As you’re no doubt learning, BMW make cars to be put together, not taken apart outside the Dealer network without considerable swearing, gnashing of teeth - oh and emptying of wallets

It’ll be the M57NTUD30. The N-series came out in model year 2011 (E70/71 and beyond) along with the 8-speed ZF transmission.

The maximum tread depth difference between any tyre and any other tyre is 2mm. Any more than that risks damage to the transfer box or a shattered diff. xDrive cars are very sensitive to tyre types and in my experience the loss of just one tyre usually means a full set change is required if the tyre ...

Also probably worth looking at the fuel filter. Those often get ignored on service so could clog.

Having had the factory tow bar added, that automatically included the upgraded fan.

I’ve always wondered about the efficacy of brake pad warning devices. They need to be on all 4 pads at each end, and for precisely the reason you found. One sensor simply isn’t adequate. Frustrating to have the wrong pads in the right box. That sounds to me like that box had been out somewhere before!

Usually find copies on the usual auction sites. It won’t be a legit copy as BMW doesn’t supply it to the public.

You’ll need a laptop and adapter cable as well.

It was expensive to add it to the X6 and working from the ‘never exceed 80% of the weight of the tow vehicle with the trailer/caravan’ guidance, I left it. Having been responsible for closing the A1 southbound 28 years ago with a Disco towing a 3.5T trailer (and no towing training), I have unwanted ...

I can’t remember the coolant colour in mine, and it isn’t with me today, however BMW engines must only use the right coolant in order to avoid issues such as corrosion. It’s possible the wrong one was put in at some point and went bad so changing it for the right one will be helping. :) BMW used to ...

I used to enjoy F1, until the BBC lost the rights and Sky want a fortune to watch it. From what I’ve seen it looked a good race, however overtaking there (and at Monaco) is ‘challenging’ in the politest form of the word

Xtrons have been around for a while, but no idea how good/bad/otherwise their products are. I know with the E53, functions were no longer available unless the MID unit was moved to the glovebox - which kind of defeated the object. Technology and connectivity should have improved somewhat since then ...

Can’t see any reference to anything trailer related other than the wiring option - and that just adds a pigtail without anything else. BMW Dealerships in North America allegedly won’t install tow bars without that option. S823 - Hot climate - option actually gives you the larger 850W electric fan th...

The other thing you can do to check is run your full VIN against a tool such as mdecoder on line. It will give you your ‘as built’ spec from the factory. That might give you some clues as to what the car left the factory with.

Walk away! Glow plugs will need all replacing plus the controller. Doing only a couple and not replacing the controller is wasted effort as the rest will go usually shortly after. If the engine bay was dirty then there’s a real chance of a plug snapping. I had two go on my X6 and the repair bill at ...