Some basic questions!
Discussion
Haven't had a BMW for ages. Picked up a 9 year old 225i Active Tourer. Amusing little thing, but wondered:
-Which free vin decoder? Have used two and got different results...
-Servicing in Bristol, could go generic garage I'm sure esp at this age, but anyone recommended?
-If I feel the need to faff with more than the basic configuration stuff allows, what's the recommended software these days that isn't bank breaking? We're talking getting the mirrors to fold when locking which seems outside iDrives comfort zone.
ETA, stupid pale leather stupid pale mats, where's a good place to get some from. Black, they can go over the ones in there. If it's just eBay/ Halfords that's fine if they fit!
TIA!
-Which free vin decoder? Have used two and got different results...
-Servicing in Bristol, could go generic garage I'm sure esp at this age, but anyone recommended?
-If I feel the need to faff with more than the basic configuration stuff allows, what's the recommended software these days that isn't bank breaking? We're talking getting the mirrors to fold when locking which seems outside iDrives comfort zone.
ETA, stupid pale leather stupid pale mats, where's a good place to get some from. Black, they can go over the ones in there. If it's just eBay/ Halfords that's fine if they fit!
TIA!
Edited by macron on Sunday 7th July 10:23
Edited by macron on Monday 8th July 11:41
For VIN decoder, I use the MDecoder https://www.mdecoder.com/
Clayton Cars in Bristol are a BMW specialist. https://www.claytoncars.co.uk. We also have access to Redish Motorsport. Ive used both over the years depending on my requirements and both very good.
rassi said:
For VIN decoder, I use the MDecoder https://www.mdecoder.com/
^^This - but use Safari or Chrome and ensure that any adblockers are off, or use an incognito tab etc
d_a_n1979 said:
^^
This - but use Safari or Chrome and ensure that any adblockers are off, or use an incognito tab etc
+1This - but use Safari or Chrome and ensure that any adblockers are off, or use an incognito tab etc
If you are after service history, this one is good as well:
https://bimmerdecoder.net/
It's a paid service but doesn't cost a lot if you want to find out a bit more. I've used it a few times for my cars / potential purchases.
Re. coding: most user friendly is Bimmercode, mirror autofold is easy enough.
Protool is a more advanced tool, as close to Esys as you can get on a mobile platform in terms of coding and diagnostics.
drdino said:
d_a_n1979 said:
^^
This - but use Safari or Chrome and ensure that any adblockers are off, or use an incognito tab etc
+1This - but use Safari or Chrome and ensure that any adblockers are off, or use an incognito tab etc
If you are after service history, this one is good as well:
https://bimmerdecoder.net/
It's a paid service but doesn't cost a lot if you want to find out a bit more. I've used it a few times for my cars / potential purchases.
Re. coding: most user friendly is Bimmercode, mirror autofold is easy enough.
Protool is a more advanced tool, as close to Esys as you can get on a mobile platform in terms of coding and diagnostics.
Thanks all,
Decoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
Decoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
Edited by macron on Monday 8th July 11:43
macron said:
Thanks all,
Decoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
OEM BMW for floor mates IMO - they fit the best and they're superbly made; never had anything aftermarket thats come closeDecoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
Edited by macron on Monday 8th July 11:43
Re exhaust tail pipes; that needs replacing. No fixing that now unfortunately
Where's Fermit when you need an opinion?
Mwstewart's new CL216 thread, opinion please?!
The underlying leather may be a particular type and grain, but since the 90's the top coating is basically paint, so by and large dedicated leather detailing products are a waste of money.
Mwstewart's new CL216 thread, opinion please?!
mwstewart said:
macron said:
The APC you use, is it stuff like this? Even on leather as posh as that? Or do you have something particular that you have found works?
That's the stuff. I dilute it by approximately half.The underlying leather may be a particular type and grain, but since the 90's the top coating is basically paint, so by and large dedicated leather detailing products are a waste of money.
+1 for Redish Motorsport.... if you can get an appointment! Check out their YouTube channel to get an idea of their diligence.
I just went to my dealer to get a copy of the VIN sheet which was free and quick
I would get ISTA+ personally. Bimmerlink is OK but it doesn't show some fault codes that ISTA does. Bimmercode is good for basic coding though.
I just went to my dealer to get a copy of the VIN sheet which was free and quick
I would get ISTA+ personally. Bimmerlink is OK but it doesn't show some fault codes that ISTA does. Bimmercode is good for basic coding though.
macron said:
Thanks all,
Decoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
Was it a simple fix to get the mirrors to fold on locking, or was it a coding job? Would like do the same if straight forward.Decoded, then managed to get the supplying dealer to confirm. If we include the paint and number plates it's a tickle under 10k of options but still no flappy paddles, lol!
They also told me how to sort the mirrors, so thats a win, although one cap has a bad respray I've only just realised. Guess most replacements are "close enough" unless there's a suggested supplier? Coded or maybe carbon (look) is fine. This one's clearly been home sprayed.
Have now ordered LTT leather care (thanks Fermit!) but think the chrome on the pipes has long left the building. Top came up OK with Autosol, not so the rest
Will speak to Clayton cars, thanks for the tip, Reddish always seems backed up for ages!
ETA, my spelling was crap in the OP, where is good to get floor mats from? Generics OK or anywhere recommended? It has pale ones which are filthy in no time...
Edited by macron on Monday 8th July 11:43
oldaudi said:
Clayton Cars in Bristol are a BMW specialist. https://www.claytoncars.co.uk. We also have access to Redish Motorsport. Ive used both over the years depending on my requirements and both very good.
I've admittedly used them only once for a brake fluid service and MOT but Mill Lane Automotive seem very good and I'll definitely be using them again- they're out in Warmley. I used Clayton Cars for a few years when I lived that side of town and they were decent but never really seemed much cheaper than the main dealer.Redish obviously meant to be excellent but also very busy and I've always got the impression they prefer sticking to M-Cars (probably unfairly).
NorthEast said:
Was it a simple fix to get the mirrors to fold on locking, or was it a coding job? Would like do the same if straight forward.
It turns out it has comfort access, which has loads of weird s
t that I suspect I may get used to but it's a station car that won't get a lot of use! Touch the door handle, some doors open. Hold the lock button down on the remote and the window ls close (if for some inexplicable reason I've left them down) and the mirrors fold. I did check Reddish, I remember them from my E46 days of busted rear sub frames. Think I'll go to Clayton as they have short appointments if you need them (while you wait) and work to BM standards. Reddish, as is said, it takes ages, but then they put the hours into the cars they see!
macron said:
It turns out it has comfort access, which has loads of weird st that I suspect I may get used to but it's a station car that won't get a lot of use! Touch the door handle, some doors open. Hold the lock button down on the remote and the window ls close (if for some inexplicable reason I've left them down) and the mirrors fold.
I did check Reddish, I remember them from my E46 days of busted rear sub frames. Think I'll go to Clayton as they have short appointments if you need them (while you wait) and work to BM standards. Reddish, as is said, it takes ages, but then they put the hours into the cars they see!
Thanks, I also have comfort access, thought there might have been an easy work round to get the mirrors to fold when locking, without having to hold door handle/ key fob for a few seconds to get the mirrors to fold.t that I suspect I may get used to but it's a station car that won't get a lot of use! Touch the door handle, some doors open. Hold the lock button down on the remote and the window ls close (if for some inexplicable reason I've left them down) and the mirrors fold. I did check Reddish, I remember them from my E46 days of busted rear sub frames. Think I'll go to Clayton as they have short appointments if you need them (while you wait) and work to BM standards. Reddish, as is said, it takes ages, but then they put the hours into the cars they see!
macron said:
Hold the lock button down on the remote and the window’s close. !
That is standard on all BMWs, whether they having folding mirrors or not.Also, press the remote locking button again within 10 seconds of locking, and the passenger compartment (movement) sensor and the tilt sensor are switched off, something people forget when they leave dogs in the car at a supermarket.
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