btmaldon

Thanks for the update Fred. I would be interested to see how it turns out.

Welcome to the club Andy. Sorry I cat recommend anyone in your part of the country, but hopefully someone can.

I use a good indy garage that I trust. BMW's are not difficult to service as long as you have a car lift.

Welcome along Taz. The car does look mint.

Hi Victoria. From what I can tell, this seems to be normal behaviour. The auto box is sensing you are going down hill and is using the engine to do the braking for you just as you would put a manual car in a lower gear. I have read that it can appear a bit on the harsh side though.

I've got the Steptronic gearbox in mine so I'm not sure it does this. I can put it in Semi Auto mode and change gear manually if need be but I will try it when I find a hill. There's not many in Essex.

Good heavy wax protection and keep your distance from the vehicles in front, especially in the Winter. Bra's are for the Mrs to stop her tripping over her jubblies.

I must agree. I get far more feedback from those.

Do I sense a little bias there?

Some of the 2.0 diesel engines had a problem with the timing chain stretching and in some cases snapping however if its been looked after it is likely to be fine and with such low mileage as well it should be ok. Just check to make sure its not noisy. A chain clanking and rattling should be obvious.

The computer is easy to reset. I have done it myself when the garage couldn't. You don't need any programming devices. Its just a sequence of pressing the buttons.

Step 1

Insert key into slot

Step 2

Press start/stop button without depressing clutch/brake and wait for the service reminder to dissapear.

Step 3

Immediately after service reminder goes out, press and hold the odometer reset. After 3 secs a warning triangle will appear, keep the odo. button pressed and after another 2-3 secs the Oil can will appear. I f you hold it too long (10 secs in total) you will overshoot the runway and some German writing will appear giving the software level/ can bus etc. of the car. Go back to the beginning and start again.

Step 4

You are now in the service menu, use the toggle switch on indicator stalk to scroll up/down through the various service items.

Step 5

When you have the item you want to reset showing, press the BC button on end of indicator stalk. Reset should now appear in the display. Press in and hold the BC button for 2-3 secs and a clock will start whirling around and hey presto, its done

Step 6

You can now either scroll up/down to select another item (as in step 4) or you can press the start/stop button to exit.

)

A word of warning `tho if you don`t want to alter the date of next service, you`ll need to change the date in your car to the date when the last service was done. Otherwise the computer will automatically change the date to 2 yrs from todays date. (hope that makes sense

I just put this into eBay and loads turned up:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/items/?_nkw=e46+18+inch+wheels&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_sadis=&LH_CAds=&clk_rvr_id=822617670216&satitle=e46+18+inch+wheels&rmvSB=true

Welcome along Sam. Interesting Rims. If you have problems starting it at least you have the benefit of living on a hill.

The car looks tidy. What engine is it and what mods have you done?

Sounds to me as the likely culprit. Not just BMW's but most makes although when these first start going they are OK when engine is cold.

You really need to get the cread first as this should ID the issue and may save you some money changing parts unessesarily.

Welcome along Iain

Welcome back to the fold Mick.

As Mike says you really need to get the codes read first. It could be something simple. I have read that the Idle Control Valve and the MAF sensor can cause this issue. Not sure why the DSC and brake lights would come on as a result though. Have you checked your brake fluid level?

Welcome along Fred

Welcome to the club Ben

M Sport has lowered and uprated suspension, usually comes with bigger alloys, side skirts, M Sport front bumper and Apron and firmer more supportive seats. Handling is far better on the M Sport but the ride is much harsher.

Not a lot you can do about the cluch apart from bleeding the hydrolics which may help.

If it is just the steering wheel vibrating then the issue is the front end. If the whole car is vibrating it suggests the rear wheel balancing. You may need some bushes replacing.

If the car has spent much of its life parked outside damp may have got into the electrics. It would be worth pulling all the fuses and replacing. Pulling all the block connectors apart and then cleaning if neccessary. Some oxidation may have set in.

Good luck with it

Not sure if this is the same type of key on yours but have a look at this video for programming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YcFN3Ns0yI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

I dont know why your fan is pulsing on climate control. Its definately not right. It may be something to do with one of the sensors or the system needs resetting or the module needs replacing.

There are a few companies around that offer services to refurbish your alloys. Should cost a round £50 each.

Fire away Graham

Welcome Gary. I suppose it depends on what needs doing. If you can do some of it yourself then great. If you cant, do you have a local Indy you can trust.

Best bet is to let us know what needs doing and we can see if we can help.

Hi Allan. Welcome along. The car looks nice. Anymore picks?

I've only just seen your post. Glad you got a good deal. Over hear the car is the same price but in £'s. However a friend of mine bought one of those which was an ex demonstrator with 4000 miles on the clock for £10,000 less than the new price.

Nice one. Always good to have Techies on the forum.

Welcome along Stephen. Glad your pleased with the car.