BMW mid-90s E39 Coupe Concept... forerunner to the new 6 Series... and a bit of Rover 75

Another concept BMW from the mid-90s, showcasing the initial idea of a new 5er coupe based on the E39. This was also during the Rover 75 development era and I believe was even considered as a sporty version of that or the MG ZT. In the end it went on to become the E63/E64 6 Series, though those headlights sure made it on to the Rover.

Disguised BMW E30 concept during testing, circa-1980

Grainy pic of a quite heavily disguised BMW E30 3-Series test-mule undergoing tests in Germany circa-1980. The square headlights and covered up Hoffmeister-kink lend an interesting look to this concept, but the roofline and rear-end give it away.

Ironically, it isnt a far cry away from BMWs latest 'Neue Klasse' design language, with the forthcoming 3 seriesredesign and new electric models.

 

F10 530d: New O/S / driver’s side rear spring.

Did both of the rear struts and springs a few years ago, but find the right side one has broken right at the top and will need doing for this years MOT test. As usual with 5 Series models when the spring snaps at the top or bottom, there was no tell-tale clunking or change in driving characteristics, so who knows how long it's been like that. At least it is not a big job.

*GUIDE: F10 Rear Shock / Spring Replacement*

*GUIDE: F10/F11 Front Shock / Spring Replacement*

The rear struts were replaced several years ago from a car with 80k miles. Their combined run in both cars has still added up to less than the mileage on the original ones!

New BMW Art Car… The 8 by Jeff Koons

Here goes BMW with yet another art car, bringing this tradition into its 7th decade. This time celebrated sculptor Jeff Koons has a go...

The 8 X JEFF KOONS

www.jeffkoons.com

E30 Ute / Pick-up / Off-roader!!

Another ‘Ute’ pick up conversion of a BMW, in keeping with the 1600 Ute from THIS POST, but this time it’s an E30…

Bit more rough and rugged this one though and not so much of a show pony, but I still love it. 

Tall suspension and a heavy front bull-bar suggest that this does have some off-road capabilities. Shame X-Drive wasn’t around back then because this thing deserves it! 

BMW E30 / E28 Diagnostic Plug / Socket Pin Out Diagram

PIN:	WIRE SIZE:	WIRE COLOR:	APPLICATION:
1	1.5	Brown	Ground Distribution G101
4	0.5	Brown / Violet	Gauges / Warning Indicators,
			Coolant Temperature Sender
5	0.5	White / Green	Fuel Control,
			Injector Control Module (Fuel Rate)
7	0.5	White / Blue	Service Indicator,
			Service Interval Processor (Reset)
11	2.5	Black / Yellow	Start, Start Signal
12	0.75	Blue	Charge System, Alternator,
13	0.75	Black	Ignition, Ignition Coil
14	2.5	Red	Charge System, Alternator
15	1.5	Green / Yellow	Idle Speed Control,
			Idle Speed Control Unit

E81 120d M-Sport: New springs and dampers!

Sean at work has a 1er with nearly 200k miles on the clock, through you would never tell as most of the parts have been replaced since he got it for a mere £700. Yes, you can get a zippy M-Sport 120d for this price, but unless you are willing to get your hands dirty I wouldn't recommend it. Of course, you probably are willing to do that or you wouldn't be here in the first place, so go sick there are bargains out there!

This time it's having new rear springs and dampers as one has leaked all of its fluid and is jammed in position. The opposite side was constantly hitting the bump-stop. She rides good now.

E34 5 Series 'Countryman' Touring X-Over Lifestyle utility concept... with pop-out tent...what?!

Well, I really have now seen it all. This is something I never expected to see from BMW, given their sporty, driver-focused image, but here it is... The E34 5 Series Touring utility camping wagon! Not only is it lifted with bigger tyres and sports obligatory 4x4 style two-tone paint, but it even sports a 'pop-out' camper roof and folding tent! This idea was only ever adopted in one vehicle I know of and that was the truly ill-received Pontiac Aztec some 10 years later, with the tent thing actually being one of its saving graces! You heard it from Bavaria first.

The concept is of the early 1990's, which means it also pre-dates Audi's 'Allroad' Quattro and Volvo's V70 XC / Cross Country, both of which were released and saw quite a bit of niche popularity, not to mention Subaru's ever popular Forester that seem to still be seen all over. The Audi and Subaru of course had 4-wheel drive as standard and the Volvo has it as an option, whereas the BMW would have still only been rear-wheel drive.. Can't imagine this would have been too good on a muddy camp-site field! It certainly wouldn't appeal stylistically to the same sort of younger BMW driver's who drift round ploughing up fields for fun anyway and perhaps doesn't quite fit with the BMW ethos overall, so I can see why it was overlooked and never made it into production. X-Drive all-wheel drive only became a feature in this millennium, which would have suited this thing to a tee and may have even brought it into production, but with such a limited market maybe the world has moved on.

Personally, I love it! Maybe I will recreate one from my E46 Touring! I challenge someone to beat me to it!

This reminds me, I really must get on a 'camping' trip in the 318i wagon when the epidemic is over and camp in the car, which I've been planning to do for a while now. I thought I was the only one eccentric enough to have such an idea... but no, some design team at BMW had the same notion, only over 35 years ago!

Elon Musk had a '79 E21 3 Series!

Of course he did! He's a genius, why wouldn't he?

And he was the same age as me when I had my Henna Red one. Mine was well better... why aren't I a billionaire?!

OK, enough celebrity with Beemer posts now I promise...


Other celebrity BMWs:
Easy-E 850i
Will Smith E28 5er
Britney Spears E36 M3
Bob Marley Bavaria New Six

Easy-E had an 8 Series! Get in!

Of course he did!

"Drivin' down tha street in my 840... checking the error codes... slappin' my forehead!" - as he probably sang a few times in his career! (Actually he had an 850, but it didn't suit the lyric. Let's hope he knew where to check for holes in the fuel-lines and had a loud stereo to cover up the valve-chatter. I jest; his was new when he had it.) R.I.P Easy-E!

Other celebrity BMWs:
Will Smith E28 5er
Elon Musk E21 320
Britney Spears E36 M3
Bob Marley Bavaria New Six

Will Smith had an E28 5 Series!

Of course he did! "The Men in Schwarz II!" He actually has a BMW Club USA enamel badge on his grille! They still exist... check them out here - BMW Car Club of America.

Perhaps he is picking up fares while dressed as a New York taxi cab??

"I'm the MC, he's the DJ and this is tha WHIP!" Big ups, Smith.

Other celebrity BMWs:
Easy-E 840i
Elon Musk E21 320
Britney Spears E36 M3
Bob Marley Bavaria New Six

BimmerCode Tutorial - Quick & Easy Guide

BimmerCode is becoming quite a popular and effective application for coding / programming your BMW on the fly using your phone or tablet, which may prove easier than setting up a working DIS laptop. You can get the app here on their website - https://bimmercode.app

It's not just injector-codes we are talking here, BimmerCode can be used to adjust almost every parameter of your F and G series BMW, even down to atmospheric-light colour combinations.

Here is a great video tutorial by Arnold Chang from Youtube, demonstrating the software on his new F30 M3 he bought. Nice.

Photo of E34 5er Production Line, Munich, circa 1990

Check out this BMW Munich factory photograph of the E34 5-Series in production during the quality-control process. It would have been taken around 1990. I wonder if the workers in the foreground by the Henna Red car are smiling just for the camera, or if they are actually just that happy to be doing what they are doing. I choose to believe it is the latter, but either way just look at the full compliment of moustaches...
As for the guy stood to the rear of the blue model behind - check out those grey slip-on shoes! I think he took these from pop-star Falco's personal collection. Der Kommissar ist on der floor! The shop floor that is... Clearly these were the days before 'Health & Safety' madness and mandatory steel-toe boots and hi-vis.
What a great photo and man, do I feel like getting an E34 sometime soon. Shame they are shooting up in value here in the UK.

BMW Front Outline / Silhouette Gallery - All Models

Another great chart of BMW front-end outlines detailing almost every model, or at least every major model release, right from the word go... which one is yours??

1936 328		1952 501		1955 ISETTA 250		1956 507 ROADSTER
1962 1500		1965 3200CS		1968 2002 Tii		1973 3.0CSL E9
1975 316 E21		1978 M1 E26		1978 M535i E12		1986 M3 E30
1988 M5 E28		1989 8 SERIES E31		1992 M3 E36		1996 Z2 E36/7
1998 M5 E39		1999 Z8 ROADSTER		2000 M3 E46		2002 Z4
2004 6 SERIES E63/64		2007 M3 E90		2007 X5 E70		2011 1 SERIES M COUPE
2011 M5 F10		2014 i3		2014 M4 COUPE F82		2015 i8

BMW F10 / F11 / F07: FUSE BOX DIAGRAM - Detailed with all Definitions

Here is a detailed fuse box guide for BMW F10 etc. as none seem readily available. I will update as I go...

* PDF download here. *

ENGINE BAY:

No.	Application
1	Engine control (EC) relay
F01	30A Engine management
F02	10A Nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensors
F05	7.5A Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler pump

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT [GLOVE BOX]:

Fuse No.	Rating	Application
1		Ignition main circuits relay
2		Rear screen wiper relay
F1	10A	Multifunction control module
F2	5A	ABS/ESP system, door function control modules, tailgate automatic opening/closure
F3	5A	CAN data bus gateway control module, data link connector (DLC)
F4	5A	Multimedia control module
F5	-
F6		Shunt
F7	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F8	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F9	30A	Multifunction control module 1
F10	10A	Instrument panel, multifunction control module 1
F11	7.5A	AC/heater system
F12	5A	Glove box lamp, multifunction control module
F13	5A	Exterior lamps, multifunction switch (steering column), multi switch assembly
F14	15A	Multifunction control module 1, central locking
F15	20A	Multifunction control module 1, central locking
F16	40A	Multifunction control module 3, exterior lamps
F17	30A	Multifunction control module 3, electric windows
F18	30A	Multifunction control module 3, electric windows
F19	20A	Trailer socket
F20	-
F21	30A	Diesel: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) additive system control module
		Petrol: Not used
F22	30A	Diesel: Engine management
		Petrol: Not used
F23	5A	Telematics, telephone system
F24	10A	Multifunction switch (steering column)
F25	5A	Head up display
F26	5A	Instrumentation control module
F27	5A	Telephone system
F28	5A	>08/10: Entertainment system
		09/10> Not used
F29	7.5A	>08/10: DVD changer
		09/10-06/12: Not used
	5A	07/12> Entertainment system, multimedia control module
F30		Shunt
F31	5A	AC/heater system (rear), heated rear seats
F32	7.5A	>12/10: Multifunction switch (driver's door), multifunction switch (passenger door), RH door mirror. 01/11> Multifunction control module 7, vanity mirror lamps (rear)
F33	5A	Seat belt tension motor, driver seat belt tension motor, passenger, glow plugs, engine management, starter motor
F34	5A	Multifunction control module 5
F35	10A/15A	Diesel: Engine management
	10A	Petrol: Engine management
	10A	Hybrid models: AC refrigerant control valve, hybrid drive system
F36	30A	Headlamp washers
F37	30A	Suspension control system
F38	40A	Multifunction control module 4, central locking
F39	40A	Active steering
F40	30A	ABS/ESP system
F41	-
F42	30A	Diesel: Engine management
		Petrol: Not used
F43	5A	All models: power steering
	5A	N57 engine: Engine management
	5A	N53/N54 engines: Module cooling fan
F44	5A	AC system, high beam assistant, lane change assist, lane departure warning system, multifunction control module 6
F45	5A	Active steering, suspension control system
F46	5A	Cruise control distance range sensor, engine coolant radiator shutter actuator
F47	20A	Diesel: Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler bypass valve, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler pump
		Petrol: Not used
F48	5A	All models: Auto-dimming rear view mirror
	5A	Diesel: Engine breather heater
	5A	Hybrid models: Engine mounting control system
	5A	N52 engine: Secondary air injection (AIR) pump
F49		Shunt
F50	40A	Hybrid models: Hybrid drive system
		Other models: Not used
F51	30A	Windscreen wipers
F52	30A	Electric seat, driver
F53	30A	Electric seat, passenger
F54	20A	Auxiliary power sockets
F55	20A	Rear screen wiper
F56	5A	Multifunction control module 4, central locking
F57	15A	LH Headlamp
F58	5A	Audio unit suppressor, multifunction control module 7
F59	10A	Turbocharger (TC) intercooler coolant pump
F60	5A	Parking brake
F61	20A	Multifunction control module 7
F62	15A	Horns
F63	10A	Transmission control
F64	7.5A	Transmission gear selection switch
F65	15A	>08/11: Auxiliary power sockets
	20A	09/11>: Auxiliary heater, auxiliary power sockets
F66	7.5A	>12/10: Multifunction control module 7
	7.5A	01/11>: Multifunction switch (driver door), multifunction switch (passenger door), RH door mirror
F67	10A	Electric front seats
F71	40A	AC/heater blower motor (front)
F72	50A	ABS/ESP system
F73	60A	Engine coolant blower motor
F74		-
F75	50A	Fuel filter heater

REAR LOAD COMPARTMENT [TRUNK/BOOT]:

No.	Rating	Application
F100	20A	Trailer socket
F101	40A	Multifunction control module 3
F102		Shunt
F103		-
F104		Shunt
F105	30A	>08/10: Audio unit amplifier
		09/10-07/12: Not used
	20A	08/12>: Audio system
F106		Shunt
F107	5A	Hybrid models: ABS/ESP system hybrid drive
	5A	Other models: Charging system (auxiliary battery)
F108	5A	>06/12: Engine management
		07/12-06/12: Not used
		07/13>: RH headlamp
F109		-
F110	10A	Door function control module, driver
F111	15A	Diesel: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) additive system control module
		Petrol: Not used
F112		-
F113		-
F114		-
F115		-
F116	7.5A	Entertainment system
F117	5A	Telematics, telephone system
F118	10A	Entertainment system, multifunction display
F119	15A	Audio system
F120	5A	Audio unit output amplifier, DVD changer
F121	5A	Audio unit cooling fan, entertainment system
F122		-
F123	5A	Parking aid camera control module
F124	5A	Night vision system
F125	5A	Entertainment system
F126		-
F127	10A	LH headlamp
F128		-
F129		-
F130		-
F131	5A	Lane change assist control module, right
F132	5A	>08/10: Electric auxiliary heaters (rear)
		09/10-06/12: Not used
		07/12>: Cornering lamps
F133		-
F134	5A	Four wheel steering, parking aid
F135	5A	Exhaust gas control solenoid
F136	5A	DC/DC converter
F137	5A	Engine coolant blower motor
F138	5A	Differential lock control module (S63 engine), four wheel drive system
F139	5A	Tyre pressure monitoring system, fuel tank leakage diagnostic module
F140		-
F141		-
F142	20A	>06/12: Auxiliary heater
		07/12>: Not used
F143	10A	Door function control module, driver's side rear
F144	10A	Door function control module, passenger
F145	20A	Trailer socket
F146		-
F147	15A	Auxiliary power sockets
F148	20A	Tow bar retract control module, trailer socket
F149	10A	Door function control module, passenger side rear
F150		-
F151		-
F152	5A	Ride height control system - estate
F153	5A	Boot lid/tailgate opening-closing motor
F154	5A	Luggage compartment lamp
F155	15A	Boot lid/tailgate lock
F156		-
F157	5A	Parking brake
F158		-
F159	5A	>06/12: Alarm system horn
	5A	07/12>: Alarm system horn, engine
F160		-
F161		-
F162		-
F163		-
F164		-
F165		-
F166		-
F167		-
F168		-
F169		-
F170		-
F171		-
F172	15A	RH headlamp
F173		-
F174		-
F175		-
F176		-
F177	20A	AC/heater blower motor (rear)
F178	30A	Differential lock control module (S63 engine), four wheel drive system
F179	30A	Parking brake
F180	30A	Parking brake
F181		-
F182	40A	Suspension compressor pump (estate)
F183	40A	Boot lid/tailgate opening-closing motor
F184	20A	Fuel pump (FP)
F185		-
F186	30A	DC/DC converter, transmission fluid pump (hybrid models)
F187	30A	Seat heater control module, rear
F188	30A	Seat heater control module, rear
F189		-
F190	30A	Seat heater control module 1
F191	30A	Seat heater control module 2
F192		-
F193		-
F194		-
F195	30A	Auxiliary heater (LH rear)
F196		-
F197		-
F198		>08/11: Not used
	30A	09/11>: Seat belt tension motor driver, seat belt tension motor passenger
F199		>08/11: Not used
	30A	09/11>: Seat belt tension motor driver, seat belt tension motor passenger
F200	40A	Audio unit amplifier
F201		-
F202	30A	Auxiliary heater (RH rear)
F203	30A	Heated rear window
F204	30A	Heated rear window

SECOND REAR LOAD COMPARTMENT:

No.	Application
F500		Battery condition sensor
F501	60A	Four wheel steering control module
F502	100A	Engine management
F503	100A	>08/10: Load area fuse box/relay plate 1
		09/10>: Not used
F504	250A	Fascia fuse box/relay plate
F505	100A	Engine coolant blower motor
F506		>08/11: Not used
	150A	09/10>: Load area fuse box/relay plate 1
F507	125A	Battery control module (auxiliary battery)
F508		-
F509	50A	Audio unit amplifier