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So….. replaced the airbox and both inlet and outlet cam sensors… ran like an absolute dream for about 100 miles. Now the eml has come on and showing p0012 on a generic scanner. It’s running lumpy on tickover. oli is fine, no vacuum leaks as far as I can tell. possible timing chain? is it a big job on the mini?

Hello group, I have a 2021 BMW X3 with only 22k miles. It looks like I may need to replace the brake pads soon. There are only a few millimeters left. I don't know why those pads are going so fast. On my previous BMW, the brakes were like new after 40k, and my driving style did not change. My only guess is that manufacturing quality went down. In any case, I have a few questions: What is the best replacement option for brake pads in my car? Semi-metallic or ceramic? Which brand? Do I need to replace rotors, or is refacing acceptable? If I take the car to the BMW dealership, they will stand for the OEM pads and new rotors. Thank you in advance, Alex

As I mentioned earlier, here in East Texas, (my home is about 100 m east of the DFW area), hunting is very popular. Members of my family and some of my employees are avid hunters. I have always enjoyed shooting and firearm cleaning/maintenance. My father gave me my first gun, a 22 Marlin bolt action, when I was 8 years old. And looking at it from a hobby point of view, my attraction to any particular firearm is driven heavily by its style and looks. For example, you have a Browning. I think that the Browing Citori and Cynergy over/unders are one of the most beautiful firearms on the market. And the Marlin 336 lever action is one of my favorite looking ones. I have one in 30-30 caliber. I also have a Winchester 94 in 30-30, not that I need two lever action 30-30s, but I just like the look of both, so I want one of each in my gun safe. My father had a Browing semi auto as his main fowling piece. Are lever action rifles popular in your area? My father was more into duck hunting around ponds and marshes, as opposed to deer. But for some reason, although I enjoyed target practice and general shooting for recreation, I just never develop a liking for hunting. Maybe it was because my father, when I was quite young, used me as his retriever. He would shoot the bird, then it was my job to have my rubber waders on and go find it. But it is more likely because I am just too lazy to get out and hunt, then clean and prep.

Would he happen to also know what I inadvertently pressed to make that arrowhead appear yesterday? It was never there before. And, how more importantly, how do I make it go away? I have never used Sport mode, neither has my husband. I have never used the paddles on the steering wheel either, at least not intentionally! Thanks again for your reply! ~Susan

Just spoke with my Brother inlaw he says its Sport+ stiffer suspension faster gear changes (Manual) and allows paddle shifting at the steering wheel he also thought the arrow head was always there? He also said after a couple of times using he grew out of it 🤣 it it now lives in D Dave

Hi David We live in West Sussex South of London around 20 miles from the coast. I had several good business colleague's in the States when I worked, Atlanta, Detroit and LA who became friends, plus my wife's sister married an American and lived in Florida. I have also been to several Gun Shows in Dallas and Ft Worth and as you did have toured a little over there even fitted in some Golf. I enjoy Game shooting Partridge and Pheasant and some Wild Fowl mainly in the area I live but have shot Grouse further North I have a Browning 12g and a Beretta 20g which is my preferred weapon for game birds. Also do a little Deer Stalking, I have tried Clay shooting but enjoy being able to eat what I shoot 😅 Dave

Thanks for your reply Dave, most appreciated and I’ll try and check as you suggest. If anyone else has had a similar problem it would be helpful to hear the outcome and if the issue was resolved Rob

Thanks for the reply Dave. First, a little off topic thoughts which you may find boring. If you don't mind, approximately where in Southern UK are you, how far from London? Several years ago, my wife and I were able to take some time off and take a tour of your part of the world. We stayed at the White House Hotel in London, and did the usual tourist things. Saw the changing of the Buckingham Palace guards, toured Warwick Castle, Stratford on the Avon, etc. Sometimes timing works out with unexpected surprises. For example, when we were touring Windchester Cathedral, a choir started practicing, accompanied by the huge pipe organ. It was quite impressive. And of course, we made it a point of trying food of local flavor/popularity. Like plowman's lunch, native beers at taverns, and such. At the time, our daughter was eight years old, and after a few days, she asked me one afternoon, "tonight can we find a McDonalds?". And we did. In all it was a very enjoyable trip, and the weather was cool and clear the whole time. My wife and I still have pictures which help us remember the event with fondness. You mention shooting. What type do you enjoy? Just a coincidence, for years, that was one of my hobbies, mostly clay pigeons with an old Remington 12 ga, and handguns. I am not a hunter, which is really popular in my Eastern Texas USA area. I have no objections, I am just too lazy, and supermarkets have a good variety of meats, which is much more convenient. I still have many of my old guns in the safe, but due to age and time, I don't get them out for pleasure shooting much nowadays. As to my new BMW, I am still getting used to it. I love the way it drives and handles, but am a bit slow in learning all the features and technology. So, again, thank you for the response. And your BMW which was attacked by a tree, a storm, old rotten tree, or what? David

Good morning Dave, and thanks for the reply🙂 If I pull down on the little shifter bar, it goes into Sport mode. But it's always been like that, but never had that arrowhead - the arrowhead now stays whether in "D" or "S" mode. When my husband got into the car to drive it, he immediately noticed the addition of the arrowhead as well. I did find this (see screenshot) while Googling, but as I mentioned previously, it was never there before! Wondering what I did to make that arrowhead appear. ~Susan

Morning Michael Welcome to the Forum Make sure you have a good Torx Drive set both male and female plus I don't know what's included in the Halfords advanced kit so check Good Luck you seem to have it covered Dave

Morning Susan Welcome to the Forum Not noticed that in my Brother Inlaws 540x Drive I will ask him later I can see it's in Drive if you pull back on the shift what happens ? Does it move into Sport + ? Dave

Hi all, I have a 2015 X3 35d, i am looking at starting to do my own servicing and basic repairs like brake disc and pads but i currently have no tools. I have about 5 years experience with repairing mechanical and electrical faults on arcade machines, different from a car i know, but i think a lot of it will carry over. Im looking at buying all the tools i will need, so far my list is Jack, Axel stands, halfords advanced tool set, breaker bar, oil filter socket set. Im also going to buy a carly OBD tool and a Haynes manual. Is there anything else i will need to be able to do a service and brake disc and pads.

Morning David Welcome to the Forum Nice motor ENJOY I am now on my 3rd BMW X5, the current one is a Diesel model I live in the South of the UK and it's quite a few years since we had any significant snow, how ever in the winter one of my hobbies is shooting so spend a fair amount of time Off Road on slippery Chalk tracks and soft mud. We also go into France and Northern Italy for a little skiing. I have never had any real issues and have pulled quite a few folks out of places where they have got stuck. I keep a spare set of Wheels with Winter Tyres as parts of Europe they used to be a legal requirement (Obviously where the snow is) But in the UK average temperature haven't been below freezing for very long at all (a week or 2) I haven't bothered for quite a few years now. Short answer as you already know how to adjust your driving when it's slippery conditions with your work truck so you shouldn't have any drama's ENJOY your Beemer Dave

Morning Rob Welcome to the Forum From your description the knock can be heard/felt in the steering, jack up the car and spin the wheel can it be felt/heard. I would expect a noise/knock to indicate possible damage to (a) Wheel and Tyre (b) Wheel Bearing issue (c) Brake Disc issue (d) something loose Without seeing feeling hearing the noise it is impossible for us to diagnose your issue only give clues of where to look Hope this helps Dave

Morning Gavin Welcome to the Forum Take a look at www.realoem.com the small exploded drawings should help. Put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will show your model then look in the engine section. Never worked on a 218 but Vanos is normally top front of each camshaft I think the actuator has to be removed to get access to the valve/solenoid. Not sure if you have them on inlet and exhaust on your engine but Realoem will confirm that Dave

Hello New BMW owner here (2024 540i XDrive). Haven't driven it much because I just had surgery. Still learning about the car/console/dashboard, etc. etc. Been over the manual several times, and cannot find the answer. Could one of you kind people tell me what that little arrowhead I circled in red in my image is? It was never there before, and I must have inadvertently pressed something to make it appear. Could you let me know what it is, and how did I get it there? I could not find it in the manual or when I went to Google. Thanks so much for any help, Susan

Hi all, hoping on clarification. Car recently has Vanos solenoid fault. Need to clean,replace it but can’t find it. Any idea where it is please. Thanks in advance

My home is in eastern Texas, so we get very little icy/snow driving events compared to many of you. However, I have been driving 4 WD drive trucks for decades as my personal work truck in my construction business. Not for street needs, but there are occasions that a jobsite may be muddy, sandy, or just soft dirt. And at these times, especially if I am pulling a trailer with a ditching machine or scissor lift, 4 WD makes a large difference. And, when the occasional harsh winter comes along, with a few days of ice or snow covered roads, the trips to supermarkets or other errands are no problem. So that leads to my question here. I recently bought a 2025 M440 XDrive. AWD drive systems can be designed mainly for enhanced road handling on a track for instance, or more for low traction conditions. For any of you who may have a non SUV AWD BMW, and stock tires, how do they handle in snow or ice? In normal daily driving, is enough torque sent to the front wheels to be a real benefit over just rear wheel drive? I hope some here can share you experiences/thoughts.

F31 has knocking noise o/s/f and can be felt on steering column. Only occurs on longer journeys and noticeable at very low speeds forward and reverse. Intermittent so hard to get diagnosed

Thanks Dave, I think further investigation needed. will remove door card and have a look. regards. phil

Morning Phil Welcome to the Forum Are the mirrors folding or is it the glass position and heater? Is it actually the mirror or the loom shorting ? At 35 it wouldn't be unusual for insulation to become brittle Dave

Hi I’ve had my 635 for 35 years now, the driver’s side door mirror has started blowing fuses so doesn’t move anymore. does anyone have one for sale?

Morning Paul Welcome to the Forum That's the main reason that I changed to an Android based system a couple of years ago one of my sons did the same last month I now have a system that connects to my home wifi whenever parked outside the house and automatically updates all apps. Sat Nav is now Tom Tom but also have Here we Go and Google maps on the system, as well as Android Auto, Car Play, Spotify the list is long. Cost for my son was £250 mine 2 years ago was less than £200. They look OEM plus we both still have access to all the cars radio, CD, and the cars maintenance settings win win Dave

Cheers Steve, no chance of buying new, though had the fortune of having my fingers burnt once before.

its good you re asking and not rushing in to it. a lot of people vision a new car on the drive. If you are thinking of getting a new car then paying the balloon off and selling the car privately will save you money, you can repay the money used to pay off the baloon so you can then buy a new car with a bigger deposit and pay the new insurance etc. Also, don't buy new, 2021 /2022 means you may only pay the 620 for around one year then comes down to 195 after that.. every time i have bought new i have lost 10-20k, so just buy a nice used car with low miles. The above is not financial advice, just something i would do. 😉