Greydog

Morning Ian Welcome to the Forum Sounds a bit like me on a cold morning, takes a few minutes to get moving as well 🤣 Normal suspect for your issue would be the Glow Plugs and Glow Plug controller/relay. My Brother Inlaw's 530d was down to 1 Glow Plug working, but still started first time every time and after 30 secs or so tick over smoothed out. We changed glow plugs and the controller/relay and it is back to smooth running. The job is fiddly rather than difficult give the glow plugs a good soaking with release agent before beginning. Dave

Hi Mick Happy New Year Shame that we don't get feed back especially on things like this that can be a great help to others. I still can't get may head around how so much Swarf/metal particles get right through the system, the filter seems to do nothing? Dave

Morning Isaac Welcome to the Forum In a word "NO" the rear shouldn't feel Bouncy? As your car is a 2008 model the rear shock absorbers could well be at the end of their life, they work hard and don't last forever. Check www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your model then look in the Rear Axle section for the right part number. Then use Google to get the best price for the correct parts Remember always change suspension parts in pairs left and right. Good Luck Dave

Hi John Just seen your post so sorry for the late reply. You may have fixed it by now Did you change all the glow plugs & the controller? Have you renewed/cleaned or blanked the EGR? Your car will have 2 thermostats 1 Water and 2 EGR if the engine doesn't reach operating temp the Particulate Filter won't regenerate and will clog. So I would replace both to make sure that everything can work as it should. Use www.realoem.com to find where they are and the correct part numbers. Oh and Welcome to the Forum Dave

Morning Amir Welcome to the Forum Question (1) If HBA is not installed but you have the button on the end of the left stalk I believe you can purchase and download the function using Connected Drive. Or your Dealer can do it when it is in for service, for a cost of course. BMW know many ways of squeezing money out of your wallet 😁 Or you could save money and just use the dip switch manually 🤣 the mark 1 eyeball detects lights earlier than the sensor will and if the eyeball isn't working you shouldn't be driving anyway 😎 Question (2) Pan roofs are really not practical as a retro fit the roof bracing is different to retain crash integrity. So if the roof is in the build specification the body shell used will have all the correct bracing in place. Dave

Hi Jim The switch should be easy enough to check with a multi meter, same with the loom to the washer motor. Check the earth connections carefully BMW use a lot of common earth points which are often at the bottom of the problems. Dave

Hi Joel Welcome to the Forum Enjoy your Beemer Dave

Morning Linfsey The Auto Lock/Anti Hijack feature can be turned on or off by anyone with a BMW capable diagnostic program. Program's such as iCarsoft, Autologic and several others will do it, though the most comprehensive in my opinion is ISTA/INPA or BMW 1.4.0 this will depend on when your X3 was made from memory if it was made after march 2008 it will be Dcan based and 1.4.0 will not work. So your choices are take it to BMW talk to the (chancellor first) at Dealer labour rates it won't be cheap, BMW specialists will be less expensive as will good Independent Garages. Or you can buy a copy of a BMW Diagnostic program and run it on an old laptop (I have programs for Volvo, Mercedes and BMW) and do your own diagnostic's cost for this is variable but reasonable as generally it is about the same cost as 1 session with a garage. Or you can buy stand alone systems like iCarsoft or Autologic more expensive but it's yours and can be sold should you change car, there are also subscription diagnostic's such as Carly for BMW So the answer is if you want the feature it is easy enough to find and turn on but it does need diagnostics, Dave

Hi Richard BMW are great at hiding stuff that you need to get at IIRC your filter has a a heater as well and is hidden underneath near the front of the car. They hide the X5 filter behind a trim under the floor just in front of the rear wheel perfect place to collect all the crud?? When I changed mine it was the original had a sticker with the manufacturer date still readable?? No wonder the dealers often "forget them" at service time Dave

Welcome to the Forum Thabani With Richard here, if the engine has been "done" recently whoever did it should be sorting it as it doesn't sound as though they have done it properly Dave

Hi Jim Have you checked for leaks (induction and exhaust side) + Belts, pulleys and tensioners Dave

Hi Alan Welcome to the Forum I am sure we will help if we can Dave

Looks really nice, you could make a removable Westfalia tow bar part of the deal? (Westfalia is a BMW OEM supplier) Lack of Sun roof wouldn't bother me the colour would though, no fan of white. Good luck

Hi Jim If you have the opening glass it could be the shaft seized or part seized, try you tube there were some fixes a couple of years back Dave

Morning Martin As the Government Plan is to ban sales of "New" Petrol and Diesel cars in 10 years time 2030 Clearly they can't ban the use of Petrol/Diesel cars/trucks from that date so it will take at least another 10 years or so for them to disappear. As long as the fuel is available I suspect many will keep them going. So dropping £30k into any Petrol/Diesel car caries the same risk, there could be the contrary view that it may well push the price of used vehicles up as the date approaches. Options are a personal taste so will vary vastly from one person to the next, take Bluetooth at my age my mobile phone is just that a "Phone" for talking on. So connectivity to the car is to answer and make voice calls, my children (all late 30's/40's) use far more of the phone technology so they would look for as an example "Car Play/Android compatibility. I prefer the "Comfort Seats" these days, always leather certainly Heated. Radio/CD/USB (pretty much standard these days) Navigation, electric windows keyless entry and good AC/Heating for the cabin would do it for me. Oh plus the Luggage/Dog Guard I don't want/need a sunroof (experience tells me they are trouble) I don't need rear seat entertainment (they are big enough to buy their own) rear seat passengers should be screaming in terror not watching movies 😈 Wheels and tyres are cosmetic but I like my cars to look good so would choose these with care, probably 20" with colour and spoke pattern to suit the Body colour. Bit long but it's just what I would look for Dave

Hi Kev On the Convertible I would think they are pretty much like my X5 there are 4 in the boot area look like a rubber bung in the floor with a tube attached. If you look on realoem you should find the locations. Good luck Dave

Morning Martin The 540 will be higher maintenance cost, road tax and fuel cost (18 to 20 mpg) The 530d will be a little less in maintenance (not a lot) less road tax, fuel cost will be similar to your A6 The straight six BMW engine is one of the worlds great engines, my brother inlaw is on his 4th BMW 5 Touring he has a business in Holland and commutes regularly so racks up the miles. He has had 3 x 530d and a 535d all have run to around 300k kilometres, his current 530d touring is at around 140k all have been tuned, the current car has around 300hp mid range is rapid to say the least yet still gives 40+ mpg So comparing the two for me, the 540i every time don't want my neighbours to think I came home in a Taxi 🤣😂 Dave

Hi Kev Welcome to the Forum First I would check that all the drain holes are clear if the water build up was as you describe something was stopping it running away. I go around mine a couple of times a year and use piece of small spring type curtain support for net curtains and rod them through it's surprising how clogged they get. For the motor have you tried drying it out thoroughly with a heat gun or hair drier then check the fuses and relays? If you need a motor check www.realoem.com to make sure you have the correct part number then search the Net and contact the specialist BMW Breakers (cheaper than BMW Dealers) Oh and Happy New Year Dave

Hi John The BMW remote filter system is a common source of leaks normally the "O" ring under the screw cap is the culprit very rarely renewed even by Dealers. I always use OEM Mann Filters after having an after market one break up in the housing, now that was a royal PITA to get all the bits out. Happy New Year Good Luck Dave

Hi Michael Happy New Year Welcome to the Forum BMW's normal service sequence should be in your service book with a tick sheet of items checked/serviced, if you don't have that then from memory. 15000 miles Oil change, Check all Fluids, Rotate tyres/wheels and balance ( Note! only if the wheel tyre set up is same front and rear. If the set up is staggered "wider rear" check tyres and balance) Note BMW oil changes are every 15000 miles I change mine annually regardless of mileage covered, In my case often less than 5000 miles. 30000 miles As above plus. Check Brake Pads, Check Suspension and Shocks Check Fuel Filter (Note often forgotten even by Dealers) 60000 miles As 30000 miles plus. Check Battery and replace as required. Check Brake Rotors replace as required Check all belts and hoses and replace if needed 90000 miles The 60000 service is repeated plus A thorough check top and bottom for leaks or any sign of deuteriation, Check fuel pressure at the Fuel Rail Check injectors and Glow Plug operation. Check all vehicle Safety Features. Beyond 90000 miles Start the sequence again from 30000 miles but take more care with visual checks of all belts tensioners and suspension components You should also get time dependent item for change such as Coolant and Brake Fluid normally you will get the Clock symbol come up with the service indicator on the dash. Most service items are available from good Motor Factors or from BMW who do give some good discounts for older models, worth checking costs. If you are not aware check www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your model. That way your sure your getting the right parts. If I was uncertain as to the history I would change Oil and Filter, Air Filter and Pollen filter. Fuel Filter. Make a visual check of all belts and tensioners (no squeaks rattles or vibration). Check all bushes and shocks Check tyres for wear. Good Luck Hope this is some help Dave

2021 begins with new hope for the coming year Brexit done at last and 2 Vaccines for Covid Look out for your loved ones family, friends and neighbours Dave

Happy New Year Danny Welcome to the Forum We did this job on my brother inlaws 530d touring 2 years ago. He brought a Carplay/Android interface kit fitting was simple if a bit fiddly just take your time as there are plenty of plastic clips for clumsy fingers to break. He found an excellent video "how to" on YouTube which helped greatly. We positioned the USB/Phone connection in the Arm Rest his interface allows normal CIC operation on the OEM screen unless his Iphone is connected (wireless or USB) when Carplay comes up still controlled from the cars controller, all steering wheel and voice controls are as normal. When we plugged my Motorola into the USB Android was available. Google is your friend, do your home work, I believe some kits change the screen as well (his didn't need to) I guess it depends what you are trying to achieve, These kits wont help if there is an issue with any of the on board components such as the CIC, Radio Etc. Good Luck Dave

Morning Alan Welcome to the Forum If I am understanding your issue 1. You say your Stop Start button got "slow" do you mean you had to push it several times? Or was the car turning over slowly when starting? 2. You say "no key fob" do you mean the Remote Locking isn't working ? 3. You say "as soon as you detached the battery to put a new one on you lost all power" did you fit a new battery? Starting at the end with the Battery (3) If you have replaced the battery is it the correct one for your car ? Does your car have "Stop/Start" built in or just the Stop/Start button ? A new battery should be minimum 90ah but probably 110ah and AGM, when taking a battery out disconnect Neg first the Positive. Take care as the positive has a fused link that is designed to cut power in an accident when fitting the new battery the reverse Pos connected first then Neg. Before everything will work you need the battery registered to the car by someone with a BMW Diagnostic program ISTA, BMW 1.4.0, Autologic, Carsoft or similar without registration the battery may not charge correctly and some functions may not be available. Most decent garages will know this and be able to do it. Item (1) The Start/Stop button can be changed but if the car was turning over slowly with a fully charged battery get the starter checked they can fail and draw massive current killing batteries. Item (2) If the cars battery has failed or is very low the remote locking will not work and once a new battery has been fitted and registered the key may need registering with the car again. It should open OK using the key and with the key in the ignition start. Hope this Helps Happy New Year Dave

Morning Jonny Welcome to the Forum Aren't they great those "bongs" do you flinch when you get one 🤣 it is a BMW wallet alert. The tyre pressure monitoring system can be disabled by anyone with the correct software such as BMW 1.4.0 or INPA or Autologic Carly for BMW (subscription) I use BMW 1.4.0 and turning off the TPMS is a "tick box" exercise, or there are tyre sensors available from many sources now even read they are on Amazon and they work. Just a pain to fit as it is tyre off !! If you do your own maintenance it is worth getting a diagnostic program as it will save hours in diagnostics. Once you know the issue you can make decisions about whether it is a home job or Garage. X5's are notoriously power hungry especially at start so many stored "fault codes" are caused by low voltages and can be cleared easily. Then make sure the battery is fully charged clear the faults and re-start any faults that return need investigation. Dave

Hi Michael Welcome to the Forum Hope Christmas was good for you and your family and 2021 brings Peace Prosperity and happy motoring Dave