My First Car - 2006 BMW 530I - The End

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jjjkr20

jjjkr20

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jjjkr20
I've been meaning to do this so I might as well before the years up. I got it for Christmas and I love it. Nice to drive handles how I like and has some cool features. So far the only down side to it is it needs some minor repairs. Stuff like a broken cup holder, a missing fog light grill and multiple scratches from being a city car. As far I can tell nothing major needs repairing. Aside from that I'm actually very limited in what I can do to it since it is a nice car for now I'll stick to fixing it up and possibly minor things like a proper set of floor mats and such.

I also plan to update this with some new photos of the car and if i ever do anything to it, but it probably won't be very often or at least for a while (summer time ish).

​
The list of things that need attention:

Water stained chrome
Scratches all over
Cup holder (somewhat)
Missing Fog light grill/cover
Foggy light
Oil cap
Pink headlight
New tires(used but good enough)
Hood shocks
Floor mats
Electrical Discharge(New battery)
Tail light out
Misfire on #3



I'll see about getting more photos tomorrow. For now just leave some questions on what you'd like to know. But here it is the car at the dealer after a wash.

tumblr_mypa4a2ofT1revonvo1_1280.jpg
 
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An eight year old Bimmer's a pretty nice first car, and the 530i's definitely a good balance between the base 525i that some criticize as not having enough power and the 545i, which is overkill for a new driver. The E60's a good used model to go with in that even the earliest examples, which are now a decade old, still look modern against most newer vehicles on the road. I have a few questions, like what color is the interior (or better yet, provide a photo when you can), and what options does it have? I'm also curious as to what a 150,000 mile Bimmer feels like, though considering the age of yours, these were likely highway miles which are pretty easy on a car.
 
Well the interior is black with some wood accents, for the features it has a nice display with Bluetooth, satellite radio and navigation, but these are all observation I haven't taken the time to find everything it has. As for how it handles like I've said I like it and so does everyone who's driven it except for my brother, he says the turning takes too much, basically not sensitive enough although I say it's cause he's used to his more sensitive sports car, also because of his driving habits. My only comparison for how it feels is a SUV with a bad wheel alignment and a truck. When compared to them this car is a dream. Basically it's all smooth, the ride, the acceleration, the braking. Though this is all my own opinion.
 
That's one hell of a nice first car! Congratulations. 👍

I hope my first car at least has a radio or something. :lol:
 
Sorry to double post but anyways I took some photos and here they are.

The parts that need some attention.


Fog light cover.

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Scratches like this are all over the bumper.

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This light which doesn't want to be cleared up.

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And some rubber. I don't know if this is really important but nonetheless.

v5R5oeF.jpg



Now for the good things starting with the interior.

As stated black leather with wood.

GG5Gv21.jpg



And the exterior.

HvzAzoi.jpg


Yup hope you enjoyed my meager photo taking ability and I apologize if the photos are large.
 
The styling on these has certainly got much, much better with age. Helps that the model that succeeded it is so bland, but every day they look better proportioned and some of the more eyebrow-raising details have mellowed a little.

Drivetrain-wise this should be just breaking into its stride at 150k, though depending what the service history is like I'd be tempted to get a specialist to give it a thorough going-over and a service just so you know it's mechanically perfect.
 
Yeah I understand, the service engine light's even on so I'll make sure it gets looked at considering it's a new car and all.
 
To keep you all posted it went in for inspection yesterday and no major problems. It had a broken wiper which is now fixed, the tires will need to be replaced by next year and possibly a broken oil cap because some oil was found lying around the engine compartment, but nothing serious.

Over all not bad I'd say. Still haven't bought anything for it but soon enough.
 
I'm just gonna keep on posting because why not.

Firstly I have decided on what I'd like to do to the car and I'll work my way to them slowly over the coming... years. Sounds like a long time, but keep in mind I haven't been through college, so for now I'll work on getting tools and some small stuff. Until then I can just dream of all the parts I want. Although to work on my car I'll need to clean out the garage that is straight up full of junk. Things like a ton of wall (idk how else to describe it), a dining set, 50 boxes of glass wear, and a ping pong table.

Aside from that I've crossed off many item from the list of things that need attention, mostly thanks to my dad who had time to detail it at his job, however I did get the cup holder resolved, but it is filthy. Basically it has no cover and the button falls off but as long as it slides in and out that's good enough for me. Oh and the oil cap has a hole in it. Something I overlooked at first but sure enough it's a hole right into the engine. Which explains the oil all over the engine and the leak.

Now I'll leave you with some photos, but not before a question that could use answering. Why is one headlight pink?!?!

l5eZOgB.jpg


I just don't know and yes I tried turning it off and back on again.

Now for SNOW photos! Completely off topic but I'll just post it all in one sitting.

vk257rl.jpg


G4OaSQ4.jpg


y6mOY5p.jpg
 
Sweet ride, I've always like the interior on the E60, it feels very cozy. As for the headlight it's probably that the bulb was replaced and a wrong replacement was used. I'd reccomend checking both and changing one or both of them if possible. Keep us posted on the details, as they are just about as fun as the bigger more expensive things.
 
Headlight bulb was probably touched when installing; do you know if/how-long-ago the bulb was replaced? Did this suddenly come up?
If it's not the bulb, something may have gotten into the lense or cover. Oxidation, some type of gas, etc
 
I don't know when the bulb was replaced but I've had the car for 3 months before this. It did happened suddenly literally over night. I'm going to guess it's going out so I'll have to go get a new Xenon and install it myself. Would you agree?
 
It's weird that it happened over night, rather than a week or so. But yes, I'd reccomend getting new bulbs for both sides. If that one went out the other will soon.
Which temperature are you going to get (4300k, 5000k, 6000k)?
 
So update on the headlight after two weeks of shipment and rainy weather I finally had a chance to replace the headlight and it went horribly. The headlight as it turns out is near impossible to take out because it's always caught on something so that took and hour or so after I made a sweet custom tool. Then I get the old bulb out and realize my new bulb isn't going to work. As well in taking out the assembly I lost a screw which obviously sucks. So at this point I've spent two hours removing a assembly and losing a screw only to find out that the bulbs don't work, even though amazon said they would.

Now I have to buy a proper set and look for that screw so that's 1 to the headlight.

Old Headlamp/light/bulb very burned

ykrECqR.jpg


My awesome tool for hard to reach screws.

5jhnogi.gif
 
Never expected to hear of one of those BMWs to have 150k miles. Times have gone through. Such an amazing body style to todays standards.
 
So my dad gave up on me and just took it to the dealer for a total repair cost of $300+ which included the new bulbs, labor cost, and a new oil cap along with a nice mug because why not? The only I problem I have is they used a higher temp bulb because the light is much more blue than before which was pretty much white.

This is the old cap put together showing you how it should have been but it broke at the joint and the dried oil made it all act as one piece.

qPpB2GG.jpg


Mug.

2ZX5UHW.jpg
 

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