M5 update
During the various cold snaps of the past two winters the M5 has refused to start due to a completely flat battery. I don’t blame it for this: it often goes for 2 to 3 weeks without being used, and the battery is dated 2004. When I bought the 330d’s drilled discs from BMW I noticed that they were offering 30% off all batteries in February. So right at the end of the month, I took the plunge and gave them ยฃ130 for an enormous 28kg 110Ah monster.
New one on the left, oldie on the right. Same part number after 7 years – quite unusual in my experience! Due to the lack of a spare tyre, the battery fits quite neatly under the centre of the boot floor, and it takes just 3 13mm nuts to hold it in.
On other matters, I’ve found a disappointing spot of rust on the back of the car. I’m sure that wasn’t there just a few weeks ago! The paint hasn’t yielded yet (despite looking like it has in the picture below). There’s another spot elsewhere so I’ll give the car a once over and consult a body shop later in the year.
I did give the car a rather satisfying clean though, removing lots of grime from the rubber seals around the windows and within the boot lid space.
As a final thought, we’ve got a silly situation now where the 330d’s brakes look more bling than the M5’s. Given that the M5’s discs are rather worn, and I’m toying with the idea of making the M5 tackle some circuits later this year, I’ve found some tasty items on C3BMW. Discs, pads and sensor have come to ยฃ475 – I shall report back in due course!
We had to replace the battery on the X5 too. Same thing really – doesn’t get used on a daily basis and so then just refused to start. When jump started and run for an hour, it still wouldn’t start again if turned off. A right pain and made Andy hate the car for a while, not sure that he loves it yet, but does admit it proves useful!!!
Neil, my 325i likes to flatten its battery too, always has. Often have problems if it’s been left standing for a few days especially with the current cheap battery (previously I’ve had whopping great Bosch ones).
What I tend to do now is plug my Optimate4 into it every so often or if going away. I bought this for my bike for when it’s off the road in the winters. Supposedly it can improve the battery by ‘de-sulphating’ using higher voltages. Out of curiosity I put my previous (Bosch) battery on it which had been lying about for a few months – according to the readings this one is now apparently in better health than the one in the car, so I may swap back!
The Optimate’s handy to have though, especially once a spare connector has been wired to the battery permanently.
Optimates are very good, always had them for motorbikes but never used it on the car. I have too replaced a battery of the 530d but the old one only died with the cold weather we had. Best thing in the end as now she is starting no problem and just done 53.3mpg on a run to Great Yarmouth and back. BMW’s rule.
Thanks for the advice chaps. I have added an Optimate to my gift wish list – roll on the birthday! :)
Neil,
I replaced my discs last year. I initially bough them from C3 as the website claimed to be original BMW items but they delivered Zimmerman pattern parts. I returned them and bought them from the main dealer using my car club membership to get discount.
2 year warranty with BMW too
Matt
Hi Matt,
That’s interesting. Those advertised drilled discs arrived and were actually BMW standard discs. Apparently C3 have discontinued the drilled items because of warping issues. In any case that’s two incidents where C3 have sent parts that weren’t expected.
I’ve sent them back and am currently continuing my research – I may well end up getting standard items from the dealer. :)
Neil.