I have a BMW convertible, 2003 model. The hood does not automatically open or close, as I’ve been informed by the BMW local dealer that one of the hydraulic pipes is leaking, and they said they would repair it by installing a full new hydraulic kit for £2k! I want to know if there’s anywhere else in the midlands/UK where i could go to get it checked out / repaired, as £2k sounds like a rip off. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, another BMW main $tealer horror story!! Ok, first off don’t panic. Not many people know this but BMW main dealers are run as franchises. This means the owners decide on the price of labour. Now, BMW parts are charged according to BMW head office recommending retail price. This cannot be changed by the main $tealer. My advice would be to first call around a few BMW dealers asking for quotes. You’ll be surprised to find each will give you a different price! Simply go with the cheapest. If your still not happy with the price, simply enter "independant BMW – then the area you live in" into google abs try should be alot cheaper! Good luck!
Posts tagged as:
Good Luck
Where can I go to get my BMW convertible hood repaired in the UK (apart from the main dealership)?
{ 2 comments }
What’s the best engine oil for old BMW that’s kinda hot under the hood & drinks oil?
0w-40w, 5w-50w, 20w-40w, many different answers from different mechanics, seems like they not even too sure in detail. Front number if 0w=for easy cold starts, then what’s 20w and the Back number 40w to 60w=thickness of oil or max temp range it will peak? Or is it the other way round?? Any clear answers, anyone?
A quick explanation.
The Society of Automotive Engineers developed a number system to grade an oil’s tendency to flow at different temperatures. In single grade oil like SAE 30, the number is a rating for how well the fluid flows at lower temperatures. In multi-grade oils (10W30) the first number refers to the same thing, the oils tendency to flow at colder temperatures, the lower the number, the lower the temperature it will flow easily at. The "W" does not mean "Weight", it stands for Winter. The second number is a rating for how well the oil will flow when heated up to aprox. 100C or 212F.
Now, about your old BMW. You’ll find as many different opinions as people who answer. My PERSONAL opinion is to repair the engine so it does not leak and then use the factory recommended oil grade. If you feel you need a little "something more", then use a bottle of Lucas Oil Treatment.
Good Luck
{ 4 comments }
I have a 1989 bmw 525 i. I left the lights on and now the battery is dead the hood switch is inside the car?
but the key will not operate the locks on either side since the battery is dead. Any ideas?
Thanks this worked.
Take a look at the solutions on this page. http://www.2carpros.com/forum/bmw-525i-1991-189k-mi-25l-engine-vt34515.html
Apparenlty, lots of people have trouble getting into that car with a dead battery. They detail how to unlock it a couple ways, from the factory emergency unlock proceedure to running current to the trunk light socket in order to wake up the power locks. Good luck.
{ 5 comments }
How can i open the hood of my 2000 bmw 323i sedan manually? My kid left the key on the engine and i shut it.?
Any way i can do this without harming the car itself?
I can see what looks to be the hook release inside, but im not sure if that is the right way.
i dont want you to harm your car or anything so try to go to the dealer and get another key ………….
if not try to open the door of your car by cloth holder bent it so it would fit in between the glass and the door then let it reach to the end then simply lift it to the top very fast see if it works
do you have a sun roof if so its more easy good luck
{ 3 comments }
How to open the hood (bonnet) of a 7 series bmw (1999) when the cable is broken from inside the car?
Cant open the hood as the cable has broken! Without breaking the car to bits i know there must be some sort of emergency access to the hood? The car is a 1999 model 740i, the release lever is loose with no tension.
You will have to fabricate a Coat hanger type small hook on the end and then fish thru the grill where you see the release mechanism and attempt to release the catch… with a little luck and some persistence you should be able to get it open… or take it to a body shop and let them open it… good luck…
{ 2 comments }
