Greydog

Foxwell and I-carsoft are a couple of the better readers Me I got my first Diagnostic scanner in the early 90's when they were pretty new tech, but in those days they gave little information other than the code. Interpretation and understanding the cause for the code were still the user's responsibility. Mid 90's I loaded Volvo diagnostics onto an old laptop then added Mercedes Star, VW/Audi,BMW INPA/ISTA and BMW 1.4.0, Toyota and Subaru software. My Original Maxi Diag tool has had the software updated to cover just about all European cars. About the same time that Diagnostic's were becoming the norm I noticed Dealers stopped repairing things and started changing complete components, quicker for them but more expensive for us. Always remember the scanner will identify the fault but not necessarily the cause Enjoy your Beemers Lad's Dave

Morning Guys A few little things that may help First, A good BMW capable Diagnostic program is worth it's weight in any currency even if you are using a Garage to do the work. It will help you understand your car when talking to a Garage. A good BMW Specialist wi;ll be a great help but there are a great many jobs that can be checked and done with basic tools. Your "Transmission" warning definitely needs investigation I would also advise the supplying Dealer as their warranty may require them to do the work. Fingers crossed it is Insurance based. The gearbox is often abused and never serviced until there is a problem with luck a Flush Filter change and new Fluid will sort it. BMW washer systems have a fine mesh filter fitted to the pump so the washer fluid nees an Anti Fungal additive to avoid it becoming clogged by a jelly like build up. Loads of fluids have it so I just avoid the really cheap ones. The Filters are easy to remove and clean if the worse happens. Dave

If I was brave enough to cut open an OEM lamp set and insert a sequential led lamp set I think it would be more fun driving people nuts wondering where I got it from 🤣 Can you imagine a Dealer tech at service time, on second thoughts it may be worth it 🤣

Hi Melvin The different size wheel / tyre combinations are calculated to be as close as possible in diameter so as not to effect the speedo reading Example a 225x50x17" tyre/wheel will have a diameter of around 657mm a 225x40x19" wheel/tyre will be around 662mm and a 225x35x20" tyre/wheel will be around 665mm The difference being just a few mm will not effect speedo readings If you were to go for say 20" wheels and tyres to fill the arches better in a staggered set (wider rear rims) front would be 225x35x20" and 665 mm/dia rear would be 255x30x20" and 661 mm/dia If the wheels and tyres you are considering are After market items check realoem to ensure that the bolt pattern and offsets are correct Dave

Morning Martin Welcome to the Forum As far as I am know there are only aftermarket kits and again as far as I am aware only for the mirrors. I have seen side repeaters for several models advertised but again they are Aftermarket and as always fit and finish may not be what you want. Good Luck if you find some that are goo let us know Dave

Morning Melvin Welcome to the Forum Short answer yes you can, I believe 20" were also available You can check at www.realoem.com it is a BMW Parts List just put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box and it will call up your model then look in the wheels/tyres section for correct fitment Dave

Morning I don't know if your aware of www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model. Then search the sections for what you need, correct part numbers will ensure replacements fit. Good Luck with the hunt Dave

Afternoon James Welcome to the Forum And let us guess the damn Badger walked off Google BMW recyclers and contact them to see if they have a replacement Check Ebay if your lucky you will get one in your colour. That will save body shop costs which may well be more than the cost of replacement You could check www.reaoem.com to see if the damaged parts are available (don't hold your breath ) but even if they are paint work will still be needed Hope this helps Dave

Morning Richard Welcome to the Forum I think your missing the point here, good to know you have a Fault Reader but !! 1) If there is a warning light on, it is on for a reason telling you something needs investigating or fixing. Once fixed it goes out anyway? Only essential safety systems ABS, SRS etc normally need resetting. 2) An OBD code reader is a useful tool to understand what is happening with the essential control modules in the car. Not just turn out warning lights (hope I am misreading your post). Just erasing Faults only delays the inevitable as eventually something will fail which if it affects other modules can be very very costly. Just turning lights off is not good maintenance On older cars many faults are triggered by low/under voltage conditions. These can often are actually indications of a dying battery and/or poor connections at connectors or earth points. Dave

Hi Edward Welcome to the Forum When you say bodywork is it Panel replacement, Chassis welding or Paintwork or all of them geographically I cant help much but maybe a local BMW Specialist can help with recommendations. Then visit and get some examples of stuff they have done. Dave

Morning Martin Welcome to the Forum a/c normally means Air Conditioning however the 530d should have Climate Control with control for passenger and driver. In simple terms don't trust any advertising speak make sure it works. Turn the temp control down and make sure it blows cold if it doesn't it could need re-gassing or an expensive repair. So don't fall for any "just needs a regas about £30" if that is the case why hasn't it been done and if the seller isn't bothered about that what else are they not bothered about ? Big warning Bell Modern cars are complicated things so make sure every switch, knob and button works and does what it should do Hope this helps Dave

Morning Ed Welcome to the Forum I would Google BMW Specialist Recyclers like Quarry Motors there are several in the UK. Due to the age and now rarity of your car a trip may be necessary to ensure you are not buying more tin worm Dave

Morning Joe Welcome to the Forum There are many out there who don't like the space saver spare wheel system thinking they looked unsafe completely ignoring the fact it was for emergency use and not daily use. So they moved to a more conventional spare wheel. As long as the wheel fits correctly ie: clears the caliper and suspension correctly it should be OK. If I was going to the cost of I would make it a match for the road wheels fitted, unless of course your car has a staggered set up the a compromise wheel is required. Use a BMW Vin De-Coder and it will let you know what was OEM supply at build Then if you check www.realoem.com a BMW online parts list put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box and it will call up your model and the combinations available My fat wheeled X5 ( 275x40x20 front 315x35x20 rear) comes with a space saver wheel which looks like a bicycle tyre by comparison. In 18 years I have (touches wood) only had 1 puncture on the X5, due to the difference in sizes I have always carried a small compressor and a tin of tyre goo which saved the day (and tyre) with the puncture and actually lasted so well it was at tyre change that the fitter asked if I knew there was goo in the tyre 🤣 So my solution would be a small compressor and a can of sealant or tyre plug kit much cheaper than any wheel/tyre combo and can follow you car to car. BMW actually supply them now Remember all manufacturers moved to Space Saver wheels as a Cost saving then along came Run Flat tyre technology and they not only save the cost of a spare wheel but also a Jack and wheel brace (all passed on to the customer of course) 😅 Dave

Hi Paul I guess you have looked at realoem to see if there are any clues? Or best would be a check on BMW TIS if you have access Dave

Good tip

Hi Micheal First only buy from a Dealer at least then you have some protection under the sale of goods act Cars have always been a hobby (my sons say an obsession) the BMW straight six engine is in my opinion on of the worlds great engines in either flavour (Petrol or Diesel) If the car has a full BMW history you should be able to verify all major service items have been dealt with as well as any additional work, if the car has a BMW history plus Independent history there should be receipts/invoices for work carried out. The engine should be powerful and smooth (they churn out around 230/240bhp + over 500nm torque) If you haven't driven one they can be an eye opener 0 to 60 in about 6secs 150+ top speed but give 40+ mpg. The reason my Brother Inlaw sticks with them is he commutes in Europe for business, he has a heavy right foot so likes to get a shift on but even he has to work hard to get below 40mpg.oh and road tax will be cheaper than your current car I would think At close to 200k look for evidence that EGR system is in good condition and the DPF has either been replaced or Professionally cleaned. I would have a list of items that if they haven't been changed or there is no evidence of change are a negotiating point, the above plus water pump pulleys and tensioners, AC service. Gearbox is 6 speed ZF automatic changes should be smooth both up and down the box, again look for evidence of at least 2 gearbox services (ZF say every 80 to 100 kilometers) Suspension Same rules apply no squeaks rattles or knocks, bushes have a life and I would expect a car nearing 200k to have service evidence that they have been changed. Wheels check carefully for damage inside edges and out side, Tyres Run Flats have really stiff side walls so that they can do what as the saying goes "what it says on the tin" and allow the car to be driven when they are deflated. However if driven while deflated they cannot be repaired so often a new tyre is required. Also due to their construction many folks think they give a harsh ride which is why they switch to conventional tyres. Non run flat tyres can safely be used on a run flat rim but not the other way around I have never heard of an MOT failure due to this but everyday is a learning day. For what it is worth my Brother Inlaw has run his cars with both. The X5 I own was only produced by BMW for 3 years (the reason I keep it just over 200 left) the Alpina derived V8 engine originally produced 347 hp I had my engine rebuilt a few years ago and added several performance parts which put power above 400hp my Brother Inlaws 530d always felt as strong and his current 540d produces more than 400hp which makes it a real beast Google BMW Specialists there is a register of them and you should find one near you, talk to them and they may be able to offer advice or maybe a health check on an extended test drive Good Luck Dave

Morning Peter Welcome to the Forum First what year is your Fathers X5 ? Second what OBD Readers are you trying to use? Over the years BMW have used a few different Bus systems as things evolve. Bear with me here, your E53 uses I-bus as the primary on board control link Ibus with a rudimentary Fibre Optic link was used in the E53 from 1999 to 2006. With the launch of the E70 variant BMW moved to K-bus and MOST fibre optic systems. With evolution of the Range so the Bus systems have changed/updated The early evolution of I-bus did not like bluetooth OBD coms (Carly for one) also many proprietary OBD readers will only see major control units. Also the correct OBD cable (D-can for the E53) has to be used As an old engineer who has a need to know and my hobby has always been my cars I have several different Diagnostic systems for a number of Marques I and family have owned over the years. For my E53 I have BMW 1.4.0 and INPA/ISTA which give full Dealer level diagnostic's plus INPA/ISTA has TIS as part of the suite which gives repair technique and other information. Having said that it is possible that a previous Garage/owner has been clumsy and damaged the port. or blown a fuse (I have seen a blown Fuse 1 in the glove box cause issues. So check the glove box fuses. Good Luck Dave

Morning Do you have a mirror fold button on the master window switch if not then probably they are not power fold mirrors. The mirrors should fold when the button is pressed or when the lock button is pressed and held on the fob. Check the settings on Idrive to see if they have been enabled. Dave

Morning George Welcome to the Forum I am assuming your car is Diesel ? If it is then the injectors should be the same. You can check www.realoem.com if you aren;t aware it is a BMW Online parts list either search by car type/year or put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model. Once you have the part number double click it will give you a list of alternates/models it was used in. Or check it against the 2.5 engine by a new search. If your friends injectors are used get them tested you don't want to put in something that may be worse than those you have. Also fit new seals and "O" rings Dave

Hi Barry Welcome to the Forum The simple answer is, you have a leak where the leaks is will dictate how simple/expensive it is to fix. It could be a leaking airbag, the air control valve or the compressor. The question is how are your DIY capabilities? If you have reasonable DIY skills the system isn't particularly complicated and the probability is it is a leaking air bag. Dave

Morning Micheal Welcome to the Forum My brother inlaw is now on his 5th 5 series touring his business is in Europe so all his cars cover as many miles as the Star ship Enterprise. He has owned 2x530d 2x535d and the current 540d Xdrive, when he traded the last one in one of the Technicians actually brought his car (that speaks volumes) A car that is 8 years old and has 200k on the clock has covered around 25k per year so depending on what the previous owner did for a living Taxi Driver or Motorway Warrior. Lots of short stop start journeys will potentially put more strain on the emissions control EGR and DPF plus other parts starter, stop/start system. A taxi may also have more signs of wear inside and the boot lip. Having said that one of our sons brought a Toyota Avensis estate that was an ex-taxi from the Toyota Dealer (His pick up was off the road) 194 miles £800 he ran it for 4 years as a second car before it failed an MOT and he sold it spare or repair and almost got his money back. A car used as a motorway car will be actually working the car less than stop start journeys So I would check general condition any marks on the roof from a sign, seats carpet steering wheel pedals etc for wear and tear, does everything work as it should check every function available works. How does it drive, quiet smooth engine smooth seamless gear changes at all speeds (take it on a motorway/dual carriageway) If all is good and you are happy with the car and it's price. Then I would negotiate the cost of water pump new pulleys tensioners and belts either to be done by you or an independent garage don't accept "they have been checked and are OK" DPF filters have a life of around a 100k or so, so has it been changed? Bit of a ramble but there are bits in there that may help I hope Dave

Tyre pressure monitoring has been used on many BMW models and many other Marques since the 90's A lot of tyre fitters hate them as they can be easily damaged when removing a tyre from the rim. My 2003 X5 had them though they were always flaky so around the second tyre set they went in the bin and I coded out the warnings. Next service BMW helpful to the end turned them back on ?? If the steering wheel is off centre make sure you get 4 wheel alignment not just tracking Dave

Morning Aaron Welcome to the Forum Try locking the car then push and hold the lock button Have you checked that the function is enabled in Idrive ? Dave

Morning Martin First have you checked the tyre pressures if they are run flats they wont look flat? Have you checked tyre wear on the front? If the steering is Off Centre something is wrong, either damage (pot hole or kerb) or a tyre with low or no pressure dragging to one side. It could be a sticking caliper causing the drag which may have triggered the DBC/DSC fault What ever it is it needs investigating tyre/brake issues will not effect the engines performance but it's a bit daft being able to go quick if your likely to end up in a bush or a ditch Dave

Morning Zen I have a feeling you will need to contact one of the specialist exhaust system builders for help with this one A friend of our son used a company called Gravity on Ebay earlier this year Stainless 2.5" Cat back system he had to fit it himself (with help) It took two of them (him and our son) longer to get the old exhaust off than fit the new one which seemed well made and fitted well plus sounds good. Tip he hadn't brought new rubber hangers well worth doing Not used them myself and only seen this one being fitted by two enthusiastic but not very competent lads, gave me lots of amusement on a Saturday morning. Dave