Greydog

The M25 is about 115 miles around but you would be hard pressed to average 52mph. The same goes for any of our Motorways these days they all have their sticky bits, Our Daughter lives near Cannock we are in Sussex towing the horse trailer (60 mph limit on the Motorway) makes no difference to my average MPG and very little difference to our journey time (normally around 3 hrs) That is why I found Phils figures impressive.

Impressive numbers Phil Where did you find a stretch of the M5 that let you average 52mph or did you travel in the dark 😄 Dave

Morning Paul Welcome, very nice. If you aren't aware here are some websites that should help when working on the car. www.realoem.com this is a BMW online parts list put the last 7 digits of your vin in the search box and it will bring up your model. The exploded drawings also help in understanding how they fit. www.newtis.info this is an online technical information site the same information that Dealers use. Plenty of how too's wiring diagrams and descriptions. Also there is a Register of BMW specialists they can be very competitive on price particularly in comparison to the Dealers but for some jobs invaluable. Enjoy Dave

Morning Mick First there is always a difference between Manufacturer claims and real life experience. Probably teaching Granny but to make sure your giving the car the best opportunity to deliver for you when was it last serviced, are tyres correct in good condition and correctly inflated, is the drive train in good order nothing binding or sticking. Tyres can make a significant difference just look at the tyre labels for MPG guidance for the journey your making I would be expecting closer to high 30's than low. Dave If it makes you feel better I average mid 18's

Morning L First looks like your glow plugs need changing and possibly the glow plug controller. Second you have a number of issues with the power steering module and EPS plus vibration in the steering these need attention. Third the Chassis control module shows no signal while the glow plugs won't affect cruise and lane change any steering or chassis control failures certainly will. They need resetting then start the car to see if anything comes back any that do needs fixing. Many modules are reliant on each other so a fault in one will have a knock on effect to other modules as they dont have information they cant function. Dave

It seems BMW Europe don't like Dealer information on the open market however the access laws in the USA are very different. Yes the site is US and in $ but part numbers are the same many motor factors here and else where in Europe use the site to cross reference parts. www.newtis.info is the other site this one is a technical information site with how too's the same information that Dealers access but of great use to DIY'ers like us. Another American site is www.Pelicanparts.com brilliant how too's with pictures being American the steering on the wrong side but very usable information. When using realoem you will notice it defines right and left hand drive Good luck

Reads well I agree a re think re phrasing where you have marked this will change. I notice you haven't brought out the tyre size issue yet even if they were fitted by the previous owner the Dealer has a responsibility to ensure the car is fit for sale. The fact you cant remove the wheels makes you wonder how they carried out a brake inspection? Or did they say they had because they couldn't remove the wheels Hmmm the cynic in me surfaces Dave

It can quite possibly be the diversity antenna, first port of call is re-programming the key/keys Cheap option first Dave

Go for it Richard As has been said earlier get on to BMW UK keep them aware of all actions, I am sure they don't want or need a mess like this and while they can and no doubt will divorce them selves from any action they will put pressure on the Dealer to clean it up. Good Luck Dave

Hi Rick Welcome to the Forum 2001 was change over year for E39 to E60 models, so it could be easy or complicated have a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your model, then search the Audio section. At least then you know what your dealing with. You can also look at www.newtis.info for wiring diagrams so you can find a work around. Good hunting Dave

Hi Philip A tool kit with a BMW ?? Bit of a worry that they leave out everything but a screw driver and a towing eye !! (screw driver is to pop out the cover for the towing eye) To be serious as run flats came into play less was needed or put into the boot. As my car has the staggered set up it comes with a small compressor and some tyre goo plus a bicycle type spare but at least I get the Jack. Touches wood I have not had need of them in some 10 years and many tyre changes. Have a look at www.realoem.com to check what boot equipment was available if ordered. No diff locks that I am aware of but my older X5 is used for light off roading (I shoot and we take the Horses to some out of the way places. I did have the delight of towing a friends Discovery out of the sticky stuff a couple of years back so off road competent but not hard core. Enjoy Dave

Hi Manu Welcome to the Forum Cotswold BMW are always helpful and competitive on price they also do mail/phone orders plus ECP often have online deals Check www.realoem.com to ensure you have the correct part number you can also check www.newtis.info for how too do it. Good luck Dave

Morning Tony We are not quite London to Brighton qualifiers yet !! Nachtblau, Night Blue or perhaps Dark Blue to us. Good news on sorting the part, remember to ask for any discounts from BMW available for older models (not all parts qualify but a lot of Dealers offer them) Another site worth a look is www.newtis.info this one is Technical information as used by BMW Dealers. Good Luck with the Beemer Dave

Morning Brian Input should be through the I drive selector either by selecting NAV or on the screen by selecting nav, destination then new address, you can also try voice control but the woman in mine is very disobedient when it comes to voice input?? There are plenty of how too's on Google Dave

Welcome to the Forum Enjoy your new to you 3 series great engine by the way Dave

Hi Tony If you haven't found it yet have a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin number in the search box it will bring up a complete parts list for your model. Then search the Body and Trim sections for what you need, good luck Dave

Morning L Get the codes read by a BMW Dealer or BMW Specialist it could be a failed sensor or some programming needed without the fault codes we are all guessing. Dave

Morning James Have you had the codes read? I would check the Vanos Solenoids I have read they can cause rough Idle issues Dave

Welcome Steven Wow sounds serious I did read a few years back of an M3 (same engine type as yours) which was delivering 400+ hp at the rear wheels. If I recall it was a daily driver so reliability must have been acceptable 0 to 60 (or 100kph 62mph) BMW claimed 5.5 sec's which on it's own is seriously quick ultimately traction will determine how fast you move off the line. When power overcomes grip you wont go faster you just melt rubber. That much power will put extra load on the suspension bushes and links so their life may be compromised dont forget diff mounts and gearbox mounts. ENJOY Dave

Happy with the X5 even though it has needed an engine rebuild I have had it 10+years so it's kind of like a comfortable slipper now. Getting parts for the engine rebuild was a nightmare BMW sent incorrect parts more than once despite having the cars Vin and History they are surprisingly fragile though. My wife's Subaru Outback on the other hand is as tough as a tough thing Hope you find and answer Dave

Hi Brendan I don't think the aftermarket head units work with I drive so you loose those functions including some of the OBC functions. Or am I wrong?

Morning Richard Sorry to hear you are considering leaving BMW behind my car experience is long very long and over the years have had issues with many marques. Most times I have found if the dealer is responsive and actually properly recognizes the customer problems there are less bad feelings. I had to deal with a Mercedes dealer who thought that because he loaned me a car it was OK for my £80k AMG to gather dust in the back of their workshop?? Your wheel problem is a disaster caused by a poorly trained gorilla wielding a rattle gun set on the highest setting slamming bolts home. If it was your dealer who you purchased from actually sold you a car that had (a) the wrong size tyres and (b) the wheel bolt over tightened I would be talking to BMW UK as well as the dealer on safety grounds. Dave

Morning Steve From memory the locks are cable operated from the central solenoid. So it is possible that the cable has become dislodged or broken. I would look at www.realoem.com to see how it goes together it should be possible to get some grips on the cable inner after removing the trim panels on the inside. Dave

Morning Vesco I have read somewhere that for the I drive units you can add a unit by Nav Tool that allows either Android phone mirroring or Apple car play to be used/controlled by the in car I drive controller. From what I read it is all plug and play Search Nav tool see what you get Good Luck Dave

OK I will try to clarify (1st) Winter tyres are a legal requirement in many European Countries from October through to March, so if your planning a ski trip or similar be aware and check the regulations. (2nd) Winter tyre compounds generally work best below 12 deg C where a standard summer compound will begin to become hard at those temperatures and below reducing their effectiveness, ie Starting Stopping and steering the stuff we rely on. (3rd) X drive equipped cars (not just BMW) have a front and rear diff with a transfer case in the middle. If the rolling tyre radius varies between front and rear the transmission will suffer "wind up" causing damage to the transfer case but can also damage diffs as well. Not Cheap My X5 has 20" wheels with a staggered set up (front) 275/40R20. (rear) 315/35R20 ..so first finding winter tyres in those sizes is not easy and where you can they are expensive so I also have a set of 18" (needed to clear the brakes) wheels fitted with 255/50 R18 same size all round fitted with winter tyres. So my personal choice, is to swap my Summer Wheels and tyres over to the winter set in November as I regularly tow a horse trailer being able to stop go and steer with a couple of tons behind me is important. Yes you can drive on Summer Tyres all year round in the UK many do and thankfully get away without incident however it is a simple engineering fact they are compromised by low temperatures. How ever drive in say Germany or Poland at this time of year with out winter tyres and the risk is yours.