Noobie - 545xi Touring (Wagon)

[RedCarsRFaster]

I've never had a BMW - closest I've been is my father's '07 650i and my sister's Z4. I've had sports and sporty cars - my '99 Corvette gets the prime garage spot - as well as more utilitarian vehicles (mostly Subarus). I'm looking for a daily driver and want a station wagon so I can haul my dogs but I'm ready for something that is more fun to drive than an Outback. So I am looking at 535xi wagons in the 2008-2010 range. Plan to keep my Subaru Baja as the utility vehicle/snow & ice driver (along with the Corvette and wife's Toyota Venza).

I can do some of my own work - have done exhaust, brakes, cold air intake on the Corvette; pulled the intake manifold off and replaced the knock sensors, AIR check valves, PCV hardlines, and put in an oil pressure sensor relocate kit last month. Did the alternator and air suspension shocks on a Lincoln Mark VIII I had at one time. Along with oil changes, plugs and wires, etc. Not sure how much on the 535xi lends itself to an advanced beginner DIYer, but I'm willing to try and have always been able to put it all back together again and get it to work.

Just looking for advice/insight on the sport wagon. I will check the stickies to see what is there.

RedCarsRFaster
Newark, Delaware

[pbonsalb]

We have had our 08 535xit for 100k of its 130k miles. Great car. But I have done a lot of maintenance, some needed, much preventative. Definitely a lot of projects for the advanced DIYer. I would not buy one if dependent on a shop.

[KingDavidsCourt]

If you're a handy guy... I dont think there's anything too involved on these. Most of the parts are 30-100$ labor is what kills you.

[pbonsalb]

It’s definitely not as easy to work on as my 99M3. But there are a lot of helpful DIY, some of which you have to adapt from E90 335i cars. I agree each part has typically not been expensive but that the work has been time consuming.

[Bcbp14]

There's currently a space gray e61 for sale on Philadelphia Craigslist that looks very clean.
The maintenance on this will be well within your skill set according to your posted abilities. I bmw specific code reader will be a must however.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...482272058.html

[RedCarsRFaster]

There's currently a space gray e61 for sale on Philadelphia Craigslist that looks very clean.
The maintenance on this will be well within your skill set according to your posted abilities. I bmw specific code reader will be a must however.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...482272058.html

Yes, that one did look intriguing . . . until I noticed the rebuilt title. Seller says that it was a purchase from an insurance company - water was spilled in the trunk and ruined electronics. Red Alert! Red Alert! But, wow, does that look good. I'm not a big fan of gray (too many gray cars out there these days) but that particular shade is nice.

I found one nearby that I may go look at this weekend. We'll see . . .

RedCarsRFaster

[Bcbp14]

Yikes, sorry didn't catch the title at a glance. Good luck, hope you find what your looking for. I have a blue with tan interior wagon and really like it.

[mbonder]

Yes, that one did look intriguing . . . until I noticed the rebuilt title. Seller says that it was a purchase from an insurance company - water was spilled in the trunk and ruined electronics. Red Alert! Red Alert! But, wow, does that look good. I'm not a big fan of gray (too many gray cars out there these days) but that particular shade is nice.

I found one nearby that I may go look at this weekend. We'll see . . .

RedCarsRFaster

The water intrusion issue is actually going to be a class action lawsuit from what I hear. The rear sunroof drain runs next to a bunch of modules in the trunk. If they get clogged they back up and dump water into the trunk where the modules are. They probably shouldn't have totaled it out for that so it's a shame the car has a salvage title. Looks nice otherwise but I wouldn't pay that price given the title.

[pbonsalb]

I think the lawsuit is at the settlement phase?

[RedCarsRFaster]

How easy is access to the sun roof drains for preventative cleaning? Oddly, of all my cars with sunroofs I've only had one that ever had clogs ('00 Outback) but that one would clog every couple of years if I didn't go in and clean out (and the clog was always only on one side - the other never clogged) and access was a PITA.

There are a couple of 2008s I am going to look at this weekend.

[mbonder]

You should be able to blow the drains out on either side of the cassette with compressed air. I just bought my touring (2008 535xi) so I haven't had to do it, but the previous owner had it done about a year ago.

[pbonsalb]

Remove the flappers at the bottom of the drains. You get to the rears from the side compartments. I found the drivers front under the wheel liner. I have not found the passenger front. Anyone know?

[Bcbp14]

Passangers front is also under the wheel well.

[pbonsalb]

Thank I will go back in for another look. Remove the liner and focus on the rear area like the drivers side?

[RedCarsRFaster]

Well, I took a pass on the 535 and picked up a 2010 328ix Touring today. While the allure of a twin turbo 300 hp was strong, the chances of some major drivetrain issues were too much to ignore, especially as I convinced my wife to not veto keeping my Subaru Baja (for a winter sloppy weather driver/backup/utility vehicle). Along with my '99 Corvette, this puts my fleet at three (four if you count her Toyota Venza, which I bought and drove for a year before letting her have it).

Thanks for the advice and information. I'll be over on the E90/91 forum.

RedCarsRFaster (but I plan to find out about Gray cars, too)

[Bcbp14]

Nice looking ride, good luck with it.

- - - Updated - - -

Correct

[pbonsalb]

Safer but not as safe as a Camry.

[L8APX]

I have a 2010 535i Touring with an M-sport Package and a Dinan Stage 2 upgrade. I'm at 120,000 miles. It's definitely not a cheap car to own and maintain as I have the dealer take care of most things. But in terms of load carrying capability and Smiles Per Mile, I don't want to replace it.