MT Auto Parts Blog | Expert Tips for BMW enthusiasts on BMW Parts, Accessories, Engines and More

Photo by Pavel Keyzik on Unsplash You need a tyre changed, a wheel removed or a puncture repaired, and then realise you cannot find the locking wheel bolt key. It is an easy thing to lose, particularly if the BMW has previously been serviced or had tyres changed. The key may have been left at a garage, stored somewhere different from the rest of the toolkit or simply disappeared over the years. The good news is that a missing locking wheel bolt key does not mean the wheel is permanently stuck on the car. There are several ways to deal with the problem, from identifying and replacing the correct key to having the locking bolts professionally removed. The best option depends on whether you still have the key code or identification information, and on the type and condition of the locking bolts fitted to your BMW. Where to Look First Before arranging removal, check the places where the key is most likely to have been stored. On many BMWs, the locking wheel bolt key is kept with the vehicl...

Image: BMW 2 Series Automatic Gearbox with just 3K miles for sale at MT Auto Parts for £1,399.99 A gearbox warning light, a hard thump when selecting a gear, delayed engagement, or the car dropping into transmission failsafe mode can be worrying for any BMW owner. But a serious gearbox symptom does not automatically mean the entire transmission needs replacing. Modern BMW automatic gearboxes combine mechanical components, hydraulics, electronic control systems and software, so faults can originate from several different areas. When a gearbox has suffered internal mechanical damage, and replacement is the most sensible option, the job involves considerably more than simply removing one gearbox and bolting another one into place. The replacement unit has to be the correct specification for the vehicle, the old transmission has to be removed, the replacement installed correctly, the appropriate transmission fluid used, and any required electronic programming or adaptation procedures comp...

Image: BMW 3 Series Complete Rear Wheel Hub for sale at MT Auto Parts for £284.28 Most BMW owners never think about what is actually inside the gearbox until something goes wrong. A hesitation between gears, a jolt when selecting Drive, a vibration under acceleration, or a warning message that puts the car into a protective mode. Understanding the main components makes it easier to follow a specialist's diagnosis and, just as importantly, understand why one fault might require a relatively small repair while another could mean replacing the complete gearbox. BMW has used several automatic transmission families across its range. ZF 6-speed and 8-speed automatic transmissions are particularly common across newer BMWs, although the exact transmission depends on the model, engine, drivetrain and production specification. ZF's 8HP family itself includes numerous variants, including 8HP45, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75 and 8HP90 applications. This guide explains the main components found in a ...