Greydog

Hi Stephen Try www.satnavupgrades.co.uk I have heard/read they are very knowledgeable but have never used them. Dave

Afternoon Vince Welcome to the Forum I have read several posts on other Forums of people changing the screen for a 10"+ screen that is inclusive of the Android/Carplay software apparently this connects and integrates with your iDrive. My brother inlaw runs 5 series Touring he has had several but as yet hasn't tried this so I have no direct experience. As for Supermarket fuel one of our sons is a Chemical engineer he works for Shell, he tells me that the Supermarkets buy on the Spot Market and often are buying the same fuel as Shell, BP, etc etc so in practical terms there should be no difference. For what it's worth I have run my X5 on Tesco fuel for years as they are always several pence per litre cheaper and as the old saying goes "So Far So Good" Dave

Going back a few years when I was in business we were upgrading the Baggage System at T4 Heathrow. Prior to contract one of the BAA engineering team announced that Noise for the system would have to have a noise level of 60DB measured 1m from the drive unit. At midday (a quiet time for airports) ambient noise in the terminal was 89 DB outside the terminal with the M25 1mile away we measured 96 DB, we tried at 3am with everything shut down except the terminal air handling we measured 54 DB. I asked the BAA team were they measuring ambient noise + or did they seriously expect a piece of mechanical equipment to generate 6 DB? The real issue was until that point they had no Base Line, worse at that time Heathrow had 4 Terminals due to age and construction every building gave different readings even turning off fluorescent lights changed levels. Yet as we stood in the terminal at 3am to the human ear it was Cathedral like. My point is when in our car it isn't just noise but vibration that we hear/feel, our ears would hardly notice 3 or 4 DB (well mine won't to many years listening to Pink Floyd 😂) I hope Graham can find a solution but I fear unless he get's used to it it won't be with his X1 Dave

Morning Graham As you will be well aware the suspension and bushes also contribute heavily to NVH transmission. So if your car is on 17" tyres already you and your suspension isn't Sport? you will have the softest settings. Sound proofing I am not aware of any kits for your (doesn't mean they are not out there) Measuring so clinically you will need a base line, do BMW actually release a base line? Also road surface type and ambient noise will effect outcomes. As for tyres they can make a huge difference my X5 4.6is runs 275x40x20 Front and 315x35x20 rear so lots of contact opportunity for noise the last few sets were Michelin the current set are Yokohama. My X5 is 18 years old so I am used to it, but when my wife notices then the difference in road noise is marked with the Yoko's. I don't and never have actually measured NVH in my cars but these tyres have made a reduction I am not suggesting you change to them as your suspension set up is different just my observation. I rarely use the radio as I like the sound of my V8 which can be heard even at Motorway speed over tyre noise. Good Luck with your hunt Dave

Morning Larry Welcome to the Forum I take it the new thermostat is correct and working OK ? If you are not finding puddles under the car then check the carpets inside (hope there aren't any internal leaks. Hopefully there are no wet carpets, then I would check the areas that can swallow water and boils it off. So simple things first is the expansion tank cap sealing properly, the turbo runs Fliping Hot and any coolant leak around the turbo will be boiled off but it should leave traces, white residue so check all the hose connections carefully. The one you don't want to think about is head gasket but a sniff test by a garage will tell you if there is any exhaust trace in the expansion tank, fingers crossed there aren't any. Good Luck Dave

Morning Jim Contact your supplier for a 5 m extension then before installing add a 5m Video cable a 5m Male to Female SMB cable and a 5m radio antenna extension plus a Fakra to ISO converter. The SMB lead will connect from your existing Nav antenna to your head unit and the Radio antenna using the Fakra converter will connect where the existing radio and its Quadloc connecter are the video lead i obviously for the camera. To install I ran mine along the passenger side following the route of the existing main loom under the back seat under the plastic edge trim at the doors. Unbolt the front seat I didn't unplug anything just tipped the seat back which gives access to the carpet join under the seat run the loom across under the join to the centre console. Take off the plastic side trim on the console and run the loom I use a curtain wire to feed pull cables through tight bits. With the loom in place connect the Xtron and make sure stuff works, if all good work backwards refitting trim seat etcetera. JOB DONE Panoramic Roof sadly not one of BMW's best efforts this, a BMW Main Dealer will want to fit a complete new roof cassette £££££ there is a host of information on the net plus some excellent videos on fixes or if your lucky just a reset. My 4.4 had a sticky roof but due to (a) Aircon/Climate control it wasn't used and (b) just when I was going to fix it a Rudy Great tree fell on it and squashed the car. When looking for a replacement I found my 4.6 without a sunroof 🤣so not an issue. Enjoy tinkering with your Beemer Dave

Hi Graham Welcome to the Forum OK give us a clue just where is this "Smooth Road" 😂 most of ours are like ploughed fields with white lines?? What wheel tyre combination are you running ? remember Runflat Tyres have a reputation for harsh ride characteristics. If I recall the X1 runs 18" with 225x50 tyres an alternative may be 17" with 225x55 tyres non runflat would give a better sidewall compliance Dave

Afternoon Jim You only need the 5 m extension if your original set up had the screen up front all the rest CD Changer Nav Bluetooth unit are in the left rear cubby in the boot. The BM54 radio unit and TV are under the floor with the battery If your original set up was Business Radio up front then you wont need the extension as the connecting Quad Lock is behind the dash. The best place for the Extension if you need it would be from Extron then you know it will fit Dave

Morning Mauri Did they disconnect the battery ? Can't think why but possible? Have you checked the obvious fuses etc I have seen a fuse not blown that needed removing and putting back before working? Your Radio also has a 10a fuse under the Quadlock connector on the radio unit in the boot. Hope this is some help Dave

What car does your friend have? can he wind his car lock to lock with one finger? what is his experience? is he an qualified mechanic? or is it something he has read or seen on TV? There was a Wheeler Dealer program where they where winding a big old Yank Tank steering lock to lock with one finger, the cars wheels however were not on the floor it was on the ramp. Are your tyre pressure's correct ? If they are then I would say what you have is as BMW designed it. when on the move it should feel positive giving good road feel. If you want very light power steering perhaps a BMW isn't for you, try a Subaru Outback as I have indicated in your other post Dave

Morning Steve As long as the Power Steering fluid is at the right level and there are no leaks it should be OK. To drain and refill can be a messy job. When you hold your power steering against the end stops (full lock) you are hearing the pressure release vales working, quite natural. Winding the car's steering lock to lock while stationary is not good practice as it puts unnecessary strain on all components. When you say heavy steering what are you comparing it too? As an example compared to my wife's Subaru Outback the X5 feels as though it has no power steering 🤣 but when you consider that the X5 is almost twice as heavy and tyre width is half again?? While on the move in either car there is no real difference. Dave

Morning Jim Hope you are fully recovered now. With the Xtrons install, if your OEM install had the Nav screen up front you will need a 5m extension which will run from the BM54 Quad Lock connector to the front of the car (this gives all the speaker and power connections) When I fitted the Dynavin in the 4.4 I added a 5 m extension with SMA connectors for the Nav and a 5 m radio antenna extension along with a 5 m video lead for the reverse camera. With your PDC sensors all rear sensors can be accessed from behind the bumper check the connectors first (get a good contact cleaner and some contact paste I got mine from RS Components) Front PDC sensors Centre are accessible but the corner ones are a bumper off job I am afraid. Not sure about the OBD scanner tool ( if it is Bluetooth you may find it can't communicate with the cars Ibus system) I remember reading issues others had with Carly for BMW when trying to use it with I bus equipped cars. Have fun Dave

Hi Abu Welcome to the Forum A BMW Dealer will have an hourly rate close to £200 (someone has to pay for the free coffee) plus Oils, Filters and Fluids Try a search of the Register of BMW Specialists there should be one nears you who will (a) have all the right kit to provide a good full service and register it on your iDrive. (b) They will also have up to date Diagnostics but hourly rate will be probably less than £100 per hour, no offense to Halfords Kwik Fit or Mr Clutch but I wouldn't let them loose on my BMW I have watched Kwik Fit boys slamming wheel nuts up with a windy gun and then put a torque wrench on the wheel nut!!! Yep it clicked, it would it's vastly over tightened. Hope this helps Good luck Dave

We will be there if we can Trevor long time since we went to a Car show instead of Horses 😁

Morning Richard The Michelins have had som good write ups and there seem to be some good deals going as well When had the 4.4 it was LPG converted to the spare wheel is still in the garage full size 17" never seen the light of day let alone the road 😁 I carried a small compressor and a can of tyre goo in case of punctures. Still got those in the back of he 4.6. Tempt fate now in 18 years and a lot of miles I have used it once. Dave

Hi Antony Michelin pilot were at one time BMW tyre of choice but Continental, Bridgestone , Pirelli have all appeared as OEM supply. Whether they are RunFlat or not my personal feelings are 3 things are critical on our cars Steering, Tyres, Brakes "Buying Cheap" on any of them is putting you and your pride and joy at risk. So I always use a good recognised brand of Tyre's, (currently Yoko's) Brakes, (Brembo Pads and Disks) Steering, OEM parts. As i tow a horse trailer with two fat horses during the summer it is good to know it will stop. Dave

Morning Gary They look great don't they, bet your chuffed. As for a spare check the rolling radius of your existing 17" spare (or one that has just been removed) 17" were the original choice of spare on the E53. Make a small chalk mark at the bottom of your roadwheel and the road, roll the car forward 1 revolution and mark the road then do the same with your spare if the calk marks line up you already have your spare. I still have the spare wheel (17") from my first 4.4 X5 sitting in the garage unused, the car came with a staggered set of 19" wheels the spare was 17" so worth checking. My 4.6 runs 20" wheels and has a skinny bicycle wheel spare that only comes out when I am working/checking on something in the boot. I carry a small compressor and tyre goo in case of problems. ENJOY Dave

Morning Dan Top man, almost there. I don't know if you are aware of www.realoem.com it's a BMW online parts list, put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will call up your model. The search the relevant sections for the bits you need that way you know a the correct part number and that it will fit. Dave

Hi Philip How is the suspension adjusted on the 335d? I know the tracking and wheel alignment can be set/re-set which is good practice at every tyre change. Also as long as tyres are within the BMW specification why would you have to inform insurers, bearing in mind wheel/tyre combinations are available from 18" to 20" in a range of width combinations and tyre widths as standard OEM equipment dependent on customer order. This of course does not include Winter wheel and tyre combinations which are non runflat yet an OEM fitment with no recommended changes to the suspension shown in BMW TIS I agree Insurers would want to know if the wheel tyre combination were outside the OEM specification. But if every time a new set of tyres are purchased ?? Dave

Morning Jason Welcome to the Forum Sorry cant see/hear your video so cant even guess at what your issue is. If looking for a Garage check the Register of BMW Specialists for your nearest one they will have the knowledge and right tools and on the plus side generally a lot less than a Main Dealer Dave

Morning Richard Same technique as the brother inlaw, the stupid thing is even after doing a few oil changes on his car I haven't checked !!!!! How amateur is that I will feel a real plank if there is one. His current ride is a G31 B57 540d x drive ECU tuned 380 bhp and its an awesome bit of kit he had it de-badged so no one is sure what it actually is. Its covered 130k so far without issue Dave

Hi Craig Welcome to the Forum You need someone with BMW diagnostic software to scan the car, there is a Register of BMW Specialists Google and find the nearest to you. Unless you are able to DIY? If you are then get yourself a copy of BMW INPA/ISTA or Carly for BMW, iCarsoft or Autologic the investment will save you a fortune in the long run Your stalling could be a clogged fuel filter, failing fuel pump, MAF sensor, Throttle body the list is long so diagnostics are important. Nice Car Dave

Welcome to the Forum Antony There is a Register of BMW Specialists so depending on how deep your pockets are at service time they generally will be considerably less than the Main Dealer but will have all the right knowledge and kit. Having said that don't dismiss the Dealer as they often give well priced incentives. Hope you enjoy your Beemer Dave

Morning Kenny First get yourself a tube of DR Tranny it is one of the "Snake oil" remedies that I have found that actually works it may help while you work out the best course of action When I buy my gearbox service kit i always surf the Net last one came from an Ebay supplier correct ZF fluid filter gasket and bolts £132 18 months ago. Takes about an hour to do (I have a big shallow plastic box/bread tray with no holes to catch the old fluid in (there is still a fair bit comes out when you drop the sump caught me out first time) If you get good proof that the box was rebuilt that sounds a bargain I would think it has been drained for shipping so you will still need fluid and worth doing a filter change as well. OK cruise = constant throttle setting, that would lead me more towards checking for air/vacuum leaks on the inlet side. Dave

Morning Steve Off the top of my head Not a Clue !! Try taking a look at www.realoem.com Dave P.S. Hang on doesn't your car have electric power steering ?? I thought they were sealed, again you need to check realoem