What have you done to your BMW today?

[g3org3y]

Coils on cylinders 2-5 replaced on the 630i. Idle was a bit grumpy on cold starts. Fingers crossed it does the job.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

Got my black grills fitted to the 630i. These are the better quality German sourced ones rather than the cheap chinese ebay ones i tried first time round and all the clips broke.

Still waiting for my drivers door mirror from Lithuania, due likely next week. It goes to my mechanic on Monday for a service, rocker cover gasket, oil filter(?) gasket and to get the suspension height set (slightly too low at the back).

Oil filter housing gasket. Very common issue.

Black grill looks good. You not tempted to get black wheels to get the full black on black on black look!?

[g3org3y]

Court_S said:

Swore because my valvetronic error code has made an appearance again, accompanied by two more codes for mixture control. The mixture control codes (0029E0 and 0029E1) usually point to a vacuum leak but I’ve also come across people getting those codes when the valvetronic motor gasket dies.

Local indy is rammed so can’t see me for a while, the first available slot is when we’re in Devon. I’ve ordered a genuine gasket from BMW. They’re not expensive and look easy enough to change so figured that I’ll give it a whirl before we head off on holiday. Hopefully it’ll solve the issue.

I presume you're getting an EML with this?

I noticed the same with my BMW Indy. Booked up weeks in advance!

Yes, seems like a fairly straightforward job (famous last words). Interesting about the ' service mode' on it.

[g3org3y]

Court_S said:

No lights on the dash.

Is been fine for weeks until yesterday the idle was a bit erratic hence me reading the codes. The motor looked a bit oily when I had a nose before and there was a bit of oil underneath / around the tops of the spark plugs either side.

No doubt there’ll some swearing along the way.

Yes, there seems to be one annoying (difficult to access) bolt that could cause bother.

[g3org3y]

^Good luck!

I've been using the E91 for tip runs as I've been cutting hedges.

[g3org3y]

Cliffe60 said:

Anyone used their indicators?

[g3org3y]

Fingers crossed it sorts the issue.

[g3org3y]

630i passed the MOT.

- underbody shields fitted
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Need to really get that right rear alloy checked to see if the slow puncture is actually an issue with the wheel itself.

[g3org3y]

Dropped off the X5 for MOT. Fingers crossed.

EDIT:

And it's a pass:

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
- underbody shields fitted
- Offside mirror deteriorated
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))
- Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

The mirror is auto-dim where the glass now has that yellow tinge. Best suppliers for a replacement? I suspect BMW OE would be £££.

It's on the 20 inch Star Marked Dunlop Sport Maxx RFTs. Looking to put it back on the 18s and maybe put all seasons (ideally non RFT).

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 22 July 09:42

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

RE: Your auto dim i see you can get them on ebay. Probably worth pricing a genuine one but i cant image it will be cheap.

Your tyres..... I've a similar problem in that the 630i is going to need rear tyres soon and they are RFTs. They're 19s and arent cheap and i'd favour non RFTs but that would mean 4 new tyres which is serious £££s.

If you're on 20s RFTs from a decent brand must be £250+ a corner?

Yes, and the ride isn't fantastic (even with SE suspension). I reckon putting it back on 18s with non RFTs would be a game changer in terms of ride quality (not to mention a whole lot cheaper tyre wise).

Michelin Cross Climate SUV probably #1 on the short list.

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 22 July 20:49

[g3org3y]

JakeT said:

Good news. I got new mirror glass for my dads E53 on eBay. Year on and the dimming and heating works dead fine. I think I paid £100 over £800 from BMW.

I would also move to 18 inch wheels. Michelin Latitude SUV is good, and very long lasting.

I need some winter/snow ability (because rural GP) hence the shortlisting of CrossClimates.

Yes, did expect OE BMW glass to be silly money.

d_a_n1979 said:

My original wing mirrors were OEM heated/chromatic etc. £440 each!

I managed to find the same glass on ECP a month back, £65 each (last of that stock) and bought two RHD glass as its simply a case of fitting one upside down for the left hand side...

Worth having a look on ECP if I were you.

It's OEM glass with the BMW logo ground off

I'll have a look at ECP re the glass. Thanks for the heads up.

Deep Thought said:

I "assume" if your car is running 20s currently and is an E70, then its got the Dynamic Pack option?

Mine (E70 30d) had the 20s and it had Dynamic pack. From memory that gets you the "Sports" suspension also, so might explain the firmness, even being an SE.

Yes, does have the Adaptive Drive (S02VA) and Sport Package (S0330) according to spec sheet so you're probably right.

The other issue I suppose is whether to keep RFTs (afaik there is no RF CrossClimates). Annoying for ride/handling, but maybe safer for wife/child so not going to get stranded and have to mess about with AA etc.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

Yes. I have a similar concern. My 630i when in "full use" would be used to take me to the airport, lie there for several days, drive me home again. It would be good not to have to worry about what to do with a slow puncture / flat tyre some wet wintery thursday night in the airport car park.

Keeping the RFTs is the cheapest option for me anyway - and given the amount i've spent on the car in the two months i've owned it - i'll probably just run with replacing the two end of life rear RFLs with new RFLs.

For all the driving it gets - even in full use (rather than WFH currently) - i'll likely live with the firm ride.

The other issue with the X5 is that apparently they are very sensitive to differences in tread depth between front and rear. Consequently it won't like new tyres on the rear and worn on the front.

Must admit though, when swapping them on, I don't remember thinking they were especially worn (I'm sure I would have noticed). Maybe it's just the edge.

Mr Tidy said:

That makes sense for your use of the car but there are run-flats, and there are better run-flats!

My Z4s had Bridgestone Potenza RE50s and they were dreadful. My 123d had Pirelli P Zeros that were way better and I've had Continentals on a 3 Series that fell somewhere between the 2.

Yep, had the Bridgestones on the E91, much better on Eagle F1 RFTs.

Still have them on my Z4 and unfortunately lots of tread. I don't drive the Z4 enough to justify chucking some PS4s on.

Court_S said:

Ditching the RFT’s was the best thing I did to her 125, but I appreciate that some value the security of them.

That's really the main thing with wife and baby in the car.

I'm not sure effective/successful the goo/pump kit is.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

So if i was sticking with runflats then Pirelli P Zeros would be the way to go?

Coming in at around £250 a corner according to Black Circles, but i think my local indy would be cheaper.

Are you talking about ride quality, or grip, or both?

Good experience with Eagle F1 RFTs on my E91.

I keep bothering Jon (Tyre Review guy on YouTube) to do a RFT group test, no success to date.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

Part of the problem i'm having is that - according to the search capability in Black Circles at least - not all manufacturers do both sizes that i need. I've just checked and Black Circles will supply P Zero rears (275/35 R19) but not fronts (245/40 R19). They're also not listing Eagle in that front tyre size. I dont need all four now but i'd like to be able to have a matching set at some point down the line when the fronts are due.

I've found that also. Very frustrating.

Deep Thought said:

Door card now refitted and everything working. Just need the airbag light put out.

So thats it basically finished now.

Externally -

• Black Grilles fitted
• Coilovers fitted
• Coilover socks fitted
• Suspension height adjusted (lifted at rear)
• 10mm spacers front and rear
• New BMW centre caps
• New black wheel studs
• Mirror replaced
• Angel eyes upgraded with white LED bulbs

Inside -

• Cup holder
• Centre console trim
• Gear knob
• Steering wheel trim
• Fitted mats
• Updated Sat Nav DVD

Mechanicals -

• Water leak fixed
• Oil leaks x2 fixed
• Serviced
• MOT'd

Edited by Deep Thought on Saturday 24th July 14:04

Wow, you've done a lot of work on the car in a short space of time

What are your thoughts on the 630i so far? Enjoying it?

Do you not have a code reader for the airbag light reset? I must have reset the airbag light on mine 50 times until I finally (fingers crossed) sorted the issue.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

What code reader resets it?

Creator C310+ worked for me when I had this code:

Edited by g3org3y on Saturday 24th July 16:28

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

g3org3y said:

Deep Thought said:

What code reader resets it?

Creator C310+ worked for me when I had this code:

Edited by g3org3y on Saturday 24th July 16:28

I've ordered one off amazon. Airbag codes i think are different (?) but i did a search through the reviews and people say it put their airbag light codes out too. Fingers crossed it does this one

Due tomorrow.

It was coming up with this fault on the iDrive:


And this on the dash:


I've found the C310 a really helpful bit of kit for all my BMWs (E46: identifying crank sensor issues and MAF problems, E91: Vanos Solenoid, E63: Misfire/coil pack, E70: EVAP valve). Definitely worth having on your shelf imo (if you're not going to go down the INPA or Carly route)

[g3org3y]

d_a_n1979 said:

My original wing mirrors were OEM heated/chromatic etc. £440 each!

I managed to find the same glass on ECP a month back, £65 each (last of that stock) and bought two RHD glass as its simply a case of fitting one upside down for the left hand side...

Worth having a look on ECP if I were you.

It's OEM glass with the BMW logo ground off

OE Glass, £415 from BMW!

Loads of cheap aftermarket (heated) options, but not sure whether they'd actually have the autodim function.

ECP has this Macht glass but again, not sure if has autodim.

Court_S said:

g3org3y said:

That's really the main thing with wife and baby in the car.

I'm not sure effective/successful the goo/pump kit is.

I don’t think there’s any right or wrong answer. The last puncture I had, I dint think an RFT would have done any better (hit a brick that fell off a lorry in front of me and the side wall had a gash in it). My other half doesn’t travel far from home so we’re happy enough taking the benefits of a better ride / handling and risking a puncture.

It's tricky. 99% of the time, it's fine. It's that 1% where you're damning yourself for not taking those additional precautions.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

Your recommended code reader put the airbag light out no problem! Well impressed! The amazon driver wouldn't have been at the bottom of the road until I had it plugged in and reset. Looks like a great wee product too. Will have a play around with it tomorrow.

Thank you

[g3org3y]

Ordered some mats for the X5 (at the moment it has the rubber overmats). Went for black to contrast with the cream interior.

Need to think about booking the E91 in for a wheel bearing replacement. Notable on straight ahead and turning left, quiet on turning right. Has been getting worse for weeks now.

[g3org3y]

Deep Thought said:

My six series hasnt cost me anything this week!

Yesterday finally read up on the 'Rear Entertainment System' of the X5 so my son can watch a DVD while we drive. With the Pro HiFi option, Hey Duggee sounds fantastic!!

Annoyances however include: not being able to control the rear system from the iDrive upfront, unfortunately not having the TV option in the rear (only CD/DVD and Aux In) and missing the remote which means I can't access some of the options. The remote is a frustration in itself as it's not clear which one I need (in terms of MHz), examples on eBay are ££ (US ones are cheap but not correct) and from my reading they still need to be coded by the dealer to work!