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Morning Darren I brought mine a few years ago (2009 if I recall) through Ebay. Make the checks mine was from a UK seller with good feed back who also offered back up. Before that I used BMW 1.4.0 (still have it on the same laptop) Where ever you buy just make the normal sensible checks to make sure you will have support if needed Dave

Where would be the best place to purchase Ista /Inpa Regards Darren

Hi all, time for me to change my front discs on the E64. Has anyone got any experience on discs manufacturer and things to avoid. I am just going for plain vented discs as per standard spec on the vehicle. Advice always welcome

Morning Darren The obvious one is BMW ISTA/INPA not the cheapest but by far the most comprehensive and gives Dealer level access. Require a little patience to master but well worth it (my opinion) Then there are systems by Autologic, iCarsoft, Bimmerlink and Foxwell, all work well but are not as comprehensive as ISTA/INPA (mine has WIS and TIS). There are also a few systems which are Subscription led such as Carly Personally if I have tools I want to own them not rent them so I prefer to buy the complete package (on an old laptop that lives in my garage I have Diagnostics programs for Volvo, Merc, VW, and BMW. Plus an Autologic scanner and a BMW iCarsoft scanner (I am a born tinkerer and a boy needs toys) One diagnostic session at a Dealer will probably cost close to £200 plus any remedial work they can recommend?? So owning your own which will allow adaptions, registration and reprogramming work to be carried out will save £££ in the long run. Good Luck Dave

Just realized that I made a mistake. The last sentence should have been: " You would plug the trailer’s 7-pin into it, then the 7-pin coming out of the controller to X5."

Besides, I could never understand why someone would sell you something but not set it up for you to use. BMW USA is not the most logical company to talk to, just like they would advise against using WDH but could not produce documentation to support it. Fortunately my dealer was helpful when I tried to figure out the break controller wiring. They even ordered a set of plugs for me although I eventually went with the Etrailer harness.

This vehicle comes with a plug under the dash for break controller. I’ve attached a couple pictures my dealer sent me. All you need to do is to pop the panel under the dash open to see it. You don’t need any work in the back of the vehicle. The sway controller has a receptacle for a 7-pin. You would plug the trailer’s 7-pin into it, then the 7-pin coming out of the controller to the trailer.

Thanks for your reply. BMW dealer has installed the own hitch on the vehicle, however, they would not wire it because of the missing code in the software. I am having another company wire it up. How did you connect both the brake controller and the electronic sway controller to the 7 pin plug?

Hi Jeff, My hitch was factory installed. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge about aftermarket hitches. Do you see a trailer option in the vehicle menu though? You should see it if it's there even when no trailer is connected. I would guess that the airbag would work if trailer mode is there. The 9.5 inch rise hitch does not block the top part of the rear gate but don't try to open to bottom part. I made a mistake trying and now have chipped paint on the top edge of it. The X5 tows this trailer beautifully, even without a WDH which ALMOST EVERYBODY said is required. There are couple dealers refusing to sell 2326RK to me, one for not wanting a WDH, one for "your vehicle is not rated to tow it." Seems most Americans need to have V8 even for going grocery shopping 🙂. Let me know should there be any other questions. It's a beautiful trailer. Enjoy it!

Thanks for that Dave , could you advise on any scanner fit for this Job ? Regards Darren.

Morning Darren Transfer case oils changes will need the adaption rest and any fault codes recorded cleared. More registration than coding any good BMW capable diagnostic scanner should be capable Dave

Julian, You have done EXACTLY what I have been researching. I have the 2024 X5 50e and I am supposed to pickup my Winnebago 2326RK on Wednesday. I need to know if your hitch was factory installed before you purchased it. Mine did not have a hitch so I have the local BMW Dealer installing the OEM HITCH. Problem is they say there needs to be a code entered into the software that will allow them to wire the vehicle. They say the factory will not allow them to add the code. Question: will the airbag leveling occur if the hitch was added after delivery? Does the adjustable 9.5 inch rise hitch block the opening of the rear lift gate? LOVE your description of your first trip!

Hi , Iam wanting to change my transfer case oil ,, will I have to have the car recoded ?

I would guess £500 + + from a Dealer so not exactly dear if yours isn't working 😁 Check www.reaoem.com either search by Vin number then through the sections or by the Part number you have. If you aren't aware double click the part number and you should get a list of alternates. Then check the normal Auction sites but don't forget there is a healthy BMW Specialist dismantler network they may help Dave

bmw diversity antenna serial number is 9183564-01. Not cheap to replace £150 second hand at lease. Anyone know where I can get one cheaper?

I would start with the Antenna get the Part Number from the one in the car or www.realoem.com and find a replacement Changing it will take around Half an Hour reprograming your Keys about 5 to 10 mins Or if your a real Tinkerer you could take the Antenna out open it up and see if you can fix it Dave

Morning Chris Welcome to the Forum How frustrating, but if I remember back in the 70's British Leyland would have happily delivered the car warts and all 🤣 (I had a couple) Good luck keep nagging the Dealer Dave

GPS stopped working too, I presume this means it will more likely be the antenna than the wiring?

This car was ordered in November 2023 for delivery in early March 2024. It was built at the time expected but since then it has been recalled for a fault. It was delayed until early April and now it is delayed waiting for some “seals” and it is likely to be May. Apparently this is affecting all deliveries of the petrol models. So frustrating. It’s as if BMW are now performing to the standard of British Leyland back in the 1970’s. Why is there no priority on resolution for a car costing £50k

Morning John Karl For me that would indicate either an ABS sensor is down or the ABS controller has a Fault (not unknown) There are several companies that repair the ABS controllers at a reasonable cost and Warranty their work, the controller can be removed without disturbing the Brakes. An ABS sensor is around £20 make sure the reluctor ring is clean and not filled with crud (seen that a few times) fiddly to clean but worth it. Google will help with test procedures for ABS Sensors Don't know what system you brought locally but it seems to have moved you forward so Good Buy Dave

OK quick update, I found a bmw dedicated obd2 cheap as chips local to me, so fo £10 I can have a play until my icarsoft Pro arrives, step one was to clear all codes and to my surprise the trans fail disappeared from the dash, I also removed the red tyre pressure warning light with this tool, quite impressed so far, so I started it up and all gears are working, even the manual side of the box is working, the only light on the dash now is 4x4 Amber warning lights, can't seem to get that one to stay off, so I know I have a problem, but at least the gear box changes now and the tyre pressure warning light has gone

Morning Lee Brilliant information and that you actually got there, Why oh Why do they make it such hard work for the Customer !!! When towing in the UK we are restricted to a Max 60 on Dual carriageways and Motorways. When towing I pull a Horse Trailer with a couple of fat horses on board and touch wood never had an issue. Enjoy your Beemer and Winnebago Dave

Morning Christopher Oh dear !! Sounds like Trans Fail Safe has been triggered Causes could be Low Trans Fluid could be a Solenoid sticking could Torque converter related could be a Mechatronics unit issue ZF who make the transmission in your car recommend service at 60 to 100k so due by your mileage. Find a good Trans Specialist they should be able to scan the box update the software and service it (just make sure they use the correct ZF Longlife Fluid As a comparison my E53 4.6is with Dinan cams and throttle body (400 + hp) is on 164k it gets a hard life when it's driven and is smooth even under hard acceleration but has been serviced (last one flush as well) Dave

Hi. It's been a while. Now back to diagnosing more problems with this E90 06 325i base model. Car now is stuck in what seems to be 3rd gear. I am an adventurous driver and late night omw home can press the pedal. At 110mph the engine power just slipped and wound out. I could not accelerate and had to pull off highway. I turned off car, let it sit for 20 min and car then stayed in what I think is 3rd gear. Now at 4000 rpm I'm doing 50mph. Could be a bad solenoid? If it is, will a new solenoid kit be correct diagnosis? I hate to consider a BMW dealership mechanic for repair but I want some input if I am correct. I am at wits end in maintenance getting this BMW up to my expectations. Tires, transmission repair, or internal engine repair is where I draw line and seek a professional to make proper repair. And advise helps. Replaces to date, New entire Headlights(2) brakes,rotors,caliper,alternator,battery,radiator hoses, belt tensioner, belt, 4 pirelli run flats,rear shocks, front full struts. . All done myself except tires. About 20hr labor. Another $400 is all I'm kicking out. Only 90k miles and inherited with 75k miles. Any advice?

The car has 145k on it, there is no proof of any transmission oil changes and, strangely I have just today, ordered a icarsoft Pro that covers bmw, this should be here in a couple of days, will update when codes have been checked, thanks for your reply