Hi all -

Quick intro I've had BMWs for 15 years and no other cars. I have an M6 on gas (yes really) as my daily driver, but now have a little one so the wife and I embarked on a Range Rover. Still not quite ready to let go of my Bmw obsession I laid my hands on a 4.4 v8 on LPG.

Ok intro over, so a few questions if I may...

So firstly a few cars back I had an e39 Bmw m5 which had the same mk3 sat nav that we have in the range however with a much newer fresher looking os, on v32 (not the mk4 I got that later!) question 1 I have not seen any reports about uograding the firmware that sound good as they can brick the drives due to have the off road option... Is there a way to do this without a brick or some newer genuine rr firmware?

Next up is there any diagnostic software you can use - I have ista and dis for Bmw should this work on these? Reason for asking is drivers heated seat only comes on for 2 seconds and goes off so I'd like to get to the bottom of it.

Thirdly when I start from cold it rattles for maybe 2-3 secs is this normal?

Finally (for now) has anyone fitted a Denison icelink iPod adapter to the stereo and can you get away with the Bmw one being plug and play?

Thanks

Dan

Welcome and great colour choice!

1. Ref sat nav. Don't even bother getting an upgrade. It's not worth it in my opinion. I have a mini iPad with the waze app which is far better.

2. Best diagnostic is the IID Tool but there are others. Search on here. There is loads of info and opinion.

3. Ref seat, check connections under the chair. They can come loose.

4. The rattle on start up is the VANOS as the oil takes a bit to get up to pressure. However if it gets worse it could be the timing chains.

5. I have an iPod connection in mine but check dan_1984_uk's posts as he installed it.

Good luck and happy motoring.

great thank you - I think I may go the mk4 route then and ipod...

Has anyone retrofitted official Bluetooth in one of these? I worked out how to do it in my m5 if no one has I will try and amend my howto to RR and post on here it wasn't very expensive to do <100.

Also has anyone fixed the gremlins in the dash ive order a ribbon cable to give it a got :-S

with regard to vanos are you saying its normal? is it worth changing chain tensioner?

finally is the air pump always quite noisey while its working?

Thanks

Dan

Mine is noisy on startup too, wouldn't call it a rattle, just loud v8 growl if ya know what I mean. Maybe I going a bit deaf but I have never heard the compressor running and it does work normal so I would say should not ne noisy. Declan
2003 FFRR Vogue 4.4 V8
97 Defender 90 300 TDi

Loss of pixels is common. there are a lot of folks on here who have had them done but it depends on where you are -some take the car there and some send the dash component to have the ribbon re-done.

don't know about bluetooth but again search on here - there is a lot of info.

Ref Chain tensioner, if you have the time/funds, it will pay dividends to have a look inside the block at the chain. It is normally the chain guides that go first, not the chain.

Air pump is noisy as it has been moved out of its damped container to get your lpg tank in. You can put more soundproofing over it but again, look on here as there are posts all about this.

Ok great news re compressor being moved - I also have had the engine light on today and read the code and it was P0443 evap emissions system purge control...

Is this an easy fix?

Bluetooth upgrade using BMW parts is doable. Have a look in the WIKI (top right), there's info on this and lots more

great thanks - another question - the paint is wearing off the door handles - what is the paint id need to repaint these?

Do a search for (pete) Haylands how to, I've followed what he did on mine, but did body colour.
Excellent write up by pete.

It's in the WIKI along with lots of other useful info, link to it top of any page on the right under fullfatrr.com

Near as dam it paint colour is in there...

Engine should be whisper quiet, rattle is vanos system, big bucks to get it sorted, it will only get worse...

Pixel repair is not really a DIY option no matter what they say, you won't have the equipment to recalibrate the needles and lining up the ribbon cable is a nightmare.... even the guys who do it professionally get it wrong a lot...

IMHO scrap the whole ICE system and fit an Android unit, much better system, much more reliable and you can sell you old ICE for more than it costs for the new one.... details in WIKI again....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks guys - so if I leave the vanos rattle it's bad? Needs a trip to dr vanos maybe then... Thanks for your advise