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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    180

    Default Newbie Intro

    Hello, all!

    So, I finally caved in and bought my first BMW 3 days ago, a white on tan 1995 525iA with about 110k miles on it.

    Oh.
    My.
    God.

    I love this car. I was walking by to do something in the yard yesterday and ran my hand along the driver's side front fender, just to touch it. I've never done that before. Phew.

    So, (and I apologize if my search-engine-fu is inferior) here are the outstanding issues I'd like to answer, if possible, in order of importance:

    (1) I'm getting some vibration from the rear between 30 and 40 mph in second gear at part throttle. It's especially pronounced when the car is cold. I'm thinking differential? Drive shaft? No clue. Similar vibration happens at about 95 mph and smoothes out at about 120 mph. (!!! Wheeeeeeee !!!) (No, I don't make a habit out of that, just having fun in my new ride...) Tires are cheapo no-name generics but are brand new and properly balanced, so that's not it.

    (2) Heat isn't very hot. As in, cranked to max temp on both sides with recirculated air, no A/C, max hot on the dash vents, car at operating temp... lukewarm. Heater core? Somebody said something about an auxillary water pump or maybe the valves. I'm clueless.

    (3) My shift lever position indicator on the gauge cluster isn't lit. As in, the LCD works (letters change with lever position) but I can only see them when light hits the dash at exactly the right angle. It's like a laptop display with a blown cathode. Can I replace a bulb, or the lever position indicator itself, or do I need to a new cluster (god I hope not, everything else is perfect)?

    (4) iPod integration into factory stereo. And I know, I know, this gets talked into the ground, but I can't find *anything*. I'm suffering along with a tape adapter right now, ugh, but I'd like to get a conversion kit of some kind that replaces the CD-changer input, like the Dension Ice, which starts at 1996 models. Argh! All I want is a freakin' line-level input. With lasers. Throw me a bone, people.

    Thanks for reading, and thanks for a great site. Very entertaining reading; I'm already starting a wish list. Which reminds me, those Euro-spec smiley lights, are the wattages different from US? Do they require special bulbs?
    Last edited by ProZak; 12-01-2005 at 10:34 PM.
    1995 525iM - 131k - Alternator play, broken s-belt
    1995 525iA - 147k - Tensioner weirdness, broken s-belt
    2001 Intgra GS-R - 130k - spun bearing
    2002 Honda Odyssey - 80k - fragged transmission

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