Second day of driving my first BMW (pic)

[GreenFrog]

Bought a Mystic Blue ZHP, 6MT with 58K miles. Paid $16K at a BMW dealership. I have an aFE intake and a pair of aurora angel eyes on the way.. debating whether I should buy the UUC TSE3 exhaust now or later.

Anyway, just got my car tinted today at Tint King in Massachusetts with 35% Huper Optik tint in the front and 30% in the back.

Very pleased! I only have one picture so far and here she is:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15824594/Photo%20Jul%2001%2C%207%2004%2031%20PM.jpeg

[GreenFrog]

By the way, everything is great except that there is this annoying rattling sound that seems to be sourced near the front passenger seat. It only rattles when I'm on a bumpy road, otherwise the cabin is silent when I cruise on smooth surfaces.

I know there are a million different sources for the rattle, but does anyone have any potential insight? I'm thinking it might be something under the passenger seat but I just can't figure it out. Plus, it's dangerous for me to snoop around to locate the source because, well, I'd be driving while the rattle is present.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Could it possibly be the seat belt? On my E39, the seat belt, where it goes into the B pillar, was known to chatter. It's kind of a clicking noise.

[GreenFrog]

I thought so too, but the seat belt lies flush against the seat. Even still, I held on to it and the rattle still persisted. It's not very loud, but it's just that now that I've noticed it, I ALWAYS notice it.

[cakM3]

Hey Green,

Congrats on the new whip :thumbsup Awesome price as well!

[Johnmadd]

Do you have the first aid kit under the seat?

[GreenFrog]

Just checked, and nope. I don't even seem to have it. I recall reading on e46 fanatics a while ago, that there is a 'hidden' compartment underneath the driver's seat. Well, I fished my hand under the seat but couldn't find anything. Does such a thing exist? Or am I just failing to find it because it's so well-hidden lol.

[danewilson77]

There is no hidden compartment under the seat.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[cakM3]

Just checked, and nope. I don't even seem to have it. I recall reading on e46 fanatics a while ago, that there is a 'hidden' compartment underneath the driver's seat. Well, I fished my hand under the seat but couldn't find anything. Does such a thing exist? Or am I just failing to find it because it's so well-hidden lol.

Not really a hidden compartment but two vent like ducts and they are under both the driver's and passenger's seat. iPhones and similar devices like to get into these ducts and it's incredibly hard to retrieve them from these areas.....

[GreenFrog]

Gotcha.. thanks. Don't know where I got that idea lol.

Another noob question. So I noticed that some e46's beep twice when you lock the car, and after some searching, I've found that it's due to the alarm being activated and whatnot. It seems like my car did not come with the alarm and I have to go to the dealership to install it separately. Is that so? How much should I expect to shell out for parts + labor? Depending on the labor cost, I'd rather have them install it than myself.

[Johnmadd]

Mine doesn't beep at all, I don't have alarm. Roll down your windows and double lock and then put your arm through the window and try to move the steering wheel.

[static667]

Welcome to the family. You have found the right place to learn about your car.

[Crickett]

Congrats on the beautiful ride!

To be certain of whether or not you have the factory alarm, pry down the little bump/module/thingy right behind the sunroof (it's held up by clips); if you see an electronics box, that's the alarm's motion sensor.


Mine doesn't beep at all, I don't have alarm. Roll down your windows and double lock and then put your arm through the window and try to move the steering wheel.

The simplest way to test if you have the alarm, IMHO, is to lock your car/arm the system (by pressing the lock button once) & set off the panic mode by holding the trunk release button for > 2 sec. The unlock button silences the alarm.

[GreenFrog]

Phew.. just spent an hour cleaning my steering wheel. First went over the wheel with a microfiber cloth. Then proceeded to use four Mr. Clean Magic bars. The bars were covered in dirt and grime and they didn't seem to get cleaner after each use. I bet I could use 10 bars and it would still be dirty. But the box only came with four bars so I shall leave it at that :D

[Oli77]

How's the third day treating you? Did you go straight to the garage this morning?

I put the wheelskin leather wrap (http://www.wheelskins.com/) on my steering wheel.

It is a very nice product with a gorgeous finish. Looks professional.

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac208/othibau/DSC06767.jpg

[aurelius]

I know Mass. isn't the hottest place on Earth and as such it may be tempting to go the "it couldn't happen to me" route but man, do yourself a huge favor and start looking into your cooling system rehab. You're at the perfect mileage to avoid trouble by getting the whole thing (minus radiator) done asap. At an absolute minimum and if you have no record of it having already been done, replace the idler pulley and serpentine belt as soon as humanly possible. If you need more info, post questions in Maintenance forum.

As for alarm, do not have anyone start splicing into your electrical, least of all a dealership. There's a way to enable the blinking LED attached to the rear view mirror, even if your car does not have an alarm. I don't have that info at hand but PM me if you want it.

As for your steering wheel, there is a rehab procedure for the Alcantara posted elsewhere on this site. Or you can use site sponsor Coby Wheel to get a discount on having yours re-wrapped.

Cool car, great color!

[aurelius]

Do you have the first aid kit under the seat?

Like Marcus, I was thinking seat belt buckle knocking against B pillar but if it's not that and does seem to be coming from under passenger seat, know that Euro Delivery cars are required to have the first aid kit and thus the first aid kit compartment under the passenger seat. My '01 330i ZSP had this although the kit fit well and nothing ever rattled.

[GreenFrog]

I also have a 3-year warranty that covers pretty much everything except wear and tear items, so I do have some peace of mind -- especially when it comes to the cooling system.

Anyway, my steering wheel is all dry now after having cleaned it, but instead of a smooth, buttery surface, it's all pitted and rough. Feels worse than when it was dirty.. What did I do wrong?

[danewilson77]

What diy did you follow?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Oli77]

Was it leather or alcantara?

[trancenation]

congrats! was this 16k otd?

[GreenFrog]

What diy did you follow?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

I think it was the one you posted. I got a microfiber cloth, dampened it and went around the wheel a couple of times. Then I used four Mr. Clean magic bars to clean the rest. All four were filthy with grime and whatnot and then I went over the wheel with a lint remover, though it didn't really pick up anything. Then I let it dry and now that it's dry, it's all rough and unpleasant.


Was it leather or alcantara?

Alcantara.

[Crickett]

Rub too hard with the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers? :eeps

[GreenFrog]

Possibly.. that's probably it :(

[MrMaico]

Congrats! Nice find and great color.

Check this thread and see if you can find anything that might help with your rattle.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=605933

Barry