What have you done to your car today?

scratch said:
Took mine into BMW today for them to look at the autobox issue, the seatbelt assist and also asked them to look at the iDrive system as I've had a couple of random reboots recently and then it started showing disc read errors yesterday.

They called at 4pm to say that two technicians had taken a look at the gearbox issue and as far as they're concerned it's behaving as normal. I told them I wasn't happy with that answer and requested they reset the adaptations, which cost me 30 mins labour but it certainly seems to have helped; the car isn't changing gear so randomly..it still isn't as smooth as my 330 was, but it's a lot better.

The iDrive they say is on its way out, but they're being arses and have sent diagnostics info off to the warranty company to find out if the issue existed before I bought the car or not. In other words it looks like they're trying to find a way out of paying up.

If they approve the claim, I pay my £100 excess, it gets replaced and I'll then get the seatbelt assist repaired under the same claim. If they reject it then I have to pay and hours labour for diagnostics and I'll fix the seatbelt assist myself as the part is only like £40.

Once again I've come away less that happy with my so-called "best in the business" BMW warranty.
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What software version is your car running?
 
Gaygle said:
What software version is your car running?
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How do I find out? I have the circular arrow when I turn the DTC off completely instead of a picture of a skidding car, which I believe means I have an older version, but aren't there different upgrades for different modules?

It's a couple of days now after having my gearbox adaptations reset and it's definitely helped massively with my gear change issues. It's much easier to get off the line progressively without wheel spinning, and the gear changes themselves seem to happen at much more appropriate times.

Another upshot is that it picks up much sooner when pressing the accelerator, making the whole driving experience much easier and more laid back :)
 
scratch said:
How do I find out?
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Google how to get into secret menu of iDrive then look at a integration level.

If i recall correctly, each module has it's own software, but when they release a new integration level, certain modules may get an update, others may not, but you will still show as a certain integration level.

scratch said:
Another upshot is that it picks up much sooner when pressing the accelerator, making the whole driving experience much easier and more laid back :)
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Unfortunately, that'll not stay like that :(
 
MOTd the Golf

No advisories woop woop and found a local garage with a lift that is flush with the ground which helps a lot if youre ride height challenged
 
Voxination said:
Is it not like the E46 where it learns over time and can be reset easily through a weird combination of ignition positions and throttle positions? Not that I ever felt a difference, mind.....
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There is the weird throttle thing which is supposed to reset the throttle adaptation. You can soft reset the gearbox adaptation by putting the car into sport mode, then back into normal auto (it also resets the adaptation every time you start the engine) or you can do a hard reset of the gearbox adaptations which isn't recommended unless there is a specific problem.

I don't know why it isn't recommended to do the hard reset, but i have a feeling it'll be due to some auto adjustments in the gearbox that happen over years, then to reset them to manufacturers spec may do something bad?

I remember on the drive home after they updated my gearbox/car software and therefore the adjustments got reset, i had a gearbox red warning light come on and it got stuck in one gear until i restarted the engine, then i never saw it again.
 
Will Gill said:
I just gave mine a much needed wash, I used a new product, UKRoadsGrittingSludgeAndStuff I think you will agree it looks almost new

4mF1kPE.jpg

Sorry I didn't take any before shots :(
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Honestly the Z4 is the sexist back end I can think of, really is a lovely looking car from there. Sadly Im not a fan from up front.

Anyway nice pic great plate
 
I've noticed that my lights were not particularly bright driving home the other night in poor weather conditions, it was the first time since early this year I've driven my car in such circumstances.

So, I did a quick voltage loss (not drop) check at the bulbs and got a reading of 0.43V. The connectors were clean enough so I took the dash panel off and removed the dipped beam relay from the side of the fusebox. Connections were pretty crusty there, cleaned/reinstalled the relay (and both fuses) and now get a loss of 0.24V at the bulb holders. Both bulbs now look considerably whiter considering this has only gained just shy of 2/10th of a volt. I didn't have time to fully check/clean the earth side before it had got too dark outside to see properly - hate working with a torch! :mad:

I'll take the car for a trip out later and see how much difference it's made out on the road, the weather is quite grim here in Oxford atm i.e. dull and wet.
 
Result, the dipped beam is much improved which is quite surprising considering the small gain in volts. Mind you, Alfa 156s are not exactly renowned for having good headlights and >0.4V is quite a big loss for a 12v circuit that's relay switched.

I'm now thinking of relocating the relay in the engine compartment (why isn't it there in the first place.....?!) with a couple of in-line fuses for each bulb, any voltage loss should be absolutely minimal using this method i.e <0.1V.
 
RkNtR3f.jpg

Test fit. Gonna hit the car with the lowering stick slightly (umming and ahhing between Eibach Sportlines of M Sport Sachs dampers or going for Bilsteins) and need to refurb the wheels and get some non ditchfinder deluxe tyres on there first though.
 
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Terrible picture but thats lowered on Eibach Pros (ie nothing crazy at all)
 
Mr Gimp said:
Rf.jpg


Test fit. Gonna hit the car with the lowering stick slightly (umming and ahhing between Eibach Sportlines of M Sport Sachs dampers or going for Bilsteins) and need to refurb the wheels and get some non ditchfinder deluxe tyres on there first though.
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:(
 
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