Hello again - just purchased 2004 545i

[nemean]

Hi again, I've been a long time member here and I just rejoined the BMW after 6 years with the purchase of a 2004 545i, auto trans, non-nav, silver on black interior. My last BMW left my possession in a fire sale where lost exactly 1/2 my stuff... 6 years later the cash flow has gotten better .

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After a week of ownership the car seems to be a good buy, no accidents, straight and mint interior, new brakes and all fluids done recently, it has a few issues but the price was way under budget. I am researching on a few things but thought I'd post if anyone wants to chime in. Sticker on the B pillar says 02/04 (Feb 2004 build?), I believe it is a "sport" with a "premium"? package. Things I've noticed are probably options, it has memory seats on both driver and passenger sides, heated seats front and back, heated steering wheel, Logic 7, no navigation, puddle lights under the mirrors, flip down rear seats with ski pass thru, headlight washers.

1. I need software for maintenance and repairs (airbag repairs). I have a HEX+CAN Interface that came with my ROSS-TECH software, PN HC808260 Rev B. I'm not sure if I can use this with any other software. I've read a little about modifying cables but I might just purchase something like carsoft, not sure yet. My airbag light is on and I'd like to fix this issue.

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2. I only have one key and the lock button is broken, it looks like a dog chewed on it. I'm wondering if anyone here has had any luck programming the transponder using ebay keys? I have a local guy that can cut blanks no problem. I'm also wondering about buying an ebay key and simply swapping the body and remote part onto my blade and using the transponder which I believe is a little pill inside? Looks to me like it is easy to program the remote part but not the transponder (chip to make the car run).

3. I'd love to get Bluetooth. Seems I probably have the last month of build before I have the right TCU. I already talked to my dealer and they say the only way they can do it is if I drop $3000.... haha. I have a 84 11 6 942 592 TCU which I believe will not work and need a 84 10 9 126 660 TCU but have found many variations on ebay. I'm wondering if any certain TCU is better than others? I'm also not sure how I will code this unless I just need to convince my dealer they actually can do this?

TCU.jpg

[Fred39]

Nice. You could also post some interior pics.

[19birel]

Nice car! I love those wheels factory 18", makes me want to get a set for my 5er.

As for your key, best bet for know would probably be to buy an ebay fob and swap the internals and blade of your OEM unit over. I did that with my old Audi as the fob was rather tired and it did the trick and was much cheaper than buying a second key through the dealer.

[nemean]

You like the wheels? So do I and I managed to find a second set. The car came with new snow tires on the factory 18's in the rear with the fronts having 1 damaged tire and the other front nearly done.

I just picked up another complete set of wheels cheap with some good summer performance tires on them. These ones were off a 2005 545i, TPMS should work? I'll bolt them on today, pretty sure the snow is gone and the one damaged front tire needs to go, it has a bulge in it from a pothole.

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[19birel]

Nice find, there was a set for sale near me but I think they sold. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for another set.

[cmyachtie]

Hi again, I've been a long time member here and I just rejoined the BMW after 6 years with the purchase of a 2004 545i, auto trans, non-nav, silver on black interior. My last BMW left my possession in a fire sale where lost exactly 1/2 my stuff... 6 years later the cash flow has gotten better .

20170326_081016_resized.jpg

After a week of ownership the car seems to be a good buy, no accidents, straight and mint interior, new brakes and all fluids done recently, it has a few issues but the price was way under budget. I am researching on a few things but thought I'd post if anyone wants to chime in. Sticker on the B pillar says 02/04 (Feb 2004 build?), I believe it is a "sport" with a "premium"? package. Things I've noticed are probably options, it has memory seats on both driver and passenger sides, heated seats front and back, heated steering wheel, Logic 7, no navigation, puddle lights under the mirrors, flip down rear seats with ski pass thru, headlight washers.

1. I need software for maintenance and repairs (airbag repairs). I have a HEX+CAN Interface that came with my ROSS-TECH software, PN HC808260 Rev B. I'm not sure if I can use this with any other software. I've read a little about modifying cables but I might just purchase something like carsoft, not sure yet. My airbag light is on and I'd like to fix this issue.

20170326_080713_resized.jpg

20170326_080725_resized.jpg

2. I only have one key and the lock button is broken, it looks like a dog chewed on it. I'm wondering if anyone here has had any luck programming the transponder using ebay keys? I have a local guy that can cut blanks no problem. I'm also wondering about buying an ebay key and simply swapping the body and remote part onto my blade and using the transponder which I believe is a little pill inside? Looks to me like it is easy to program the remote part but not the transponder (chip to make the car run).

3. I'd love to get Bluetooth. Seems I probably have the last month of build before I have the right TCU. I already talked to my dealer and they say the only way they can do it is if I drop $3000.... haha. I have a 84 11 6 942 592 TCU which I believe will not work and need a 84 10 9 126 660 TCU but have found many variations on ebay. I'm wondering if any certain TCU is better than others? I'm also not sure how I will code this unless I just need to convince my dealer they actually can do this?

TCU.jpg

Thats the same TCU that I replaced with a newer 2007 built, best bet is to follow the 592 number in Realoem to the newest one you get your hands from eBay or local scrapyard then code it to your car and bob's your uncle!

the best I got out of the old TCU was I could hear the caller but they could never hear me......like a oneWay street .