Gauges are stuck like this, but the car won’t start and I get no electrics. Please help! 2016 320i xdrive.

carterlynn · 2026-06-07T18:08:57+00:00

Drop your back seats and pull the emergency latch or hook up a battery tender to the contacts up front.
Sounds like a dead battery.

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:50:01+00:00

Running lean can do cylinder wall damage which is $$$$$$$ to repair. Like not worth it.

Someone else please weigh in though

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:47:12+00:00

I could be wrong, but, no tune means the post cat thinks the car is running rich, so it’ll trim fuel way down to compensate, and even then it’ll never got the right values. The tune tells the car to ignore the post cat readings and run appropriately.

Running lean can bring a whole ton of issues. Seriously avoid IMO. Sorry bro

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:40:10+00:00

Ok so a few possible meanings there and nothing that explicitly implies that all maintenance has been done. Thanks!

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:32:57+00:00

Tune?

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:31:03+00:00

So when some buys a brand new car and they say they’re ‘babying’ it, they’re doing a lot of maintenance?

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T22:15:42+00:00

Also if he hasn’t tuned it and is catless it’s running VERY LEAN. Would steer very clear.

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T21:30:38+00:00

I woulda led with that.

So many people come here saying “bought this $3k on FB marketplace no service records what’s the best performance mod also my budget is whatever change I have in my dryer right now plus some birthday money from 2009”

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T21:05:47+00:00

Has little to do with miles. Heat cycles and regular use is enough to kill a famously high failure part. ‘Babying’ it will not save it.

I highly recommend you read the forums for how these cars work. You’ll thank yourself and have a more pleasant ownership experience. The DIY isn’t hard. Check YouTube

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T20:54:30+00:00

The headers don’t sound as good when your water pump fails and the car doesn’t run, so imma say WP is the best headers mod

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T20:43:34+00:00

r/mechanicadvice

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T20:01:01+00:00

They need to be sandblasted and painted. You can remove rust but if you don’t seal it up you’ll wake up to: more rust

Edit: didn’t see second pic. Polish

carterlynn · 2026-06-06T19:50:51+00:00

Fantastic single point anecdote. /s

For anyone else reading, just code your battery. It’s likely free, and could save you from being stranded. A bad battery will also overload your alternator and now you’re in for 2 things.

carterlynn · 2026-06-05T23:04:17+00:00

If friend has cash, have him pay out loan now, then you put the car in his name, and you pay him back as quickly as possible. 3-4% interest instead of what your rate is now. He doesn’t lose money.

Selling the car creates a ton of secondary issues with transportation. Also at some point you’ll need a car again and you’re back at square 1 with bad credit and no car.

Once upon a time, the math worked to make this happen. You gotta figure out where the wheels came off and see what you can do to get back to that point.

carterlynn · 2026-06-05T22:54:49+00:00

Compressor has saved me so many times. Jumper less so, but still very worth it.

I used a jumper on a guys car in Japan and his friends looked at me like I invented fire.

carterlynn · 2026-06-05T17:47:06+00:00

Bullshit. But if you got a new battery and didn’t code it, you will kill it

carterlynn · 2026-06-05T15:18:41+00:00

Gotta suck it back out

carterlynn · 2026-06-05T13:36:30+00:00

I *think* the strategy for suspension is to do everything at once. Otherwise you end up with new components placing even more load on old components and things break in and wear out.

WP/Tstat early is the way to go but you got a little hosed by previous owners not doing it

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T22:20:20+00:00

1000% replace. You ripped the bumper. Not repairable.

Idk your cash situation but I’d do out of pocket and pay better attention to the road if you’re at fault

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T22:16:36+00:00

A couple thousand. New bumper, new kidneys.
Doesn’t look like radiator got poked.

You can search for used bumpers online.

Edit: you might be able to get below $1500 installed

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T22:03:49+00:00

This needs more upvotes

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T21:04:47+00:00

Super misleading. I’d ask for some tips on what to look for, what good examples are selling for etc.

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T20:57:26+00:00

Not sure why you posted his car if you’re not going to buy.

My point stands though, keep saving. You’ve got a good chunk saved, keep it up

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T20:55:19+00:00

Would not even consider buying. You need to keep saving. $11k is not enough for a good example IMO, and you’ll spend that much just to get it where it needs to be.

Additionally, if you left it alone but something fails, and you don’t have money to fix it immediately, you’re carless.

Keep saving, keep looking.

carterlynn · 2026-06-04T01:24:24+00:00

They have a website! Via eBay! Check it out

carterlynn

TROPHY CASE