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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 49 of 274

#475 of 2734 Lighten Up? by div2

Jan 06, 2004 (2:00 pm)

Let's see, a non-BMW owner enters a discussion in a BMW topic proclaiming the superiority of a 13 year old FWD family/grocery hauler, then gets in a bit of a snit over a few well deserved barbs? I feel for you, friend. Actually, I usually recommend Accords(or Camrys) to my non-enthusiast friends. They are tough to beat if you want a benign driving experience coupled with excellent reliability. That said, I concur with the philosophy of fellow countryman DED Jr., who once said: "Life is too short to drive boring cars." In my 20+ years of BMW ownership-two 3ers, two 5ers, one E3, and one 6er-I've been stranded exactly one time-when a poor fitting non-BMW coolant hose split on my Bavaria 3.0 in 1983. I've driven them all over the US as well as to the shores of the Arctic Ocean-in February-and I've never had to make an unscheduled stop. I've hammered dead stock BMWs around Memphis Motorsport Park, Mid-Ohio, NHIS, Putnam, Sears Point, and Watkins Glen for hours with no breakdowns. Now, I'll admit that M6 I bought in 1992 was a bit expensive to run-$6000 in service and repairs-but three years later I sold it for $500 less than I paid for it. I guess I should have bought a 1992 Accord, saved $5300 in maintenance costs, then re-upped for a 1995 model(after taking a $5000+ depreciation hit). Of course, I would have missed out on the glorious full throttle sound of the S38 DOHC as I entered Turn 1 at NHIS, the thrill of drafting a 930 Turbo down the front straight at Memphis, and the pleasure of owning a car that made you look for some reason-ANY reason- to take a long drive(a characteristic of EVERY BMW I've ever driven). Of course, none of that is important. Better to have taken the Accord. It's cheap to run. It's reliable. And it's a nice practical FWD sedan. That's what REALLY matters, right?

#476 of 2734 shipo by div2

Jan 06, 2004 (2:14 pm)

Careful, there; you are arguing with a true believer. Just repeat after me:
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are cheap to run
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are the best car-EVER
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-all other cars are inferior
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-EVERYONE must own one
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-nothing else compares
There now, don't you feel better? And honestly, deep down inside, don't you really, REALLY, want to trade your 140 mph Nurburgring tuned 5er for a nice, sensible, FWD sedan? No? Well, let's try again-deep breaths, now:
HONNNDAAAA...OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-they are reliable.......

#477 of 2734 Div2 by shipo

Jan 06, 2004 (3:04 pm)

I thought that only the Mazda rotary went "OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM". Oh yeah, that's "HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM".
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#478 of 2734 Eliminating the "Air Bag" light on the overhead by bentleyfam25

Jan 07, 2004 (7:53 am)

Guys, figure since this is the problems/solutions page I'd put one in.
 
The yellow air bag light in the overhead (a useless piece of government mandated nonsense if there ever was one, and very distracting at night) can be eliminated by:
 
-- popping out the light module with your fingers
-- unplugging it
-- opening the module with a small screwdriver (insert the screwdriver gently into the four clip holes you'll see around the module) and
-- taping over the LED's with electrical tape (you can't tape over the inside of the lens);
-- Then put it all back.
 
Takes about 10 minutes.
 
Problem is, unplugging the module is detected by the system as a fault, which doesn't automaticly reset.
 
Two questions:
 
1. I unplugged the module with the car running, with triggered the fault indicator. Dumb, but live and learn. Has anyone done it with the car off, and if so, did unplugging the module trigger the fault with the key off?
 
and
 
2. Is there a way to reset the fault indications without taking the car to BMW? Don't mind doing it, but would have to leave the car there for the day.
 
Any experience or ideas with this?
 
Thanks --

#479 of 2734 bentleyfam25 by div2

Jan 07, 2004 (10:07 am)

Disconnecting any part of the SRS while the ignition is on will be interpreted as a fault by the SRS diagnostic protocols. I see this happen frequently when owners/shops remove seats or steering wheels to replace switches, carpet, etc. While I'm not 100% certain about the E60, I believe that removing the light module with the ignition off will not trigger a fault code. Once a code is thrown you have two options:
1. Take the car to a dealer or independent shop that has the correct reset tool
or
2. Buy or borrow one of these: http://peakeresearch.com/srstool.htm
It wouldn't hurt to check out your most recent CCA chapter newsletter(or their web site) and see if your chapter has one available to borrow.

#480 of 2734 Seeking advice by tentwalker

Jan 07, 2004 (10:18 am)

I'm looking to buy a 2003 530iA or 540iA in Philadelphia PA area. I am looking for brand new or very low miles (like a demo car) Was interested in peoples opinions about the relative benefits/drawbacks between the two engines, relative to gas mileage, acceleration, etc.
 
Also, any opinions or advice on pricing. Drove an 03 540iA w/ sport and premium packages with 6k miles priced at $52,000.00. Seems high to me but the dealer doesn't seem willing to deal, thoughts?

#481 of 2734 Seeking advice by tentwalker

Jan 07, 2004 (10:20 am)

I'm looking to buy a 2003 530iA or 540iA in Philadelphia PA area. I am looking for brand new or very low miles (like a demo car) Was interested in peoples opinions about the relative benefits/drawbacks between the two engines, relative to gas mileage, acceleration, etc.
 
Also, any opinions or advice on pricing. Drove an 03 540iA w/ sport and premium packages with 6k miles priced at $52,000.00. Seems high to me but the dealer doesn't seem willing to deal, thoughts?

#482 of 2734 Seeking advice by tentwalker

Jan 07, 2004 (11:22 am)

I'm looking to buy a 2003 530iA or 540iA in Philadelphia PA area. I am looking for brand new or very low miles (like a demo car) Was interested in peoples opinions about the relative benefits/drawbacks between the two engines, relative to gas mileage, acceleration, etc.
 
Also, any opinions or advice on pricing. Drove an 03 540iA w/ sport and premium packages with 6k miles priced at $52,000.00. Seems high to me but the dealer doesn't seem willing to deal, thoughts?

#483 of 2734 tentwaker, by warthog

Jan 07, 2004 (11:35 am)

I think we've all seen your post now, on all the boards.

#484 of 2734 Warthog, no thoughts? by tentwalker

Jan 07, 2004 (2:24 pm)

You saw my post, but don't care to offer your opinion? I see that you list a 2003 5 as the car you own, so your opinion would be especially valuable.

Messages Page 49 of 274

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