Latest Posts

Hi Norm, great news on the grandchild. Hope you had a great time. here is a video of a great step by step guide. my ews module is on the drivers side footwell… (rhs ) it’s a light grey box, looks like a cigarette box size. it’s a faff to do at the start, but once you understand how to read and write, it’s a breeze.

Hi Mick Welcome to the Forum First wheel rotation if the tyres are asymetric then that will not work as you will end up with tyres turning against their rotational arrows also check your wheel if you have the same tyre sizes front and rear it's normally less of an issue. X5's the E53 in particular used to suffer with camber issues at the rear due to the lower spherical bearing failing it wore tyres on the inner edge but most of them had a much wider rear tyre set my 4.6is and E70 has 275x40x20 front 315X35X20 rear. More of a tyre/cost issue than transmission damaging though The X1 E84 has a slightly different rear axel set up but is still adjustable for both Camber and Toe. If you are competent with spanners actually changing rear bushes isn't such a difficult job the one piece of advice I would give is there are eccentric bolts for camber and toe I replace those as a matter of course to make sure everyth can be aligned properly. If you don't have one hire or borrow a bearing push/pull kit and your away. should take about 11/2hrs per side. I mark the position of the eccentric bolts with tippex so it goes back the same then when the job is done off the tyre shop that can handle 4 wheel alignment. Take a look at www.realoem.com if you aren't aware it is an online BMW parts list put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box then check out the rear axel section Hope this helps Dave

Guess that’s my weekend sorted! either that, or I’m sleeping on the sofa as the spare bed is now taken! 😂

Morning Cameron As far as I know the 18" wheels were not supplied as a staggered set (Wider rear) so should be 8J rims all round there for should be 225x40x18 front and rear you really need the help of a mechanic or at least someone who understands what they are looking at, the Rim size is stamped on the inside of the wheel so I would take off a rear wheel if it is stamped 8J tyres are wrong With Xdrive transmission there only needs to be around 5mm difference between front and rear tyres which is why BMW recommend Star rated tyres from recommended suppliers Tyres are not just round black rubber things ! ! The front and rear should ideally be from the same Manufacturer and the correct size for the car. A part worn tyre may have 4mm tread depth a new tyre almost 10mm tread depth which can be enough to cause transmission damage. If a Diff is damaged cost will be around £800 to £900 for the Diff plus fitting if the transfer case is damaged you could be looking at a BIG bill Dave

Lift the car up and see if the wheel moves freely when the handbrake is off. then its brake disc pads without copper grease.

Morning Paul Check the auction sites and internet for averages, Glass's Guide will give trade values The bottom line is it is worth what someone is willing to pay Dave

Decided on reflection, that from these red flags and service history/MOT concerns, I'm not going ahead with the purchase. Thanks for the advice!

Hi Ken Depending what OBD reader your using will either give Generic codes or if it is a fully BMW capable one then you should get better results (I use BMW ISTA/INPA) First I would check near the front fuse panel on the side behind the trim you should find a Multiple Earth point (BMW love these) check it carefully they were a well known source of problems on the E53 and E70. If you have a wiring diagram it may help idntify which pins to check continuity on. As far as I am aware the JBE with integrated PDC is just that it may mean a complete unit which will need coding to the chassis. Unless of course someone like ECU Testing (Derby I think) can fix it but that may put the car off the road for a few days Or as my daughter once told me "you don't need all that stuff Dad there is a Thud when your to close" 🤣 Dave

Hi Ben Without carrying out a full test on each TMS it is difficult to say. I would check the internet for any test criteria then start with the good one note the results then test the faulty one to compare. All I found on the TIS is it is likely to be the LED's (2 of them) how simple it is to change them I have no idea. As an Example I recently had a failed Halo/Parking lamp on my E70 checked ISTA says remove cover 3 screws remove 2 further screws and the lamp is out Ha Ha Ha. What i discovered in WIS was a note that says remove Headlamp from the car to access the screws. Dave

Hi. If you needed any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line. Regards, Dan.

Hey dealership states that the passenger side front seat heater relay sound is typical for this years car. Since the driver side doesn’t do it I am wondering if they just pawning off the issue. I really notice it when breaking. Definitely hear it only when heater is on and only on the passenger side.

Hi Alan I am sure you have thought of it but it's not just a case of bolting the DPF onto the car it will need recoding to make sure everything works as it should and you don't get silly error codes and messages. As an aside get the Glow plugs checked as the BMW system uses them to help achieve DPF Regen Temperature. I have known of a car (friend of one of our sons) having it's DPF removed/gutted because it kept clogging (short journeys) All the car actually needed was new Glowplugs and Glowplug controller Dave

Hi Philip Welcome to the Forum If I recall the Power Steering Fluid was originally a Febi part not sure if it was the Green one to protct seals etc Try taking a look at www.realoem.com Classic section or even ask your Dealer Parts dept they do some good deals on older models Dave

OK will look to adopt that advice. Oil filter does get changed out annually but will look to the air filter also. Good idea on hoovering the pollen filters though.

Thanks for your input. I checked the the DC Voltage with a meter on either side of the fuses (152 and 182) on top ,so I know the fuses are good I also checked the relay 'on the bench' and it's functioning too. Maybe the car needs a reset with a BMW Diagnostics kit as there is still an icon on the dashboard which will not clear?

Hi Les Welcome to the Forum As this is a UK based site we may not have to many members near you A Diagnostc Scan may help to tell you more, or maybe an Automotive Electrician can advise You could check all the earth points BMW love mutiple earth points and earth switching Good Luck Dave

Afternoon Frankolinno Welcome to the Forum I would start at the Boot/Trunk look above the number plate for a Key hole, you should have a key blade as part of the Fob Find the Key hole open the Boot/Trunk and you have access to the Battery. If charging the battery remove it from the car to charge it. There should also be an emergency key hole on the underside of the drivers door Good Luck Dave

Morning Alexander Welcome to the Forum Paul used Liquid Moly additive I beleive, do remember that if the seals are hardening through age this will work if the seals have gone it can't do much Dave

Morning Ben Welcome to the Forum Never actually seen this but from what I read it is normally the Halo LED's failing and needing replacement Dave

Morning Mike Welcome to the Forum Sadly we do live in times where extra protection is needed The good old Stop Lock is an excellent visual deterent. Whether the investment in a ghost immobiliser as well is worth the money no one can say untill it is needed. Personally the Stop Lock would be my choice (I use one when we are away from home) Dave

Morning Frank Welcome to the Forum Are you thinking of after market or BMW ? Also raises the question why ? If BMW then as long as it has the same functions and air bag connections I would think you could find one from other models. Try a search on www.realoem.com to see if there are any cross refference parts Dave

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-850i-198/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_5902675

Morning John You do know your German car is built in South Carolina 😅 If nothing is loose in the Boot then I would still be looking for Loose Heat Shields or worn Suspension parts (Drop Link or Anti Roll Bar Bushes) Dave

Hi Harry Welcome to the Forum Try looking at www.fusecheck.com/bmw/bmw-x1-f48-2016-2022-fuse-diagram That should give you what you need Dave

Good morning. Do you know the location for the battery ?