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Hi., I am constantly getting SOS system failure on bmw 420d, I've seen that you can either repair the issue but it keeps coming back. Or you can get the system coded out. Does anyone think this is a good idea to just code it out and just get rid of the problem?

Morning David Welcome to the Forum Low profile tyres will always transmit more Vibration/Noise however, have the wheel bearings been checked? Has the rear axle and drive shafts been checked and last has the propshaft been checked ? Your description of a Drone/Rumble is what points me in that direction Dave

Morning Dave Welcome to the Forum The system in your car is made up from 3 main parts (1) the Display Screen (2) The Rotary control on the Centre Console (3) The CiC unit (behind the dash) these are linked normally through the FRM (Footwell Module) A Diagnostic scan will show where the issue is As the Display is working logic points towards the other two. You will need the help of someone who has a BMW capable Diagnostic package to (a) confirm which one (b) make sure any replacement is coded to the car and works correctly If the Rotary Controller is OK and the issue is with the CiC you have a few options (1) New CiC £££££££ (2) Source a replacement used CiC (make sure the part numbers are the same) also be aware that it may need coding to your car (3) Last option is change the screen for one of the Android/Carplay options that are available they do work well Good luck Dave

Hi Looking for some help, I have a BMW 116D 62 plate, (re chipped to 120D). We are having issues with the centre console, only displayed the BMW logo, no menu, radio options, mode changes, phone, unable to play CD's etc. we are not able to change anything. The radio also comes on but doesn't display then channels for a period of around 5 mins stuck on one station, then turns off for about 24 secs. I've tried a couple of things which I found on Google but have not resolved the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks Dave

I have owned my 2015 Convertible 220i for a few months and recently changed the front run flat tyres to Pirelli Powergy hoping that would reduce road/tyre noise. It made know difference. Have riden in a couple of similar models, it seems to be a characteristic of the model. I like the car in all other respects and so am considering adding sound proofing, particularly to the front wheel arches. (the noise- a drone/rumble) Dose anyone have experience of the effectiveness of additional sound proofing and if so which arears give the most rewarding results Many thanks DavidEM

The link above is to a forum which includes USA members, same issues over there. BMW have now apparently changed the design slightly, date on these is 2025 manufacture, check if it is replaced. I tried using the forum information but it was rejected as it is someone's personal opinion of a fault, not BMW's. Two headlights replaced is £3500+, the attached image was mine and BMW still had to prove the unit was faulty.

In case I can't resolve the cruise control error issue, in order to drive the car I will need to stop the permanently ON wipers. I can't find the fuse for the wipers. It's designated as fuse number 82 on the fuse map leaflet in the fusebox but the leaflet only seem to document fuses 18 - 70 and 100 - 166. Can someone tell me how to locate the wiper fuse.

Thanks again Dave for all good info you keep giving me very kind of you ,you sure know your stuff Ali .

Hi Ali Your car has an Auxiliary pump when the car is cold and the thermostat closed water circulates through the cylinder head (hottest first) the Aux pump pushes that water through the heater system to give a warm cabin. It can take 15/20 miles for the engine to reach full operating temp. I use BMW ISTA/INPA which gives me Dealer level access plus it comes with WIS (Workshop Information system) and Wiring Diagrams so for me the best, today there are several on the market that are BMW capable iCarsoft, Foxwell plus a few subscription apps like Carly. Many will read fault codes and reset them but will not have service functions that allow Regen start (forced regen) DPF condition etc Just make sure whatever you buy has the service functions Dave

Hi again Dave thank you very much for all the info you give me very appricciated i think i best buy a good scanner of some sort keep eye on things see if all glow plugs work & see how much soot is in the dpf my heaters work quickly but needle on dash takes ages to show normal temp but am guessing that could be the sensor what scanner do you recomend ? For this thanks again Dave

Thanks for the prompt response Dave. Battery voltage was 12.3V. I've put it on charge and will check things later when the voltage comes up to a better level. Mike

Hi Mike Welcome to the Forum Test the battery output at the under bonnet charging points anything below 12.5v indicates a discharged or dying battery. Engine running voltage should be 14.5+ When voltages are low your beemer diverts all power to the starter triggering all sorts of spurious faults and warnings My money is on a battery issue, a Diagnostic scan should confirm if it is anything else Dave

Hi Ali The emissions control system is kept clean by the action of the engine it's self. Two critical elements are filtered out Soot and Ash among many other particles, the soot is the one that clogs the EGR but is normally a sign of short journeys where the engine doesn't achieve full working temperature (note this is hotter than the heater starting to blow warm air) When full working temp is reached the car can measure soot content and if required begin a Regeneration cycle (note after around 2006 the engine management uses the Glo plugs to achieve regen temps, if they are not working no regen cycle) Once the regen is complete any resulting Ash is held in the DPF. After 2006 the swirl flap design was improved and I have not heard of a fail or any falling into the engine Considering the increase in the MOT and the likelihood of a fail if the examiner suspects any of the emission controls are tampered with or missing my personal preference is keep it as it was designed. My X5 3.0d 2009 has covered 135k and is as OEM build around town I get around 450 miles to a tank on Motorway trips closer to 600 miles to a tank. I change oil and filters at 5k with good quality BMW LLo4 compliant oil The recent recall was for the EGR Cooler mine was tested and passed Good luck with the hunt for someone to do the work in or near Billericay I am in sunny Sussex so not much local knowledge Dave

I went to start my M240i today, turned on the ignition and got a "LIM speed limit failure" error. Started the engine and got " Cruise control failure" error. What's even more strange is the wipers were on and couldn't be turned off or the speed changed until the ignition was turned off. Seems like some sort of ECU failure. Anyone seen anything like this before ?

I am in billericay essex who would you guys recomend to do a EGR delete & map my car also i use archoil injecyor cleaner i read ftom other drivers saying this cleans the DPF also any one else have any ecperiance with this stuff i been using it for many years great on keepinh injectors clean but not sure if it keeps DPF clean or helps it many thanks in advance Ali

Hi Dave thank you very much for your reply very appricciated yes i do beleive in lower mile services also i wonder if my bmw had a recall or not i tried taking EGR off to clean but was stuck am guessing very caked in soot hence stuck i took out swirl flaps not like idea them falling in to engine but must admit lost bit of power on bottom end not had it mapped yet thanks again Dave . Ali

Try checking the USA sites due to the differing legal position there (Class Legal Actions) Manufacturers often make the decision to either re-engineer or recall at their expence. If they have called a recall there it would make it hard to deny it here also if it is becoming common Rip Off Britain is also an option Dave

Thanks Dave, will find em.

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 Paul If all the wiring is in place it's just a case of activation apparently you could have Kidney Grill lights as well So to activate it you may need the help of someone with ISTA-P my first port of call would be check the Register of BMW Specialists online and talk to a few close by they tend to be more customer friendly than BMW Dealers and around half the cost Hope it's all there Enjoy your Christmas Dave

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 Dave Hope you’re well mate. Thank you so much for the info Dave. I used to be in the motor trade as a strip fit guy in my last years so I can definitely take the car apart. The electrical bits I can probably manage with the info you’ve kindly found. Over Christmas I’ll be hiding from the wife in the garage so if I leave the lights off she won’t bother looking for me in there. You’re a top guy Dave and thank you for all your interaction so far. I will let you know my findings in due course. 🎄🎄