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The secret BMW options most buyers never tick

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Photo by J Tan on Unsplash There is a particular kind of regret that comes with picking up a new BMW and realising a few months later that a small option you skipped would have made the car considerably better to live with. It is rarely the obvious stuff. Most buyers know about bigger wheels, panoramic roofs, upgraded leather and M Sport packages. The less obvious options are the ones that can have a much bigger impact on everyday ownership: being able to unlock the car without reaching for the key, having the steering wheel warm up on a cold morning, keeping the car centred during a motorway journey or being able to park it remotely. BMW's option lists have also changed significantly in recent years. On the latest 5 Series, for example, BMW offers features such as Digital Key Plus, Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant Professional, Head-Up Display and advanced BMW Individual finishes. Exactly what is available depends on the model, trim level, production date and pack...
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BMW Smells of Petrol Inside the Cabin: Common Causes Explained

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Photo by Renaldo Matamoro on Unsplash A strong smell of petrol inside your BMW is not one of those noises or smells you can just put down to the car getting older. You might notice it when you start the engine in the morning. Sometimes it appears after filling the tank, or becomes much more obvious when you switch the ventilation on. On some cars, the smell is there all the time. On others, it comes and goes. The difficult part is finding where the petrol smell is actually coming from. It doesn't necessarily mean there is fuel leaking onto the ground. Petrol evaporates quickly, and a small leak or vapour leak can be enough to make the cabin smell strongly. Here are the main areas worth checking. Fuel leak This is the first thing that needs ruling out. BMW fuel systems contain plenty of pipes, connections, seals and components that can eventually develop a leak. On an older car, heat cycles and age can take their toll on rubber seals and connections, while on newer turbocharged BMWs...
Location: United Kingdom
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How Often Do BMW Brake Callipers Need to Be Replaced?

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Image: BMW 4 Series Complete Brembo Brake Calliper Disc Set for G22, G26 models for £1,299.99 Unlike brake pads and discs, which follow a predictable replacement schedule, BMW brake callipers do not have a fixed interval. Most will last the life of the car without ever needing replacement, provided the car is well maintained, the brake fluid is changed regularly, and the callipers are not left to seize from inactivity or road salt. When they do fail, it is almost always because of one of a small number of specific causes, most of which show clear symptoms before they become dangerous. The General Lifespan A BMW brake calliper, standard or M Sport, typically lasts around 8 to 10 years or 80,000 to 100,000 miles under normal driving conditions. These are estimates, not guarantees, and the variables that affect lifespan are largely within the owner's control. A well-maintained BMW with regular brake fluid changes and discs and pads replaced on schedule will almost always see its call...
Location: United Kingdom
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Must-Have BMW 5 Series Accessories by Generation

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Image: BMW 5 Series Complete Harman Kardon Amplifier Set for £854.99, mtautoparts.com   The BMW 5 Series has been one of the UK's best-known executive cars for decades, combining comfort, performance and technology in a package that works equally well as a daily driver or long-distance cruiser. Over the years, BMW has introduced several generations, from the E60/E61 to the F10/F11, G30/G31 and now the G60/G61. Each generation brought new technology, different dimensions and, importantly for owners, a different range of accessories and replacement parts. That means buying BMW 5 Series accessories ​ is not always as simple as finding something advertised as "5 Series compatible". Floor mats, steering wheels, alloy wheels, infotainment components and boot liners can all vary between generations, production dates and specifications. If you're buying genuine or used BMW accessories, checking the exact vehicle before ordering can save you a lot of hassle. So, which 5 Series...
Location: United Kingdom
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BMW Exhaust System Explained

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Image: BMW 1 Series Complete 76MM Exhaust System with Sports CAT for F20, F2X models, for £598.49, at mtautoparts.com Your BMW's exhaust system does considerably more than carry fumes away from the engine. It has to move exhaust gases safely underneath the car, reduce harmful emissions, control the amount of noise reaching the outside world, and work with a collection of sensors and electronic systems that monitor what is happening inside the exhaust. On an older BMW, the system can be relatively straightforward. On a newer diesel, there can be a diesel oxidation catalyst, DPF, SCR catalyst, AdBlue injection, NOx sensors, temperature sensors and pressure sensors all working together. Petrol BMWs can also have several catalysts, oxygen sensors and, on some newer models, a petrol particulate filter. That is why an exhaust fault isn't always as simple as finding a hole in the pipe. Understanding what each component does makes it much easier to work out what a warning light means...
Location: United Kingdom
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