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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 142 of 274

#1405 of 2734 Re: Thermostat 530i 2001 [jcx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 12, 2005 (8:23 am)

Replying to: jcx (Sep 12, 2005 7:14 am)
Yes, that's a symptom and a very typical BMW problem from that era...also bad or frozen u-joints will do this. You'd better hope it's a bad center support bearing, as I'm fairly certain you can't replace the u-joints--you have to get a whole new rebuilt driveshaft. You should also check for a bad transmission mount. Make sure they do a very careful inspection while the driveshaft is out. The u-joints should feel very fluid and flexible...if they bind or feel "grindy" when you "work them" with your hands, they may in deed be the problem if all else looks good.

#1406 of 2734 jcx by div2

Sep 12, 2005 (1:02 pm)

Check the center bearing as well as the "guibo"-a rubber coupling which connects the transmission to the driveshaft. Odds are it's one or the other, and I'd just go ahead and replace both while I was at it.

#1407 of 2734 Re: Sad start to new 525xi ownership [rdc3] by freddybb

Sep 12, 2005 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: rdc3 (Sep 07, 2005 3:56 pm)
rdc3,
 
My experience is identical to yours, which I guess is reassuring in a way! I get the High Battery Drain message every morning when I start the car, and it does not come back if you re-start it during the day. Then, like an old friend, it is back the next morning! This leads me to believe that they haven't really fixed the problem, but the dealership gave me the same story as yours -- they are waiting for updated software to be able to clear out the message and that the battery is not really draining out.
 
Otherwise, this car is fantastic! Cheers.

#1409 of 2734 Re: 1wisdom [div2] by 1wisdom

Sep 12, 2005 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Sep 06, 2005 7:58 pm)
HI,
 
Just had radiator & clutch fan replaced. However temp gauge remains in the center. You mentioned I need to keep my eyes on the gauge. Should I be concerned. Phamton beeping is the timer every hour going off. I'll read how to turn off. Need advise. I like to drive on performace, I think I drive pretty well at that. However I'm not used to RWD. The turning is different and as you know the car is heavy. Any suggestions when turning other then power through it. I can feel the back end coming around. Am I over steering. My son says it's easier to go sideways with RWD then FWD.
Have a great week. Thanks again for your help.
Oh next week we are going with our church to New Orleans to help.
Wisdom

#1410 of 2734 1wisdom by div2

Sep 13, 2005 (8:29 pm)

Beginning with the 1989 E34, BMW converted the water temperature gauge into a glorified idiot light. The needle on the gauge will stay in the middle of the range unless the engine is either dead cold or on the verge of overheating. Consequently, you will get no indication of a problem until it is almost too late to do anything about it. As for learning the proper driving technique, you really should attend a couple of drivers schools such as the ones conducted by BMW CCA. I sometimes instruct at those schools and I can honestly say that they are an excellent opportunity to learn advanced driving skills in a safe and structured environment. As for some quick tips, I'd suggest that you do all your braking in a straight line, then smoothly turn in-at a later point than you think you should. You should also keep the throttle constant, neither slowing down nor speeding up. Once you clip the inside of the turn you can begin to smoothly accelerate while at the same time unwinding the steering. I cannot over emphasize the importance of SMOOTH control inputs. I also recommend that you practice what is called "ocular driving", which simply means to look down the road as far as you can and look where you want to go. Still, nothing beats seat time and lots of practice. Good luck on honing your skills and safe travels on your mission trip.

#1411 of 2734 Re: tire noise! [cotmc] by georgiapeach1

Sep 16, 2005 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: cotmc (Feb 07, 2004 11:42 am)
Holy smokes. I have a 2004 530i, and two days ago while I was grooving at 80mph with my head in the clouds, suddenly it sounded like an airport terminal in my car! I bolted upright! The stereo automatically turned up louder trying to drown out the sudden loud road noise. It scared me to pieces. I turned off the radio, and the noise was coming from the outside, and I heard a low, slow, whirring sound from outside the car. Was just going to call the dealer this weekend, but was afraid to, as in the past I've been told I'm imagining things (with another car maker, yet my car still wouldn't turn off and it caught fire). This post helped me very much. Must be the tires then, with 12,500 miles on the tires. Will replace with Michelin. Thank you for sharing.

#1412 of 2734 HELP by legarreta

Sep 17, 2005 (11:52 am)

I SAW A 1998 528I FOR SELL WITH 140.000 MILES ON IT FOR TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS I CURRENTLY DRIVE A TRUCK AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AT ALL, HOWEVER I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT BMWS BUT I LIKE THEM I WAS JUST WONDERING IF SOMEBODY CAN GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON THIS, I JUST DONT WANT TO GET RID OF MY TRUCK AND BUY SOMETHING THAT ITS JUST GOING TO START ACTING ON ME, I DROVE THE CAR AND EVERYTHING SEEMS REALLY OWESOME !!! I WOULD REALLY APRECIATE ANY OPINIONS ON THIS THANKS

#1413 of 2734 Re: HELP [legarreta] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 17, 2005 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: legarreta (Sep 17, 2005 11:52 am)
First please TURN OFF THE CAPS LOCK. Your posts appear like SHOUTING to other members and most folks will not respond to post done in ALL CAPS.
 
Okay, to your question---the miles are too high for the price. $7,500 would be plenty. I personally wouldn't give more than $6,500 for it.

#1414 of 2734 Re: tire noise! [georgiapeach1] by 530ir1150r

Sep 17, 2005 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: georgiapeach1 (Sep 16, 2005 2:31 pm)
Michelins are not always quiet(er). Pilot Sport Primacys are noisy, but last a long time. Pilot Sport PS2s are quieter, but I only have 10,000 miles on them. They appear to be wearing well.
 
Goodyear F1s were much quieter, but only lasted 17,000 miles.

Messages Page 142 of 274

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