Welcome to Tech Talk, where our resident BMW tech Nick Owen answers all your pressing BMW technical questions, frustrations, and issues. Have a question for Nick? Email him at techtalk@roundel.org. Let’s get into it.
328d Touring Issues
I turned in my 2007 525xi Touring at BMW El Cajon in 2016 for a brand new 328d xDrive Touring that I absolutely love. The dealership salesman who I ordered the 2016 from bought my 2007 car after I told him that you were the person who always serviced it. It still runs great!
Now for my two questions:
About four months ago, with no warning, the AM/FM radio stopped working. All that works is the Sirius XM. There is no sound from the speaker on any AM or FM station. My independent BMW shop (DOSE BMW in El Cajon) said that it might be a very expensive “Fix” that requires replacing the entire radio, but that they really aren’t “Radio specialists.” Are there any “Radio specialists” in San Diego? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and take it to the BMW El Cajon dealership? The car has over 10 years and 100,000 miles on it so there is no “Warranty” to my knowledge. What is the best plan, in your opinion?
In 2023, I went over a curb at 50 mph, felt a “big bump,” but didn’t feel any side effects until about a week later when I noticed a large bulge on my front left tire. It was a run flat. Discount Tire said that the sidewall was NOT repairable and a new tire was required. I got one and the car drove fine, but I thought I went to my independent shop to get an alignment. They said that “the left front camber is not adjustable and is more negative than the right side. Left front camber -1.4, right front camber -1.2. Looks like something hit the left front.” They said that something was bent and that “fixing it is a job for a body shop because not they or even the dealership can fix something like that.” They said the cost would be in the thousands. Their idea was for me to drive it and have the tires inspected every few months to see if the wear pattern indicated a serious alignment problem. So far, after 20,000 miles we have not noticed any abnormal wear pattern, so I have not pursued any “fix.”
In 2025 during a routine visit to DOSE for a “general service check” they decided to “replace both front end thrust arm bushings and four-wheel alignment.” My question is did that solve the “unfixable bent thing” problem that they announced in 2023? I forgot to ask them that question in 2025, but am due to go back this fall for another routine scope and oil change. Before I approach them with the above, can you give me any insight about what question I should ask?
John Bepko
Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Retired
Glad to hear you still have the 328d, let me see if I can help keep it going.
For the radio issue, there are places to get the head units repaired. You will have to have them sent out for repair but it can be done. Bavlogic is one place that can do it. You can get them with a warranty as well. I’ve used this company a few times on older BMWs.
In regards to the camber “issue,” I would have advised on the same plan. Drive and see. A difference of .2 degrees from side to side is not something to be worried about unless we are chasing a specific issue. If the car drives straight and has no abnormal tire wear, it’s fine. Luckily, most of the impact was absorbed by the tire, so I am not surprised that it needed to be replaced. It’s quite possible the thrust arm bushing replacement helped fix that “issue” and if the alignment shows the car is “in-spec” then I would not worry.
Key Fob Replacement
Lost (maybe in my backyard) my key fob for my 2025 430i xDrive Gran Coupe and probably need to replace it. I know the OEM route is costly, but any suggestions on alternatives?
E. Bernard McGlynn, Jr.
I have my doubts on aftermarket keys. Best to ask a locksmith what they can do should you be able to buy a blank key on eBay. I’ve seen this on older models but a 2025 I am not sure. Might be cheaper to buy a metal detector and start sweeping the backyard. Otherwise, be ready to spend in or around $500.
Rear Thump
I have a 2015 228i M Sport convertible with 18″ staggered wheels, and 57,000 miles on it.
My issue is that I have been experiencing a thumping sound in the rear when I go over an uneven surface. I wanted to see if you have any ideas of what could be causing this issue. I haven’t taken it to the dealer or a repair shop, thinking that they will tell me things that need to be replaced that may not resolve the issue. I trust your input, at which point I will take it to someone to see if they agree with you.
My second issue is that my HomeLink button on the mirror will not connect to the garage door opener. I see the flashing orange light but nothing happens. We have tried many times to sync it with no luck. The dealer checked it out and said it was functioning. My first thought was that the opener was too new for the older HomeLink.
Albert Cerf
Unfortunately, I do not have a crystal ball that will tell me what and where this noise may be coming from. At 57,000 miles, I doubt it’s a shock mount, so if I were chasing a noise from the rear of my vehicle when going over bumps, I would make sure all items are removed from the trunk and back seat area and then I would take it to a shop or dealership that can inspect the car and show me what’s causing the noise. After I’m shown the cause, I would ask to be shown what other items need to be addressed while we are here. That way we are completely transparent and both on the same page.
In regards to the HomeLink, this is something that has plagued BMW owners since its inception. In the past, I have attempted multiple times to pair a customer’s garage door opener to the HomeLink with very inconsistent results. Sometimes I had to open the garage door opener to find the MHz signal and part number, then tell the garage door company what it was so they could tell me if it was even compatible. Bottom line is that garage doors made in America do not consistently work with vehicles made in Germany.
