000 km. I noticed that the cooling fan was noisy (running more or faster than usual in traffic). In fact when I heard it I initially thought it was the car next to mine in traffic that was making the noise! I checked for error codes when I got home, and there was one related to coolant pump speed deviation. I ordered a Pierburg pump and had it fitted by an independent. No apparent overheating or warning lights at all. Not sure if this is always the case, however.