I had this on my e46, my specialist managed to hammer a socket over the locking wheel bolt and then remove with the aid of a long extension bar (about 5ft) although he did say he would only try this with snap on sockets!

Possibly alternator bearings? sometimes when these go, it can allow the metal fan blades on the front of it to contact the alternator body.

Elite wheels in Reading have a good reputation - I've had tyres fitted here, never used their refurb service, but a friend with a Lotus was impressed by them when he had his Exige wheels done. not the cheapest tho.

http://elitewheels.clickforward.com/wheel-refurbishment

I fitted a towbar on my E46 a couple of years ago and had to cut the bumper - marked it out on masking tape and then carefully cut with a dremel fitted with a cutting wheel. It was the bit of the fitting I was dreading, but actually turned out to be fairly easy - as always take your time and measure...

Hi Sorry to drag up an old post, but I've just bought a 2010 LCI X5 and was going to fit a towbar to use my Thule bikerack, then read this thread. Does anyone have experience of using the BMW non towbar rear rack? Does anyone have one hidden away that they would like to sell? They seem to be pretty ...