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Morning Guy Welcome to the Forum I have read that iCarsoft have a reader that can have different Manufacturer software loaded check their websiteI have tried iCarsoft for BMW it works quite well however I have BMW ISTA/INPA which allows me Dealer level diagnostics plus gives Workshop information which is much better There are several others Foxwell, Autologic Maxwell but the more makes on a reader the price will go up I am sure Good Luck Dave

Recently purchased a 520 D estate 2017 and the amber light is on and a message: continue journey and have problem checked used basic code reader and no error codes is there a OBD2 on the market that can pull this information out or is it main dealer. Also have a series 1 BMW and a 2015 Mercedes in the family so would need to be able to read these as well?

Morning Rick Your transmission is made by ZF a check of their website should let you know what their recommended service intervals are from memory 60k to 100k dependent on use and climate. I have read that you can also get a shift control service kit Don't buy cheap get ZF stuff check out www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it should bring up your model then check the Gearbox section get the part numbers you need the use the Internet for best prices Good luck Dave

to be fare within all my years of driving I don't think I have ever change a gearbox filter

Morning Juli Welcome to the Forum Read as much as you can on all Forums just bear in mind most forums will highlight issues so don't just look at the number but look for specific Engine or Gearbox issues Good Luck with the hunt Dave

Why are the brake lines being replaced are the leaking ? or is it just that you want them changed ? BMW are not alone in fitting brake lines to a bare shell then putting huge assemblies like the rear subframe and axel in place to cover them up. My wife's car is a 3.0 Subaru Outback with a Perrin engine upgrade (400whp) she loves it and it has been a brilliant car 15 MOT's and it had it's first advisory this year. However she reported a soft pedal last year when I investigated I found signs of brake fluid leaking on the nearside rear. Now Subaru run the brake lines inside the car so they are protected brilliant, until they need to exit to reach the rear wheels they chose to do that in a place where they then mount the fuel tank ?? To drop the tank you first have to drop the Rear subframe (sound familiar) Cost at a dealer would be more than the car is worth (and she does love her car) so my solution run new brake lines inside the car into the boot area near the spare wheel well drill two holes for grommets and feed the new lines down and connect to the existing flexy pipes. A days head scratching and planning £30 worth of materials and brake fluid job done So a BMW dealer will have Labour rates north of £200 per hour so dropping the rear subframe will probably be 2 days work possibly with 2 techs for safety easy to see where the money goes. Personally I would run new lines in copper (no rust issues) and clip them to the rear subframe cut out the existing lines apart from where they are above the subframe. Same with parts Febi, Mehyle Bosch and many others are OEM parts suppliers to BMW who like all other Car manufacturers tend to make Bodies and Engines all the other thousands of parts are brought in. Buy those parts from BMW and you will find their markup is often 400% that's life. Maintaining our Beemers i top condition particularly the older models would become uneconomical very quickly if using dealers Dave

Morning Rick Welcome to the Forum By the description you give it would seem that the gearbox is ready for a full service and while it's out new clutch The poor old Gearbox is often the most abused part of the car Engine gets regular oil and filter changes while the gearbox is often never touched until it breaks Good Luck Dave

Potential new X1 owner here looking for any possible negative feedback I currently own an X3 but with all needed repairs suggested I feel it is better to go with a new vehicle. As I am reluctant to get into a monthly car payment I am considering buying a less expensive model and I am seriously considering the X1. Does anyone have any moderately negative experiences with the X1? Thanks!

Hi All hope your well So he we go I have a Bmw 1 series I currently having some issues with first gear it will goes in when stationary. The min I try to pull forward it jumps out of gear. So my thought was it was the slave cylinder how ever I went to my local parts store and he questioned if it was that . Which then made we question it. the only other systems are the clutch pedal doesn't always retract to high and there is some build near the gear rode "sorry no it's not call that" but unsure what its called everything works fine apart from that no noise from gear box . I have read on the internet that it could just need a fuild change is this a possibility or I am looking something more expensive ? please help I am going mad

Got my x6 sent into bmw for new rear brake lines fitted. £ 90 for the lines and was 2 hrs labour to fit. Car went into the workshop, and I got a call. Sorry, but it’s gonna be £2800 to fit as whole back axle has gotta come out! Plus vat!!! 3k for 2 piddly lines. This is extortion, and local specialists are quoting similar if not more. Other than scrap the car with over 4k worth of brand new parts on, what can I do?

Hi Stu, thank you for jumping in on this.. I've just had another mechanic come out who took the starter off and confirmed its still working. I also got the RAC out as I forgot I had a policy with them through my insurance. He tried the jump start, , attempted to turn the crank from underneath and believes its seized.. I've mentioned the alternator point back to the mechanic for his thoughts as I agree.. The engine warning light came on, the engine stopped and it coasted to a stop and never started again... There was no noise and the gear selector went into neutral.. As I type this, is that a fail safe designed within the car to stop the wheel locking up when the engine seized? Finally, if it is gone , it needs to go as I am not prepared to spend another penny on it.. Any enthusiasts out there who want to take it on?

Morning Dave, Thank you for your very helpful reply. I do not have runflats, as I think they are the Devils work. I have put a my details into realoem, but there are so many options it is confusing. I have tried Autodoc and found some Eibach springs but they seem to be for both standard and Msport, can not see how that works. I really want the softest option available as I just need the car for local journeys, as the roads where I live are like the Somme I am thinking of putting 225/55/16 wheels and tyres on as well. Cheers, Brian

Morning Brian Welcome to the Forum After 10 years the suspension is probably due a refresh, my own experience is often the shocks harden and so your getting little bump or rebound. Start at www.realoem.com if you are not aware it is an online BMW parts list. Put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will call up your model then search the front and rear axel sections for part numbers. You will see part numbers for M sport and standard springs then search the internet for deals. Front suspension is normally a strut assembly so changing springs and shocks will require a set of spring compressors or often a changing a complete unit is as cheap and less work. Also consider tyres are you still on run flat tyres they can contribute to a hard ride Good Luck Dave

Ok

I recently bought a 2015 F33 420i, it is fitted with Msport suspension. Suffering from serious back problems I find the suspension far to firm, if not crashy. I really like the car, is it possible to swop out the Msport suspension and fit standard springs and shocks. If so what is involved and what set up should I go for.

Hi Dave, thanks for the guidence It is most appreciated. Kirk

Hi Kirk Welcome to the Forum If I recall they have the same spigot ring size so should be OK I take it when you say mixed size you mean wider rear wheels than front ? If the 118d is front or rear wheel drive then wheels/tyres are cosmetic. The X drive cars need wheels and tyres that are matched rolling radius or drive train damage will happen quickly Dave

Hi, I have recently bought a 118d SE. I also have a 120d xdrive I am about to send to salvage. Can I put the xdrive 17" mixed size wheels on the 118d without any technical problems? Thanks

Welcome to the Forum Chris