BOC Administrator

Thanks for the excellent installation report Dave and look forward to reading how you are getting on with it after a period of time.

I would have thought it would work on the same principle though

You could give it a try but the problem has existed with BMW for many years...poor design with the seat sensor

I wouldn't necessarily go by what they are saying as it would only affect the passenger seat and once you bypass that sensor the SRS should work normally (SRS warning lamp going out...which means it has read all the resistances in the SRS circuit and everything is now fine)...the link was only meant to provide you with some info about the seat mat sensor itself. I would recommend the £8 bypass unit on eBay (although I built one a total of 27 pence) which will work fine.

Hi Steve...welcome to the Forum If it is the occupancy pad sensor then this is an easy and cheap mod to sort. The downside is that the seat will constantly show that there is a passenger sat there, meaning it could deploy the Passenger Airbag in the event of an accident, even though no-one is there...(extra cost for repairs). The mod is to fit a resistor in the sensor plug (you can buy off eBay or make your own £0.27 cost) therefore by-passing the sensor mat which tears over time and ends up breaking the circuit. Here are some eBay links to ones you can buy and just plug in http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xbmw+seat+occupancy+sensor.TRS0&_nkw=bmw+seat+occupancy+sensor&_sacat=0 Worth bearing in mind that if you have a child seat in the front seat (which is not advisable anyway) then the airbag won't be switched off. Here is another link with more info on the seat occupancy sensor http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/seat-occupancy-sensor-removal-software/ Let us know how you get on with it. Cheers Trevor

Hi Andrew...welcome to the Forum Sorry to hear that you've had such major issues with the X5 and let's hope BMW will sort it for you (at their cost)...not the sort of failure you would expect from a prestige motor car of that age. I think it will become a blame/responsibility situation with BMW blaming the pulley supplier who in turn will blame the bearing manufacturer, etc...let's hope it resolves quickly for you though! Cheers Trevor

Hi Ketih...welcome to the Forum Beautiful looking car you have there Cheers Trevor

Hi Keith, I'm not sure what the actual root cause of the fault is but I would highly recommend you at least take it to a garage for diagnosis, even if you carry out the repairs yourself, but as it relates to handling and/or brakes I would get a diagnosis as soon as possible. Once you have the diagnosis, then post up on here again and we can look at the options for rectification. Cheers Trevor

lol...I would personally recommend using premium where and when possible but equally there is nothing wrong with regular unleaded and maybe every third tank full put super unleaded in. What I would avoid is using E10 (available in France) as this contains 10% Ethanol which is double of what we use here and can cause damage to some engines. Always try to use Super Unleaded 'San Plomb' (98) in this case.

lol...tell her the cost of the run-flat replacements and also what the fines for illegal tyres would be and in comparison, your new tyres are an absolute bargain!

As Mr Baldy has recommended Mike, it maybe worth signing up to Facebook at least...as more members in your area could see your post regarding meets in Essex

Hi James...welcome to the Forum Great looking car...which does appear to be an E92 by all accounts. The headlamps you have look to be standard Halogen bulbs as cannot see a ballast pack at the rear of the headlamps. Let us know how you progress with upgrading the headlamps. Cheers Trevor

Hi Andy..welcome to the Forum Welcome back to BMW also...have to say I'm a big Alfa fan and reckon they are so underrated, which is good as retail prices are cheap as a result of this. Cheers Trevor

Tried looking for technical data on the two exhausts but can't really find any. Maybe best to ask a BMW dealer as they may have some on the shelves

I would be tempted to look at the various units for sale in Halfords to get a comparison of what's available including the fascias and wiring adapters. Keep us informed of your progress, Cheers Trevor

I would probably wait until you replace all the tyres to non-run flats. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SLIME-AUTO-TYRE-SEALANT-FOR-CARS-VANS-PREVENTS-REPAIRS-PUNCTURES-473-ML-/152196876621?hash=item236fa4094d:g:qH0AAOSwFnFWASYC

Hi Malcolm...welcome to the Forum I would see if the DPF will regenerate by taking it for a long motorway drive in low gear at high revs for a minimum period (usually requires you to keep the revs up past a certain amount without dropping to allow regeneration programme to run without interruption). Sometimes have to ensure the fuel level is above half tank as well. Let us know how you get on with it Cheers Trevor

Hi Andy...welcome to the Forum I would have though the option was there to allow air to flow to the passenger area as well as the driver but maybe the drivers' side has the over-riding control on upper air flow rather than the passenger dictating the direction of flow? Maybe the manual has some description of operation? Let us know how you get on with this. Cheers Trevor

Hi Andy I'm pretty sure Halfords sell some paint specified for alloy wheels which I assume would be thicker than standard paint to protect from stone chips, etc but not entirely sure the best stuff to use. Tend to drop them into refurbishers in the past as they over bake them to get the correct finish. Good luck with finding the paint and do let us know if you do find anything worth using Cheers Trevor

I would definitely advocate the use of 'Slime' in your tyres...been using it for years in my cars, campervan and motorbikes with no problems and also no punctures. I recommend trying it out in one tyre first as sometimes (very rarely) it can produce a dynamic imbalance which usually disappears as soon as the Slime throws out centrifugally.

Hi Stephen, Glad to hear you've got your new Beemer...sounds a beauty! Feel free to post up a piccy of your new motor....would love to see it Cheers Trevor

Hi...and welcome to the Forum I have to agree with you, the 7 series is a very fine motor car indeed and for the money you get an awesome array of options (assuming they all work though) Feel free to pop up some photos of your Beemer is you like. Cheers Trevor

Hi Raminder....welcome to the Forum Feel free to ask questions or post topics at any time. Cheers Trevor

Hi Mike....welcome to the Forum You certainly like your Beemers then? Look forward to reading your posts on here Cheers Trevor

Hi Michael....welcome to the Forum I would say there is carbon build up within the engine and intake system, nothing running a good quality fuel additive and intake cleaner wouldn't cure, especially combined with a good blast to clear it out. Works a treat on my Z3 when I occasionally take it out and the same thing occurs. Let us know how you get on with it Cheers Trevor