rf_key

Surprisingly, I now also received advice from my BMW workshop who sees a likelihood of a 'worn clutch' in the transmission. They also advise to have it checked after arrival by a local workshop. So then I see in what direction to go. Thank you all for your input!

Hm, I see. You know, it is not my intention to write off the car because it needs the transmission serviced. Presently, the question is if I should have it done near the port of arrival (where I don't know the workshop and the language is different, which is a downside), or should I try and reach the home base, which is another 800 km of motorway driving. And my present situation developped in recent days (out of nothing) while driving about 200 km. BTW, this is not about my NZ car (but it's almost identic), and the geography is not NZ. But obviously the same could have happened in relation to NZ, so asking the question here in the hope of getting some expert advice should not be illegit. My only concern for transiting is if there is a palpable risk that I might 'suddenly' lose forward traction. Can I expect a gradual (slower) deterioration, and as a linear process, which might allow me to extrapolate the further outlook? Would you need any more detailed info (which) to make any prediction? And do you have some experience of your own with this situation, to allow you to make prognoses?

Yes, english not being my native language, I'm aware of linguistic deficiencies. In fact, in this situation I felt so insecure that I let Google do the translation and then limit myself to proof-reading. What I was trying to say is this. Normally, when the wheels act as mechanical load on the engine (with the transmission as the intermediary), the torque produced is just being handed over without any 'fuss' - business as usual. But presently, there are moments when (stepping on the gas pedal) the engine revs for a moment while there's no traction, before things gradually get back to normal. This happens usually when starting to accelerate. Could this clarify the situation and enable you to possibly assist with some more concrete tips, regarding the probability of being able to keep driving from the port to the home base?

Thank you, interesting point. Although I still tend to think it is rather something with the transmission. Would anyone offer a second opinion?

I am writing from the third world, where I have just made a longer round trip. My 2002 318i (95'000 km) with automatic transmission was reliable, and that's a good thing, because you shouldn't rely on BMW service there: Either they don't have one, or they declare themselves not responsible because it's a foreign car. I have not been able to find out whether there are workshops for which this would not be an obstacle, and BMW in Germany prefers to remain silent. But in the last few days before the return transport, I noticed with apparently increasing frequency that the car tends to only hesitantly transfer the propulsion to the wheels when starting (roaring of the engine). If, on the other hand, it rolls, then it seems to be going to some extent. That would remind me of the transmission. Warning lamps do not light up. I would still have to drive several hundred km from the port of arrival before being back in my familiar surroundings. Can I get there on my own? Anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be? Could it be that the transmission oil just needs topping up?

Interesting to hear. So your complete answer (including the unspoken part) is something like, 'Technically it would be possible, although it involves some nasty and risky tinkering - is it worth it'. I think I'll sleep over it, and certainly more than once. Thanks a lot!

(English is obviously not my native language - best effort, bear with me) What may sound like occupational therapy has actually a solid motive. I own an E46 each in Switzerland and New Zealand, which (if you want) can be seen at http://pro-mobile-internet.net/ The newer one (silver colour) has 2 keys, but I only need one. The older one did have the IR key; I had this replaced privately with an RF key. Everything fine, with one flaw though: The technician could not get a 'Taiwan key' with a rechargeable battery, only ordinary battery. Hence my thought to use the second swiss key, but equipped with the NZ blade - so would exchanging the blade be feasible, plus the ensuing electronic adaptations? And would it actually be charged by the older car model?

Thanks man. I had reached this same conclusion in the meantime, by re-reading the web-based manual, and by evaluating the answers obtained in other forums. The one thing that I don't understand is: Why would a specialised workshop lie to me? They claimed I had the wrong receiver. And why would forum members allege that my car wouldn't support a diamond-shaped key?

I do not categorally exclude having missunderstood something. I just want to see what it is. .)

I said it earlier: I am not an expert. I just have a certain degree of technical understanding, and otherwise apply what I would call logical thinking. Is my impression incorrect according to which all of you deduct credibility from the conversion manual in this forum? He says/shows there that 6906074 is the right part, but the workshop denies it. He said that a diamond key is unproblematic, you deny it. I had assumed that what is written there is right, and after having read it, it seemed clear that I just need a car key specialist and the right receiver (or antenna amplifier, is the official title), and then this would be done within an hour. Now, mysterious and unexplained problems arise. If you are willing and able to relate to the problem as described by me, then you are most welcome to help me find the solution. Otherwise, it just seems like wasted time. Wouldn't you agree?

Thank you, but I don't really know what to make of it. It sounds as if you all were deducting credibility from the forum thread mentioned, and also this one http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1047612 (the 1st post) Both seem, among others, to say 2 things: - Amplifier 6906074 seems to be right; - using a diamond-shaped key does not seem to pose any problems. So I tend to believe them. Seen from this perspective, the question would be why the key workshop told (and kind of showed) me that 6906074 would not support a diamond key - and of course, which one would? (And another one would be, why are you kind of refuting these earlier statements?)

I'm trying to follow the instructions at http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/50157-diy-e46-retrofit-infrared-to-radio-frequency-remote-control/ , without doing the hands-on work myself - it's too long that I did such things myself. I found an Auckland-based key specialist, and he said he could do it within an hour. So I got an antenna amplifier 6906074 sent from Latvia through Ebay, but the key workshop tells me it is wrong: It certainly does work with RF, but still needs a battery. I however wanted the diamond-shaped key, ie the one that doesn't need a battery, because it is charged inductively. According to http://de.bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E46-Sedan/Europe/318i-N42/L-N/dec2001/browse/audio_navigation_electronic_systems/single_parts_f_antenna_diversity/#6906074_2 , 6906074 should be the right part. Would anyone of you be able to resolve these contradictions, plus reveal the solution?

Thank you for the antenna info, still with regard to that, I have no doubt that the european logic was/is 'right', while the american logic is 'wrong'. I have proved the at least desirability, but actually necessity of an external antenna, with 3 witness statements of reliable institutions, see the website mentioned. Please take the time to read it. You can also see the correctness of this attitude by the fact that americans equip their police etc (and military of course) with this professional equipment: laptop plus mobile phone or other 2-way radio equipment, plus external antenna. Proof photo can also be found on the website. So the reason is quite probably (as also mentioned on the website): Americans want, according to their age-iold logic, to be certain the government is stronger than the citizen, and they want to make sure that it is like that also in the rest of the world. That's why we don't get galvanic car kits and external antennas any more, why radio workshops have disappeared, why we are being flooded with silly, mind-dumbing 'smartphones' to be glued to the windshield, etc. It is a good idea not to just follow the crowd, but to develop your own thoughts, based on what you know about physics etc. We are supposed to be free countries, and we ought to make sure that there will never be a question about that, otherwise we might lose it faster than we thought.

Thanks a lot! It is refreshing to see that there still seem to be other 'old school' people around, because under the global american onslaught aiming at dumbing down people outside the 'elites' and their henchmen, we educated people are becoming an extinct species soon. Obviously, the parts mentioned would not have to remain inside this car. In other words, once the time has come, they would become available to someone knowledgeable to dispose of. Just talk to me, I am willing to negotiate. But be a little patient, unless I die one of these days, it may take a little longer still...

Why is an external antenna old school and ham? It's the technically correct answer to a problem once acknowledged by the major makers. This material was easily available, and from these makers (like Nokia, Ericsson, ...) before the americans came over us with their 'smart' phone hype, that washed the european quality away, and replacing it with junk. If I don't win friends with this true statement, I will live with it. .) What I meant was what I said: I would like to see that there is a person who would appreciate a car like this, instead of not understanding what he gets, then have all the precious extras removed as 'redundant'. When and how this can be done would have to be discussed, maybe via email, once a candidate (or more than one?) has been identified.