Greydog

Morning Allan and Welcome to the Forum A bit more information on which model X5 would help, 4x4 lights on can be a number of causes simplest being low battery voltage to steering angle sensor calibration, wheel speed sensors/ABS or transfer box issues. Check the fuse box fuse 46 from memory controls the transfer box pull it and you will have rear drive only but no risk of damage to the transfer case. Check your tyres xdrive cars are sensitive to having the correct size tyres all round, they don't like mismatched or budget tyres which are known causes of issues with transfer boxes. As your car is 2005 it should be 6 speed gearbox and an early Xdrive transfer case model, listen carefully when you stop and turn off if you here clicking wiring sound for a few seconds my guess would be the servo motor on the transfer case. The servo motor has a nylon gear and they wear and chatter against the worm drive not a huge job to change there are several how too's on you tube. Take a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your vin into the search box it will bring up your model then search transfer box to ensure your looking at the correct part if buying from a parts supplier. One of our sons friends has an X3 and had this issue we took off the servo motor separated the case and discovered a gear which was stripped over about 20% of its teeth. He was due to go away on a family holiday next day so as a temporary fix we rotated the gear 180 deg it fixed the problem and got him on his way. He found a reconditioned servo motor when he got back. Hope this helps Dave

Our pleasure Maggie, the object of the Forum is always to have pool of knowledge for us all to fish for answers in Dave

Yay Good news Maggie Hope it wasn't to painful on the wallet, here's to you enjoying many miles trouble free Dave

Morning Lee and Welcome to the Forum You don't say if its E53 or E70 (2006 was change over year) it will have M57N (e53) or M57N2 (e70) engine and a 6 speed ZF box. Aside from the obvious visual checks and making sure of the service history check the MOT history online before you go it will also be a good indicator of the care it's received. Before starting the car open the bonnet and check the oil and fluids the engine should be cold, start up listen for any noises on starting it should fire up straight away and idle smoothly with no smoke. While it;s ticking over check everything works (and I mean everything) push every button test every switch these are complicated beasts and there are few cheap fixes. Then test drive, the engine should feel smooth and have plenty of power gear changes also should be smooth under all conditions ( ask if there is any evidence of gearbox service) on slowing to a stop there should be no clunks or lurches. Test all the switches and gadgets again while on the drive, when back leave it running and walk around check for any drips or leaks, the X5 has a transfer box that doesn't like mismatched tyres (BMW say approved * rated tyres only) this particularly important with a staggered set up (wider rears) tyres should at least be from the same manufacturer. There have been cases of transfer box damage caused by mismatched tyres, they should at least be from a recognized manufacture budget tyres are a no no. BMW say gearboxes are sealed for life (BMW life is 3 years 60k warranty) ZF say service every 100 km. A gearbox service by a ZF agent will cost about the same as an engine service. Engines are as mostly as tough as old boots with few problems (a friend has 180k + and still going strong) Suspension bushes live a hard life on any big fat 4x4 so will generally need attention at 80 to a 100k If your handy with spanners most jobs are a DIY proposition and there is plenty of help/advice available here and online Good Luck with the purchase Dave

Hi Maggie Try, engine off pump the brake 5/6 times, then keep pressure on the brake and start the engine, the pedal should feel softer. If it doesn't then I still suspect the servo its pipe work or the check valves or possibly the vacuum pump. Due to the vacuum created the pipe work may look good from outside but it can collapse internally restricting operation. Particularly if the brakes operate normally at higher engine revs, when your mechanic checked for codes did they use BMW diagnostic software? Dave

Morning Maggie and welcome Has anyone looked at the Servo? Vacuum in the servo creates brake assistance when the peddle is pushed. As your issue is at low revs I would suspect a split or perished/cracked vacuum line or failed non return valve from memory there is also a differential pressure sensor on some models. Low revs = low vacuum levels so a cracked or perished line or seal will result in no assistance = hard pedal. If all the vacuum lines .and seals are OK check if you have the pressure differential sensor (there will be a spur off the main vacuum line near the servo to the sensor) it may be faulty, though it should throw a code I would think. You could look on www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it's an online parts list but it will show a small drawing and list of parts to help you see where stuff is and make sure you get the right parts for replacement Hope this helps Dave

Morning Paul My old X5 has a staggered wheel set up it came with a space saver spare, jack and a "Mobility Kit" (small compressor and can of tyre goo) I guess the previous owner was a belt and braces person. My personal choice would be a Mobility kit for the car and a decent trolley jack for home where it would be more use. Have a look on www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box you will get the parts list for your model if a jack or mobility kit are available you will have the part number. I would then cost it from BMW as abase and search the usual auction sites for the best price. For what its worth in 10 years I have had 1 puncture (rear tyre) the can of goo and compressor saved the day Dave

Welcome Joe I hope you find us useful Dave

Morning Mijke How frustrating is that !! At least with the X if the parcel shelf isn't closed it is because I haven't shut it (old tech) Looks a bit like the anti trap action for the windows. Obvious question there is nothing in the guide tracks? Thinking that if there is something in there that is binding and causing the stop and return. Also the slide or roller on the end of the cover it's self are they free I say this because the X has a small gear shaped roller/wheel on the end ? I hope it is a simple and easy fix not involving your wallet Dave

Welcome Rich Normally it will be under the bonnet on the manufacturers plate, (bottom left corner on mine) a number something like 335/0 (that is mine in case you want to change colour to Blue) Hope this helps Dave

That's the one and cheaper, damn it.

Morning Chris Welcome, I have 2 pieces of software loaded on an old laptop 1st. BMW 1.4.0 works really well allows interrogation of individual control modules and the fault is described in English not just a code number. Cost £14 from Ebay and is great for older models. Example my parking sensors stopped working a scan with 1.4.0 showed PDC 1 error when interrogated the fault is Rear inner right sensor fault. 2nd.. Inpa which came with 5 disc's including TIS the dealer level technical files, I have this on the same lap top this cost about £50 from memory brilliant for the newer models but has stuff for my X5 as well. There are many others like Carly which works with a Bluetooth dongle (never tried it but read some poor reviews so avoided) I use mine in conjunction with a couple of web sites like www.realoem.com (BMW online parts and part numbers) and www.newtis.net technical information sheets this makes sure when I am buying parts they match the OEM partnumbers plus the drawings let me know what i looks like and where it is. Good luck with the new car Dave

OOO Shiney looking good Stuart the 3 coupe is one of the prettiest cars on the road you found a gem by the look of it Now just the clutch may as well tidy up the engine bay while your there, interior clean, mirrors to auto open/close on Lock/Unlock rear view camera etc etc etc, Love it

Welcome to the Forum Stephen Some Dealers will just do it as a service (No cost) others will give you coffee and a soft chair to take away the shock of the Invoice. Before spending some of your hard earned, try a couple of things. Does the spare key start the car (it should do even if the battery is flat) if you unlock with the other (if it doesn't it may not be from that car)? If it does then leave it in the ignition while driving to see if it charges. When the key has been charging for about an hour try syncing with the car there are several good "how twos" on the nett and You Tube so it's DIY. (done my spare a couple of times as it sits in the draw at home) If the battery is dead there was someone on Ebay who did a battery change for sensible cost to DIY needs the key cut open and a new battery soldered in (from memory) If all else fails a new key from BMW will set you back about £100 Enkoy your X5

You can also try newtis.info for information and of course You Tube, engineers hat on now in their pursuit of smoothness (reduced NVH) manufacturers moved away from solid flywheels and front pulleys and produced them on two parts bonded together with rubber. It's a system which works really well until they start to fail then they are a massive pain you should be able to change to a solid set up the only tool we didn't have when we did my sons Toyota pickup was the puller for the pilot bearing in the crank shaft. He hired one from a local garage. Good Luck with the swap

www.realoem.com is your friend for this put the last 7 digits of your vin in and it will bring up a parts list for your cars build. Just did a general search Dual Mass. Enjoy your new to you Beemer

Estimating brake wear and replacement schedules is as Trevor has said virtually impossible due to driving style and journey type. As an example last month I had to make a trip from Sussex to Bishop Auckland left home at silly o'clock and we were on cruise control until stopping for breakfast in Wetherby same for the last 100 odd miles. The return journey was similar until we reached the M25 then I used the brakes more in 30 miles than I had in 600 !! My big fat heavy X5 which also tows a horse trailer in the summer months has had 3 pad changes and 1 disc change in 130k plus the normal brake service fluid changes. You also have pad wear indicators which will normally give warning if things are getting critical, when replacing I would go OEM or equivalent use www.realoem.com to get the part number and do a search Euro car parts are a good source as are some BMW dealers (Cotswold BMW often give discounts) Hope this helps and enjoy your Beemer

Morning Ian Take a look at www.realoem.com an online BMW parts catalogue if you enter the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your car spec. Then search bodywork (I think) it will give an exploded drawing showing how it fits together plus part numbers. If your car is like the X5 there are internal and external weather strips, hope this helps Dave

Very pretty ENJOY

Morning Gareth These cars are normally tough as the proverbial "old boot" I just had a quick look at www.realoem.com a BMW online parts catalogue as I remember reading some time back about alternator issues. What it shows is 2 suppliers Valeo and Bosch and 3 part numbers, one Valeo alternator is 90 amp and the Bosch and other Valeo 120 amp. If your car needs the larger charging capacity but the replacement was the lower I guess that would be the cause of its early demise. Generally alternators are reliable but the voltage regulator can fail particularly when overworked/overheated, by the way looking at realoem the voltage regulator on yours can be changed separately. If the AA guy did a parts search lets hope he chose the 120 amp If you go onto realoem change the search to classic (box on the left) put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box at the top and it will bring up parts for your car. I have only done a quick general search. As for your E39 at 100k it is just run in and with some TLC should be capable of doubling that. Welcome to the Forum and Good Luck

Morning Micheal You could try Andy Walker "Walkers Autotech" he's at Wisborough Green. He is an ex BMW man who specializes in all things BMW & Porsche, I am sure he would work with you to prioritize a repair list and cost it. Good Luck Dave

Having to much fun in the M35 Huh!! Welcome and remember a piccy or 2

Welcome to the Forum

Glad you found the issue. When was the LPG system last serviced do you know? There are a couple of filters in there that need checking/changing as well (well mine did) I used to have it serviced once a year cost about £90 When I brought the 4.4 it had LPG installed great but when I gave it the beans it would misfire then go back to petrol, I found a local LPG specialist who turned out to be the original installer (how lucky was that) he serviced it and upgraded the software then it ran like a dream.

The code you have is from a Generic reader so is far to general you need a BMW code reader DIS or similar. It could be anything from a coil pack to as Trevor says worn timing chain. I would get it to someone with a Specific reader or Autologic as a minimum