Accidental Bimmerer

Well, I motored down to Christchurch last week and had two business days there to get some things done. Before leaving Nelson I sent messages to every locksmith in Christchurch who looked like they could cut & code a new key. I only got about 4 replies; one couldn't do it, one could for $220 plus the key itself, one from Dan (https://lockncode.co.nz/) for $380 total, and one referring to Dan. Dan it was. I called him late on the first day & he said come to his lockup at 4:45. It took a while through the rush-hour traffic, and on the way the Engine Management Light came on... Once reaching Dan I said I'm not sure whether to go ahead with the spend now, the EML has come on. He said no problem, I'm plugging in the computer anyway, let's see what it is. Turns out it was a transient VANEOS error, may or may not be serious. Cleared it anyway. Then he said that the FRM module had a different VIN on it, and showed as being out of an E90. Maybe that's why the rear wiper & glass hatch don't work... Dan said he knows a guy who can reflash the module for about $250, I said I'll wait & see. So he went ahead & coded then cut a new key, tested it ok, then tried it in the door lock... That's funny, he said, there's no resistance. Then he realised he could turn the lock without fully inserting the key! I don't think there's any wafers in the barrel, he said. Maybe that's why the central locking doesn't lock this door... Another big discussion, Dan explained how to get the door handle & lock barrel out with one allen key, could probably get it dealt with in Nelson. The next day while I was waiting for the radio to be recoded (see https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/69603-e91-ccc-fm-frequency-change-in-christchurch/), I called Dan & asked him for the contact of the guy who could reprogram the FRM module. He checked first then texted me back 'Chris at Vantage Auto Diagnostics' (https://www.vantageauto.co.nz/). I went along to Vantage & spoke to Chris; very helpful & confident it could be done without risk, but in the end I decided not to spend the $250 just yet. Anyway, job done, lots & lots of extra advice from Dan (free, he wouldn't take a tip). Super helpful and highly recommended! P.S. I spotted a superbike in the loft while he was cutting the key. Turns out his business partner is an NZ champion & that was his winning bike. They'd initially met through bike racing including sidecarting. Dan is the one who gets to hang out. Nutter.

Well, I motored down to Christchurch last week and had two business days there to get some things done. An online search led me first to https://soundworks.net.nz/. Greg was very helpful, although his guy was away for the week, he knew someone else and would check for me. In the meantime a further search turned up this promising result: https://protechsolutions.co.nz/products/bmw-ccc-radio-conversion-from-japan-to-new-zealand?_pos=2&_sid=64a66e6ba&_ss=r Exactly what I want, so I booked them first thing next morning. On arrival they stated 'No play, no pay!', so I said go ahead! After half an hour Greg phoned back & said he'd found someone who could do it that day - I said thanks, but it's being done right now... Well, turns out that while they could extend the FM band from JP to NZ, they couldn't get any reception - apparently some of the code had already been messed with, so the usual fix didn't work. While they were undoing their attempt, I called Greg back & said 'Help!' He said come & see him after lunch. In the meantime I headed to Vantage Auto Diagnostics (https://www.vantageauto.co.nz/) for another issue (see https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/69604-e91-key-fob-required/), and quickly figured out this was where Greg was going to send me after lunch. When I saw Greg later, sure enough he said go straight to Vantage - since I'd been mucked about already, he didn't want to clip the ticket as well. So back to Vantage, where young Christopher seems to know the BMW computers inside out, and he got stuck in straight away - with a quote only 2/3 of the first attempt! 40 odd minutes later he was done, only one issue - everything worked as desired, station names and reception perfect, except the manual tuning mode didn't show the full NZ frequency range. Apparently some of the code had already been messed with, so the usual fix didn't work fully! I departed happily for the city, wandered around & had a coffee. Went back to the car about 3:30, started the car, and - no AM or FM functionality at all. Bugger. Long weekend about to start... I drove straight back to Vantage & luckily Christopher was still there. I explained the issue and he wasn't too happy, but he hooked up his diagnostics & went to work. Half an hour later he said it was all done, even better than before. Because apparently some of the code had already been messed with, he'd bitten the bullet & done a full reflash of the 5 CCC modules. Now it all worked perfectly, even giving me SW and LW alongside MW. I was so pleased with his work I paid him the extra 1/3, and headed for the hills with local stations blasting! Honestly I can't recommend these companies highly enough for there willingness to help out at short notice. Top guys!

Thanks Olaf, I've read a lot of the posts about coding changes. I'd rather pay someone who knows how than invest the time & money in buying & learning software for a one-off change.

Hi, my recently acquired E91 only came with one key fob (+1 emergency fob). I might me in Christchurch this coming week; can anyone advise the best (i.e. price vs reliability) way to get a new one?

Hi, I might be in Christchurch this coming week. My E91 with CCC & iDrive is still stuck on Japanese FM frequencies. Anyone in Christchurch able to help reprogram?

Hi, I have a 2006 E91 with "BMW Navigation Professional (DVD)" installed (H D D Navigation System / PC Card in boot). Is there anyone in the Nelson region could help me reprogram the radio from Japan to Oceania? I believe the computer is CCC.

That's why I like to buy seemingly-good, cheap cars - if it all turns to custard, I'll sell it to a dismantler and tolerate a small loss!

It seems good so far, drives beautifully. It does have the N52 'lifter tick', but from what I've read that's not fatal. The computer screen froze up on a run into town this evening, but it was working again on the return trip, although response seemed a little sluggish.

Thanks Vass, it doen't smoke or burn much oil at all now. I think it was something to do with the CCV hoses being gunked-up, I believe the moisture condenses inside them on short winter runs? The replacements were insulated, which may be the solution.

A couple of years ago I saw a little white 2004 E46 316ti for sale on the side of the road near where I live. Asking $2500. But it had some panel scrapes down the left door & 3/4 panel, although not too obvious at a casual glance. After a test drive in the hills nearby, I offered $2000 and drove it home. A few days/weeks later I noticed puffs of smoke when driving around town. Sometimes quite a lot. One time waiting at the lights outside a packed Sprig & Fern it tried to lay down a smokescreen. Checking later I found the oil filler cap full of creamy gunk. I thought I'd blown a head gasket. A bit later the starter motor failed completely close to home. It was off the road for a few weeks as I sought instructions to take it out, and had to order some torx ring spanners from overseas to get the top bolt out. $400 for a new starter, and $100 for a new CCV valve with insulated hoses, I eventually got back on the road. $300 for a couple of new tyres, new WoF, and I was back on the road. The transmission is a bit of a reluctant up-shifter, and sometimes goes into diagnostic mode on cold mornings. I ordered a transmission filter from Latvia or somewhere, but it arrived with a damaged gasket. Got a refund without sending it back, and ordered another one from Aus. Got the Caltex oil waiting for me to feel in the mood for getting dirty. In the meantime I've got quite a nice little non-smoking motorcar. Not much poke, but heeeeaps of fun on a winding road like the Takaka Hill... A couple of days ago I saw a little silver 2006 E91 325i for sale on the side of the road near where I live. Asking $3000. But it had a slight ding in the driver's door and a couple of very minor defects, although not too obvious at a casual glance. After a test drive in the hills nearby, I offered $2600 and drove it home. Sh*t I hope it goes better this time...