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Hi Folks, Had my E24 a while now and working on some slight convenience improvements whilst not changing anything permanently. I've got a magsafe phone holder/charger where the ashtray used to be. To do this I bought the outrageously expensive official BMW ash tray replacement storage box (just a small black plastic box that slides in to replace the ash tray £50!) I then bought this item which is a 3d printed magsafe phone holder designed for the BMW iX https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336310951793 Then bought a standard sized magsafe charging puck. Insert puck into holder Double sided gorilla tape the phone holder to the front inside edge of storage compartment Plug into cig lighter and slide into place (later I will work out how to wire a permanent 12V to a USB C connector and plug the magsafe puck into that so I can loose the ugly cig lighter charger. Works great and can be undone just by pulling out and replacing original ashtray. I believe the E30 shares same ash tray as E24 so should work on old 3 series too! I am in touch with the ebay seller who made the magsafe holder and he's even looking at making a single unit which would be the ashtray replacement storage compartment and the magsafe holder which would be great and safe a lot of cash.

I was wary about taking it to someone without knowledge of how these older R12 based systems work and how to work out the correct R134 oil and gas levels. Found a great guy Paul https://pwautoelectrical.co.uk/ He worked on 80's BMWs when new - doing the aircon installs for dealers as in those days you could either order the car with aircon or get it done at the dealer once delivered. Definitely recommend him for anyone wanting similar. He tested it, found a leak, had to replace a couple of seals and rethread a connector, All good now just need the warm weather :)

Hi Dave I have the kidney grille as I had tech plus pack so I believed the handle lights were part of the welcome lighting but as you’ve seen BMW says it’s not after saying I need packages I actually have. Confusing mate.

A re-occurring problem with the G42, see link from another forum below regarding issues. I had both replaced @ 12 months old and nearside replaced again @23 months. Covered under warranty once tested by BMW, you have to jump through hoops to get anywhere, as BMW don't recognise the issue then after warranty who knows what will happen https://www.babybmw.net/threads/g42-headlamp-condensation.147368/

Hi John Welcome to the Forum If your Headlamps are Halogen H7 then to stay legal they should be replaced like for like if you go to LED you risk MOT failure Osram Night breaker 220 are good (I have them in my X5) and I have read good reports about Philips Racing. My Osrams cost about £30 a pair Dave

Morning Paul Check the Upper timing case gaskets they are steel and rarely give problems but worth a check the solenoid valves in them which have "O" ring seals (more likely) Next Rocker cover gaskets these are a common culprit, good clean up then run the engine and look carefully for signs Good Luck Dave

Hi Michael Welcome to the Forum My neighbours Mini has a switch to turn off the Stop Start function Dave

Hi Ali Welcome to the Forum I hear a lot of talk about DPF/EGR issues in my experience normally from folks who drive the car almost into the ground normally short journeys so service intervals are extended (if it gets one) and then complain about the DPF/EGR. The others who talk about DPF/EGR issues are often selling a service that will hollow out your DPF then with some software tweaks get it running without warning lights. They don't tell you that if an MOT inspector picks it up it is an instant fail On the other hand my own X5 3.0d has just past 135k with no issues my brother inlaws 540d estate has just passed 200k with no issues (both cars had the EGR recall early this year) Brother inlaws car is Chipped and way over 400hp and driven hard (which these engines love) So reliability for the DPF and EGR will depend on what sort of driving you do and regular annual service as a minimum (I change oil at 5k intervals), if you do a lot of local short journeys at least once a month give it a good run at Motorway speeds Dave

Morning Will Welcome to the Forum As you have replaced the bulb without success have you checked the fuses ? You should find a Fuse diagram tucked away somewhere but try checking fuse numbers 10, 15, 20. If the fuses are good then you need the help of either an Auto Electrician or someone with a BMW capable diagnostic scanner Dave

Morning Bob Welcome to the Forum It is safe to fit Non Runflat tyres to Runflat Rims, the benefits are a wider choice of tyres and costs been doing it for years with my X5's However, if it's only cost then you may well end up with compromised handling/road holding cheap tyres are cheap for a reason. Potholes are a real problem in the summer months easier to see but in the darker months when they are full of water a real issue and danger. Fitting tyres with a deeper sidewall may be possible but may also give clearance issues so check carefully. An alternative is to fit a smaller rim with a deeper sidewall tyre Good Luck Dave

Looks like your culprit at 11.5v while charging there isn't enough power to run your clock 🤣 Let alone start your car Dave

Thanks for your reply Dave, interesting that your friend went for covers from the car manufacturer, though they will have been pricey, I'll look into that. And I need to buy car mats so purchasing rubber one's is a good call, the interior is a beige/sand colour fabric with matching carpet so not the easiest to keep clean and she's been kept well by the guy I'm buying from (collecting today)

Morning Raymond Welcome to the Forum If your topping up that much first I hope it's not with tap water as quickly you will have no anti Freeze or corrosion protection. If your losing it and can't see anything obvious above, have you taken off the engine covers and checked? Take a look under the car to look for signs (puddles on the floor) Is the car smoking (white Vapour). There will either be a leak at a hose joint, header tank if it is an internal engine issue (white Vapour) obviously not good news. Last feel the carpets inside in case it is an internal heater matrix issue Good Luck Dave

Any pics, location, price, condition, history, colour, running, non runner, WTF kind of ad is this

Hi Arfan If there are no drive train Faults recorded it is very likely just the gearbox being sluggish when cold Dave

Morning Annette Welcome to the Forum I would ask who the Warranty is with? or is it just from the supplying Garage ? I would be talking to them about the sale of goods act as the the car is "not Suitable for purpose" in it's current condition, Get tough with them. I am not sure which engine you have so just checked www.realoem.com BMW online parts list the 2.0d inlet manifold complete with new gaskets is available from several sources for less that £100 so £1350 is taking the proverbial even for a BMW Dealer Check yourself on realoem just put the last 7 digits of your Vin number into the search box Good Luck Dave

Morning Jessica Welcome to the Forum There are many sellers on line how ever make sure that who ever you buy from they will give Technical support. I brought my first copy of INPA many years ago (late 90's maybe early 2000's) then upgraded to ISTA 2006 then last year upgraded to the latest version of ISTA all my copies were supplied by DJWW Auto Diagnostics he is UK based and will give 100% back up and support. An internet search will find him I am sure Good Luck Dave

Morning Lou Welcome to the Forum Your hand book for the car will indicate where the recommended jacking points are. If you are using a trolley Jack there is a reinforced lifting point at the front of the the front subframe, or under the Diff at the rear then place axel stands under the cars jacking points. It goes without saying the car should be on a solid level base with wheel not being lifted chocked to prevent any movement. Dave

Morning Graham Welcome to the Forum You say you changed the Headlamp did you change for a "new" or "used" unit if used is it correct for your car ? If you are not aware you can check www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box the search lights Realoem will also have small exploded drawings showing how bits fit together Dave

Hi, it could be a wheel bearing or the wheel arch lining could have come off.. a suspension or broken spring issue would make a banging noise when the steering wheel is moved. Does it only make the noise when the car is moving?

Do I have this listed in the wrong spot?

I will do an update if I find anything

Ok thankyou for your advice, its much appreciated.

Morning Ste You could try using one of the BMW Vin Decoder sites that would give the same information Or try an internet search for BMW Specialists (there is a register ) you should be able to find one or two near by one of them may be helpful and certainly cheaper than BMW Good Luck Dave

Morning Dave Welcome to the Forum Has it been removed or moved and taped up somewhere ? I ask because one of our sons friends has a 1 series drift car when he brought it no OBD socket as the roll cage was there. We were going through the same thought process when he found it taped up by the steering column. You need to download a wiring diagram or if you can get access to INPA/ISTA you will find them included in WIS (Workshop Information Systems) Tino on here has gone through a similar issue he may be of some help Dave