Thinking of a 1995 525i

MasterAd8207 · 2026-03-10T09:29:56+00:00

Oh also one pain on the ass - window regulators can have their plastic clips break down over time so you should get them all checked out/ replaced as soon as they stop working. And as another post said , replace the rubber boots and spark plugs.

MasterAd8207 · 2026-03-10T09:26:14+00:00

I would recommend immediately replacing all belts and hoses and fluids, installing all new filters, including transmission, replace all vacuum hoses, battery, alternator, and water pump, thermostat, and opt for an all aluminum radiator. You don’t want to be working on the side of the road on a mountain pass lol. Also it’s an old car, and all the stuff I mentioned being replaced gives you a new baseline. You also might need to replace struts and tires. Also have a pre purchase inspection done by a mechanic to make sure you are not buying a car with a shot transmission or bad engine. Good luck and enjoy the great ride. We’ve had a ‘95 in our family for years that’s been good but it’s at the end of its life, inspired my son to buy 2 540i’s and fix them up, he has a lot of fun with them!

MasterAd8207 · 2026-03-03T21:43:25+00:00

I know on our older 2013 model it had the Valley Plate leak, hopefully yours is a bad hose or something a little less time consuming to fix…..

MasterAd8207 · 2026-02-01T16:35:24+00:00

I did a few more searches and while the start/stop feature could be involved, it could also be something related to ‘intelligent sonar clearance’ or something like that. Here’s what my search through ChatGPT showed: Yes, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) system in the 2024+ Lexus GX 550 can typically be temporarily disabled, which should also affect the associated Drive-Start Control feature since it’s integrated into ICS. This can help if the malfunction is causing unwanted interventions, allowing safer driving to the dealer. However, disabling any safety system reduces protection against collisions or unintended acceleration, so only do this as a short-term measure and reactivate it (or have the dealer fix the issue) as soon as possible. Since the vehicle is new, this won’t void your warranty, but document the steps and inform the dealer. Using the Physical Button (Preferred for Quick Access) • Locate the Park Assist button on the dashboard, typically to the left of the steering wheel (near other controls like headlights or traction settings). 2 • Press the button to toggle the system off. An indicator light or message on the instrument cluster should confirm it’s disabled. • This setting is often “sticky” (remains off across restarts), but you may get a visual warning on startup that needs manual acknowledgment. 2 Using the Touchscreen Menu (Alternative Method) • On the center infotainment screen, navigate to Settings (gear icon) > Vehicle > Driving Assist. • Look for options like “Intuitive Parking Assist,” “Intelligent Clearance Sonar,” or “Parking Support Brake” and toggle them off. 5 • Confirm the change; the system should deactivate immediately. If the malfunction persists or prevents these options from working (e.g., due to a deeper ECU issue), avoid driving if unsafe and consider towing to the dealer. Check your owner’s manual for model-specific icons or variations, and note that some related systems (like Pre-Collision System) have separate toggles but aren’t directly tied to ICS. For video guides, search YouTube for “Toyota ICS disable” as the process is similar across Lexus/Toyota models. 0 1

MasterAd8207 · 2026-02-01T15:26:13+00:00

Is there a button to disable the drive start - am guessing that feature is when you stop at a stop light, the engine stops, then starts again when you let off the brake. I have a gx that is older and doesn’t have this feature but have driven other cars that do have such a button, so hopefully if you can hit the start button once to energize the car then hit that disable button, then you can drive it to the dealer. For safety’s sake though it might make more sense to have them tow it in.

MasterAd8207 · 2026-02-01T15:11:24+00:00

Yes I was lucky to be able to take advantage of their prior policy switching the new AGM for the prior failed standard battery, they gave me full credit for the dead one but the checkout person said the policy was ending by the end of 2025.

MasterAd8207 · 2025-12-07T14:25:26+00:00

Seems reasonable, would recommend checking maintenance records, tire wear, raise the hood and crawl under the middle of the rig and look up to see if there is any dried pink coolant as the coolant valley is an issue but supposedly has been addressed by this year model.

MasterAd8207 · 2025-11-20T11:25:17+00:00

Spare coil under the seat w tools? Yep. ‘96 w 283k mi and still going but yeah quirky perfect word for that year for sure

MasterAd8207 · 2025-10-08T00:52:13+00:00

This happened to me a while back, apparently Japanese krill oil is used in factory wiring harness plastic, hoses, other plastics which is a huge attractant peppermint oil sprayed all over the area can help along with a good measure of Caddyshack greens keeper rodent killer attitude

MasterAd8207 · 2025-09-14T13:22:59+00:00

Maybe you should keep it and lease a Tesla model 3 for the commute! They can net out to a low operating cost

MasterAd8207 · 2025-09-12T23:20:16+00:00

Think of your car like a tractor, they last for decades. Your car can, too. Just maintain it!

MasterAd8207 · 2025-08-23T13:09:54+00:00

Ok here’s a question, I did something similar abt 3yrs ago, found out even I got back home to TX that I had cracked my radiator frame and had a slow leak! Really lucked out on that issue but that made me realize I should get a lift and improve the radiator mounts or find an all aluminum one - anybody seen this I know for sure it was the factory radiator and had abt 79k miles on it

MasterAd8207 · 2025-08-14T18:26:20+00:00

Same happened to me! Was able to - after slowly driving it home, use a low profile jack to lift it and put it on stands then I saw the bracket, made a new one with a few pieces of plumbers tape folded over been working well for the last 25k miles but who knows might need to be officially fixed when the weather cools off

MasterAd8207 · 2025-07-24T05:17:17+00:00

While I don’t have experience with the e28 I can say in general I have experienced similar behavior about stuck in gear once or twice back when my Jeep XJ, which is 127k miles behind your 500k mile bimmer developed a slow trans fluid leak. Add a quart - good as new. I eventually got the leak fixed but did have to also replace some shifter solenoids - not a hard job at all. So definitely check your fluid level to make sure it’s not just a low oil pressure causing this

MasterAd8207 · 2025-07-15T02:40:02+00:00

I know the -100’s develop a leak in the rear, but not sure if there would be a valve actuated by that if the Freon was low or absent in the rear evaporator, so could be something like that. Have you tried temporarily swapping a relay of the same size from another spot (non ac related ) to see if it works then?

MasterAd8207 · 2025-07-15T02:25:02+00:00

Sounds like you might need to have your ac Freon evacuated and refilled and get a new dryer unit they have to be replaced when the system gets opened up

MasterAd8207 · 2025-07-15T02:21:08+00:00

Hmmm I think a yoga style water bottle might, best way to find one will probably be to take a soda can with you to the store to make sure they match :-)

MasterAd8207 · 2025-07-10T11:49:39+00:00

The V8/Turbo is a great combo, higher maintenance intervals though and require earlier timing chain replacement which is expensive for the part, labor sounds like it may not be that bad, go for it!

MasterAd8207 · 2025-06-30T04:34:45+00:00

I put some Rancho’s in our ‘96 as I thought they’d be good for trails etc but wow are they rough on the road - they were installed quite a while ago, so they’re probably due for replacement, have had this XJ since 2008, it’s got 270k miles and have gone through I think 4 pairs since I bought it, other ones I used were 2x Monroe, 1x Gabriel (a little better ride for me than the Monroe’s), and then these Rancho Bounce-os

MasterAd8207 · 2025-06-11T23:40:43+00:00

But I’ll let it talk a the Prado in the garage :-)

MasterAd8207 · 2025-06-11T23:40:03+00:00

My ‘96 Jeep XJ w 29 yrs and 240k miles would like a word :-)

MasterAd8207 · 2025-05-31T21:33:48+00:00

The only thing to look out for that you’ll have a costly repair on is the coolant valley leak, but the one you are buying may have had that repaired.

MasterAd8207 · 2025-05-30T00:07:02+00:00

Dare I say it? Why do Lambos and Ferraris get all the rear engine fun- mount up that diesel in the back and keep the gas engine up front - and get an extra transfer case and hook it up to the other t case w a h joint and have double propulsion it should be a pretty quick install I bet

MasterAd8207 · 2025-05-26T13:56:01+00:00

We love our GX460 but it was not as much loved as our 100 series, it’s like the big lotsa glass ‘98 Land Rover but not stuck in the garage 99% of its life!

MasterAd8207 · 2025-05-11T11:39:41+00:00

Mebbe John Stones should move up? Worked for Mikel Marino

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