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Bmw e60 m5 NIGHTMARE

33K views 198 replies 32 participants last post by  Ruthless 
#1 ·
Hi Iam new to this group and thought I'd explain my problem here for some more knowledge. Sorry if this has already been discussed. I live in Calgary Alberta where I bought my 07 M5 it holds a salvage title and the only problems outlined when I bought it was that it has a problem with steering. I later found out on the idrive it said "electronic steering lock in place engine might not start" so I got the car towed to a local Indy where the car has now sat for over a month. I constantly called them after 3-4 days for updates and he would just tell me that he is trying to get the car out of first gear so he can start it. A month went by and he said I'm going to need a new transmission as the modules on the old one are fried. I got him a used tranny out of an 06 m5 and they did the swap put the car in neutral but it still would not start. I forgot to mention that the car had also been in a wreck on the driver side. Just needs 2 doors so that's not a big deal. The problem now is that they can't start the damn thing. I told them the car had been sitting since October 2014 and the battery might need to be changed or the positive battery cable. They said that they haven't done anything with the battery besides charging it. The problem they do see is that there is no voltage/power going to the ignition therefore the car is not turning on. The mechanic working on it ran tests and the battery is producing 13.1 but 0 to any of the ignition ports. I just received this news yesterday which was Friday and it has really put me in a bad mood. I hope this is just due to the battery or something simple. The damn steering lock message still shows up on the idrive but the steering wheel is not locked it moves fine. What could this be????? Has anyone experienced this? Any info is highly appreciated.
 
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#4 ·
Is the indy experienced with these cars?
I would not throw money into it until you got some codes pulled by the shop.
 
#5 ·
I did my research as there are a lot of bmw mechanics in Calgary these guys have been in business since 1991 and have got good reviews. This Indy knows this car from before he told me about the previous owner and how he refused to get a new tranny when they told him it needed one. The owner told me that they probably got a buddy to hit the car from the side so the insurance can right it off. I did call bmw also but they told me we don't work on right offs so I had no choice but to send it to an Indy
 
#7 ·
I would tend to believe the previous owner was smarter than they are. He refused to replace the transmission. You replaced it on their recommendation and it didn't fix the problem.

Ask them what error codes are stored in *all* of the computer modules of the car. That's the only way anyone, dealer, indy or otherwise can move forward without guessing randomly on your dime. They seem to have already done that.

Replacing transmissions doesn't get the car to change gears.
 
#8 ·
The old transmission was already a loss as per what they told me. I haven't got in contact with them since Monday and they were still working on it. As far as I know the main problem right now is that there is no power from the battery to the ignition.



I just want to put this out there that this is my very first bmw and when I was getting it towed the guy had to drag it onto the flatbed because the tranny was stuck in 1st. Hope this did not cause any damage
 
#9 ·
I just want to put this out there that this is my very first bmw and when I was getting it towed the guy had to drag it onto the flatbed because the tranny was stuck in 1st. Hope this did not cause any damage
:eek:h: Oh dear. All I can say is, the odds of this M5 engine being healthy even after you get it started have just taken a sharp dive.
 
#11 ·
How so.... I got it towed to my house the first time and the guy had to get it off the flatbed by moving it back and forth until it got to the spot I wanted it to be in. After a week I got it towed to a bodyman and he said I need the car in neutral to work on it. The car was still on the flat bed when he told me this so I just took it back to my house and once again he did the same thing move it back and forth until it was on the ground. The next day is when I found the Indy and called the tow guy again, he came and did the same process by tugging and pulling it on the flatbed. When we got to the Indy shop the tow guy did the same thing he did last time to get it off the flat bed right in front of the mechanic! He did not say anything about how this is damaging my car. So total of 5 times...... The car has been tugged and pulled on and of the flat bed....

I didn't even know this could damage the car until I read about it on this forum. FML what should I be prepared for now? I spent 17k on this car it only has 78000kms on it. If I have to get a new engine that will just kill me. What a ******* experience and I haven't even driven it yet,
 
#13 ·
How so.... I got it towed to my house the first time and the guy had to get it off the flatbed by moving it back and forth until it got to the spot I wanted it to be in. After a week I got it towed to a bodyman and he said I need the car in neutral to work on it. The car was still on the flat bed when he told me this so I just took it back to my house and once again he did the same thing move it back and forth until it was on the ground. The next day is when I found the Indy and called the tow guy again, he came and did the same process by tugging and pulling it on the flatbed. When we got to the Indy shop the tow guy did the same thing he did last time to get it off the flat bed right in front of the mechanic! He did not say anything about how this is damaging my car. So total of 5 times...... The car has been tugged and pulled on and of the flat bed....

I didn't even know this could damage the car until I read about it on this forum. FML what should I be prepared for now? I spent 17k on this car it only has 78000kms on it. If I have to get a new engine that will just kill me. What a ******* experience and I haven't even driven it yet,
The gears on your Vanos pump and crankshaft with almost certainly be stripped/damaged after towing it in gear so many times. The engine needs stripped, Vanos pump and crankshaft gear replaced. Going to that level of work, you would be silly not to change the rod bearings as well. You just have to figure out if the car is worth this expense...
 
#15 ·
All the above would make a nice DIY project, if you are capable :wrench::M5thumbs:
 
#17 ·
I told my mechanic to replace the battery as I heard from a lot of other people that once in a wreck the positive battery cable will pop off. As for the towing while in gear I don't understand how this can affect anything but the tires or tranny. I have no problem with the tranny being ****ed because that's already been replaced. Idk what to do guys I'm in the dark here I haven't got a call from the mechanic and he hates it when I Call/ visit him. Last time was Monday and he said "it's not going to be done faster by you coming in here every day" I just been waiting ever since.

How do you guys explain the "electronic steering lock" ? The steering moves and is not locked but the idrive has been showing that message since I bought it.



So many issues already its making both me and my dad go crazy as he is the one who invested the money into it
 
#31 ·
If your damn indy hates it when you call or visit him for status, it's time to move on to a more competent and customer service oriented shop. No shop should ever proceed to do any work on your car without first pulling codes. Even BMW doesn't work on your car without first reading the codes. Your indy shop is garbage if they hate taking your calls and even have the f'n balls to tell you that work won't get done any faster with you coming around.
 
#18 ·
As with all faults, before you can give an accurate answer to an issue, it would be essential to check the fault codes with proper diagnostic software. Otherwise it's just guesswork. It would be worthwhile doing as jcolley suggested and check that fuse in the meantime though.

If you plan on saving the engine, please don't start it after dragging it around in gear, and take it to someone who knows what they are doing with these cars.
 
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#19 ·
I will give him until Monday to get back to me if not I have to move on and send it somewhere else. So what you guys are saying is not to start the engine until all those things have been replaced? Wonder how much that will cost me now. I already bought the tranny for 2000/ body parts for 2350/ body shop will cost me 2500 and I don't even know how much the bill will be for all this work he's doing. So far he should only be charging me for the tranny swap Which is 6 hours at 110/hour
 
#20 ·
ive dealt with just about the same thing... and i hope you have the same problem. i even ended up putting a new starter, alternator, battery


it could be one of two things. the airbag module (located under the center arm rest, bolted to the floor) did the airbags deploy ever?
or the battery cable wire fuse blew during the impact. i know they are set to blow out during a collision. check these two things.

havent read any of the other comments so sorry if these have been mentioned.
 
#25 ·
If my engine ends up being ****ed because of the towing can I not blame the towing company? I specifically told them it's a bmw m5 when they asked. Once the guy came he asked me to put it in neutral and I told him its stuck in 1st. He proceeded to drag it onto the flatbed. At the time I didn't know this could damage the engine but they as a company should know how to deal with cars stuck in gear
 
#27 ·
You won't get anywhere suing the tow company, they'll just say it was your responsibility to get the car into neutral. You probably had to sign something saying they aren't responsible for damages.

Unfortunately I see more of these kind of scenarios playing out as people pick up beat examples for cheap.
 
#29 ·
not for nothing bro, but a reputable responsible tow company that deals with high end exotic cars. have wheel dolly's on there flatbeds, just for this purpose. and yes you can sue them for damages from a negligent tow truck driver if you told them the car was a high value car stuck in gear, thus you have to prove that by pulling the car in gear is what is in fact what caused the damage to the engine or the drive line.
 
#33 ·
I've had that steering lock error come up a few times...one time it went away when I put the key into the slot instead of just hitting the start button, have you tried that? Assuming you have comfort access of course.
 
#35 ·
He claims they have been in business since 1991 and have worked on this exact car before. On Monday if there is no progress I will just find another Indy. I waisted 2 months with this mechanic and ontop of that winter is around the corner. I will also let them know about the engine and if indeed it is ****ed I will try to save money by getting the towing company to cover it since I explained to them it's an m5 and does not go in gear.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Hey OP,


I'm sorry to hear about your, let's say "troubles" with this salvaged M5.


You mentioned that your father provided the money for the purchase of the car. Would he provide the money for you to have the vehicle properly moved to a local BMW Dealership (preferably a dealership that is "M" certified)? Then, you can get those coveted codes everyone here on the forum keeps asking about, along with the piece-of-mind that things are being done properly (nothing against indy shops - see post above from local member - he may be able to steer you to another reputable indy if you decide against the dealership option).


Other members here are pointing you in the right direction in that your M5 may not fit the cost-benefit analysis model (i.e. it's not worth fixing if it is determined there are major engine problems due to neglect from previous owner, improper towing procedures, and/or improper/unscrupulous encounter(s) with the current independent shop where the car sits now, etc. etc.).


I don't have to tell you that these cars (even non-salvage, properly maintained examples) are very expensive to own; it seems you've discovered that for yourself.


If this is truly the car you want, then have it properly diagnosed and repaired. If you're having any buyer's remorse or second thoughts about spending the money for repairs, I would make arrangements to sell the vehicle or possibly store the vehicle until such time you have the money to invest in diagnostics and repair.


This forum is a great community, and you've had some of the "heavy hitters" :graduate: (e.g. jcolley, ACG, and others) weigh in on your issues. Their advice is usually worth its weight in gold.


Best of luck with this, and keep us updated.


Kindly,
 
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