540i What to check before 4800Km(3000Mile) return trip.

[HoZy]

Hi all,

As the title states. Going to go visit a friend in a month and factor in return trip & some spirited drives while there it works out about 3000Miles.

I'm just about to do an oil change.

Have new tires, new wipers, coolant flush was recent, belts are 12months old etc.

Anything else I should check? take with me? look at replacing?


All help greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Mat

[theshadow92]

Subscribed. About to do a 2500 mile road trip myself.

Wouldn't hurt to bring some coolant with you just in case.

Edit: not sure if this is allowed, feel free to delete if not allowed but here's a well written article I've used to prepare for road trips in the past. Not BMW E39 specific but very good.

m.thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-gear-for-your-road-trip/

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[nikh23]

Small tool set and something that can read and clear codes could save you some time and money in case you do get stuck

[hourang]

fan clutch tools required for changing the belt. really hard to find in a pinch.

[jicaino]

Remove the clutch fan!
I always carry a small metric sockets set, 2 coils, some coil boots, a couple of lightbulbs, and a pocket scanner that can erase codes, reset apaptations and read specific codes and not generic. Think Autech A-110 or Creader 310, or Launch EasyDiag 2.0 that has the additional benefit of being a really full power scanner that you can control via BT with your android device of choice.

[WBAD530i]

Maybe an extra pair of timing chain guides to throw in the trunk. Ya never know

[dannyzabolotny]

Check all of your fluid levels and check your belts before you leave. Other than that, bring extra oil, extra coolant, basic tools, a code reader of some kind, a spare belt, and maybe an extra ignition coil depending on your level of paranoia. I wouldn't go crazy with bringing everything because if something serious breaks you'll be stranded either way. I'd say it would be well worth it to invest in some kind of roadside assistance program. Here in the US we have AAA, surely there must be something similar in 'Straya.

[lesguy]

If you weren't taking the trip, what would be on your to do/maintenance list for the next 3k miles anyways?
There is your answer.
FYI: highway trips are about the least stressful type of driving to a cars engine/transmission/drivetrain.

[dannyzabolotny]

If you weren't taking the trip, what would be on your to do/maintenance list for the next 3k miles anyways?
There is your answer.
FYI: highway trips are about the least stressful type of driving to a cars engine/transmission/drivetrain.

Agreed, I've never really had any mechanical issues on long trips... most of my problems have happened while in town. Stop and go city driving is far more stressful on a car than highway driving is. For example, my X5 4.6 was fine for hundreds and hundreds of highway miles, but then when I decided to drive it a little more aggressively from a standstill the front driveshaft stripped out and wrecked the transfer case.

[justinca540i]

Agreed, I've never really had any mechanical issues on long trips... most of my problems have happened while in town. Stop and go city driving is far more stressful on a car than highway driving is. For example, my X5 4.6 was fine for hundreds and hundreds of highway miles, but then when I decided to drive it a little more aggressively from a standstill the front driveshaft stripped out and wrecked the transfer case.

Aggressive driving = bad

[dk500]

Everything

[Grim Reaper]

Question - what is your mileage on the car?

If over 100k and the water pump, power steering hoses, voltage regulator, fuel pump or expansion tank/rad hoses are all original those would be some prime next suspects for failure.

Oh, to enjoy the trip - definitely install new cabin filter. Cheap and easy so you don't have smelly musty AC while cruising.

[Mike WW]

FYI: highway trips are about the least stressful type of driving to a cars engine/transmission/drivetrain.

Yes and no. Depends on where and what time of year. Climbing passes in 110+ weather definitely stresses cars more than around town. 500 miles in a day on relatively flat areas with moderate temps? It'll run forever.

I do the former and mostly take a codereader, laptop, DMM, old belts and fluids to top off just in case. Most intense so far is 4500 miles in 2.5 weeks.

[theshadow92]

Question - what is your mileage on the car?

If over 100k and the water pump, power steering hoses, voltage regulator, fuel pump or expansion tank/rad hoses are all original those would be some prime next suspects for failure.

Oh, to enjoy the trip - definitely install new cabin filter. Cheap and easy so you don't have smelly musty AC while cruising.

The voltage regulator on the 540i is built into the alternator so you would need to replace the entire alternator.


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[jicaino]

The voltage regulator on the 540i is built into the alternator so you would need to replace the entire alternator.


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It's built into the alternator but it can be replaced without replacing the entire assembly. One major setback is that you have to remove the alternator and open it in order to replace the voltage regulator.

[nikatkimber]

I took my X5 (M62tuB44) on a 4000mi road trip last summer to Yellowstone (in the mountains). I took a tool box and 2qts of oil. I figured if parts broke, it would be whatever part I didn't take.

If your car is up to date on maintenance, and is running fine, then just pop the hood, look for weird stuff, check fluids and go.

[jicaino]

I have a sensible suggestion: Crankshaft Impulse Generator (part 13627839138) It's one of very few parts that can prevent the car from start and run. And fails out of the blue without giving any "fade out" or telltales. Even if you don't use it, it's a very reasonable thing to have in the glovebox just in case.

[freethrowdunk]

Here is what I carry in my modified spare tire well at all times (modified for my dual exhaust system):

- Two socket sets with ratchet extensions
- A giant Ziploc bag with various tools and items like different types of pliers, scissors, super glue, electrical tape, silicone tape, telescoping magnet, zip ties in various sizes, gloves
- A mid-sized hammer
- A breaker bar
- knee pads
- towels, microfiber and otherwise
- Conventional road flares
- An unopened quart of BMW coolant
- An unopened quart of Castrol engine oil
- A jug of drinking water
- A pack of emergency mylar thermal blankets
- A 500 amp Black & Decker jump starter with built-in air compressor that's periodically charged fully

I also have all of the OE tools in the pull-down tool box along with a code reader.

[HoZy]

Okay so I'm pretty set, car is well maintained and nothing has really stood out in this thread apart from one bad joke... Timing chain guides, don't SCARE me like that!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions though.
I appreciate them.

[dannyzabolotny]

Here is what I carry in my modified spare tire well at all times (modified for my dual exhaust system):

- Two socket sets with ratchet extensions
- A giant Ziploc bag with various tools and items like different types of pliers, scissors, super glue, electrical tape, silicone tape, telescoping magnet, zip ties in various sizes, gloves
- A mid-sized hammer
- A breaker bar
- knee pads
- towels, microfiber and otherwise
- Conventional road flares
- An unopened quart of BMW coolant
- An unopened quart of Castrol engine oil
- A jug of drinking water
- A pack of emergency mylar thermal blankets
- A 500 amp Black & Decker jump starter with built-in air compressor that's periodically charged fully

I also have all of the OE tools in the pull-down tool box along with a code reader.

Funny how you have all that for a fairly reliable 525i, meanwhile I have nothing but the regular trunk tools in my supposedly unreliable 540i. The way I see it, the chances of me fixing something major on the road are quite low, so if it's not a simple quick fix then there's no point in attempting it. I do have a full size matching M-Par spare tire though

[freethrowdunk]

Funny how you have all that for a fairly reliable 525i, meanwhile I have nothing but the regular trunk tools in my supposedly unreliable 540i. The way I see it, the chances of me fixing something major on the road are quite low, so if it's not a simple quick fix then there's no point in attempting it. I do have a full size matching M-Par spare tire though

Heh. Figured I'd put all that remaining spare well space to use.

What's more, my 525 has a mere 49,000 miles on the odometer. I don't drive long distances usually, but I figure it's better to be safe than sorry with whatever chance may throw at you.
When I do make longer trips, though, i.e., to Vegas on occasion, my spare style 5 sits tied down on the trunk mat.

[dannyzabolotny]

Heh. Figured I'd put all that remaining spare well space to use.

What's more, my 525 has a mere 49,000 miles on the odometer. I don't drive long distances usually, but I figure it's better to be safe than sorry with whatever chance may throw at you.
When I do make longer trips, though, i.e., to Vegas on occasion, my spare style 5 sits tied down on the trunk mat.

How on earth does your 525i only have 49,000 miles? Don't you live in California where everything is super far apart?

My 540i Touring has 186,000 miles, and I put on 1000 miles in the last two weeks or so, just driving around the Phoenix metro area. I kinda just throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Like that time I went to the Grand Canyon and back (3.5 hours each way) in one day, with 5 people and their stuff in the car, all while it was raining/snowing outside. I had summer tires and a driveshaft that's been knocking around like crazy because it needs to be replaced. Compared to you, I'm a daredevil hahaha

[freethrowdunk]

How on earth does your 525i only have 49,000 miles? Don't you live in California where everything is super far apart?

My 540i Touring has 186,000 miles, and I put on 1000 miles in the last two weeks or so, just driving around the Phoenix metro area. I kinda just throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Like that time I went to the Grand Canyon and back (3.5 hours each way) in one day, with 5 people and their stuff in the car, all while it was raining/snowing outside. I had summer tires and a driveshaft that's been knocking around like crazy because it needs to be replaced. Compared to you, I'm a daredevil hahaha

lol, wow.

And I don't drive much. Undergrad and grad school were at the same university which is roughly 11 miles away; work for the past decade is ~4 miles away. I also switch off between the e39 and a w211 e550 regularly.

[theshadow92]

How on earth does your 525i only have 49,000 miles? Don't you live in California where everything is super far apart?

My 540i Touring has 186,000 miles, and I put on 1000 miles in the last two weeks or so, just driving around the Phoenix metro area. I kinda just throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Like that time I went to the Grand Canyon and back (3.5 hours each way) in one day, with 5 people and their stuff in the car, all while it was raining/snowing outside. I had summer tires and a driveshaft that's been knocking around like crazy because it needs to be replaced. Compared to you, I'm a daredevil hahaha

Haha were you able to hear or feel the driveshaft knocking? I'm starting to feel a slight vibration in mine but everything looks fine underneath.


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[dannyzabolotny]

Haha were you able to hear or feel the driveshaft knocking? I'm starting to feel a slight vibration in mine but everything looks fine underneath.

Yeah, my driveshaft has been knocking pretty hard for the last 3000 miles or so. If I accelerate gently it's not so bad but if I accelerate suddenly from a standstill it's pretty loud and I can feel it in my seat, it feels like somebody is kicking the car from underneath. I inspected underneath and the transmission mounts + guibo look fine so it's definitely the driveshaft CSB and/or the U-joint. I ordered a new driveshaft from Driveshaft Specialists, I'm just waiting to have enough time to install it. Dropping the driveshaft requires removing the exhaust so I'm not looking forward to that.