jenksy0198

Yes 650i convertible, my error by the way I though I read 325Ci. mine and yours should be near enough identical. Here are the images I mentioned. pic 1 - back corner of the storage area - 1 each side pic 2 - literally adjacent to the rear strut pillar Pic 3 - rear corner nearest to the rear of the vehicle right side Pic 4 - as above left side Pic 5 - same as pic 1 but other side - this location is tucked right back immediately under the folding brackets. I am not aware of any other drains under that protective cover as that does not lift up. There have been times I have had several inches of water in there sloshing about but none has actually entered the passenger compartment. As I said I do look to blow through these drains on a regular basis. Hope this helps. I have had water getting into the boot area carpet, this rides under that black plastic cover you can see in pics 3/4. and drips into the boot. BTW Im in Formby and more than happy to meet and talk it through if that helps. The whole system of the softtop seal onto the car body is not watertight hence the need for drains but these have to be kept clear otherwise water does build up and can get into the boot area as noted above.

will do...... as you can see from the photo it is the area under the fuse box to the right side of engine compartment looking from the front. Hope the experience has value to someone out there.. The previous experience I mentioned of an inaccessible brake line fail was on an X5 not a 5 series.

OK, further info - the brake pipe in question, 1 of 3 as seen in the pics, is the one running close to an area of foam. It seems the foam has provided a source of constant wetting which has resulted in the pipe failure. The other two pipes are perfect. For those 2006 onwards 6 series owners out there, you might want to check this out and just visually check the condition of the pipe in this location. Very lucky indeed.

Ok , I agree with the BMW drawing although yours and mine will be different, the locations look familiar. I don't know the Ci set up but I have never had any water getting into the actual car cockpit, only the soft top stow away area, served by the drains. This stow away area is not carpeted either. Ill send some pics so you can see the differences and the drain points as best I can identify them. It sounds like you have water getting into the main cockpit of the car, especially if you have to lift carpet as described in your missive. Never had that issue.

Hi all, was lucky to have experienced this problem out at slow speed and just damaged a number plate!! I had a rapid loss of brake fluid which only alerted immediately prior to a full soft pedal. On inspection it appears a brake pipe had failed in a completely inaccessible area under a range of covers under the front engine bay fuse box. Never would be picked up on an MOT as you cant remove such covers. Anyway it seems this may be a type fault on the vehicle, water collection area, and I would recommend you get the area inspected. Garage said they had only ever seen this on 5 series also. Pics attached, Pipes under the front right fusebox area.

Ive only ever had an issue with my 650 soft top but that was in the soft top stow away area, not the car but that problem was due to blocked drainage points. There are 4 of them in there. I now blow them through on a regular basis with a weak warm bleach solution using a baster as it happens. So, whilst not exactly your case but was the drain points that were the issue.

for info - I just put the fix in place as per the you tube vid above. You do have to wet the foam otherwise the adhesive side is just too sticky to locate it properly, but it all went in ok with a little fettling. Hoping this works now. Nice tidy job. I used the 5mm thick and 10 mm width tape which seemed to be the right size.

HI all, looking to replace mats in E64. Anyone got a reasonable after market recommendation, preferably with the velcro fixings already attached. Thanks.

OK to close this out, batteries have a life and it looks like mine, which was purchased in 2019, has run out. Because the majority of journeys in the E64 are relatively short it looks like the cycling and cranking draw on the battery is taking its toll. The non cranking experience has continued so will invest in a new battery and put some regular longer runs in. Hopefully that will sort the issue I have had.

Now that is a good idea. Will check it out

HI all, I have been suffering a slow discharge from the battery which has resulted in low cranking amps. Car isn't doing that many miles so put it down to low charging so set up a regular charge up practice. I think something is drawing on the battery. After a closer inspection I think it is the glove box light...why? I am assuming the glove box light is activated when the opener is released and the two sprung clips release from the bars located in the opening part. I am assuming this as I can't see any other sprung clip that activates the glove box light. However, when I press these sprung clips in by hand, either together or separately, the light stays on. This would explain why I am experiencing this slow draw on the battery. Does this sound correct or is there some other sensor that controls the light on/off in the glove box. Seems my only solution would be to remove the bulb in the glove box which is no big deal.

For anyone else, found a great youtube footage on a fix for this, which is to use a self adhesive foam pushed between the 'eyebrow' and headlight which seals that route for water. You can then get lamps out use hairdryer to dry light out an a wire rid with cloth to clean the inside of the lens before putting headlight bulb back and back into service. Looks like a good fix, needs patience but best I have seen. Here is the link.

all good boys and thanks for the advice. Seems I am not alone. Will take a look and plan a method and report back.

Hi all, looking for advice on this matter. Just noticed this am that I have a condensation build up inside of the headlight unit on my E64. Have not noticed it before. I am assuming I have to replace the entire unit or is there a way to just replace the lens part and seal it up. Neither can I see any cracks or dings in the lens that would allow water ingress, so Im a bit stumped. Appreciate any advice. Paul

Can anyone advise on best place to obtain new full pile replacement mats for my E64. Just had a bad experience on ebay so they are going back, totally missold. Just need a nice set in black with the velcro pads already fitted as per BMW spec.

Hi all, time for me to change my front discs on the E64. Has anyone got any experience on discs manufacturer and things to avoid. I am just going for plain vented discs as per standard spec on the vehicle. Advice always welcome

Hi Rob, yes I did get it sorted and it was the Bi xenon set up that Greydog alluded to in the earlier post. It was just my understanding of how the beam worked which was causing me the confusion. Apologies as should have responded quicker.

so 4 months on and still no comment from BMW. I will certainly look to change this filter holder each 30K miles. Seems good practice to do so. Hopefully BMW will think it courteous at a minimum to actually provide some guidance on this matter.

OK, update on slow water leak. An inspection found that the bottom main hose had developed a leak through a sensor which sits on top of it. Only became apparent when under pressure. All other sources are visibly clear, water pump gasketing etc etc , which is good news for me. Spring cleaning coming up and canvas roof to be done. Just working away bits of green algae with my trusted tooth brush first before recolouring and proofing the roof.

Confirm repeated goes. The algae is usually quite deeply engrained so the hot soap and water does need to be used regularly with the said tooth brush. Once lifted you can also go over with a proprietary cleaner, I use the Renovo products and have done for 6 years now, cleaner followed by the colour and then the waterproofer. There are other products but these ones have worked for me. Do the roof twice a year and still I get some green spots so it is just one of those things running a canvas roof. Mind you using a cover in the winter probably does'nt help things but there you go.

No starting issues to report since the relay was changed. Looking like a solid fix.

Thanks Dave, it is intermittent to be fair which could be explained by the caliper observation. Ill give them an overhaul in the spring and see if that changes anything and report back.

HI all, my 650i seems to now be pulling to the right under braking. Bit of a new phenomena this. Is there a recommendation on checking braking balance or is this likely to vary over time. I am just trying to better appreciate the likely cause and what it is I am asking for with regards to work and measurement. Thanks.

OK, further installment. Many thanks to Greydog for the input. Non cranking has been getting worse and I ordered the BMW part to replace the defective relay as noted above. It was located exactly where you said it was but....... When you open the flap to access the fuses box area at the back of the glove box you first need to lift out the raised plate that sits on the glove box tray to the rear of the glove box. This allows said flap to fully lower. I had a little play and found a press/pull up slat on the back side of said plate, located exactly in the middle. This releases the plate and allows the fuse box flap to lower fully providing access. Changing the relays is just a pull out/press in fitting. There are two lugs on the sides of the relay, one lower and one higher, which correspond to the guides in the fuse box itself so you cant put it in the wrong way around. Typical BMW........... Car started straight away and I am hoping that is the matter sorted. A £16.85 fix and a bit of research to boot. This really is a very good forum to be part of.