About a year ago the airbag on SWMBOs Z4 came on. Took it to the garage who got his mate to hook up a diagnostic computer and said it was a false alarm but his software couldn't reset it. Not to worry because its not an MOT failure.


And now from next year it is. Google says this happens often, and once the error is triggered you can only turn the light off by doing a manual reset. Drove around to all the local garages. Several could read the error and confirmed that they could see the code, and the system reported that the error no longer existed. Disconnecting battery overnight didn't clear. Found the tools on ebay, but... For models up to 03 they cost around 20 notes. From 04 onwards they are over 200. Its an 04 and thats a lot for a toll that only does that one thing.


Quick call to the stealer and it will cost £100 for the diagnostic and £20 to reset if there really was no problem. Well can't you just reset it! Sorry sir that won't be safe. Back on ebay and found a diagnostic cable for under 30 quid. It included a bunch of software for evaluation and education purposes only. (Very clear that you are only paying for the cable).


Loads of software, including 2 virtual machines of official BMW tools. PITA to install but the instructions were excellent. You don't actually need most of it (but it is cool  :rolleyes ).


Hooked laptop up to car - a couple of mouse clicks later and the light is off. Best 30 quid I ever spent.


BTW - BMW official software confirmed "ERROR CODE HAS BEEN TRIGGERED BUT ERROR CONDITION DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST"
WTF?!? - why doesn't it then turn its own bloody light off?


New MOT regs mean I should either buy shares in a stealership or set myself up as an indie light turner offer as this apparently happens on around 40% of beamers.

where to start


I am 33 in 2 days, I live in leeds with my wife of 8 years and the dog of 8 years no they did  not come as a groupe deal.
I started riding 26 years ago on the beach at the caravan, and my parents bought me my first bike for the road @16. I passed my bike test in 2006 and started my biking off proper on a 1986 FJ1200, blody thing broke down every other week, so I moved on to A BMW R65 and then a GS500 but found myself drawn back to the FJ1200 witch I had for 18months or so but knee problems meen I cand take the waight of the FJ any more so she had to go and make way for a smaller lighter bike, so now I am looking a 1 of 2  fazer 600's ! a 1999 in red and the other a 2001 in gold

Insomnia is a right bastard.  I've tried stilnocht and other hypnotics, but they're no use.  Can anyone recommend a sleeping tab that will knock me out for a few hours?  I used to get mogadon, but it's not available now.

That better?

.....with no foc-u.

Glad to see it back

With the shooting season in full swing I am going through checked shirts like nobodies buiseness.
Q. Has anyone got any tips on a quick way of ironing the damned things ?

Many thanks
Russ   

Can't even remember if I've organised one this year, or was that the one I forgot to turn up for.

Anyway how about it, which night suits the locals?

Ivan

Do we still want to do this this year? How about somewhere different for a change? Like nearer Colchester.... There's a chinese in Colchester called embassy, cheap as chips, loads of room, parking next door in multistorey, open sundays

Sunday 18th?

All in favour say 'i' ?

If anyone on here gets them I am very interested in the kh250


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/barn-garage-fi...3f0ffdf252

My gen1 has just got to 30000 miles, so time for the first service I'll have done on it. A couple of questions for those who've worked on these before;
1. does the oil filter come out easily without removing downpipes? I presume it does, but it looks pretty tight for space.
2. any particular oil recommended, or any of the usual suspects OK?
3. I've never bothered with iridium plugs before, but does anyone else? Are they worth the extra?
Thanks in advance.