Greydog

Hi Mark Welcome to the Forum Nice car if the service history is patchy I would get a service done to give peace of mind, plus a Gearbox Service then enjoy. You can check on BMW VinDecoder put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box and it will bring up the build sheet for your car, that will confirm if you have folding mirrors or not.If they are there they may need turning on via the diagnostic program or there is a fault it will show up. You will need a BMW specific program (BMW 1.4.0 , INPA/ISTA or similar) or a BMW Specialist (Cheaper than a Dealer) Enjoy that BMW X5 Dave

No once these little pests decide to go they go so it means a new FSR should have said unplug and fit a new one The final stage resistor (FSR) helps manage all heater panel functions, Fan Speed, Heat distribution the whole thing. If your getting erratic fan speed or no fan at all no heat from one side or another it will normally be the FSR Google BMW FSR and have a read

Morning Steve My guess is the FSR (Final Stage Resistor) or Hedgehog is starting to go. These cause all sorts of silly issues it isnt a difficult job just fiddly. Google it The FSR is buried behind the heater and accessed from the drivers footwell, you need to take off the kick plate under the dash remove the carpet strip that runs along the top of the tunnel by the hand brake. No special tools just a cross head screw driver. Seat right back to give maximum room then the fiddly bit if your hands are like mine, getting you big mit up behind the heater to unclip the FSR and unplug it (I found it easier to remove the FSR then the plug) Total job took me about 10 mins. Dave

Morning Kevin Welcome. I take it you mean the high level brake light ? First check the light put an independent 12v supply to it to see if it lights up. Second check the wiring again for continuity and power, what voltage do you get when the brake is pressed at the connector. Third I remember reading that there is a suppressor in line that can cause issues sometimes. Have a look at www.newtis.info for wiring diagrams and information. Dave

Morning William Welcome to the Forum With your car I have read its all underneath behind access flaps in the shielding underneath. Take a look at www.newtis.info it is a BMW Technical Information site (same as Dealers use) you should find everything you need there regarding service information, socket sizes and torque settings. You can also use www.realoem.com to ensure you have the correct part numbers for service parts and other spares, put the last 7 digits of your Vin Number into the search box it will bring up your model. Dave

Morning Kenneth Welcome to the Forum First question does your X3 have air suspension at the rear? If it does you will have to remove it all before fitting a spring kit, also consider the effect it may have on resale value and warranty. Adjustable coil overs will allow lowering (at the front) you can reprogram the air suspension (or move the ride height sensors) to retain the air suspension Dave

Try talking to the specialist dismantlers like Quarry Motors they may be able to help at a more realistic price plus yo know they will fitt straight out of the box. My friend with the RRS his are after market and suit the car but were a faf to fit. Dave

Morning Doug Welcome to the Forum Sorry can't help on the spare have you tried the specialist dismantlers like Quarry Motors? Or can your cluster be repaired BBA Reman, Cartronix, ECU testing all offer repair services with fast turn around. Just had a quick look at www.realoem.com tells me that part is the speedometer it was also used in the 7 series of that vintage so could help you widen your search Good Luck Dave

Morning Hemraj Does the message say something like "Drivetrain Malfunction Drive Moderately Maximum Drivetrain Output not available" this I have read can be triggered by engine malfunctions such as low oil levels, engine overheating? You need someone with BMW diagnostics to read the codes to be sure. Start with the simple free stuff check the oil levels check the coolant levels Fingers crosse it is a simple fix Dave

Hi Alan that could well be the culprit, though may also have been caused by a pot hole we have a stretch of road near us which is like a plowed field. One of our sons uses it regularly as his route to work, he is very fussy about his car (he is the one in the far corner of the car park so no one scratches it) he drove through a puddle which was masking a big pot hole caused damage to two tyres. Dave

Morning Anthony I don't know if you are aware of www.realoem.com it is a BMW online parts list go into the classic section put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box and it will bring up your model you would be surprised how much is still available. Also Cotswold BMW offer mail order and discounts so worth talking to. Then there are the specialist re-cyclers I have used Quarry Motors with some success. Good Luck with the restoration Dave

Morning Alan Welcome to the Forum The throttle I believe is "fly by wire" so not connected to the engine directly, so you would think any vibration would be felt elsewhere as well. Do you use cruise control on long journeys so you can move your foot off the throttle. Dave

Morning Wayne Well that's narrowed it down some, thinking out loud have you checked the loom and plugs clean them with contact cleaner. Don't ignore the earth I suffered many strange malfunctions and eventually tracked it to a poor earth connection in the boot. I could only clear codes by clearing individual modules if I tried to clear them by hitting the clear DTC button it never worked, some would clear others not. Final thing the battery needs to be tip/top if it's down at all it doesn't help. Dave

Morning Mick and Welcome Have a look at www.realoem.com it is a BMW online parts list put the last 7 digits of your Vin number in the search box and see what BMW offered (just to add to your confusion. My X5 has the flat aluminium boards with black rubber anti slip buttons. A friends RRS has aluminium tubes with a flat step section in my opinion the step part is small so if you don't put your foot in it they can be slippery, but that's me with big feet and muddy wellies. Good luck with the search Dave

Morning Luke and Welcome As the car has had some engine work I would suspect an oil leak that is dripping onto the exhaust manifold.Your description certainly seems to point in that direction. Dave

Hi Wayne If the pre-tensioners were fired in the accident then I believe they need replacement before you can clear the code. If they have been replaced then you may need a BMW specific reader to reset everything. Dave

They did well in the BTC so should be fun

White smoke after a period idling could be blocked EGR system however with the codes your getting I would get the timing chain checked in case it has stretched. If you are not capable a good BMW Specialist or Dealer are your best bet (Dealer will be expensive and if they diagnose chain stretch try to sell you a complete engine)

Thanks for closing the Post Colin At least you now know you have adjustable suspension that works Dave

Check out other models with the 35i engine for fix's and information. Look at the EGR system I remember reading somewhere that a collapsed hose can cause leaks that look as though it comes from the bell housing. Dave

Hi Graeme Welcome Have look at www.realoem.com you will be able to see which part numbers are common over the 3 year period. Obviously looking at the major parts engine gearbox suspension components. When you click on a part number it will show which other models it was used on as well so widening the base for spares (you will need them as you break stuff) Dave

My opinion Castrol are selling oil, if you ask them why they quote more than the manufacturer they will tell you its for "topping up" When the Dealer was servicing the X5 I always had a pint of oil left in the Boot the car never used or lost any so it would be there at next service they always left it regardless always saying it's for topping up?? Three guesses who was paying for it?? Once the Warranty was out I use a BMW specialist who uses the correct amount (no top up bottle) he is an ex BMW master tech so knows what he is doing (I hope) I also do interim changes at home as I have never trusted extended service schedules.

Morning Angel Welcome to the Forum I would put pressure on the seller to fix the issue or get a good chunk of money off. The BMW 6 cylinder engine is normally as tough as old boots and with good servicing capable of inter galactic mileages. Tyres are important oddly worn or mismatched tyres can/will cause transfer box damage, BMW use a ^ rating system on the tyre sidewall (as do Merc and several other 4x4 manufacturers) to ensure front and rear rolling radius is within acceptable tolerances. In the UK on the 6 cylinder diesels BMW used a pressed steel exhaust manifold which was prone to cracking letting exhaust fumes into the cabin a cast manifold was the answer. Crazy but the cast manifold is readily available and cheaper than the pressed one?? Have a look at www.pelicanparts.com it is a US site with excellent "how too's" with pictures, you can also use www.newtis.info if you are a DIY man it is the same Technical information that BMW Dealers use also look at www.realoem.com a BMW online parts list put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will bring up your model. Hope the deal comes together for you Dave

Morning Andy Sadly there were a number of issues with the 2.0d engines if you haven't already Google the issue. Fitting a replacement engine should not cause problems with Warranty in the future as warranty companies are concerned about the soundness of the car and mechanical history so a reconditioned engine just demonstrates care of the car.

Look at the wiring diagrams in newtis Read the information on fitting/retro-fitting items and registering them with the bus controller.Then look at realoem to get the correct part numbers for the part you need. You are clever enough to have retro fitted TV so just use the information available to make sure it is correct and units are compatible and whether it needs coding with ZCS