Where is everybody?

[sapphireblack]

Surely there are still some tinkerers, petrol heads or hobbyist DIYs out there? Even the one post help me contributors are missing.

Not sure if i posted this previously, without leaving this page, but the interior is now pristine again with some nice new console trim. Its made me think again about the Android screen upgrades now widely available..I'd only really persue this for the nicer/larger display but its the full kit or nothing it seems. Touch screens always looks dirty to my OCD eyes, so although a given feature that element doesn't overly appeal to me. Google maps might be useful, but spending a grand to find out isn't my idea of good sense.

Anyone here done such an upgrade.?

.

[Alan Gunn]

I still look-in every morning but not tinkering that much any more just the odd oil/filter sort of thing.
I did the 9" touch screen job but only as mine came with a win ce copy of the original and it was playing up.
Yes the screen would drive you mad with dust and finger marks lol.

[sapphireblack]

I still look-in every morning but not tinkering that much any more just the odd oil/filter sort of thing.
I did the 9" touch screen job but only as mine came with a win ce copy of the original and it was playing up.
Yes the screen would drive you mad with dust and finger marks lol.

Well that makes two of us at least? Its probably been said but it seems tinkering is limited the more modern the vehicle. I don't/can't do as much on the E71 as i couid with the E53. For my solace I've been able to tinker extensively with my 2005 Touareg. At that age its in E53 territory, so 'access' isnt so restrictive.

Things change of course but in the heyday of this original forum it was a great place to participate in, now sadly its dying. I was particularly interested in a thread from a while ago now, new X5M owner which had previoudly had a wrapped roof that had faded. Not intriguing so much, but interesting. afaik that contributor, like so many, joined posted a question never to reappear.

[X5Sport]

It is very sad to see this forum getting steadily quieter over the last few years. Even the general banter from ten years ago has faded away.

Part of it is without doubt the challenge of working on newer versions of our X-cars where it’s either a shed full of specialist tools, or a server rack of computers or the programming ability if a hacker just to change a wheel bearing!

I don’t know where everybody went, they just slowly and steadily went radio silent. Some because they no longer own a BMW, some just lost interest or weren’t able to get the answers needed as no one in here knew.

I don’t think the situation has been helped by the removal of many sources of information from the internet. The TIS is now behind a paywall and anyone trying to post a complete/current version is hit with a takedown order. RealOEM hasn’t updated since Dec 2019 as BMW moved the entire system to Dealer only and online rather than issuing quarterly DVDs.

I could do far more on my E53 than I can on my E71, and my G26 i4 is harder still, not because it’s electric but because BMW have started introducing a new system (sine lte last year) that actively prevents coding unless the car is physically connected to Munich’s servers via a network. Of course, that means dealer only. On those cars that aren’t fully locked down, the changes are wiped every time a software update comes from the factory and those are delivered by the onboard cellular telematic system.

I also suspect that many more ‘owners’ of these cars are actually not. Their cars haven’t been bought outright as they’re in PCP (as mine have been for the last 14 years), or fleet cars, or changed more frequently. There must be a massive used car base out there - judging by the number of xDrive SUV BMWs I see every day - so someone is maintaining them? Perhaps this forum has so much information on it now, viewers don;t need to bother asking, they just browse!! If so it’s a double-edged sword, being both a good and bad thing.

I noticed the other day that traffic on Xoutpost is also getting steadily older with some threads not being updated in years, so it’s not just us here.

The E53 went out of production almost 20 years ago, and those left are either well looked after by members on here, or are being driven by those who don’t care enough to know about their wheels.

I will go in trying to help anyone on here with answers (if I can find them), and I do check the forum (too) many times a day.

If anyone has ideas about what we can do to get noticed and attract new/old members then go for it. Most of the new members I’ve seen in the last month have been overseas and offering less than tasteful opportunities of how to spend time with members of the fairer sex! Others pop up, ask a question and either get the answer (or don’t like the answer) and vanish.

If you are browsing this thread, and not a member, then join up, come say hello and tell us about you and your ride, and be part of the community

[StuBeeDoo]

I don't tinker anywhere as much as I used to. This is partly because my F25 is so bloody complicated for someone who was brought-up on carburettors, distributors, and engine bays with plenty of room in. The other part is that with advancing years I simply CBA anymore.

Late last year I upgraded to paddle-shift. I fitted the new steering wheel while I was servicing the car. The rest of the job I paid a local independent to do, because for the life of me I just can't get my head 'round coding. ..........And as for identifying different modules, I don't even know where to start.

These days my tinkering is limited to my collection of slot cars, and a bit of domestic DIY now and again.

[sapphireblack]

Its probably not coincidence that restrictive practice from BMW (and others) means the average owner is almost a robot and just a driver/owner now.

Driverless cars when they eventually arrive mainstream, will doubless be the real end of home tinkering. The car will take itself to a workshop for maintenance, the bill will be paid remotely while the owner does whatever. I'm truly glad i wont see it tbh. Machines are taking over because 'we' have designed them to. Its undoubtedly more efficient in many areas than man getting dirty or at work risk, but everything is becoming so sterilised and banal, its becoming tediously boring.

I have said before, my E71 is the last car i will own. At age 73 i have only limited years of driving left, or even breathing if fate intervenes. I'm happy with my lot in respect of vehicle ownership. Always other issues to contend with, but thats not for this place.

[gmc15]

I still look in a few times a day, but don't really have any problems with my F16 that I need to ask about. Most things have been discusses previously on the forun so a quick search usually helps me.

The car is going in for a recall to get the drivers air bag replaced and they said they would check the EGR for leaks even though it is not an actual recall.

There's a possibility that I will be after anothed BMW to replace my wifes Focus, so I will start a new thread if that happens

[Wayfarer]

Same here in the nearly six years I have had my x5 the only real problem was the failure of the front radar on the ADAS, support here helped and saved me attempting to look into, new radar unit fitted, plus software updates part alone was ov £2k, fortunately and again advise from this site was don’t own a bmw without a warranty, so 3 years warranty paid and one claim and reckon I’m no longer out of pocket.
The f15 has been great so far apart from above, but still look most days to see what potential problems or improvements lurk

[Leslie]

Had my x5 on sorn most of last year but on the road now and only fault at the minute is a leaking screenwash bottle, it wasn't leaking before being parked up airbag recall very soon now too, mad on a 15 year old car

[lezmtaylor]

I have been a member of this forum and the previous forum since inception and purchase of my 2002 E53 in 2006, have had a lot of help when needed.
Gone are the days of Sanj and X5, they have moved on, I fear also last meet up was several years ago would be nice to have another.
I am 81 in May so am limited in the mods I can do ( or need to do), also having a pacemaker fitted 3 years ago keeps the wife's beady eyes on what I can or willing to do.
Did 750 miles in the last 12 months so the car is wasting away and is only used on 50 miles plus journeys (to get engine armed up) and use the Honda Civic for shopping and short journeys.
Visit Forum 1 or 2 times a day, and will perhaps get to the magic 1000 posts.
Well bye for now.

Lez

[Alan Gunn]

I think many of us on here are getting on in years.
Like me not as flexible as i used to be along with the complexity of the cars now that is not a good combination lol.
I go on several forums every day even a VW one and not had a vw for ? can't remember 14 years i think.
Sometimes i can help often not and i also send people to this forum even sent one of our members here from another bmw forum but he had a different user name.
Also i don't think the younger lad's are as interested in getting there hands dirty today but that could just be the ones around here all they want is a big loud exhaust and music.

[sapphireblack]

Maybe BMW, and others, have built in so many features now, there's little or nothing to upgrade or modify?

Us oldies are seemingly going the way of the dinosaur. In the words of private Fraser 'we're all doomed'.

[Greydog]

Like most others here age is creeping up so that slows us all down a little
The E53 is going strong though only used on sunny days now (had a silly offer from a guy at Goodwood last year so may even sell) My E70 I must say has been boringly reliable, Oh Oh shouldn't have said that, anyone now how to release the drivers door actuator it wont let me in or out !! That's my weekend planned I guess. Stay fit and well all you tinkerers we seem to be a dying breed, the need to know is going away?

[IanP]

Maybe it's the continual rise of Facebook or Instagram that is causing the demise of forums as this. There are Facebook groups for everything nowadays and younger owners with that sort of interest might go that route.
Also the vast majority of owners (including higher end cars) have no idea or interest in the workings of vehicles and treat them like toasters, and are baffled when the bread isn't brown. In my early 60s I believe I am the last group of people who will try and repair the toaster.

[X5Sport]

I suspect you may be right. I’m now in the same age group and feel the same way. I was brought up to try to at least fix it myself (I couldn’t afford not to back then), and enjoyed striping engines and gearboxes, or changing a diff after a rummage around a scrapyard at the weekends. Can’t even do that now - Elf n Safety mate!!