What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
Pizzaeatingking said:
danb79 said:
Nice setup, mines currently got an extension lead hooked on the wing mirror. When it warms up a bit I think I'm gonna add some sockets on the rafters in strategic places so I can drop them down between cars. Neaten it up a bit.
But now I have another dinosaur on the drive
I needed a standard trickle charger to do the job nicelyI bought the CTEK wall brackets off Amazon; had the extensions a good few years now when I had the F01; bloody long car when it's reversed up to the garage and you have to use the charging points under the bonnet haha
danb79 said:
bodhi said:
Mine was going through final checks and about to be sent for MOT when another issue appeared - the headlight aim adjustment knob on the dash doesn't work.....fs.
Looking into it I don't think the aftermarket garbage that was on there don't come with motors on the back to be adjusted, so I suspect it's been coded out.
All I'll say is aftermarket headlights - don't even bother.
IMO never use aftermarket lights; more often than not they never work properlyLooking into it I don't think the aftermarket garbage that was on there don't come with motors on the back to be adjusted, so I suspect it's been coded out.
All I'll say is aftermarket headlights - don't even bother.
It's a sod when you're trying to find OEM headlights that work properly; but decent breakers like Rotrip and Quarry Motors should be able to help out
) or like candles in jamjars when I took the HID kit out. Like the handbrake it's a job that's needed doing for a while, just could have done without doing them both at the same time
We couldn't find any headlights on eBay that didn't look 15 years old, so I told me mate to get some new ones. They're from Valeo rather than BMW so not too expensive, and I prefer doing things properly - especially as this cars a keeper, despite the current challenges it's throwing me
Next job will be to replace the black grille with the original chrome/black one and fit some Eibach springs, will need the wallet to recover first however....
The Gauge said:
Tried out the new extension cable with outdoor socket (as my car is parked on the drive) together with my new CTEK to ensure I could run the cable from my garage out to the car, and into the bonnet with the bonnet closed properly.
I assume this is the negative battery point..
Yup that's the negativeI assume this is the negative battery point..
Your clamps should fit; just split the wiring carefully/slowly on them so it doesn't split the casing - this is what I had to do for the F31 before I got the eyelet quick connection and I just leave that tucked away now:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-40-133-Start-Indicat...
Drove to Dunsfold for my 16 year old to have a driving lesson- he did really well, hitting 75mph and using all the gears, seems he loves changing gear.
Despite that, he still enjoyed 60 in the Alpina shortly after, a bit more acceleration than the Suzuki swift according to him.
Couldn’t say enough good things about his instructor, Adnan, and the place www.youngdriver.eu - very impressive.
Despite that, he still enjoyed 60 in the Alpina shortly after, a bit more acceleration than the Suzuki swift according to him.
Couldn’t say enough good things about his instructor, Adnan, and the place www.youngdriver.eu - very impressive.
E-numbers said:
Drove to Dunsfold for my 16 year old to have a driving lesson- he did really well, hitting 75mph and using all the gears, seems he loves changing gear.
Despite that, he still enjoyed 60 in the Alpina shortly after, a bit more acceleration than the Suzuki swift according to him.
Couldn t say enough good things about his instructor, Adnan, and the place www.youngdriver.eu - very impressive.
Been teaching both grandkids how to drive since they were 8, starting at Langley park rally school and latterly with young driver. Both are competent drivers now but grandson is 15 m grandaughter 13 so a few years to go before they can take a test. They had a hot lap at Langley with Rupert Grint’s brother in an RS1800, they loved it.. Despite that, he still enjoyed 60 in the Alpina shortly after, a bit more acceleration than the Suzuki swift according to him.
Couldn t say enough good things about his instructor, Adnan, and the place www.youngdriver.eu - very impressive.
The Gauge said:
JakeT said:
The point you showed is handy too. A bold can be threaded in to help hard wiring the eyelet kit of a CTEK in.
danb79 said:
this is what I had to do for the F31 before I got the eyelet quick connection and I just leave that tucked away now:
How did you connect the eyelets please as there isn't a bolt to fit them to?DVandrews said:
Been teaching both grandkids how to drive since they were 8, starting at Langley park rally school and latterly with young driver. Both are competent drivers now but grandson is 15 m grandaughter 13 so a few years to go before they can take a test. They had a hot lap at Langley with Rupert Grint s brother in an RS1800, they loved it..
That’s fantastic grand parenting! Good for you, and you’ve set them up to be safe drivers for life, who maybe really enjoy it, too. Wish I had known about young driver years ago.The Gauge said:
How did you connect the eyelets please as there isn't a bolt to fit them to?
On my older 3 series it’s a hex with threads inside, so I just would a suitable bolt in. On yours it looks like there’s a torx impression in it. I’d remove it, add the eyelet and then do it back up.The Gauge said:
The Gauge said:
JakeT said:
The point you showed is handy too. A bold can be threaded in to help hard wiring the eyelet kit of a CTEK in.
danb79 said:
this is what I had to do for the F31 before I got the eyelet quick connection and I just leave that tucked away now:
How did you connect the eyelets please as there isn't a bolt to fit them to?I think it's similar for the positive, but can't remember fully as it's nearly 4 years since I had my F01
Got it back after a very emotional week or so trying to get it through an MOT. Final parts lost was impressive, two headlights, bulbs, bulb holders, adjustment motors, rear discs and pads, handbrake kit, new brake fluid and various other bits and bobs.
Headlights are much better, and the handbrake actually works now as well, which is always useful.
Headlights are much better, and the handbrake actually works now as well, which is always useful.
At least it's sorted now!Savaged the centre console of my M635CSi to remove the OBC backlight strip where a 6v bulb has failed - BMW OEM replacement £188, cost of a pack of 10 4mm 6v pea bulbs, £3.21, plus a few moments soldering.
Then took apart the drivers footwell of the E34 to remove and get ready to replace the dreaded two part cabin pollen filter. Have got two on order as you can guarantee that one will be the solid panel that only fits lhd cars.
E39 daily driver unused for nearly a week as I am summoned as a sit in driver in my learner daughters Ford Fiesta or running SWMBO about in her F31, so I ve popped the accumate onto the car for a full conditioning charge of the battery which has taken a couple of days so far but should be finished by morning.
Then took apart the drivers footwell of the E34 to remove and get ready to replace the dreaded two part cabin pollen filter. Have got two on order as you can guarantee that one will be the solid panel that only fits lhd cars.
E39 daily driver unused for nearly a week as I am summoned as a sit in driver in my learner daughters Ford Fiesta or running SWMBO about in her F31, so I ve popped the accumate onto the car for a full conditioning charge of the battery which has taken a couple of days so far but should be finished by morning.
Edited by McGee_22 on Wednesday 21st January 13:02
bodhi said:
Got it back after a very emotional week or so trying to get it through an MOT. Final parts lost was impressive, two headlights, bulbs, bulb holders, adjustment motors, rear discs and pads, handbrake kit, new brake fluid and various other bits and bobs.
Headlights are much better, and the handbrake actually works now as well, which is always useful.
Win as far as I’m concerned. Looks great with the original lamps in, and I bet you can actually drive at night now!Headlights are much better, and the handbrake actually works now as well, which is always useful.
McGee_22 said:
Savaged the centre console of my M635CSi to remove the OBC backlight strip where a 6v bulb has failed - BMW OEM replacement £188, cost of a pack of 10 4mm 6v pea bulbs, £3.21, plus a few moments soldering.
I had weirdly similar with a sidelight bulb at the weekend. BMW will sell you only the holder with bulb in, for £70. Otherwise you can modify it a bit, and fit a bulb I bought in Denmark when I last needed one for £1…JakeT said:
I had weirdly similar with a sidelight bulb at the weekend. BMW will sell you only the holder with bulb in, for £70. Otherwise you can modify it a bit, and fit a bulb I bought in Denmark when I last needed one for £1
I had the same issue with my 330i in 2019. ECP could supply a bulb in a holder for £35, but I modified the existing holder enough to fit an ordinary bayonet bulb from a full bulb set I bought in Aldi for £4.99!Although I had to remove half of the air intake to get to the back of the fitting. No wonder the previous owner hadn't done it.
Annoyingly, I dented the front wing and scraped a good 12” of paint on my E46 M3 against a concrete pillar in my office car park today.
I park in the same spot three days a week, am usually anal about parking really carefully. Today I got there a little stressed and preoccupied with my planned day full of pointless meetings I didn’t really need to attend getting in the way of me doing any real work.
With that playing on my mind I just wasn’t concentrating properly and crunch, scraped the flared arch as I manoeuvred into a bay.
Absolutely gutted. We’ve been at this site for 10 of my 20yrs ownership of the car and I’ve never had a problem. I park in a bay next to a pillar as it gives me more space to avoid being car-doored. Hugely disappointed in myself for a moment’s inattention.
Need to get it down to my paint guy to assess the damage. Trying to put a brave face on it that worse things happen at sea but still really peeved at myself.
I park in the same spot three days a week, am usually anal about parking really carefully. Today I got there a little stressed and preoccupied with my planned day full of pointless meetings I didn’t really need to attend getting in the way of me doing any real work.
With that playing on my mind I just wasn’t concentrating properly and crunch, scraped the flared arch as I manoeuvred into a bay.
Absolutely gutted. We’ve been at this site for 10 of my 20yrs ownership of the car and I’ve never had a problem. I park in a bay next to a pillar as it gives me more space to avoid being car-doored. Hugely disappointed in myself for a moment’s inattention.
Need to get it down to my paint guy to assess the damage. Trying to put a brave face on it that worse things happen at sea but still really peeved at myself.
Snubs said:
Over the last couple of weeks I've had a notable issue with condensation on the inside of my F82 M4. Being a pillarless coupe with windows that pop-up / down when you open the doors I though perhaps one hadn't closed properly but that isn't the case. I can't see any leaks inside. But on a few occasions I've had to go through a lot of kitchen roll to clear the condensation from the windscreen. I would have had to do the same with the rear window too but couldn't be bothered. It's starting to smell a bit musty in there 
On the one hand, my local indy is saying it's nothing to worry about and lots of them do that sir. on the other hand, I had the same car parked in the same place last year and it neve happened and the previous cars I've had parked in the same place were unaffected.
I've bought a couple of dehumidifying bags and my plan is to go for a long drive on the weekend with the A/C on to fully dry it out, then stick the dehumidifying bags in there.
Should I be worried and get the car checked, or is the indy right and it's fine to leave do we think?
To follow on on from my post above on excessive condensation, after my original post I checked the drivers side footwell again and the carpets were pretty wet, so water was getting in somehow. I took it to BMW Cotswolds this week who removed all the carpets and pressure tested it (whatever that involves, squirting with a hose perhaps?) and they found that it was where the bonnet release cable goes through the bulkhead had broken / split / deteriorated in some way and was letting water in. I'll be picking it up again tomorrow as they're keeping it partly as the new part will arrive today, but also so the carpets can fully dry out. On the one hand, my local indy is saying it's nothing to worry about and lots of them do that sir. on the other hand, I had the same car parked in the same place last year and it neve happened and the previous cars I've had parked in the same place were unaffected.
I've bought a couple of dehumidifying bags and my plan is to go for a long drive on the weekend with the A/C on to fully dry it out, then stick the dehumidifying bags in there.
Should I be worried and get the car checked, or is the indy right and it's fine to leave do we think?
I mention the diagnosis here as I would imagine it's a problem that could affect any F-generation 3/4 series. Cost me £512 to fix, but I'd imagine a vaguely competent mechanic could probably sort it themselves.
While they were at it they did their usual full-car inspection and confirmed that the front discs require urgent replacement. No great surprise as they've been flagged as worn for the last 2 years. Still, another £800+ job.
In more fun news, I started getting social media adds for a company in Germany that makes head gasket keyrings for specific engines. I immediately decided I had to have one so i got one for the S55 engine in my car: https://disagree.de/en/collections/bmw-engines/pro...
I think it's ace
^ good to hear that you sorted the ingress before it attacked the ECU!
On the disc front, you can just buy cheap calipers to measure the thickness. Did they give you some measurements? The minimal thickness is engraved on the hat of the discs. It's quite a classic earner from dealerships.
On the disc front, you can just buy cheap calipers to measure the thickness. Did they give you some measurements? The minimal thickness is engraved on the hat of the discs. It's quite a classic earner from dealerships.
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