BMW E91 335i Touring, Le Mans Blue

[Court_S]

Indicators should just pop out…it’s only a faf when the plug falls back into the arch.

I’d just get the wheels refurbed, it’ll be fine properly with consistent finish. It’s probably not a lot more than a bunch of smart repairs.

Thanks for the heads up re the leather cleaner. The seats in the 330i need a bit more love.

[Fermit]

Now you both tell me! Well, with the (hopefully) correct ones on-route I'll know for next time.

Another question, I forgot to mention last night. I set about trying to sort the none working Angel Eyes (thanks to the poster who gave the wheel arch access advise) Although the bulbs are lit, they are still not working. There are two solid plastic translucent tubes which the bulbs meet, which I presume carry the light to the rings? Is there any trick to sorting whatever maybe the problem, EG if they've come out of their housing? I have sent a recorded delivery letter to the dealer with a few bits (including this) which need sorting under warranty, but if there is a simple trick it would lessen the upheaval.

@ Court_S. No probs RE the pointer. If you do call the lady you may well speak to is Judy. Let her know Rob from Leather Better passed on her details. Also if she thinks I'm ignoring her, this company has been dormant for some time.
At some point soon I'll hopefully be purchasing the rubber cubby pair for the interior, so when the time comes I'll probably accept your gracious offer to assist with fitment. If you also happened to be in your 335 a quick passenger ride to see what they go like with a remap would be really interesting!

[pmorg4]

Fermit said:

Another question, I forgot to mention last night. I set about trying to sort the none working Angel Eyes (thanks to the poster who gave the wheel arch access advise) Although the bulbs are lit, they are still not working. There are two solid plastic translucent tubes which the bulbs meet, which I presume carry the light to the rings? Is there any trick to sorting whatever maybe the problem, EG if they've come out of their housing? I have sent a recorded delivery letter to the dealer with a few bits (including this) which need sorting under warranty, but if there is a simple trick it would lessen the upheaval.

Correct - the bulb feeds light into the rings. There shouldn't really be much to go wrong with these, as long as you have the correct bulb and it's sitting properly in the housing the ring should light up. I'd double and triple check everything, as if the rings have become dislodged or broken somehow it would probably need the headlight opening up which is a real pain on these as they are permasealed (which means the sealant doesn't soften when heated so you basically need to cut it open).

If the headlight does need work I'd definitely be looking for the dealership to sort it. A BMW dealer wouldn't even attempt to repair, it would be a replacement unit if there was a fault with the internals.

[pmorg4]

Fermit said:

I've also spent time giving the interior including the leather a thorough going over, including LTT deep cleaner on all the leather. s_court, as a detailer you want to speak to these people (in Harrogate) as I can promise you (as a leather restoration specialist of 10 years) that their products really are the best leather products around.

On collection I discovered the split tail-gate wasn't working, so they knocked £100 off to compensate for this. I've ordered a £12 release switch, so if this works that'll be a bonus.

Was it this stuff you used on the leather?

https://www.lttleathercare.com/product/auto-foam-2...

I have Oyster leather in mine which shows up the slightest dirt in the grain. I've cleaned using the Autoglym stuff, but would be happy to try something better.

On your split tailgate the switch is likely to be the issue, they eventually let water in which causes it to fail. If you have INPA/ISTA it's easy to test as you can activate the glass release solenoid, and read the status of the switch while you press it.

[Fermit]

pmorg4 said:

Correct - the bulb feeds light into the rings. There shouldn't really be much to go wrong with these, as long as you have the correct bulb and it's sitting properly in the housing the ring should light up. I'd double and triple check everything, as if the rings have become dislodged or broken somehow it would probably need the headlight opening up which is a real pain on these as they are permasealed (which means the sealant doesn't soften when heated so you basically need to cut it open).

If the headlight does need work I'd definitely be looking for the dealership to sort it. A BMW dealer wouldn't even attempt to repair, it would be a replacement unit if there was a fault with the internals.

Bugger, I'll leave it as one for the dealer I bought from to sort. As for the cleaner, mine was purchased as trade, in a big washer fluid type bottle, labelled Deep Clean. It may be a trade only product, but I'd presume this is the same stuff - https://www.lttleathercare.com/product/leather-dee...

Auto/ furniture is just marketing labelling IIRC, and they're actually the same products. Just in case there are any deals to be had. Don't mention to them I said as much mind!

[Court_S]

Fermit said:

At some point soon I'll hopefully be purchasing the rubber cubby pair for the interior, so when the time comes I'll probably accept your gracious offer to assist with fitment. If you also happened to be in your 335 a quick passenger ride to see what they go like with a remap would be really interesting!

No worries, drop me a line and I’ll be happy to help. A passenger ride can probably be sorted out too.

[Fermit]

Cheers C_S.

Another freebie, if anyone wants them, LED angel eye bulbs www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295102911257

Bought two pairs, as I stupidly thought I'd need 4 of, so now have two spare. Also outside the window to return. If anyone wants the repeaters let me know over the weekend, as I've decided that otherwise I will return them as cash is a bit tight ATM (maybe something to do with buying a new car, and buying too many bits for it at once!)

[Court_S]

Fermit said:

Cheers C_S.

Another freebie, if anyone wants them, LED angel eye bulbs www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295102911257

Bought two pairs, as I stupidly thought I'd need 4 of, so now have two spare. Also outside the window to return. If anyone wants the repeaters let me know over the weekend, as I've decided that otherwise I will return them as cash is a bit tight ATM (maybe something to do with buying a new car, and buying too many bits for it at once!)

I know that feeling of spending too much on a new car! Given my ongoing A/C woes, I’m not sure wheel refurbs an dark line rear light were such a good investment!

[Fermit]

Court_S said:

Fermit said:

Cheers C_S.

Another freebie, if anyone wants them, LED angel eye bulbs www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295102911257

Bought two pairs, as I stupidly thought I'd need 4 of, so now have two spare. Also outside the window to return. If anyone wants the repeaters let me know over the weekend, as I've decided that otherwise I will return them as cash is a bit tight ATM (maybe something to do with buying a new car, and buying too many bits for it at once!)

I know that feeling of spending too much on a new car! Given my ongoing A/C woes, I’m not sure wheel refurbs an dark line rear light were such a good investment!

Spooky timing Sam, just (as in last pages visited) been on your thread about this. Luckily air-con is one thing which is fine with mine. See page one of this thread to see the wheel finish I fancy. BTW, the ash-tray replacement cubby thingymagig. The cheapest I could find it is circa £43. Is that about right, seems pricy for what it is.

[Court_S]

Fermit said:

Spooky timing Sam, just (as in last pages visited) been on your thread about this. Luckily air-con is one thing which is fine with mine. See page one of this thread to see the wheel finish I fancy. BTW, the ash-tray replacement cubby thingymagig. The cheapest I could find it is circa £43. Is that about right, seems pricy for what it is.

That sounds way too expensive.

I accidentally bought the sunglasses holder for the 330i and that was £18. The basic cubby like in my 335i was £13 or so with the rubber insert. For some stuff like this, a dealer is the best bet with eBay sellers taking the pee if I’m honest.

[Fermit]

Court_S said:

That sounds way too expensive.

I accidentally bought the sunglasses holder for the 330i and that was £18. The basic cubby like in my 335i was £13 or so with the rubber insert. For some stuff like this, a dealer is the best bet with eBay sellers taking the pee if I’m honest.

I thought so too. Using the part number you gave me (51169198283) I checked ebay, Amazon, Google shopping, all £40+. I did find this by hunting for it at £31 www.lllparts.co.uk/product/oddments-tray/mpn/51169... but can't find any cheaper. If you do recall where you bought it from at that money please do let me know

[Court_S]

Fermit said:

I thought so too. Using the part number you gave me (51169198283) I checked ebay, Amazon, Google shopping, all £40+. I did find this by hunting for it at £31 www.lllparts.co.uk/product/oddments-tray/mpn/51169... but can't find any cheaper. If you do recall where you bought it from at that money please do let me know

I just ordered via my local Sytner.

I know when I looked in line, a manky use one was more expensive than a new one from a dealer! There are often online sellers with prices that are way higher than a dealer charges. When I had to replace the trim that holds the ambient lighting on the rear door card, the dealer price was £30 yet online it was £80.

[Fermit]

Good to know. Sytner Sheffield are nearer to me than Nottingham, so I'll give them a call tomorrow.

[Fermit]

A quick one for Court_S/ Sam, or anyone else who has done the job. I've ordered a blue stop/start button, to replace the standard one, to tie it in with the bodywork. Is it easy to remove, without undoing trim? I note they've got 4 very small clips to secure it, can they just be (carefully!) popped off with a very small screwdriver?

[d_a_n1979]

Fermit said:

A quick one for Court_S/ Sam, or anyone else who has done the job. I've ordered a blue stop/start button, to replace the standard one, to tie it in with the bodywork. Is it easy to remove, without undoing trim? I note they've got 4 very small clips to secure it, can they just be (carefully!) popped off with a very small screwdriver?

Not sure if it's the same as my F31; but mine just popped out using a small pick tool and tape on the end to protect the surround etc...

Took me all of 10seconds to remove it and swap it over

Something like these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Piece-115mm-...

[Jakg]

Fermit said:

A quick one for Court_S/ Sam, or anyone else who has done the job. I've ordered a blue stop/start button, to replace the standard one, to tie it in with the bodywork. Is it easy to remove, without undoing trim? I note they've got 4 very small clips to secure it, can they just be (carefully!) popped off with a very small screwdriver?

I think you need to pull the trim off and release the tabs from behind. The dashboard trim is big and looks awkward but just fulls off.

[Court_S]

Jakg said:

think you need to pull the trim off and release the tabs from behind. The dashboard trim is big and looks awkward but just fulls off.

I think you do too. You don’t need to remove the trim all of the way, just pull that end out end enough so you can get to the two tabs to release the button.

[Fermit]

So the consensus is the trim needs pulling off a little. Any pointers how to do this from those who have done the job?

[d_a_n1979]

Here you go; 2min job by the looks of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Subh8ElnQw

[Fermit]

d_a_n1979 said:

Here you go; 2min job by the looks of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Subh8ElnQw

Brill, thanks. It should arrive in the coming days so I'll have a look.