Sport Cars

2011 BMW 5 Series pictures and features review
The 2011 BMW 5 Series comes back in focus after weeks of extensive news that covered the launch and all the information released shortly after.
The new 5 Series is already creating lots of buzz among automotive fans and several publications featured comparisons of the new 5 and its competitors. We were one of them as well.

1. Decide on the style of BMW you would like. They offer sedans, SUVs, sports wagons and coupes. If you arent familiar with all the options BMW has to offer, visit their website to check out all the models available and the features they include.
2. Make a list of the features and options that are the most important to you. If you have a lot of custom features you would like to have, consider custom-ordering your BMW and having it delivered to a dealer near you. This option is available both on the website and at a BMW dealer.
3. Choose the top three models you are interested in and do more research. The BMW 650 series is rated negatively as having a rough ride, jerky transmission and throttle problems. The BMW X5 is rated as one of the most luxurious SUVs and has a V8 under the hood that is popular with many car owners. These are important things to know about each of the models.
4. Consider the warranties offered by BMW. The manufacturer offers a 12-year warranty for the bodywork, three years for the paint and an entire automobile warranty that covers original BMW parts and accessories for 2 years regardless of mileage, but not including replacement of worn parts.

1. Put the key into the ignition and turn the vehicle to the on position but dont start the engine.
2. Find the diagnostic port under the drivers side dashboard near the pedals. Plug the computerized scan tool into this port. The battery from the vehicle will automatically power on the tool.
3. Find arrows on the faceplate of the scan tool and use them to scroll through the menu until you find the Read All Codes command. Select this command.
4. Scroll through the menu again and find Clear All Codes. Select this option then wait for the service engine light to shut off.
5. Turn off the vehicle and wait five minutes. Start the engine and verify that the check engine light is still off.

1. Close all of the doors, the trunk and the hood.
2. Place the key in the ignition and turn it to position one, Accessory. Turn it back to Off. Do this four more times and remove the key from the ignition when you are done.
3. Press and hold the unlock button and then press and release the lock button three times. Release the unlock button. If the locks cycle, then you have done this correctly. Repeat this step for each key you wish to program.
4. Inset the key in the ignition and turn it to Accessory to exit programming mode.

Resynching a BMW key
1. Position yourself in the drivers seat. Lock the doors of your BMW 325i by pressing the lock button located in the center console.
2. Put the key in the ignition and turn it two clicks clockwise to position 2. Keep the key in position 2 for three seconds. Turn the key counter-clockwise two clicks to remove it from the ignition.
3. Hold down the unlock button on the key for five seconds.
4. Continue to hold down the unlock button and tap the lock button on the key with your other hand three times. You should hear the locking system cycle. The doors will unlock and then lock again.
5. Step outside of the car and test your key. If the key is not still functioning properly repeat steps 1 through 4 until the synchronization process is done correctly. If your key is still not working, consult a BMW mechanic or lock and unlock your car manually.

1. Read your lease agreement. Look for a buyout provision as well as early termination clause. Early termination clauses are generally reserved for people quitting a lease, but some may have a buyout stipulation.
2. Determine the capitalized cost. This is the difference between the total amount of paid lease installments and the purchase price of the car. For instance, if the purchase price is $40,000 and you have paid 50 installments of $667 on a five-year lease term, the balance or capitalized cost would be $6,650.
3. Include applicable registration and licensing fees. Phone the nearest DMV office and get the costs of any title transfer fees and registration fees. Also calculate sales tax based on your states sale tax rate.
4. Add the capitalized cost, registration and licensing fees with the sales tax. This will yield your lease release payment or buyout cost.

1. Use a floor jack to lift the front of the BMW. Remove the splash guard under the engine. This is held on with screws and plastic plugs that are removed by hand. Turn on the ignition, set the heater to 91 degrees and set the fan to the low speed. This will get the coolant out of the heater core.
2. Locate the radiator fill cap in the engine bay and loosen the bleeder screw with a screwdriver. Make sure you let the car cool down enough if it has been driven recently.
3. Locate and remove the two blue radiator screws located directly beneath where the radiator fill cap is located. Place a container under the drain plugs and drain them one at a time. Reinstall the radiator drain screws. Remove the 13-millimeter engine block drain plug, located on the passenger’s side of the engine block near the front axle, and drain the coolant into the container. Place a new washer on the drain bolt and put it back in the block, tightening it to 18 ft/lbs with a torque wrench.
4. Remove the intake ducting by carefully prying up the three plastic rivets that hold it to the top of the radiator. Remove the neck of the air box by pressing the two vertical sides of the ducting together and pulling it off.
5. Remove the wires that go to the radiator fan and the T25 Torx screw that holds the fan on. Remove the plastic rivet on the driver’s side with a screwdriver. Remove the fan by pulling it straight up and out.
6. Remove the wire that goes to the thermostat. Use a 13-millimeter socket to remove the bolt on the upper right part of the thermostat. Use a 10-millimeter socket to remove the three bolts on the top and bottom of the thermostat.
7. Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses from the engine block. Remove the thermostat. Clean the surface where the thermostat gasket is installed so there is no gasket material remaining.
8. Install the new thermostat with the 13-millimeter bolt and the three 10-millimeter bolts. Use a new gasket when you reinstall the thermostat. Tighten the bolts to 7 lb/ft. Reinstall the radiator hoses. Reinstall the fan and the intake ducting. Top up the system with coolant.

1. Turn off the headlights and the engine. Youll be reaching into the engine compartment to change the bulb so let the engine cool off before you proceed.
2. Open the hood.
3. Reach behind the headlight for the bulb you need change. Remove the black cover cap over the bulb you need to replace. Rotate it to the left and pull it off.
4. Rotate the bulb holder and pull it out.
5. Pull the used bulb out of the holder.
6. Push the new bulb into the holder.
7. Reinsert the bulb holder into the assembly. Rotate it to the right to secure it.
8. Replace the black cover cap and rotate it to the right.

1. Insert the key in the ignition, but do not turn on the vehicle.
2. Press and hold the odometer reset button, located on the instrument panel.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Continue to hold down the odometer button until it reads RESET. Release the reset button.
4. Press and hold down the odometer reset button until RESET blinks. Release the odometer reset button.
5. Press and hold down the odometer reset button until RESET is replaced with END SIA. Release the odometer reset button.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. The BMW 325 battery is located in the trunk. Let the vehicle cool off for at least 30 minutes prior to beginning procedure.
2. Remove the two screws mounting the air box assembly on the right side of the engine bay. Removing the air box assembly will allow you easier access to the heater control valve. Remove the clamps connecting the air intake hose and set the box and hose aside
3. Disconnect the electrical module from the base of the valve. Use the flat-head screwdriver to remove the clamps holding the upper and lower valve hose. Make note of their position; the upper and lower hoses cannot be swapped during installation. Clamp off the hoses to minimize leakage and prevent contaminants from entering the system.
4. Use the torx screwdriver to remove the three screws mounting the heater control valve, and then remove the valve.
5. Place the new valve in its spot and attach the screws to mount it. Remove the clamps and reconnect the upper and lower hose to the proper location on the valve. Replace the electrical connection to the valve and reinstall the air box assembly.

1. Pop the hood. Locate the belt-routing diagram, which is a sticker on the core support. Locate the belt tensioner, which is in the middle of the engine, just above the crankshaft pulley.
2. Place the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket on the hex-head bolt in the middle of the tensioner and turn it counterclockwise to release the tension on the belt. While still holding the ratchet, pull the belt off the pulleys.
3. Run the replacement belt around the pulleys on the engine, using the sticker you found in Step 1 as a guideline. Then pull the tensioner counterclockwise with the ratchet again, and run the belt around the tensioner. Release the ratchet and verify that the belt is straight and even on each pulley.

1. Research leatherette cleaning products on the Internet or at an auto store. Read the labels on car upholstery cleaners to find a vinyl or multi-surface auto upholstery cleaner within your budget. Purchase the cleaner.
2. Vacuum the interior of the automobile to remove dirt and debris from the leatherette on your seats, armrests and headrests.
3. Pour lukewarm water into a spray bottle. Spray the leatherette with water. Wipe the sprayed areas with a clean terrycloth towel.
4. Squirt dish detergent into your spray bottle. Add more lukewarm water if necessary. Shake the spray bottle to create suds. Spray the mixture on leatherette stains. Scrub the stains with a clean terrycloth towel. Wait five minutes for the leatherette to dry.
5. Spray a hidden patch of leatherette underneath your front seat with the purchased cleaner from Step 1. Check the sprayed patch in five minutes to ensure that the cleaner did not leave a stain.
6. Spray and rub the cleaner into the remainder of the leatherette with a clean terry cloth towel. Leave the cleaner on the leatherette for five minutes to condition it.
7. Wipe the cleaner off with a clean terry cloth towel.
8. Spray the leatherette with water and wipe it down with a clean terry cloth towel to reduce stickiness from the cleaner.