Noob Beast Owner, US Navy Sailor run aground needs some advice! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Squid · 26th March 2007, 01:55

Hey all !
I just bought an 02 Beast last week as a retirement gift for myself. I have been in the US Navy for 19 years and thought it was about time to give myself some love. The M5 has ALWAYS been my dream car and I have a few questions for you all.

1. I took the car to my mechanic and I TRUST this guy implicitly. He has been working on BMW's for a LOOOONG time and is family. The first bit of advice he gave me was to get some K & N Filters. I was ready to buy them when I heard about the MAF having issues with the oil that cleans them. Has this been confirmed?

2. He told me the m5 was impeccable except for the normal wear and tear (Control arm bushings and the valves leaking all of which the guys at Florida Fine cars have decided to fix for me free, very cool dealers in Hollywood) Anything else I should be looking for?

3. How can I, a noob, check to see if the MAF needs to be changed? My cousin threw the beast on the computer with ZERO faults, any advice? I am getting 15 mpg atm and suspect that is a bit low.

4. The break ducts from the tires wells are closed, is that something I should open up? Even after a bit of running the brakes squeel a bit so I wanted some alternatives to cool them ( I plan to get slotted and vented toys next).

5. Its an 02 with 74k on it and I add chevron tech fuel additive every 3 tanks then after a few months I will do it every 6 months, is that good, does it matter, should i stop?

6. How can I find out if the clutch is original? Its doing fantastic just wondering.

7. Is there a way to have the nav screen pop up first when the car is started? I have scoured the owners manual btw.

I am a simple sailor with a decent budget. The car was a sacrifice but I got a good deal ( I think) with Laguna blue color, caramel leather around the whole damn cab and alacantra interior roof. I am SOOOOOOOOOO happy but I want to keep it for years to come, does anyone have any advice on how to best take care of it or what to look out for? I have a 2 year warranty that i purchased from the dealer that is bumper to bumper and is pretty comprehensive. Any advice at all for a noob would really help out !

Btw, had my first kid in a rice burner and an m3 get S M O K E D last week all with them instigating, I was beging a good squid !

Oh and btw the forums are AWESOME and I love the mature attitude and great advice given, I feel lucky to be here especially with all the arrogant boards out there for m5's.
I will try to post pix soon.

Willie

EM5PWR · 26th March 2007, 02:01

Some seamen in an M5 , better clean it up before it stains ...

Welcome to the board and enjoy your new ride...

Habu · 26th March 2007, 02:47

Squid,

Welcome and congratulations on your gift. There's a post that shows you how to unlock computer to test your MAFS. With regards to K&N. I think it depends if you over oil or don't wait for the oil to dry before reinstalling it.

I would not think the clutch is original.

Bob

misterpython · 26th March 2007, 03:30

From a fellow Sailor, I'd like to welcome you aboard. This is a great journey, owning this car, I'm sure you'll love it. What ships were you on btw, maybe we know each other.

Dave

doug · 26th March 2007, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast4door

Some seamen in an M5 , better clean it up before it stains ...

Welcome to the board and enjoy your new ride...

You never disappoint...

doug · 26th March 2007, 03:55

Squid, congrats on your new toy-- and thank you for your service.

You should be able to get a service history printout from any dealer-- that may tell you if your clutch is new as well as inform you of other work that's been done.

The stock air filters are fine, and K&N's w/ oil will give you grief. I suspect the squeaky brakes are caused by pad deposition, or maybe non-stock pads. DaveZ is our resident brake expert-- am sure he can help.. PM him, or see http://www.zeckhausen.com/.

I'm not sure about the gas additive intervals or for that matter which is best. I can tell you however, that Terry Dyson, an Oil Trebologist who many of us have used for oil analysis, can guide you in the right direction. Contact Terry through his web site, http://www.dysonanalysis.com/. As far as mileage goes I normally get between 12 and 20 (averaging 17) depending on how hard I run.

Enjoy.

(BTW, if it seems like I am plugging these guys above it's only because I know them both to be extremely knowledgable and trustworthy professionals.)

ard · 26th March 2007, 04:03

The K&N oiled filters will foul your mafs, eventually. (Keep in mind some disagree, but then again the tabacco companies STILL think there is no link between cigarettes and cancer..)

Look for the post by DavidS on testing the MAFs. THis test is MUCH more sensitive that the dealer 'fault'... they have to be dead before that will trip.

Not sure what you mean by nav popping up... you will always get the accept screen.

Chevron is fine, additive won't hurt.

The car's history with BMW is stored under the VIN- any dealer can pull it and see if there was a clutch. I am either proud or embrassed to say I have a stock clutch at 75k, but I like to think I know how to drive a clutch.... am I a pussy with no tire smoking? yes.

Do a search for member louv and his post on brake ducts- stock they are closed. This will help and is cheap.

Welcome and enjoy!

A

MMMach5 · 26th March 2007, 04:59

Congrats, Squid, from a jar head.

.

Beamer_usa · 26th March 2007, 05:14

Congrats!

T Bone · 26th March 2007, 05:27

Welcome!!! May you crush many more ricers in front of their women.....

I would have your mechanic check carbon build up in your S62 engine. There are many threads on this board but you should do a search and have a read.

The good news is that it doesn't appear to affect performance but if you do have a build up, you may need to buy an expensive chip to ignore the problem....

Don't let it spook you but you should be aware of it....