535i feels like new, after a service

[ngruzevs@optusnet.com.au]

My 535i has recently been using a lot of fuel (More than 20litres/100). The engine had also been very rough, although I had nothing to compare it with, therefore I wasn't sure it was normal. (I have owned it for three months)

I took it down to the local BMW Specialist (Not BMW), they found the following

1. The engine was running very rich
2. The fan coupling was seized, causing the fan to be on all the time
3. They thought the car was an import due to the lack of a catalytic converter and O2 sensor.

They later confirmed that the car was Australian delivered and that the previous owner must of removed them. Its interesting that a road worthy was issued without these components, I guess it was a slab of beer road worthy.

Now this work has been done, it feels like a new car , I can hardly feel the engine rumble compared to before. I now have to wait to see if my fuel consumption improves

[Michael999]

they put in an O2 sensor and cat?

definately let us know how the fuel consump goes

[ngruzevs@optusnet.com.au]

They advised me not to install the cat and O2 Sensor unless I was selling the car.

I'm no car mechanic, but I may get better fuel economy and performance without the cat

http://www.topgear.co.uk/Catalytic_faq.html

The guy at the service center said that a second hand cat would set me back $600 Aus.

[wingman]

.au??? sounds like you should get along to the E34 Love-In in August!!! Great to see another Oz E34 freak on this site. And Pleeeeease change that handle to something shorter!

[BigKriss]

I'll sell you my cat for aud$300. The honeycomb inside is perfect, no crumbling at all.

[bigtisas]

I wish I can remove my cat. It should get extra 5 hp.

[repenttokyo]

are the cats really that big a restriction on our cars? i don't see any worthwhile powergains from removing it...