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Old 04-13-2012, 07:55 PM   #1
cali-ti
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Default First Flat Bed Ride

Well, my ti got it's first ever flat bed ride after stranding the driver (not me of course, but the wife) at the side of the road. First breakdown ever ... 268,955 miles. What shoddy BMW reliability!
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 04-13-2012, 08:34 PM   #2
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That's a bummer, but awesome at the same time. You're the original owner right Eric? Any ideas of what failed?
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Old 04-13-2012, 08:52 PM   #3
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Believe the original alternator finally gave up the ghost. As my wife described it, the dash lights started flashing on/dimming, heard a soft buzzing noise like when you're cell phone vibrates, so she signaled to pull over (but it wouldn't even signal). She turned it off after getting to the side of the road and then it wouldn't start. She said it originally did nothing when she attempted to start it (at which point she called me) and when I tried it after arriving there, it would click only.

My insurance roadside assistance sent out a guy to try jumping it. It started and was running fine while his truck was hooked up to the battery, but once he pulled them off, it fairly quickly started sputtering and then died and wouldn't start again. At that point, I called RA back and had them send a flat bed to get it back to the house (only about 15 miles away).

Have the battery (about 3.5 years old) on a 2A charger now and will do some further troubleshooting this weekend.

Just about everything that has happened recently has happened while my wife has been driving (airbag light came on, flat tire, etc). I think the car may not like her. My wife calls my car my first wife, lol

EDIT: Yes, I'm the original owner so I can't complain much Car has been pretty awesomely reliable and has seen me through a lot.
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 04-13-2012, 09:56 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cali-ti View Post
Well, my ti got it's first ever flat bed ride after stranding the driver (not me of course, but the wife) at the side of the road. First breakdown ever ... 268,955 miles. What shoddy BMW reliability!
I'd call BMW for a courtesy warranty and reimbursement for the tow.

When I paid to have a fuel pump install (IDK, maybe 240,000) I asked if it was under warranty. I CAN'T BELIEVE I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP ALREADY!
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Old 04-13-2012, 10:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996 328ti View Post
I'd call BMW for a courtesy warranty and reimbursement for the tow.

When I paid to have a fuel pump install (IDK, maybe 240,000) I asked if it was under warranty. I CAN'T BELIEVE I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP ALREADY!
LOL. What did they say?

The attempted jump and tow were covered by my insurance's roadside assistance so no worries there.

Thinking of picking up a battery/charging system tester from Harbor Freight tonight or tomorrow. Would be a handy thing to have. While I'm there, I can accidentally pick up an add-on to my tool chest, lol
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 04-13-2012, 11:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cali-ti View Post
LOL. What did they say?
They just looked at me like I was serious. I told them, I'M KIDDING!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cali-ti View Post
Thinking of picking up a battery/charging system tester from Harbor Freight tonight or tomorrow. Would be a handy thing to have. While I'm there, I can accidentally pick up an add-on to my tool chest, lol
I have one from Sears. It has come in handy a few times this winter.
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Old 04-14-2012, 05:54 AM   #7
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bummer E
do you want me to come up Sunday so we can tear into it?
let me know
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Old 04-14-2012, 08:23 PM   #8
cali-ti
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I just picked up the carbon pile load tester and will be testing the battery and alternator this afternoon. I'll let you know the outcome. Looks like a reman'd alternator is $200 and new is $350 (from Autohaus Arizona) so not too bad if it is bad.
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 04-14-2012, 09:23 PM   #9
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she looks sexy, all tied down on the flatbed..

Hope you get it worked out soon.
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Old 04-15-2012, 04:31 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cali-ti View Post
Believe the original alternator finally gave up the ghost. As my wife described it, the dash lights started flashing on/dimming, heard a soft buzzing noise like when you're cell phone vibrates, so she signaled to pull over (but it wouldn't even signal). She turned it off after getting to the side of the road and then it wouldn't start. She said it originally did nothing when she attempted to start it (at which point she called me) and when I tried it after arriving there, it would click only.

My insurance roadside assistance sent out a guy to try jumping it. It started and was running fine while his truck was hooked up to the battery, but once he pulled them off, it fairly quickly started sputtering and then died and wouldn't start again. At that point, I called RA back and had them send a flat bed to get it back to the house (only about 15 miles away).

Have the battery (about 3.5 years old) on a 2A charger now and will do some further troubleshooting this weekend.

Just about everything that has happened recently has happened while my wife has been driving (airbag light came on, flat tire, etc). I think the car may not like her. My wife calls my car my first wife, lol

EDIT: Yes, I'm the original owner so I can't complain much Car has been pretty awesomely reliable and has seen me through a lot.
How has the Cali top performed over all those miles and years. I'd like to get one sometime, but I worry about reliability.
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Old 04-15-2012, 02:57 PM   #11
cali-ti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jca View Post
How has the Cali top performed over all those miles and years. I'd like to get one sometime, but I worry about reliability.
Never had a problem with it. I don't use it all the time either however.
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 04-19-2012, 09:05 PM   #12
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I've had many
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V2 in progress.
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Old 04-19-2012, 09:35 PM   #13
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Update: Battery tested OK, charging system did not
Remanufactured alternator arrived today so I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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