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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 183 of 274

#1820 of 2734 Run Flat Tire Solution by dino11

Nov 23, 2006 (5:42 am)

Have a 2006 530i with the sports suspension. Had a similar set up on an 2003. However, the 2006 with sports suspension comes with "run flat" tires. BMW's major screw-up which they refuse to acknowledge. Tire went flat in driveway. Nice light comes on. Got a patch put into the tire from a tire dealer. Otherwise cost you $300 for a tire. More if you dent the rim which is now one piece and cast instead to two piece forging. So, I took off all 4 tires and put into storage. Am running Avon M550s for the balance of the lease that I got from tirerack for $139 apiece. Ride is better, tires are fixable and I carry a tire off the rim in the trunk in case I get a flat. BMW calls itself the ultimate driving machine - this is true if you strap an extra run flat tire on the roof. The run flat tires are simply a technical disaster especially when you come to realize that nobody stocks them. And, you have to match tread patterns if you need a replacement. A flat tire on a trip- espcially on a weekend is a two day delay. Way to go BMW! I will remount the run flats at the end of the lease. Had 4 BMW cars. My 2006 is my last. Got my wife an Audi. Handling is almost as good and I like the styling more. Goodbye BMW. You could not give your cars away if you did not provide free service. At 10,000 miles, I have had three repairs- all due to faulty sensors on the engine. One repair took three days to find a steering angle sensor that matched the VIN of my vehicle. BMW is all hype and bloated advertising.

#1821 of 2734 Re: 2005 545i air conditioning smells horrible. [carissa] by dino11

Nov 23, 2006 (5:44 am)

Replying to: carissa (Nov 12, 2006 9:49 am)
had a similar smell from my wife's 2006 X-5. It was coming from the air flitler box. They have a spray that they use in the box, I think it is a fungus that forms in the box. Anyway, each service got a spray at the dealer and there was no more smell.

#1822 of 2734 Replacement of radiator? by andys120

Nov 23, 2006 (10:04 am)

The indy BMW specialist I take my E39 to recommends a prophylactic replacement of the radiator on my MY 2000 528iA because of the problems encountered with these beyond the 75K mark.
 
My car has 95K on it, and has had no cooling issues other than occasionally having to top off coolant.
 
I'm inclined to go along w this recommendation since the OEM radiators are a known problem area, anyone disagree?

#1823 of 2734 Re: Replacement of radiator? [andys120] by div2

Nov 23, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Nov 23, 2006 10:04 am)
I'm inclined to go along w this recommendation since the OEM radiators are a known problem area, anyone disagree?
 
The original radiator in my 528iA lasted until 120K-it cracked while being removed to R&R the water pump. The OEM radiators are so inexpensive that I don't think it's worth gambling on their longevity. OTOH, if I was planning on keeping the car a long time and/or I had a 540i(which tend to fracture the top hose fitting), I'd consider Zionsville Autosports' All Alloy Radiator. Ditto for their metal thermostat housing and super duty water pump.

#1824 of 2734 Re: Replacement of radiator? [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 24, 2006 (6:40 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Nov 23, 2006 10:04 am)
I had one blow up in my face, if that's any incentive. However, having the reflexes of a jungle cat I didn't get it in the eyes.

#1825 of 2734 2003 525i by theflow

Nov 28, 2006 (11:25 pm)

I recently got a used 525i and it has some "issues" (to me) that I want to validate with other 525i owners before bringing it to the dealership again.
 
1) While I open the window and it is going down, I also open the door. The window then stopped going down. It happens to all 4 doors. Is that some sort of safety features and normal?
 
2) I have the automatic door lock function, but it only locks once. I mean after I start the car, it will lock when I drive above 2.5 mph, but if I press unlock, load and unload passengers, and continue to drive, it WILL NOT lock the door again. It will lock again ONLY if I restart the car. Is that normal?
 
3) The "check high beam" message comes out randomly. The damn message won't come out when I was at the dealer. Of course they can't do anything cuz they all go by the code.
 
4) I have the automatic climate control OFF. So every time when I start the car after locking it and unlocking, the Fan is ON automatically. Is that normal? However, if I turn off the Fan/AC without locking the car but just restart it after shutting it off, the Fan/AC remains off. Normal? No?
 
5) Every time when I use the REAR window defroster, it also turns on the Front window defroster or the fan. Is it normal cuz I hated it!!!
 
6) I read the manual that after I shut off the car, I can still operate the windows if I haven't opened the door yet. I tried, the window can be opened BUT the 1-touch Down function is not working and the 1-touch UP function works. Is it normal?
 
I know I am anal about the car but I want to make sure everything works as designed and I want to have everything fixed before warranty expires in 2 months. Otherwise I am very happy with the car.

#1826 of 2734 2007 530i Traffic Information by benzodiesel

Dec 10, 2006 (11:40 am)

Just leased a new 07 530i with Nav. Dealer said Nav came with real-time traffic information, but that items not on the settings menu. Any iudea why or how to get it?

#1827 of 2734 Service eng light - cold start rattling by viz

Dec 22, 2006 (8:51 am)

Hello all.
I am planning to return the 530i leased vehicle. 53k miles on it.Unfortunately the service engine light came on , on the day of inspection. However, it disapperared after a day/two but inspection report still says the light is on. Talked to liability dept for the leasing bank; they suggested checked it by dealer. Here is tha back ground.
1) I took it to dealer today- error code 50. Found faults stored for multiple cyc missfire. occured 1 time. possible has cam followers sticking when first startedcold. to further diagnose, car will need to be left and compression and cycl leakage test done with cold engine. Cost to test $200.
2) Few months back, I took it to dealer for the rattling after cold start. They said at that time - found 1 time cyclinder 6 missfire.checked coil and plug. ok. could not duplicate the problem. The car was still under warranty at that time.
 
Now I am in a dilemma -
1)Should I return the vehicle to the leasing bank saying that engine light does not come on?
2) When I am returning the car, if they feel the rattle after some days, Am I still responsible for the repair?
3) Can some shed light on what exactly is happening with car and how much would it cost to get it fixed?
4)Am I getting ripped off by the dealer? Why didnt they recognize the fault when I took it during the warranty period?
 
Regards,
Viz

#1828 of 2734 Re: Service eng light - cold start rattling [viz] by shipo

Dec 22, 2006 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: viz (Dec 22, 2006 8:51 am)
I believe that most leasing companies to allow for a re-inspection. I've never had to avail myself of that option, however, I've leased six different cars from six different leasing companies over the years, and so far at least, they all have had the option for a re-inspection.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#1829 of 2734 Re: Service eng light - cold start rattling [shipo] by viz

Dec 22, 2006 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 22, 2006 12:33 pm)
I spoke to Leasing bank.No re-inspection. They said if the light comes up during auto auction then it will be re-inspected and charged:(
Thanks,
Viz

Messages Page 183 of 274

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