BMW and M Power Owners

GuruJockStrap said:
So my X3 (2018) has a panoramic sunroof and noticed this with one of the rubber seals when washing the car the other day:



Its located between the passenger and rear passenger side pillar. The drivers side is lined up perfectly with no gap.

Didn't spot any leaks inside the cabin, so assume there is some channelling/ducting underneath that drains away any water that might enter?

I've no idea if its always been there (so by design to allow air to circulate in the ducting) or whether the rubber seal has shrunk over time due to heat/cold.

Anyone come across this before?
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If it's anything like a standard sunroof, it'll have a gutter/drain.
Looks like the seal has shrunk. Time to get it replaced.
 
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Booked in for 9 days time.

The draining channels at each corner isn’t blocked so if we do get heavy rain and water gets in that crack, then there’s somewhere for it drain away.

The car got a damn good wash the other day and there was no sign of water inside the cabin so should be ok.

I always avoid cars with sunroofs as heard some horror stories of leaks. Unfortunately, this M40i came up with a fully loaded spec, so had to compromise.
 
GuruJockStrap said:
The draining channels at each corner isn’t blocked so if we do get heavy rain and water gets in that crack, then there’s somewhere for it drain away.
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do/will they do some kind of smoke test to look for possible ingress points for water ? .. after aforementioned experience, I'm super paranoid about such things
and with thickness of underlay/carpet 3"-4" to lowest floor panels can get some water before you know anything about it.
 
I’m pretty sure there’s no water finding its way into the cabin. I’m not finding the windows inside with condensation when I get in the car every morning and there wasn’t any the morning after the car wash.
 
Looking for a bit of advice from any auto E46 owners.

My 330ci was just serviced over the weekend and was going to swap the oil and filter in the gearbox, just not sure what oil it takes. It’s a green sticker (I think GM) with the number 83220024359. Any ideas of what oil it should be taking and where I can get a new filter?



On the topic of auto gearboxes. On a cold start the car seems to rev up pretty hard and there is no traction before it clicks into 1st gear. Same can happen in reverse. I have read on forums that this is a common issue with auto E46s but doesn’t seem right. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Cheers
 
BMW part number equivalent of ETL-8072B. Most Dexron VI will cover it, check the PDS. Assume its the GM as you refernce that box? some have the 5HP
 
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Hi all

I've been away for 3 weeks and my brother has moved the car. Front right has dropped to 19PSI whilst the car was sat. I did notice it dropping a little just before I left, but topped it up once before leaving.

Could this just be the tyre needing a reseal? Or something more sinister eg cracked wheel. I have BMW warranty with the £250 excess, but I'm assuming this won't cover anything like this.
 
ShivP said:
Could this just be the tyre needing a reseal? Or something more sinister eg cracked wheel. I have BMW warranty with the £250 excess, but I'm assuming this won't cover anything like this.
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Most likely cause is the simplest, a stone or nail in the tyre.
First point of call would be a tyre fitting place to check
 
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GuruJockStrap said:
So my X3 (2018) has a panoramic sunroof and noticed this with one of the rubber seals when washing the car the other day:



Its located between the passenger and rear passenger side pillar. The drivers side is lined up perfectly with no gap.

Didn't spot any leaks inside the cabin, so assume there is some channelling/ducting underneath that drains away any water that might enter?

I've no idea if its always been there (so by design to allow air to circulate in the ducting) or whether the rubber seal has shrunk over time due to heat/cold.

Anyone come across this before?
Click to expand...

I replaced mine when I had the X3. The part no of the seal is 54107493155 and it takes about 10 minutes to replace. Its longer than needed so you cut it down and the new instructions tell you to put three small dabs of superglue at each end to hold it. They have no glue on the 2018 models from new.
Also clear out the drain end of your sunroof drains with cotton buds, they might still be draining but you will be supprised the amount of crud you will get out that will cause them to block eventually.
 
Dandle said:
I replaced mine when I had the X3. The part no of the seal is 54107493155 and it takes about 10 minutes to replace. Its longer than needed so you cut it down and the new instructions tell you to put three small dabs of superglue at each end to hold it. They have no glue on the 2018 models from new.
Also clear out the drain end of your sunroof drains with cotton buds, they might still be draining but you will be supprised the amount of crud you will get out that will cause them to block eventually.
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Silly question but can it be done without removing the glass panel?
 
GuruJockStrap said:
Silly question but can it be done without removing the glass panel?
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Yes you just open the sunroof and the seal slides back with it. Makes sure you have some steps for height and reach and it just pulls off, the sunroof moulding is a backwards facing T section and the seal just goes around the top and Bottom of the moulding. Its really simple.
 
Dandle said:
Yes you just open the sunroof and the seal slides back with it. Makes sure you have some steps for height and reach and it just pulls off, the sunroof moulding is a backwards facing T section and the seal just goes around the top and Bottom of the moulding. Its really simple.
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I'll take it to BMW on Monday as I have an appointment booked as see what they charge. If they're taking the Michael then I'll just do it myself.

However, I'm suffering from a herniated disc at the moment so need to avoid movements and activities that can cause pain. If it was earlier in the year, i'd just doing myself with no hesitation if its that simple.
 
GuruJockStrap said:
I'll take it to BMW on Monday as I have an appointment booked as see what they charge. If they're taking the Michael then I'll just do it myself.

However, I'm suffering from a herniated disc at the moment so need to avoid movements and activities that can cause pain. If it was earlier in the year, i'd just doing myself with no hesitation if its that simple.
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Only just seen your pics as they dont show on my work PC and that a different seal to the one i was talking about. The one I thought it was is the one on the back of the front movable panel. Did you go to BMW and what did they say?
 
Dandle said:
Only just seen your pics as they dont show on my work PC and that a different seal to the one i was talking about. The one I thought it was is the one on the back of the front movable panel. Did you go to BMW and what did they say?
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So it’s the side seals on the fixed panoramic glass, not the moveable panel.

Took it in this morning and they confirmed the seals had shrunk and require replacing.

Will have to return next Monday as they didn’t have the part in stock. Requires the rear panoramic glass to be removed apparently. Cost will be £190 for parts and fitting.
 
GuruJockStrap said:
So it’s the side seals on the fixed panoramic glass, not the moveable panel.

Took it in this morning and they confirmed the seals had shrunk and require replacing.

Will have to return next Monday as they didn’t have the part in stock. Requires the rear panoramic glass to be removed apparently. Cost will be £190 for parts and fitting.
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Ah thats not too bad then, I thought that would be more.
 
Had a low coolant message when starting my M140 which then went away after it warmed up l. I checked for leaks around the cap (apparently this is known to fail on these) and radiator for damage. No signs of any leaks anywhere. Is it safe to assume that some of the water has just evaporated? If so do I need to top of just the water or a full mix of water/coolant fluid?
 
XeNoN89 said:
Had a low coolant message when starting my M140 which then went away after it warmed up l. I checked for leaks around the cap (apparently this is known to fail on these) and radiator for damage. No signs of any leaks anywhere. Is it safe to assume that some of the water has just evaporated? If so do I need to top of just the water or a full mix of water/coolant fluid?
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If you want, use prestone coolant.
Or better yet, BMW coolant.

Which coolant tank.was low? Big one or smaller one in front?
 
XeNoN89 said:
Had a low coolant message when starting my M140 which then went away after it warmed up l. I checked for leaks around the cap (apparently this is known to fail on these) and radiator for damage. No signs of any leaks anywhere. Is it safe to assume that some of the water has just evaporated? If so do I need to top of just the water or a full mix of water/coolant fluid?
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My M140i did exactly the same when I had it.

I just replaced the actual cap on the main coolant tank (there is another one if I recall, so check that as well). The new cap appeared to fit a bit more tighter than before and after a couple of top ups, never had the issue.
 
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