SilverJohn

I've previously opened the glovebox a number of times with the key, mainly to do map updates. Tried to do so today and it seems jammed. It won't open with the key either horizontal or vertical. Anyone come across this and have a solution ? Thanks in anticipation.

Thanks Dave, that makes sense. The mileage corresponds and being 10 years old this year, I know that many rubber or rubber based components deteriorate after 7 years. She's going back to the garage next week to have discs and pads on the front. I did it myself 3 years ago but just lately have been getting some brake shudder which suggests a warped disc(s). I'll ask them for a price. It's turning out to be an expensive year !!

My 2012 325D E93 had her annual service just over a week ago plus a full Auto Trans fluid and filter change plus a Rear Axle oil change. (82K miles) Done by my local Inde that I have used for the last 3 years. He commented on the bill that the rear tyres were starting to "Step", i.e. excessive wear on the inside edges. Yesterday, I took it to my local tyre specialist and had the alignment checked. It was slightly out but not excessive so I reckon it's just the consequences of the state of our pot-holed roads these days. However, on close examination of the rear tyres, the wear was such that within a few hundred miles, there was a risk of cords being exposed. That's neither safe or legal. New tyres fitted, 255 30 R19 Bridgestone run-flats. Anyone had similar experience ? The tyre guys said that this is common on such cars.

Oh dear Richard. Keep taking the tablets and lie down in a dark room. Hopefully it will pass. Belated Happy New Year.

Would a Haynes Manual help? My name is just a coincidence.

I can only go by my own experience as this is my first BMW. In April 2019, I bought an E93 325D Convertible. This is the folding hard top version and is the Sport Edition. Year is late 2012 and I bought privately for a little over £10K. I was made aware by the seller it was due a service and it had done just under 65K miles. The bodywork was, and still is, immaculate. Service revealed two rear tyres needed because of cuts on the inside sidewalls and a front shock absorber leaking. Apart from that, only oil and filters. I guess that's the price of buying privately where you can't put it on a ramp and have a good look underneath. I guess I spent £500 or so getting it legal and safe. Since then, its done about 5K miles per year and is an absolute joy to drive. With the turbo diesel straight 6 engine there's plenty of power for my needs and even with runflat tyres, most of the time it's a comfortable ride. I intend to keep it until I can't get in and out of it which I think was the previous owners problem. He was in his mid 70's and I'm still only just over my mid 60's !! I have the oil and filters changed every year and this and any other required work, (not much) is done by a local Independent who is ex BMW. Hope this helps. When you buy, enjoy 🙂

For all things Nav related. try www.satnavupgrades.co.uk. The guy there, Rusty is very helpful and knowledgeable. I found the company over two years ago and although mainly for my Beemer, have also had upgrade for Nissan Quashqai which one of my daughters had for a while. .

Mileage?, Usage? Could be anything from a fuse to a complete failure. Need diagnostics. HTH

Might be worth trying Howmanyleft.co.uk as they are pretty specific on model numbers. I only recently found out through this site that my exact model is one of only 14 in the UK as against only 17 originally imported.

Main dealers do have special offers occasionally but in general they tend to be the most expensive in my experience. I use a local independent BMW specialist and his rate is <£100 per hour. I've used him for servicing and a couple of small repair jobs and he's proved reliable and fair. In contrast, the wife's Audi developed a fault with the rear parking sensors not working. Main dealer wanted £105 just to analyse. Local garage charged just £75 to "analyse" and fix a broken wire between the gearbox and the sensor control unit. If you've had a bad experience with an Independent, do as Dave suggests and look at the register to find another one local to you.

My 2012 E93 325D has N57 engine and also has dipstick. Very reassuring to be able to check it regularly without relying on a sensor which could fail.

I've seen several posts on the FB BMW forum that a company called Cyled are the go-to company for BMW lighting. Haven't used them myself yet but they seem to be well thought of. Hope this helps.

Haven't been on the forum for a while so maybe this is too late, sorry, been busy with family stuff. How often do you change the oil and filter? What's the mileage? If the car is getting to a higher mileage > 100,000, then maybe switching from 5W/30 to 5W/40 or even 10w/40 may help resolve this issue. Certainly oil pump may be the culprit if high mileage. Hope this helps or maybe you already have the solution.

Hi Apart from E-Bay, there's also a FB buy and sell page for BMW cars and parts. Sorry I don't know the exact address but it shouldn't be too difficult to find. Hope this helps.

Model, year, mileage and type of roof is all information that will enable Forum members to respond better to your question. Please enlighten us.

FaceBook have a dedicated BMW Buy & Sell site. I don't know the exact address off hand but I would think it's not difficult to find. Don't use the general BMW form FB page as any advert will be rejected. Do you have a value in mind? Alternatively, you could try some of the better known sites that sell Personal Registrations. In order to sell them, they have to buy them first. Hope this helps. John

Hi Mark Welcome to the group. Impossible to tell without hearing the noise. If it's worrying you and you have warranty, ask the dealer to check it out. Alternatively if you have a friend or two that is/are knowledgeable about cars, ask them to have a listen and give their opinion. Hope this helps John

Look for similar age and model cars on AutoTrader and similar sites. That will give you an idea of value.

Hi Richard Mercedes, and possibly other diesels use AdBlue as well. I know about the Mercedes because my daughter had one which needed a top-up. I'm fairly sure it's on her latest car as well, a diesel Range Rover Evoque. Learning, learning, all the time !! John

Thanks Richard but perhaps a more detailed explanation would help please. You say "Hold the appropriate button" but which one does what? A set-up step by step would be much appreciated. Thanks, John

Hi Andi, welcome to the forum. I have a 2012 E93 which I bought just over a couple of years ago as my retirement car. I found a 2nd hand, but very good condition screen on E-Bay for just over £100. Hope this helps. John

Not, and never have been, a caravan owner but as far as I am aware, it all depends on how you load the caravan as regards weight distribution front to rear. There are recommendations available for how much weight you actually load onto the car / towing bracket and there are also limits on the weight of the entire caravan (and it's contents). Providing you stick to the overall weight limit and then load the caravan in a balanced way, there shouldn't be a problem. Hope this helps, but you will need to do your own detailed research into the limits. John

Hi Martin If the round trip is less than 10 miles, I would stay away from diesel. It's not just the DPF, diesel engines take longer to warm up so on a cold day, it will hardly get warm before you get home ! Consumption also will be poor so not economic at all ! Hope this helps.

Hi Richard Sorry to hear your search is still unsuccessful. Perhaps an unusual question for a BMW driver but are you friendly with any policemen/women ? If you do and they're "co-operative" they may have the required authority to get info from the DVLA. Of course, being an upright citizen myself, I wouldn't suggest anything illegal but as there's no malicious intent. . . . . . . .