Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 4,137
I haven't noticed the brakes squeaking when used, the issue is squeaking after hand break is released.
BMW and M Power Owners
- Thread starter panthro
- Start date
I haven't noticed the brakes squeaking when used, the issue is squeaking after hand break is released.
Mine do when I'm reversing but not under forward braking.
A momentary rattle / ticking on startup from cold wouldn’t overly concern me, 5-10 seconds would ring alarm bells.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2013
- Posts
- 29,635
This morning my MY2013 5 series Touring had a warning about the coolant level.
I checked and it was virtually empty! Luckily I had some under the sink in the kitchen so I topped it up, it was still below the minimum after I had emptied what was left of the bottle, but the warning went away.
I was just confused about
A) How it got so low before the car warned me? Surely it should trigger the warning when it gets just below the minimum?
B) Where it's all gone.
I'll get some more now i'm at work and check it again once the engine has cooled right down, to make sure there's no leak but it was a bit of a shock as I drove it yesterday and there wasn't any warning.
I checked and it was virtually empty! Luckily I had some under the sink in the kitchen so I topped it up, it was still below the minimum after I had emptied what was left of the bottle, but the warning went away.
I was just confused about
A) How it got so low before the car warned me? Surely it should trigger the warning when it gets just below the minimum?
B) Where it's all gone.
I'll get some more now i'm at work and check it again once the engine has cooled right down, to make sure there's no leak but it was a bit of a shock as I drove it yesterday and there wasn't any warning.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
It wasn't empty though, its just a header tank, there is rather more coolant in the rest of the system.
This is the bigger issue, its a sealed system and shouldn't lose coolant. There is probably a leak.
It's been good - I've had only minor issues outside of normal servicing - it needed a new battery for some reason and it's had a new parking sensor. Servicing is covered by the service pack I managed to purchase just before they changed the duration to 3 years/36k miles and I've had to put a set of rear tyres on it.
Favourite thing? Probably the engine/gearbox, which is really weird given how much I did and to an extent still do hate diesel. It is always in the right gear, always ready to provide effortless acceleration in a quiet and refined manner and yet when you just want to cover 200+ miles (We've done trips to Scotland, Norfolk, North Wales, etc) it'll do so effortlessly at 50mpg. Lovely.
Worst thing? The seats. I really don't find the M Sport seats the most comfortable seats by quite some margin.
Lose it where? It's a sealed system pressurised so that the temperature of the coolant can raise above boiling point. There is nowhere for it to go.
Soldato
- Joined
- 25 Sep 2009
- Posts
- 10,011
- Location
- Billericay, UK
Does anyone here own a BMW 3 series GT? Can you tell me if the rear seats fold down as standard (i've taken this for granted with my previous cars but I've read that a lot of these executive saloon cars don't have split rear folding seats and you have to pay extra to have this feature)?
The 3 Series GT is a hatchback not a saloon, therefore the rear seats fold as standard.
On the 3 Series saloon they do not.
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Aug 2012
- Posts
- 4,544
- Location
- S.E Wales
That was me
Lovely meaty burble that, bet it sounds the danglies on the move.Unfortunately I forgot how bad I am at taking photos so after 90 minutes of driving to various sort of scenic locations and taking terrible pictures I ended up giving up and using a handily located carpark after stopping for fuel
Always a treat to see some Fox photography
It was this, reset the date to 03/2019 and the warning has gone away.
Had the 530d for almost 2 years now and its now nearly 3 years old - I don't think I've ever been this satisfied with a car. It's brilliant. It has more power than I need, more performance than I want yet provides no real penalty for having that performance available. I'd like to keep it at least another 3 years..
Thought I'd treat it to some polish and wax at the weekend and some photos in a nice location.
Unfortunately I forgot how bad I am at taking photos so after 90 minutes of driving to various sort of scenic locations and taking terrible pictures I ended up giving up and using a handily located carpark after stopping for fuel
I know you do a lot of US road trips: by any chance have you tried the Cadillac CTS? I test drove an F10 535i and a CTS 3.6 back to back, loved the F10 for the reasons you state above, but was really surprised by the Cadillac: it drove better than the F10 and the interior quality felt at least as good. They still haven't got the infotainment right though, iDrive is unbeatable. I'm still not sure which I'd choose: I was expecting the F10 to be leagues better, but Cadillac have really improved in recent years. The ATS is pretty good too.
I've tried to get a CTS loads of times and always failed. Once got one but they couldn't find the keys 
I've had numerous ATS though and really liked them. Other than the dire electronics and horrible dated instrument panel I prefer them to the 3 Series.
Not to the F10 though
I've had numerous ATS though and really liked them. Other than the dire electronics and horrible dated instrument panel I prefer them to the 3 Series.
Not to the F10 though
If your filler cap is loose and / or you’ve got a leak yes otherwise absolutely not.
Maybe try bringing the car to a stop by using just the hand brake a couple of times, just a slow but firm pull from 15/20 mph.
Also back the handbrake adjustment off a tiny bit if that doesn't work, sounds like it could be dragging on the shoes.
The start up rattle was definitely there too but this was a noticeable singluar tink/ting sound, metal on metal not rattly, a defined tink... tink... tink. Probably 5 secs max but I can't really recall 100%. Either way I've decided to not pursue (couple more factors included). Tempted to look at an E46 which looks reasonable. Purchase price plus fixing issues should still be well under the purchase price of a 630i which will undoubtedly have issues too.
The 630i felt nice, really nice, although possibly a bit too over assisted, the steering felt like you could drive it with one finger. Found it a bit surreal given the size of the car.