Wanted to give some feedback with regards to my experience with Tune-tech. Overal it was very positive and highly professional. From the moment the car is booked in all the way through to car delivery. Sean's daughter Diba also knows her stuff, and she has to because she needs to explain everything to Sean.
My 2006 E60 550i went in for brake fluid and oil service which cost around R1400 including oil filter and air filter.
I also had the following issues:
1. Auto gearbox problems
I complained on the forum before about my auto gearbox not changing smoothly especially when feathering the throttle. Harsh changes etc.
I spoke to ZF in search of a solution and they had nothing good to say about the E60 auto gearbox, including the newer crop of BMW's, quite worrying actually. I was told that there was no easy fix and I was looking at huge money to get it sorted.
Tune-tech suggested an oil change (which they recommend to be done every 40 - 50 thousand km) and service of the gearbox.
They also fitted a new gearbox sump as older ones tend to crack and leak oil. Apparently BMW say the oil in the gearbox is good for 200 000 km or lifetime of the box - which is total crap. My oil was extremely dirty after 137000km and 8 years in the box, so it was no wonder the thing didn't work the way it should anymore.
My problems were solved after the oil change and service. Changes are as smooth as butter now.
Cost - R4000 including sump (sump was R3000). Worth every sent in my book.
2. Bad oil leak from engine
The oil leak was traced to the seals on the oil pipe mounting bracket on the engine block. This was a difficult job because of where the leak was, and they kept the car 3 days to complete. R2500
Sean was also the only guy so far that could give me a logic explanation for the butterfly valve in the right-hand side of the 550's twin exhaust. Valve is connected to sensor which when it opens, gets a vacuum feed via rubber pipe from the engine which in turn opens the butterfly valve/flap.
The valve has the following functions:
a) Reduces "noise" if you can call it that at idling or lower rpm. Yes I prefer my car as a sleeper, quiet and sedate. Been through the whole loud sounds good exercise. V6 Alfa de-catted with TNT exhaust - case in point.
b) Opens and closes as needed while driving at certain throttle openings rpm and driving conditions. Increases torque curve at lower rmp by staying shut.
So it is functional beyond just silencing the car at lower rpm, which I actually experienced first-hand when I did the "open the valve" mod. The car felt like it lost torque at lower rpm and I changed it back to normal after 3 days.
They also replaced my lower control arm bushes, checked wheels shocks etc.
3. Heater not heating
Flushed the heater system pipes and it was working again. Replacing the heater valves would have been a massive job at huge cost i.e. removing the dash - so they tried flushing first which luckily worked. ---> Update: Only passenger side heating. Driver's side blows cold air or ambient when turning off the aircon. I've messaged TT. Will revert back.
Total cost came over R12k which is a lot, but hey I have all my problems sorted. It would probably have cost a lot more somewhere else. The car which I felt like selling, now drives the way it should, which was my main complaint. I feel the love return.
I recommend Tune-Tech to any out-of-motor-plan BMW owner.
Thanks to those who recommended them to me.:thumbs:
Cheers,
Zig
My 2006 E60 550i went in for brake fluid and oil service which cost around R1400 including oil filter and air filter.
I also had the following issues:
1. Auto gearbox problems
I complained on the forum before about my auto gearbox not changing smoothly especially when feathering the throttle. Harsh changes etc.
I spoke to ZF in search of a solution and they had nothing good to say about the E60 auto gearbox, including the newer crop of BMW's, quite worrying actually. I was told that there was no easy fix and I was looking at huge money to get it sorted.
Tune-tech suggested an oil change (which they recommend to be done every 40 - 50 thousand km) and service of the gearbox.
They also fitted a new gearbox sump as older ones tend to crack and leak oil. Apparently BMW say the oil in the gearbox is good for 200 000 km or lifetime of the box - which is total crap. My oil was extremely dirty after 137000km and 8 years in the box, so it was no wonder the thing didn't work the way it should anymore.
My problems were solved after the oil change and service. Changes are as smooth as butter now.
Cost - R4000 including sump (sump was R3000). Worth every sent in my book.
2. Bad oil leak from engine
The oil leak was traced to the seals on the oil pipe mounting bracket on the engine block. This was a difficult job because of where the leak was, and they kept the car 3 days to complete. R2500
Sean was also the only guy so far that could give me a logic explanation for the butterfly valve in the right-hand side of the 550's twin exhaust. Valve is connected to sensor which when it opens, gets a vacuum feed via rubber pipe from the engine which in turn opens the butterfly valve/flap.
The valve has the following functions:
a) Reduces "noise" if you can call it that at idling or lower rpm. Yes I prefer my car as a sleeper, quiet and sedate. Been through the whole loud sounds good exercise. V6 Alfa de-catted with TNT exhaust - case in point.
b) Opens and closes as needed while driving at certain throttle openings rpm and driving conditions. Increases torque curve at lower rmp by staying shut.
So it is functional beyond just silencing the car at lower rpm, which I actually experienced first-hand when I did the "open the valve" mod. The car felt like it lost torque at lower rpm and I changed it back to normal after 3 days.
They also replaced my lower control arm bushes, checked wheels shocks etc.
3. Heater not heating
Flushed the heater system pipes and it was working again. Replacing the heater valves would have been a massive job at huge cost i.e. removing the dash - so they tried flushing first which luckily worked. ---> Update: Only passenger side heating. Driver's side blows cold air or ambient when turning off the aircon. I've messaged TT. Will revert back.
Total cost came over R12k which is a lot, but hey I have all my problems sorted. It would probably have cost a lot more somewhere else. The car which I felt like selling, now drives the way it should, which was my main complaint. I feel the love return.
I recommend Tune-Tech to any out-of-motor-plan BMW owner.
Thanks to those who recommended them to me.:thumbs:
Cheers,
Zig
