Can you take a second to explain the green, yellow, red lights when I start the car.

My E34 has 122K miles and when I start it two green lights are still on.

Questions:

How long will it take to go to red?

What do I do when they are red?

Since I'm the 2nd owner and am not sure of everything that has been done in the past how will I know what needs to be done when it goes to red?

When it goes red are there several shops that can set it back to all greens or dod I have to go to some BMW shop or dealer?

THX,

JD

oil change interval...
you can reset them yourself; instructions on the web.
don't want to give wrong pin number from memory

How long will it take to go to red?

Not exactly sure, someone will know. I know it'll take awhile though.

What do I do when they are red?

Go in for a regular inspection (oil, just a check up basically)

Since I'm the 2nd owner and am not sure of everything that has been done in the past how will I know what needs to be done when it goes to red?

The shop will give it a run down. I'm sure someone will go into further detail on this as well.

When it goes red are there several shops that can set it back to all greens or dod I have to go to some BMW shop or dealer?

Most of the shops around me can do it, I'd guess its the same way around you. Pick one that does good work on Bimmers.

oil change interval...
you can reset them yourself; instructions on the web.
don't want to give wrong pin number from memory
Link?

not to be a thread jacker or anything, anyone know how to fix the blown out cluster lights? my entire right side went the other day. also i don't have one of those open door sensor lights. is that normal? i also got the problem that is stated in the thread.

http://www.homeofsbc.com/Hints/Reset_The_SIL/reset_the_sil.html

heres one

you can also simply ground #7 to any metal, like the strut bolt, instead of #19 (ground).

I've been doing it successfully since I bought the Bimmer.

I oil change at 3-4k with dino, so The one time I went to red was far too long for me. I think it was close to 6k miles.

The lights are only based on fuel consumption btw.

The lights are only based on fuel consumption btw.

This way it factors in harsher driving as well.

http://www.homeofsbc.com/Hints/Reset_The_SIL/reset_the_sil.html

heres one

you can also simply ground #7 to any metal, like the strut bolt, instead of #19 (ground).

I've been doing it successfully since I bought the Bimmer.

I oil change at 3-4k with dino, so The one time I went to red was far too long for me. I think it was close to 6k miles.
Thank you!

The lights are only based on fuel consumption btw.

Interesting, I wondered what it was based on.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I was worried that everytime it went red I was in for a $600 shop visit.

My buddy had a 1993 325i and he let it go to red, kept driving it, and BOOM the timing belt went and he had several thousand dollars of damage.

Our our 525's belt or chain driven? And if it's belt, are they like the Honda/Toyota/Lexus and need to be done every 70-90K miles?

And if it's a belt, how can I tell if it has been done so that I don't have it done for no reason?

THX,

JD

Interesting, I wondered what it was based on.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I was worried that everytime it went red I was in for a $600 shop visit.

Nope, just keep up on everything. :)

Our our 525's belt or chain driven?

JD

Timing chain

I'm glad it's a chain, that is awesome! When does the chain need to be replaced? My old 4Runner went 200K on the same chain

How about the Bimmer?

About the same. You don't hear of chains failing, really ever on the M50. Don't worry about it, you've got better things to worry about.

BTW, I slapped on my 18" BMW REP's it looks great, when can I post some pics?

I'm glad it's a chain, that is awesome! When does the chain need to be replaced? My old 4Runner went 200K on the same chain

How about the Bimmer?

I've heard 150k, but someone else may know better...

About the same. You don't hear of chains failing, really ever on the M50. Don't worry about it, you've got better things to worry about.


Thats great, thanks!

www.photobucket.com

Upload them there, then link the IMG tags here.

BTW, I slapped on my 18" BMW REP's it looks great, when can I post some pics?


NOW!:)

www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com)

Upload them there, then link the IMG tags here.

Awesome, how many posts in order to post them on the forum?

Awesome, how many posts in order to post them on the forum?

25

Awesome, how many posts in order to post them on the forum?

25. You're set.

25. You're set.

Sweet! My camera is at the office so I'll shoot them tomorrow.

JD

Don't sweat the timing chain.. Shouldn't have a problem with it at all. I know cars with 300k and beyond with the original chain.

Keep the oil chain and keep a flawless cooling system in it, keep good valve covers gaskets on it, keep good coils/boots, and plugs in it and you should have nothing to worry about. You may have to clean or replace an ICV in its life time as well.. but otherwise its a great little motor.