X5smw

Hi Noel, welcome to the forum. 👍🏻

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-3-series-e46-manual-coupe-m54-straight-6-/403456455439?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 This looks nice and within budget.

Hi there. funny question but what is the battery reading? Is the alternator working well? When was it fitted? my car would stutter and go into limp mode and throw up all sorts of wires codes if either of them dropped voltage when moving. not sure if this would make the car switch to neutral, but it was always worse for me when the weather got cold.

Yep, that sounds right. Instead of pulling the stalk, try pushing it. That should make the high beam stay on. Pull it to turn it off.

Hi Mike and welcome! anyone with a beemer is welcome here and we are a helpful bunch. We might not know where your local dealerships are but we can always come and have a look! 😂👍🏻

My first thought was split in the intake hose or throttle body failure. Unplug the maf sensor and see what happens.

£10k….. you can buy mine! seriously, I paid £2.5k 2 years ago and mines a 52 2002 model. It’s ULEZ compliant due to it being petrol and it’s age, so I don’t get stung if I have to go into London ( I just get stung getting there!) as Dave says, have a look at lpg converted models but think about where to fill it if you are heading to Greece (not too sure of their infrastructure) or just run it on proper fuel. power wise, they are more than capable of the job and I would be happy to tour round Europe in it. lhd models might be cheaper to find in Europe as it’s the norm.

Yeah, I agree with Dave. I have the 3l petrol and it’s very fuel heavy. Average 17mpg. Try and get a 6speed gearbox or auto version. I have the 5 speed manual and it is high on the revs at 70mph. It really needs another gear in there for cruising. It’s a very well built and comfy car with everything we need, loads of space and rear seats have good leg room for adults. It’s definitely one of the best cars I have owned.

If I remember, the clamps that hold the windows in are prone to perish and the window jumps in the track. try putting the window Galway down and then pulling it up and toward the front of the car and see if it moves or clunks.

Hi Martin, firstly….. what kit do you have?? 😂👍🏻 surely just put the roof down and put the drums in. I used to be able to fit my full Pearl export into a e36…. Without the rest of the band, they would have to walk. In reality, the x3 is ok but how about a 5 series estate? the boot space would be about the same, if not a bit larger? Also it’s lower so the bass drum will be easier to load and it will be better on fuel as it’s not 4 wheel drive. I have an x5 e53 which is great, but the boot shelf is a little high if I want to lift large stuff in. The x5 boot will easily fit a standard kit and pretty much the full studio in. worth a thought 👍🏻

Hi all. My e53 has blown one sidelight and the indicators illuminated as per normal. now, I have replaced the bulbs and the fault warning has cleared, but the lights are not on and the indicators are still lit. Any ideas if there are any fuses or some other cause? I will have a better look tomorrow but time is against me on this one…. Basically I have one day off and the wife has three hundred jobs as per!

Yep, I agree. My 3 series was blocked too. I just removed the plastic bottle/ reservoir and pulled the pump from the bottom. Cleaned both the pump and filter with hot water and refitted good as new.

Happy new year to you all. Hope you had a good un. I just got back from São Paulo via Dubai….. 24 hours of flying each way with a pregnant wife and a toddler is not fun! Anyway, back home. All good. 👍🏻🥳

If it’s not lighting the dash intermittently, have you tried the ignition switch relay? It’s a clip on item under the steering wheel cowling opposite the ignition barrel. If this is failing it would not send the signal to tell the ews or cas aswell as the dashboard to work. … it’s worth a try!

Morning Gaz and welcome! big change from a mokka… in a good way 😊 any questions, just ask. cheers stu

Quick update…. Never say something about next week being boring…. my gallbladder exploded! 😂

…. Laying down in a dark room caused one of the issues mate! 😂😂👍🏻

Well, where do I start…. the x5 is still the same, temperamental beast but in the past week, we have managed to book tickets to go back to Brazil for Christmas, so the in laws can finally meet our son, I quit my job and got a new one which I start on the 1st dec and we found out my wife is expecting our second child! next week should hopefully be a bit more sedate!

This was happening to my x5 and I changed all the ignition barrels and dme units etc…. Turns out it was the immobiliser chip in the key. I bought a key programmer and a blank key with chip off Amazon and got a new one cut for less than £30. I would see if you can borrow someone’s diagnostic software and put the live dme screen on. Put the key close to the ignition and see if the chip reads constantly.

First thing is check the battery. Mine did the same and randomly put the car in limp mode.

When you say it does nothing, do you mean it won’t start? Does the dash lights etc come on?

Long shot but have the brake discs been checked for warps? Is the calliper loose? is there any air in the power steering pump?

Absolutely stunning mate. top job 👍🏻

It was the fuse 75 in the rear cubby hole. may least it was with a bunch of other random fuses that control the front things! 😂

Had a look and the fronts are 9j. I’m going to try and order 2x new rear tyres tomorrow. let’s see what else happens… the fuse blew on my tracker yesterday, cutting the live feed to the stereo… silly me!, how did I not know the fuse for the stereo would be in the boot…. 🙄😂