BMW 530D MODEL 2001

[Rudi]

I have enjoyed the car for last 20 months and still enjoy the ability/versatility of the car.

The total distance covered to date 265,000km and for some or other reason I am now concerned that the turbo may fail. I have looked at previous posts on the topic but it left me with more questions than answers. There is nothing out of the ordinary that warrants the concern, consumption 12.4km/l, 8l/100km, usage +/- 80/40 open road, city. No oil usage between services.

Any comments

Rudi

 

[Ralf*]

so this would be the E39 then

1) post some pictures for the E39 mafia to drool over
2) If you aren't hearing any strange noises,
3) and if you use 50 ppm diesel
4) and if you keep regular oil changes to remove the contaminants
5) and if you allow the engine to warm up before hard driving
6) and if you allow approx 1 minute idle before final shut down

then I wouldn't be too concerned

from what I hear, and read, the turbo often (but not always) starts to give indications like high pitched whistle etc, before it "lets-rip"

and if you drive like a gentleman, then it should still give you many more kilo's

---

PS

I also have the 2001 E39 530d, and mine is on 245 000, purchased in 2007 at 125 000, so 8 years and still no turbo issues, tyres yes, brakes yes, battery yes, cam shaft sensor yes, EGR cooling leaking yes, expansion tank leaking yes, but no turbo issues..............yet

 

[Andrew]

My X5 3.0D let go at 197,000 - It sounded like a siren going off. I removed it myself and discovered that the leading edge of the turbine blades had eroded causing it to become unbalanced and ultimately fail. This is far more likely to happen at reef altitudes since the thin air causes the turbo to overspeed in order to produce the required boost.

I had it reconditioned by the Garrett agents (Turbo Direct) at a cost of R4900 and it ran like new. I would advise inspecting your manifold very carefully for cracks if it is the lightweight "tinfoil" type since mine cracked along a seam shortly afterwards. Its a easy and satisfying DIY if you're into doing your own work.

 

[Ralf*]

My X5 3.0D let go at 197,000 - It sounded like a siren going off. I removed it myself and discovered that the leading edge of the turbine blades had eroded causing it to become unbalanced and ultimately fail. This is far more likely to happen at reef altitudes since the thin air causes the turbo to overspeed in order to produce the required boost.

I had it reconditioned by the Garrett agents (Turbo Direct) at a cost of R4900 and it ran like new. I would advise inspecting your manifold very carefully for cracks if it is the lightweight "tinfoil" type since mine cracked along a seam shortly afterwards. Its a easy and satisfying DIY if you're into doing your own work.

did it give any prior hints, like a week or two or more, of subtle hints and symptoms, or did it just suddenly start to scream, and then "let-go" ?

 

[Andrew]

My X5 3.0D let go at 197,000 - It sounded like a siren going off. I removed it myself and discovered that the leading edge of the turbine blades had eroded causing it to become unbalanced and ultimately fail. This is far more likely to happen at reef altitudes since the thin air causes the turbo to overspeed in order to produce the required boost.

I had it reconditioned by the Garrett agents (Turbo Direct) at a cost of R4900 and it ran like new. I would advise inspecting your manifold very carefully for cracks if it is the lightweight "tinfoil" type since mine cracked along a seam shortly afterwards. Its a easy and satisfying DIY if you're into doing your own work.

did it give any prior hints, like a week or two or more, of subtle hints and symptoms, or did it just suddenly start to scream, and then "let-go" ?

As I recall it started to puff black smoke a few days before it failed - most likely as it was not getting full boost pressure

 

[spawn616]

the turbo works harder in the x5 than in the e39 and also do not read any posts outside of africa, the uk cars suffer from extreme temperature conditions we hardly ever see glow plugs warming light , yes they will all fail eventually but on our "lighter" cars compared to the x5 they are moving less weight and less tyre friction , a new turbo and i mean brand new is 11k, rebuilt is anywhere from 3 to 8 k, the vanes are more likely to get stuck than the actual turbo wheel disintegrating so don't fret ,i would rebuild it at 300k km tho to have peace of mind

 

[Rudi]

Thanks to all.

The car is mainly used for long distance travel 150km per day.

Try an keep it within speed limit, not always easy.

Maintenance done at regular intervals, always replacing all filters, regardless.

Regards

Rudi

 

[spawn616]

my car runs meth and is chipped and we on the same mileage ,these really are one of the most bulletproof cars bmw has ever made, id worry more about the gearbox

 

[Andrew]

I agree with spawn about the gearbox - GM 5L40-E - not known for their longevity