Category Archives: Improvement

Improvement, Maintenance

Keys, please

Leave a comment

THE CAR ONLY came with one key. That’s not really convenient for lots of reasons. I googled and found the BMW Mini Part Store recommended a couple of times as a place to get a real BMW key properly cut and coded at a bit of a discount. When the car was new it came with two regular “clicker” keys and one valet key. I decided to order one of each so I’d have the same as it came when new.

New BMW Keys
New BMW Keys

Once the new key arrived it was time to program it. To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

  1. Get in and close all doors.
  2. Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.
  3. Remove the 1st key.
  4. Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.
  5. Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.
  6. Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.

This alternate procedure also works if you accidentally “de-program” your good key.

If you do not have a working remote, there is an alternate procedure available. This alternate procedure also works if you accidentally “de-program” your good key. Don’t ask me how I know!

  1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly.
  2. Remove key.
  3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
  4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds.
  5. Turn on ignition to finalize.

NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobiliser (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.

These keys have a rechargeable, but not easily replaceable battery. The battery charges wirelessly when in the ignition. It’s important to periodically rotate the keys to keep them both charged. If the battery dies, there is a guy who can replace them named Scott Johnson. I had him do one of the keys on Gretel 2.0 (The 2003 328). It was nicely done. Scott also repairs the GM5 module that controls the remote locks and windows. If I ever have this problem I’ll send the module to Scott, though Gretel’s got fixed in Germany since it made no sense to mail the part 3,000 miles when 300km would do! (The X3 doesn’t use the GM5 for locks/windows.)

Improvement, Maintenance, Project BMW, repairs

What does the car need?

Leave a comment

MY APPROACH TO working on cars has been to focus on safety, reliability, comfort, and appearance in that order. Not every step has always been exactly in that order, but the first three BMWs have all had to pass rigorous German inspections to be registered. They also had to be reliable for daily driving.

There are two aspects to working on the car – routine preventative or scheduled maintenance and actual repairs. BMW has a maintenance and inspection schedule that looks at a variety of things at one, two, or three-year intervals. Over the next six months I’d like to do all of these just so I know where everything stands. Unexpected repair items are, uh, unexpected so not so easy to plan for. However, there are a variety of things BMW’s cars are known to need. I’ll work through all that as they pop up. As long as I can find a video and/or a tutorial online somewhere I can do it!

  • Oil change – so I know when it was last done. This will be done in conjunction with something else, not on its own
  • Upper and lower front control arms – there are worn bushings in the old ones.
  • Ball joints – worn rubber like above
  • Oil leak somewhere – I hope it’s the very typical oil filter housing gasket and not something painful. Time will tell.
  • Alignment – to be done once the front suspension parts are finished
  • Left rear view mirror – adjusting switch doesn’t work (the right side does)
  • Brake fluid flush – should be done every two years. Don’t believe it’s been done
  • Transmission fluid exchange
  • Fuel filters – don’t flow well after a few years of use
  • Power steering fluid – replace
  • Steering wheel vibrates when braking – not sure why; brakes are fairly new. This is likely a suspension issue; when some of the ball joints/bushings are worn they can cause this problem.

As I identify more things to do I’ll list them above, too. As I get them fixed I’ll move them to the list below and link to the applicable page.