Greydog

Fingers crossed for you Margo Some years ago I had an issue with a Mercedes E63 I owned the problem was intermittent violent gear shifts. First the Dealer at first dismissed it even said it could be my driving style. They said they had tested the car and couldn't find a fault, over a period of months they had the car more than me. It reached a point where even after I was able to take the service manager out so he could feel the problem himself and me informing them in writing that if they didn't fix it this time I wanted my money back. 4 days later got a call saying all fixed it was a software issue, the car was perfect for the rest of my ownership. I learned later from a technician who left the Dealership that in fact they had a number of gearbox issues with my model and the solution was change the box but only as a last resort ?? Lets hope what ever they have done it lets you enjoy your car at last Dave

Morning Ewen Welcome to the Forum You are quite right to be cautious check some of the websites like "How Many are left" that will give a feel for how many are still registered (rarity) Then check the specialist Classic car Auction sites to see if there are any there for sale. Talk to them see if you can get a realistic valuation, then you can make more informed decisions. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if you are lucky enough to get 2 "beholders" at an auction 😃 Good Luck Dave

Morning Dymytro Welcome to the Forum As the Dealer has acknowledged an issue by taking out the dash my question would be 2 weeks to take out and replace the dash ???? Clearly they treated it as job to do when you have time rather than actually caring about a customer. All you can do is keep pressure on BMW Good Luck Dave

Morning Margo As your original issue was the gear selection randomly changing my guess would be that is where they are looking. Without being able to see the scan results and where they focussed. Sadly we live in an age where we are reliant on Technology even the technicians using the diagnostic equipment rarely analyse what they are seeing.often a fault is a symptom not the direct cause. The 4 items I mention are part of the cars onboard system which talk to the gearbox control. The Instrument cluster following your Vid but a fault in any of them can cause these issues from what I have read. If your Instrument cluster is out of sync as in your Video they should question Why, The cluster may be OK so what causes the effect? In stead they just assume no issue. Hopefully the intervention of a BMW Master Tech may help you get to where you should be instead of driving a Loaner Dave

Morning Oneel When was the car last serviced ? A Dealer will say that's normal but then they always do ?? I have read of this warning coming on after as little as 1500 miles on one of the US Forums (why don't they fit a Dip Stick). I would check the hand book for which oils are safe to use. I believe the recommended grade for your engine is 0-30 SEQ68 though I have seen Fully Synthetic oils from 5-20 to 5-40 recommended for use in the S63B44B Turbo charged engine. So from what I am reading a litre in 33k seems a good figure My own 4.6is V8 ran Castrol fully synthetic 5-30 until the Timing chain guides failed. I rebuilt the engine completely (not just new chain guides) upper and lower chains, pistons rings crank polished and balanced all bearings gaskets etc etc a big list. I also fitted Dinan Cams and throttle body with an upgraded ECU. When talking to Dinan in the US they recommended 5-40 fully synthetic which is what I now use. I change the oil/filter every year as a matter of course as I have never trusted Dealer Extended service periods. My old X5 has now covered just over 160k and is 19 years young, last year a run on a rolling road showed 372hp at the wheels and although I don't push it hard it is used to tow a Horse trailer and some gentle Off Road use I have not had to top up between oil changes which happen around 8 to 10k Dave

Morning Daryl Welcome to the Forum Great car Attached is a section from www.realoem.com a BMW online parts list just put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box and it will bring up your model then just look at the section you need. If you double click any part number you will get a list of other models that it was used on. If your changing the condenser dont forget the Dryer/evaporator. I would then Google the part numbers and see what comes up BMW have a large Classic section so I would say you have a lazy Dealer ?? Change them, try dropping an Email to Cotswold BMW parts department they have always been helpful and there are some good discounts on parts for older models. Or just google the parts surprising what comes up sometimes. Hope this helps Dave No. Description Supp. Qty From Up To Part Number Price Notes 01 Condenser air conditioning 1 64538398181 $529.62 02 Hex head screw ST6,3X45-C-Z2 2 07119916848 $0.54 03 Spacer sleeve 2 64538353083 $4.63 04 Grommet 2 64538353084 $3.00 05 Body nut ST6,3-1-ZN 2 07129925742 $0.25 ENDED 05 Body nut ST6,3-1 2 06/2002 07129901663 $0.20 ENDED 05 Body nut ST6,3-1-ZNS3 2 07129904231 Notes ENDED = the part has been discontinued (no longer available). Copyright © RealOEM.com

Morning Margo The Dealer apart from scratch their Head and/or Backside seems to have done nothing other than an inconclusive scan. Perhaps now they have involved BMW things may move forward, it sounds to me that the Dealer doesn't want to swap any parts in case BMW won't underwrite it. As they don't repair things just swap components they have a choice of Instrument cluster, Information screen, Controller or Head unit any or all of them. Each of which will need coding to your chassis if they are changed. Here in the UK there is Buyer protection under the "Sale of Goods Act" which has a clause that states Goods must be of Merchantable Quality if not the Buyer can either demand another Working example at no cost to them or their money back. Do you have anything similar there? Tiresome but I would document every visit and the time your car has been in their (sounds like they have had it almost as long as you) Ask if you can talk to the BMW Technician when he has looked at your car and ask what action BMW will undertake. Certainly your dealer isn't very pro-active is there another near by Fingers crossed for you Margo Dave

Morning Colin Well done, good old YouTube some really helpful stuff on there A couple of other useful sites if you aren't aware (1) www.realoem.com this is a BMW online parts list, put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box then look for the parts you need. (2) www.pelicanparts.com An American site but in the Articles section has some terrific "How too's" with pictures Glad it's sorted Dave

Morning Brian Welcome to the Forum Check the Battery ? Have you tried charging the battery ? How old is the battery ? Remember if changing the battery it needs to be registered to your car to ensure correct charging rates. If the Battery is OK then check the starter motor Dave

Morning Ray OK great information the new probable suspect (and not uncommon on many marques and makes) is the under bonnet alarm switch. Normally located at the back of the engine bay (rear left when looking from the front) just disconnect it to see iff the drain stops if it does just swap the switch. If it isn't the switch then the alarm sounder would be my next port of call, a Scan with ISTA should show any issues with the EWS Hope it helps Dave

I think you are asking for help in the wrong Forum This is a BMW owners Forum not a software forum, you need help from the Software writers/suppliers with the "Set Up" procedure. Looking at your pictures a Chinese speaking computer engineer would help. It may be cheaper to buy a copy of ISTA/INPA Sorry I can't help Dave

Morning Ray Welcome to the Forum First has a diagnostic scan been carried out? From your description I would suspect the Alternator or Voltage regulator Unfortunately the above is an educated guess, it needs to be confirmed either by testing or by a Diagnostic Scan. If you can't DIY then you need the help of preferably someone with a BMW capable scanner (BMW Dealer (Expensive) BMW Specialist or an Independent Garage/Auto Electrician) I hope when jump starting you used the Charging Points under the bonnet. If not damage can be caused which is another reason why a full scan needs to be done just to check. When the New battery was fitted was it (a) correct for the car and (b) registered to the system? If it wasn't it may not be recognised and not charge correctly. Hope it is a simple fix Dave

With that low mileage it may be worth only taxing it for the summer months (providing you have somewhere to keep it safe and polished Thinking ahead our leaders are pushing us pell mell towards an all EV future offering support and no Road Fund licence. (yet) However didn't they push Diesel hard with low Road fund licences? Currently there are around 35m vehicles registered in the UK multiplied by an average of say £300 road fund is a HUGE amount of money and doesn't include Fuel duties. The future isn't that rosy for the EV brigade when the Chancellor is looking to replenish his coffers When our fossil fuel beasts are in the minority here their value and desirability will grow I am sure

Answer posted else where Scott

Morning Steven Like all things in life the old saying "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" have you checked the web sites like "How Many Left" As an example my own X5 4.6is only 850 odd were ever sold in the UK at the end of 2021 there were 216 left registered for the road. Has it's rarity affected it's price ? from what I see not much. So a mint 335i if you can find the right buyer will command a premium, the trick will be finding the right buyer. Good Luck with the sale may be talk to some of the specialist Auction Sites Dave

Morning Scott Google the Register of BMW Specialists there should be one near you, they will have all the Kit and Experience to run any checks and diagnostics. They will also be in my experience less than half Dealer hourly rates. Even a few Independent Garages have BMW capable systems these days Even a good amateur auto electrician with a multimeter can trace most faults. I would pull the connectors for the Power Steering Pump and Wipers do a battery reset then at each connector make sure there is power with the ignition on.(with the wipers you may need an assistant to operate the switch). If power is there check Earth continuity and earth points (engine earth straps) If it all checks out plug in 1 item say wipers and check it's operation in that way you can narrow down the culprit. A word on fuses physically pull the fuse and test it, would have a spare to swap (they are cheap) The control relays again pull them and test them change as required. Good Luck Dave

Hi Scott Welcome to the Forum First port of call for me would be checking the fuse box behind the Glove box and the main fuses under the bonnet. If all fuses are OK and the Relay is OK you could try disconnecting the battery for 30mins (Neg First) a dealer trick to reset everything. If that doesn't work then a diagnostic session may be needed Hope this is helpful Dave

Hi Tony Welcome to the Forum The only issue I am aware of is a reduction in MPG due to the "watering down" of the fuel with ethanol. The producers (Oil Companies) and Government say it is fine to use in any modern engine that runs on unleaded fuel. As long ago as 2006 there were leading reports that stated clearly, adding Ethanol to hydrocarbon fuel (petrol) may reduce emissions. However if vehicles are less efficient (lower MPG) then more fuel must be burnt to cover any given distance which could be counter productive!! God Save the world from clever people So in answer to your question the fuel alone shouldn't cause a misfire, that isn't to say you haven't picked up some contaminated fuel the AA may help here. Hopefully it wasn't a tankful?? Check the plugs and Coil packs and leads if there are no issues there then it could be an injector issue a diagnostic session may be needed Dave

Hells teeth Stu, when we have to start telling our phones what to do !! 🤣 Think I will stick with my OLD TECH X5 and my Old phone (the only restriction is the length of the lead) 🤣 Dave

Margo Don't get angry the condescending superior manner isn't aimed at you because your a female, they treat everyone like that !!! Maybe accept their offer then after 10 minutes tuition ask them to drive the car with you on board to demonstrate that the issue has been resolved. As Stu has said the display is out of sync which is a giveaway. Also start to escalate the issue with BMW USA Dave

Morning Shaheed Welcome to the Forum I am not sure of the sequence with the E46 I would contact one of the repair specialists like ECU Testing or BBA Reman I have used them for ABS unit rebuilds on Volvo and Mercedes and a 7 series BMW (not mine) the service was literally 48hr turn around and probably not a lot different in cost than a secondhand unit, the big plus it comes with a warranty. Dave

Morning Margo and Stu Interesting Stu, it is a pain when the tech in the car and your phone think they are smarter than us 🤣Was ther a fix? Or did you have to change the car or the phone 🤣 Morgo the training for the Dealers and Technicians is the same so my instinct is still that they tried the cheap fix first. Your dealer has 3 main components the Screen, the Controller and the Head unit to test/check or change. So ask them what the diagnostic scan showed up ? Delay may be that they are waiting on parts sad they don't communicate in a more positive way. Good luck don't let them wriggle Dave

Hi Margo Don't swallow any BS or Fob offs, The Diagnostic program in the car retains a history of Faults intermittent or not, particularly with critical items such as Engine Management (DME or DDE), Gearbox control (EGS) so technicians should be able to see any retained faults and codes until they are erased Unfortunately many see the Fault code/warning as the cause when it may be a symptom, that requires a little thought and analysis. Sadly Dealers often can't see, or don't want to see the anger and frustration that an apparent lack of interest and urgency/ability to resolve the issue causes to us as customers As you have only had the car a short time if your in the UK you will have protection under the sale of goods act, I would also contact BMW customer service and ask for their assistance if this drags on. Dave

Morning Margo Welcome to the Forum First is the Dealer a BMW Dealer ? A competent technician with the use of a BMW diagnostic suite (ISTA) should be able to identify the issue I do know you can set gearbox modes in preferences so as the digital speed doesn't show and you have had "screen glitches" it could be a fault in either the Screen, the Controller or the Headunit. My guess is they have done the cheap thing first and re-flashed the software. Ask what they actually did? I hope they are supplying a loan car while they sort your problem Dave

Morning Chris Welcome to the Forum Have you asked the Dealer who loaned you the car ? Dave