Alex the 2005 530d

[FILV]

I agree, a 5 Series is just on another level on a long distance drive.

I thought i used to enjoy my long drives in my X3 from Joburg to Kzn, but my last trip was my fist with my 530D F10.
My word i had actually forgotten what an ultimate driving machine experience is all about.
What a pleasure. Comfy, solid, planted, quiet and when you unleash thaat torque, even coming up Van reenens, you forget you on a long uphill lol

Amazing cars the 5ers are

 

[Budleigh]

Congratulations- the E60s are truly under-appreciated, but such stunning cars. I did some epic long drives in my 550 and would have another E60 in a heartbeat.

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[///M Individual]

Nice one bud RK ftw! How does it feel after the remap?

 

[gumpertapolloss]

Update:

As mentioned previously, I've been having difficulty getting the Audio to work through the Aux setup. This vehicle is one of the first E60 variants, and they never came with the AUX option. Linux screen was installed, but the audio didn't work. I then imported the AUX cable, but it still didn't work. After some reading, I found out I had to code. I bought an INPA cable from Takealot and took it upon myself to do the coding. Happy to report that after spending a good 5 hours on NCS Expert, I managed to code AUX, and it's fully functional. I now have Bluetooth Audio for music, WAZE/MAPS, and Bluetooth voice for phone calls. Massive cabin upgrade!

I didn't take a lot of pictures, but dropped all the engine covers and cleaned them as well as the engine bay.









20 + years of grime, took a bit of scrubbing - but overall super happy with the outcome.

I've gone ahead with a bit of preventative maintenance:

• NEW OEM diesel filter
• New coolant with a new Thermostat
• New power steering fluid

Then the BIG update:

I mentioned previously that the car is heading to ED tuning, and I don't know why I didn't just go ahead with Ricardo from RK. I've known him for years, but I guess I haven't tuned a car in ages and have been out of touch with these things.

We met on a Saturday morning, and by Saturday afternoon, my file was ready. We went ahead with a basic stage 1 map, nothing crazy. It was more to accommodate the EGR delete, swirl flap delete, and CAT delete. Took the car for a drive, and it was good, but not great. Ricardo and I went through a few things and noticed the MAF was acting up. Unplugged the MAF, and the car was running phenomenal!! We did another revision to the file and the gearbox, and I'm over the moon .
No smoke, plenty of low-down torque, so much more power up top, and the gearbox is a million times better compared to what it used to be. I fell in love with the car all over again. Proper undercover sleeper 😛😛

Planned maintenance/mods:

• Headlight lenses need to be refreshed. Although I would like to upgrade to Xenon, this is another daunting task that I would rather avoid. I have ordered a set of new lenses from AliExpress, which I will get ceramic-coated and installed.
• Oil change needs to be done in the next 1000-1500km
• The headliner is starting to sag. I need to attend to this.
• Still needs to go for the valet at ColorGlo. I missed the appointment.

 

[gumpertapolloss]

Love this post and all the pictures at the destinations. Proper roadtrip!!
What were the condition of the roads like in Transkei?

Im sure once you unleashed roughly 700nm with the tune, you will fall in love with it all over again, and will urge you to keep it even longer.

As to the peanut gallery bashing the seller.... I have dealt with the seller on more than one occasion, and he is a gentleman. This was a good deal regardless.

Hey bud!

Long time.

Roads in Transkei were stunning. We had about 8 km of roadworks, but nothing crazy. Road was pure joy and very safe!

You were correct, the ±700 nm om torque is a game changer!! 😇

 

[unobeat]

What a beautiful

These cars have aged well and you are definitely enjoying every kilometer on the driver's seat.

I need a diesel in my life.

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[gumpertapolloss]

Update time!

Alex has been an absolute steed! Since collecting the car from Moose at the end of March, my wife and I have almost done 8000km, and that's in a household with 4 other cars.

My wife drove the car to my parents' place in PTA at the beginning of May and left it there as we were due to come back in about a month, and I would then drive back to KZN.

Coming back, I averaged between 5.8 and 6.0, even with the map on the car.

I was planning a lot of maintenance once back in KZN, and the following was done in the past two weeks. All OEM parts.

*Engine mountings
*Gearbox mountings
*Oil and filter
*Cabin filter
*Air filter
*Power steering fluid
*Coolant flush
*intake manifold clean
*wipers

I also finally sent the car to Color Glo, and the results were amazing!!

I'm contemplating potentially selling, but not 100% sure yet. We are considering replacing the wife's iX3 with a new car, and the extra money will go a long way toward a deposit. I genuinely enjoy this car, and every time I drive it, I fall in love with it all over again. Let's see what the future has in store.

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