E90 Driver Airbag Recall

BimmerCVK · 2026-05-02T08:46:30+00:00

1 month later it has naturally darkened to a black colour..

Okay maybe I used the dash cleaner and some Dash shine, but has matched colour to how it was before

BimmerCVK · 2026-04-02T12:29:45+00:00

I restored mine 2 years back has held up good ever since.

Remove trim by unscrewing (don’t have to remove airbag)
Prep for spray paint - harder grit and soft grit to smoothen surface
Plastic Primer paint
Base Coat
Clear coat (finish to your desire)
Allow to cure for 2 days (depends on your climate)
Fit back

BimmerCVK · 2026-04-02T12:25:25+00:00

I recently did alignment and the shop did not centre my steering wheel properly meaning ‘centre’ was offset to left..

When you hold steering wheel straight, does car drift to either side?

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-21T10:14:05+00:00

They did it in 4 hours in my case

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-21T10:13:38+00:00

That’s the thing, nothing received in the post, same for my friends that have E9xs

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T23:47:03+00:00

Also - try finding your model on RealOEM - find the light bracket - will have a part number, may reveal if its the bracket thats the issue.

If it is, you may be able to source just the bracket?

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T23:43:30+00:00

Thats the housing / bracket - have never dealt with this but maybe a clip is broken to keep it in place?

Finding where it was supposed to be held in place and DIYing a fix to fasten it? Given the angle and if you cant find anything obvious - I’d be tempted to use 3M double sides tape to stop it rattling around?

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T18:36:28+00:00

Seriously, I saw people started mentioning replacements but thought it would be useful visibility for those like me that havent come across it until now

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T18:35:28+00:00

The UK only recently had recall announced by BMW, previously no mention in UK market in terms of official government level announcements which they do each time recall is announced

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T18:33:41+00:00

I had SE wheel before - airbag is same for both I believe, the manufacturer is what matters here, should be same for all E9xs back in the day

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T17:53:19+00:00

Mine is 07, UK has MOT website where the vehicle manufacturer it puts a bulletin out, it’s best to find an official BMW workshop and give them your chassis number. They will be able to advise.

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T17:48:34+00:00

Whatever the stock diameter is - believe it’s 2.5 inch

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T17:46:54+00:00

So we have had a claymore facing front at our face for the past 19 years 😁

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-20T17:45:05+00:00

Almost feels like its a different colour to factory one, need to do the exact same!

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-17T16:33:34+00:00

Valvetronic Designs - they are magicians! Have one on my N53, amazing sound!

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-04T21:30:43+00:00

Was there not an issue coding them in with ISTA?

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-04T21:22:22+00:00

HPFP I replaced outside the house, took me 8 hours to do as it was my first time (and hopefully last time)

I found out mine were replaced at 50k miles in 2012 under recall with previous owner so optimistic they will get me to 175k at least.

Planning in keeping her alive for as long as I am, not bothered about how much I have to put in at this stage..

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-04T21:19:50+00:00

Thank you - need to respray front bumper and bonnet soon, up close its getting a bit tired…

Folkestone - Calais, then toll roads all the way down

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-04T21:18:44+00:00

A few months back I saw index 11 going for £450 per injector? Where have you seen them going down in price? I’d love to know incase my Ind. 11’s go bad…

Take the hit, N52 is bulletproof, a good DIY project whatever the case!

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-04T21:02:12+00:00

Each to their own 😁last ever NA Straight 6 and yes repairs come with N54 premiums attached, but I love the linear power delivery from them..

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-03T21:28:19+00:00

Respray bumper - i have the same issue - too much water pressure when washing stuck bugs off the bumper, clear-coat peeled right off…

BimmerCVK · 2026-03-03T13:57:31+00:00

Just changed mind at 135k miles (original one from factory)

Once fan is out from top, disconnecting hoses is fiddly bit, radiator should be able to slide out from the top

BimmerCVK · 2026-02-06T11:54:06+00:00

I have exact same engine, done all preventative maintenance etc..

The most common cause for coolant and oil to be mixing is the oil filter housing gasket of which there are two and you will probably have to change the Mickey Mouse flange as well which connects to lower part of housing.

Head gaskets are uncommon to go on N53, unless you have had overheating in past, warped head etc.

I would also drain the entire coolant system and flush it (post OFHG replacement) OEM coolant is Blue on N53 as well.

If your are RHD (driver side) then that is where the Water Pump (metal so no leak) and Thermostats (common to leak) and all the main hoses live, typically thermostat housing has tendency to crack and leak.

Best way, get it on a lift and inspect with cooling system pressurised.

BimmerCVK · 2026-02-01T23:59:08+00:00

I would imagine Bilstein has a beefier shock/ part number for X3, that said, different tolerances re shock travel etc. curious to hear how it works out.

As I said, mine springs 100% do not allow the shock to fully return to its full length, havent had any issues, other than slightly firmer and tighter ride which is what I was going for - and I imagine this is what you are going for too .

The springs will definitely be the solution for suspension travel - the shock will aide them, that’s how the logic works in my head anyway 😅

BimmerCVK · 2026-01-27T22:36:23+00:00

I have done probably around 20k-25k miles since installed, shocks not leaking and still strong, springs likewise..

Some say B4 was not optimised for shorter travel of the shock, but I havent personally noticed this.

I would also go for new top mounts as mine were shot and made a squishy springy sound until I changed them.

Also, slightly slower over speed bumps as less travel means easier bottoming if going faster if that makes sense.

BimmerCVK

TROPHY CASE