2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) Technical Service Bulletin # 090299 Date: 990401

MRS III - Diagnosis Seemingly Not possible

Group 09

Programming/Coding Explanations

Bulletin Number

09 02 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

This bulletin is also issued in Group 72 (Safety Restraint Systems), S.I. bulletin 72 06 99, the contents of which are identical.

SUBJECT:

E39 MRS III Diagnosis

MODEL:

E39

Situation:

266

MRS III diagnosis is seemingly not possible on E39s produced 3/99 and later with CD17 or earlier (16.1,16.0, etc.).

Cause:

CD17 software error

Vehicles Affected:

E39 produced 3/99 and later(MRS III)

Correction:

Using CD17 only, manually identify the vehicle as a 3/99 USA E38 and proceed with the normal diagnosis.

Software with be corrected in CD18.

DISCLAIMER2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) Technical Service Bulletin # 610399 Date: 990401

Vehicle Convenience Feature - Operation/Information

Group 61

General Electrical Systems

Bulletin

61 03 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Vehicle Convenience Features

MODEL:

E38 (7 Series), E39 (5 Series), E46 (3 Series)

General Information:

As part of the BMW strategy to meet or exceed customer expectations, various convenience features have been progressively introduced on BMW

vehicles.

These include items such as "one-touch" (toll function) windows, "one-touch" sunroof, and automatic memory seat position when unlocking the

vehicle.

In the factory (default) setting, the vehicle has the one-touch features "active", and the automatic seat memory position when unlocking vehicle "not

active".

As with all mechanical devices, although safety systems are designed into the vehicle, it is the vehicle operator's responsibility to ensure that the area

is clear when these devices are operated. Vehicle owners should refer to the Doors and Locks section of the most recent Safety Tips Card which

states "Pay specific attention to all occupants, especially children, to avoid injury from a moving window, sunroof, seat, door, hood or trunk lid."

Your customer, when considering his or her personal circumstances (e.g., regularly carries young children), may be more comfortable with some or

all of these features set to "not active". A typical circumstance may be the operation of the rear windows with children in the rear seats, while

driving.

130

Please discuss these considerations with your customers. If requested, these features may be activated or deactivated using the Car and Key Memory

option of DIS/MoDiC "Coding and Programming" - see SIB 09 03 98 dated March 1999.

2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) Technical Service Bulletin # 720699 Date: 990401

Restarint System - MRS III Diagnosis.

Group 72

Safety Restraint Systems

Bulletin Number

72 06 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

This bulletin is also issued in Group 09 (Programming/Coding Explanations), Service Information Diagnosis/Coding bulletin 09 02 99, the contents

of which are identical.

SUBJECT:

E39 MRS III Diagnosis

MODEL:

E39

Situation:

MRS III diagnosis is seemingly not possible on E39s produced 3/99 and later with CD17 or earlier (16.1,16.0, etc.).

Cause:

CD17 software error

Vehicles Affected:

E39 produced 3/99 and later(MRS III)

Correction:

Using CD17 only, manually identify the vehicle as a 3/99 USA E38 and proceed with the normal diagnosis.

Software with be corrected in CD18.

2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) 2000 BMW 528i (E39) Technical Service Bulletin # 720299 Date: 990401

Child Seat Tether Anchor - Mounting Points

Group 72

Safety Restraint Systems

Bulletin Number

72 02 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Child Seat Tether Anchor Mounting Points

MODEL:

All

Situation: Manufacturers of child restraint systems have started to provide restraint tether straps for some of their products. Customers may ask for

assistance in installing the tether anchors to the points in their vehicles described in the Owner's Manual. The following information is supplied to

assist you in locating the tether mounting points in the rear shelf area.

All current production BMW sedans, coupes, and tourings as well as certain older models, have mounting points for the tether anchors on the rear

shelf or load floor for each rear seating position. These points can be either pierced holes in the sheet metal panel or a hole with a welded 5/16-18

nut. The following list summarizes the applications:

Pierced Holes Welded Nuts

E30 E31

E28 E32

E39 E34

E36

E38

E46

To access each mounting point, the rear shelf trim material will have to be cut to make a hole for the fastener to pass through. On most models, the

location of the hole can be determined by pushing an awl or ice pick through the welded nut or pierced hole from inside the trunk. However, on the

E38, the rear shelf trim panel will have to be removed to determine the proper location. On E34 and E39 touring models the cargo mat will have to

be lifted to find the proper locations.

The following illustrations indicate the approximate locations of the mounting points:

Typical sedan and coupe locations.

466

Note:

Four passenger models do not utilize center point.

Typical touring locations

The tether anchor hardware is usually available from the child restraint system manufacturer, or their instructions will describe the fastener required

(i.e., "use a 5/16- 18 bolt of appropriate length, Grade 5 or higher").

BMW offers a 5/16-18 X 35 mm bolt for E31, E32, E34, and E36 applications, along with tether anchors, spacers, and covers. Please refer to the

EPC under "Safety Belt Rear" or "Rear Safety Belt Mounting Parts" for specific applications and part numbers. However, follow child restraint

system manufacturers instructions with regards to required mounting hardware and installation procedures.

For information only.2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 650199 Date: 990401

For information only.2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 650199 Date: 990401

Audio - E46 Radio Noise on AM Band/Poor AM Reception

Group 65

Sound System,

Cruise, Alarm, Monitors

Bulletin Number

65 01 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

215

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

E46 Radio Noise on AM Band / Poor AM Reception

MODEL:

E46

Situation:

Excessive noise on AM stations - vehicle speed dependent.

Cause:

Loose antenna coax connector on the antenna amplifier.

Correction:

Check and tighten the coax connector on the antenna amplifier.

Procedure:

Verify the complaint by road testing the vehicle. Manually tune the radio to a weak AM frequency. The interference will increase with a vehicle

speed increase. Also, strong interference will be noticed when driving under high voltage power lines.

1. Before proceeding, make sure your hands are thoroughly clean.

After verifying the complaint, remove the left (driver's) side C Pillar trim panel(1) by pulling the top out as illustrated.

2. Once the top is out, remove the trim panel (1) by pulling towards the center of the vehicle.

3. Disconnect the lamp connector on the back of the trim panel (1).

216

4. Check the coax connector(1). If the connector is loose, tighten it firmly.

5. Check the remaining connectors on the antenna amplifier.

6. Reinstall the C-Pillar trim and lamp connector. Make sure the weather strip is placed over the C-Pillar trim panel (arrows).

Warranty Information:

Pants and Labor are reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty.

Defect Code: 65 23 91 37 00

Labor Operation: OO 51 487 Verify interference, tighten Coax connector

DISCLAIMER2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 610399 Date: 990401

DISCLAIMER2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 610399 Date: 990401

Vehicle Convenience Feature - Operation/Information

Group 61

General Electrical Systems

Bulletin

61 03 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Vehicle Convenience Features

MODEL:

E38 (7 Series), E39 (5 Series), E46 (3 Series)

General Information:

As part of the BMW strategy to meet or exceed customer expectations, various convenience features have been progressively introduced on BMW

vehicles.

These include items such as "one-touch" (toll function) windows, "one-touch" sunroof, and automatic memory seat position when unlocking the

vehicle.

In the factory (default) setting, the vehicle has the one-touch features "active", and the automatic seat memory position when unlocking vehicle "not

active".

As with all mechanical devices, although safety systems are designed into the vehicle, it is the vehicle operator's responsibility to ensure that the area

is clear when these devices are operated. Vehicle owners should refer to the Doors and Locks section of the most recent Safety Tips Card which

states "Pay specific attention to all occupants, especially children, to avoid injury from a moving window, sunroof, seat, door, hood or trunk lid."

Your customer, when considering his or her personal circumstances (e.g., regularly carries young children), may be more comfortable with some or

all of these features set to "not active". A typical circumstance may be the operation of the rear windows with children in the rear seats, while

driving.

131

Please discuss these considerations with your customers. If requested, these features may be activated or deactivated using the Car and Key Memory

option of DIS/MoDiC "Coding and Programming" - see SIB 09 03 98 dated March 1999.

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 330299 Date: 990401

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 330299 Date: 990401

Rear Suspension - Pops or Snaps on Dips and Bumps

GROUP 33

Rear Axle

Bulletin Number

33 02 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Popping or Snapping Noise from Rear of Car

MODEL:

E46

Situation:

Some E46s produced prior to 7/98 may experience a complaint of a popping or snapping noise when driving over dips or hard cornering.

Cause:

When the rear suspension compresses the coil spring can stick to the rubber upper mount, and when the suspension extends the spring and mount

separate rapidly, causing a popping noise that is amplified by the body.

Note:

It is possible to misdiagnose the cause of the noise as a loose fuel tank. The fuel tank can have as much as 5-7 mm of vertical movement at room

temperature when it is not full. The tank will expand to remove this play when filled and the operating temperature is high.

Correction:

167

In case of customer complaint, the rear spring mounts can be coated with talcum powder, which will prevent the coil from sticking to the mount.

The mounts used in production beginning with 7/98 production have been coated to prevent sticking.

Procedure:

Raise the car on a lift so that the rear wheels hang free. Clean the upper coils and mounts of the rear springs with a dry shop rag. Do not use any

spray cleaners or solvents on the mount.

Apply a liberal coating of talcum powder (baby powder) to the mount (1) and the spring in the contact area. Use a soft paintbrush to cover as much

of the contact area as possible.

Any powder that falls on the lower mount can also be spread around the contact area with the brush.

Warranty Information:

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty.

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 720299 Date: 990401

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 720299 Date: 990401

Child Seat Tether Anchor - Mounting Points

Group 72

Safety Restraint Systems

Bulletin Number

72 02 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Child Seat Tether Anchor Mounting Points

MODEL:

All

Situation: Manufacturers of child restraint systems have started to provide restraint tether straps for some of their products. Customers may ask for

assistance in installing the tether anchors to the points in their vehicles described in the Owner's Manual. The following information is supplied to

assist you in locating the tether mounting points in the rear shelf area.

All current production BMW sedans, coupes, and tourings as well as certain older models, have mounting points for the tether anchors on the rear

shelf or load floor for each rear seating position. These points can be either pierced holes in the sheet metal panel or a hole with a welded 5/16-18

468

nut. The following list summarizes the applications:

Pierced Holes Welded Nuts

E30 E31

E28 E32

E39 E34

E36

E38

E46

To access each mounting point, the rear shelf trim material will have to be cut to make a hole for the fastener to pass through. On most models, the

location of the hole can be determined by pushing an awl or ice pick through the welded nut or pierced hole from inside the trunk. However, on the

E38, the rear shelf trim panel will have to be removed to determine the proper location. On E34 and E39 touring models the cargo mat will have to

be lifted to find the proper locations.

The following illustrations indicate the approximate locations of the mounting points:

Typical sedan and coupe locations.

Note:

Four passenger models do not utilize center point.

Typical touring locations

The tether anchor hardware is usually available from the child restraint system manufacturer, or their instructions will describe the fastener required

(i.e., "use a 5/16- 18 bolt of appropriate length, Grade 5 or higher").

BMW offers a 5/16-18 X 35 mm bolt for E31, E32, E34, and E36 applications, along with tether anchors, spacers, and covers. Please refer to the

EPC under "Safety Belt Rear" or "Rear Safety Belt Mounting Parts" for specific applications and part numbers. However, follow child restraint

system manufacturers instructions with regards to required mounting hardware and installation procedures.

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 510299 Date: 990401

2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 510299 Date: 990401

License Plate Brackets - Mounting

440

Group 51

Body Equipment

Bulletin Number

51 02 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

April 1999

Product Engineering

SUBJECT:

Mounting of License Plate Brackets

MODEL:

E46

Situation:

The front license plate bracket of the E46 is fastened at the bottom by two self drilling screws that make holes in the bumper cover when installed.

These screws are necessary to keep the bracket from being torn off by the brushes used in some car washes.

However, if these screws are installed while the car is in inventory, and the car is subsequently swapped to a center in a state that does not require a

front plate, the receiving center will object if there are holes in the bumper cover.

Also, if the screws used to attach the license plate to the rear license plate bracket are too long, the paint on the rear panel will be damaged and

corrosion can result.

Procedure:

When installing the front bracket on cars being prepared for display, do not install the two lower screws until the car has been retailed and the license

plate is being installed. This will prevent making holes in the bumper cover prior to delivery.

When installing the rear plate, use the four M5 x 8 machine screws from the hardware package to fasten the plate to the bracket.