318Touring

Error messages can't be reset, they have to be cleared regardless whether it's the measuring tool is faulty or there is a real problem. As long as you know that the oil level is correct by checking the dipstick, I think you have to just ignore the oil level warning until it's fixed.

Ouch, was that 4k to make iDrive Kiwi friendly? What, do you on sell the cars after three months, wouldn't that be taking some financial hit? The previous model of X5s are now getting to a more agreeable level price wise. Also more Jap imports which have unseen option in NZ e.g. cloth seats with TV. I wanted to buy an X5 last year, but since I was coming from E39 it was like buying a raised E39, which didn't make me very happy to part with lots of $. Apart from the driving position, I prefer my E60 to X5, unless it's the new model of X5 of course.

Well, you won't like this .... AS will return after awhile, however it is still faulty. In the next few weeks/months it will return again, and again and again. You get the idea. You have to take it to the dealer as the problem hasn't gone away, it's just hidden. Tranny will be lifetime/sealed unit. The car will specifically complain about the tranny if there is the problem with it. Oil level problem will be about the engine oil level. Nothing on it on the manual? I'll say, you have to take it to the dealer for the AS and oil problem. Oh, and welcome to E60 ownership ;-)

Well, when you're at the dealer getting your AS problem looked at, ask them to program your Japanese key to NZ's configuration. Our local BMW shop (Page European) said that they can work on the car but I have to take it to the dealer to get the messages reset. I thought that was a bit of a hassle, might as well go the dealer. When I got my E60 WOF tested at the local garage they hid it at the back of the garage since 'it might get damage at the front'. LOL I don't use MSN, try to avoid Micro$oft stuff as much as possible. I'm in google talk though dgunawan at gmail dot com.

The previous owner must only be using one key? You do know that you should use both keys alternatively as the batteries in the keys are charged whenever one is slotted in at the ignition barrel. I don't exactly know the problem with mine, the work order said 'reprogrammed control units & initialised active steering'. The actual cost was $97.20 + $25 + GST. No one apart from BMW dealer will be able to do this for you. I hope you realise that with E60 you won't be quite successful in avoiding the dealer as a lot of work will need specialised equipment that up till now only available at the dealer. Your non-BMW garage won't even be able to reset the iDrive messages for the various events unless they click here

Yup, it's M42 same as my '96 318ti's.

The message will go away by itself if you re-start the car. But, that needs to be looked at by the BMW dealer, your software will need to be updated. Cost me $160 last time that happened. Your two issues wouldn't be related. BTW, you got your OBC showing up on the screen now?

Now it's getting interesting.... I've heard the same, being impossible and car's configuration has to match between what's in it and what's stored in factory database. Meaning if you change the car's config without updating the factory database, it gets interesting when you have to take the car to BMW dealer to get any work done involving the software. I'll be quite keen to know whether BMW Workshop is really able to reprogram the radio.

Jeff Gray BMW will have its workshop open from 10 to about noon, they're at Kaiwharawhara Rd. Pay them a visit an d tell them that you're very concerned about your car.

I thought you iDrive has been Kiwi-ed by the previous owner? In theory when you click right it should show you being somewhere in the middle of Pacific, it shouldn't come up blank. Ask around at e60.net or ask the bimmersporter with E60 M5 as his is also a Jap import.

It's more that BMW customises cars destined for the Japanese market which makes them a bit 'different' to the cars for other RHD markets.

Search the forum for the topic discussing fuel consumption. My E60 530i, same engine as E39, does 12-15l/100km city driving. Also dependent on the driving style.

Did you try it out yourself? What's the built date of your car? Try Fabdirect for your CD changer, it shouldn't cost more than a few quid at Fabdirect.

It's front wheel drive, unless it's a quatrro.

Go to a BMW dealer and get the option list for your car.

Good on him for having the money to burn, and burn some more to offset the first bunch of money he burnt. Hang on, I'm confused now....

$40-50k, Jap import correct? Good choice!

How will you know that everything's been attended to? Unless he goes to the workshop you used to do the inspection? Is it just me, from TM's photo the engine was running a wee bit hot?

Eh? I can't find good enough information on stuff for e60 on bimmernav, or am I getting old?

Slammed bro! Airbags as well? Surely that won't work with Dynamic Drive?

iPod-nising your car will cost about $500 from BMW dealer inclusive of everything. And that will make it work through the steering wheel buttons, albums show up on iDrive etc. Cheaper is to put an AUX, which costs about $300.

Yours is an e60. Production starts middle of 2003. It'd be Model Year 2004. There is no 545 for e39.

Welcome fellow e60-er!! Go to e60.net to get some of your tech questions answered. To lower it, consult your BMW dealer especially if you have Dynamic Drive. For iPhone, you'll need Bluetooth module (unless it's already there). For Nav, if it's Jap then it'll be difficult to make it work in NZ. Hopefully our resident wizards have a way. I've seen Jap imports e90 and e87's radios managed to get changed to NZ frequencies. Take note though that those are non-iDrive driven radios. Soon you'll realise that every change to the electronics of the car will require update to car's system. If the record between the main BMW database and in your car get out-of-sync, problems would arise, or so I've been told. Keep us updated, I'm especially interested in hearing your mods since I also have an e60.

Unfortunately rubbing noises are quite common in BMWs. All of my NZ new ones had had 'special' cellotape applied on the body where the rubber meets the metal.

Ouch, you wouldn't drive to Chelsea with that. Kaching! 25 quid please, guv'.