New around here, new to coupe ownership

Hi all,

Just brought a coupe today! And as a welcome into the world of coupes i've got a few issues hopefully people can help with!

Its a R plate 20v Turbo, 93k on it

Drove it home today (120mile trip) and have the following issues:

- Bloody cd player/radio doesnt work pretty sure its the unit and sometimes it'll power on but the eject button does everything (scrolls through functions) except eject! Pretty sure its the sony unit thats failed so i'll replace

- Air con doesnt work!

- Brakes dont feel much good, expected them to be sharp/powerful being brembo but they just dont inspire confidence (i'm used to modern cars so maybe i'm just use to being over servo'd?)

- Indicators wont self cancel! - I here the "tick" when i turn, then another "tick" as i straight up, but stalk stays still and i have to cancel.

- Both water temp and oil temp only got to the thin dot one above the bottom value (40 for oil 30? for water), even if the stat was stuck open/missing i would of thought the temp would get right up on a 120mile motorway journey? wondering if theres a earth problem to the gauge - odd they both got to the same point. Or maybe a sender issue? hoping its a common fault and its nice and cheap to fix

Other than that - everything else works, seems to drive well and smooth - plenty of grunt when you press the loud pedal!

Thanks
Lee

Hi and welcome

I've deleted your second post as it was pretty much the same as this one. Your first few posts are subject to approval, so you may see a delay in seeing your responses appear.

All your issues seem 'common' Coupe traits

Have a read through 'General maintenance' and 'Technical Issues'

Welcome.

As Theresa says, the issues you describe are typical of an older car and not all specific to the Coupé. The air con is no surprise for a 19 year old car. Most likely a leak, but if you're lucky a regas may fix it.

Brakes need a good shove compared to modern over assisted cars as you say.

Do you have much service history with it? Worth checking what has been done e.g. Thermostat, and most importantly the cambelt.

Hopefully you've got a good one and you'll enjoy bringing her back to prime condition!

You'll find plenty of help on this forum.

Enjoy!

Ps keep an eye on the oil level.

Yes welcome. Non cancelling indicators are pretty much the norm too. There is a fix somewhere on here for it but it looked too complicated for me. You can change the whole stalk if it bothers you.

But a lot of BMW drivers seem to get by without indicators at all

Check for rust in the right hand seam of the boot floor, the sills behind the front wheels, wheel arches and the rear sills under the Pinin badges.
Good luck.

Hi Lee - welcome to the forum

Whereabouts in Staffordshire are you? I'm in Rugeley and always have access to a decent stock of secondhad parts if you need anything. If you're local, feel free to drop by for a cuppa and a chat

Coolant temp needs sorting ASAP,as the car's ECU may be fooled into thinking the engine's too cold and it will over-fuel accordingly.

Oil temp is normal - only gets high when giving it a good seeing to.

Indicators are one of those things about a Coupe. Most people live with it, but a dedicated few will fix it. Not too difficult, but a bit fiddly.

Brakes - where do I start? I'm fanatical about getting Coupe brakes to work properly. The design is inherently flawed, as the airflow into the wheelarch is compromised and the pad / guide design can lead to pads sticking in the caliper. However, when properly set up, the Coupe brakes can be exceptionally good.

Hi,

Thanks for the responses.

Service book is all stamped up right through, few receipts with it one for 2014 for cambelt. However it doesnt mention water pump/tensioners so may be safe to get it done again and all replaced?

Ironically i've just sold my BMW F30 so i suppose the indicators shouldnt bother me

Boot floor when i lift the carpet up all looks good - anywhere else i should be looking? Rear arch/sill are just starting to bubble/rust this will be the first fix. Hopefully a repair and not a whole sill.

Yeah coolant temp is top of the list, i've found a receipt from January for fault "Engine temp taking a long time to rise whilst driving" - fault was traced to faulty coolant temp sensor and replaced saying road tested and fixed. I think this is perhaps the same problem though? Likely thermostat?

Nigel - i'm in Stoke on Trent, but i work Near birmingham so pass through rugely every day down the A51 (Not in the coupe mind!) - Where abouts are you? Ideally i'd like a specialist to look it over and give me the dreaded list of faults/rust/broken bits to work through!

Lee

Hi Lee. I'm also in Rugeley about half a mile from Nigel.

I'd be surprised if the tensioners weren't done with the belt as it's a fair bit of work to get at the belt, but for peace of mind there are a few specialists around that can sort it for you.

While you're in the boot with the carpet up it might be wise to remove the boot lining on the right hand side and check the seam between boot floor and wing as they like to rot through there.

The thermostat does sound likely if the temp is not getting up past the first line.

I'm on my 3rd coupe now and none of them have had self cancelling indicators! My current one cancels when turning right but not left but its never bothered me enough to take it apart.

I sometimes go for a blast along the Rugeley by-pass (by the power station) so keep your eye out for an Ink black coupe

Rugeley is a bit of a coupe hotspot then!! I'll keep my eye out as i drive that bit of road everyday, past the "small" amazon warehouse.

I'll be sure to check the boot, got it booked in to have the bit of rust i do have sorted end of next week, ive asked them have a good look around at the same time.

What are everyones thoughts on waxoil once the rust is resolved?

I'm not a fan of waxoyl having used it on a couple of vehicles. I'd go for something like Bilt Hamber UB.

Pricey, but better IMO and less gloopy.

Good little stretch of road. Especially now they've added the new chicane er I mean island.

There's a steel grey 20vt from Stafford that I see regularly and also a porto blue 20vt that keeps passing me at Tescos.

Welcome Lee, enjoy your Coupe!

Welcome Lee,
I'm in Stafford but my coupe doesn't get out a lot now.
Just gets the odd blast.
You'll recognise me - I'm the steel grey coming the other way with my indicator on !

Thanks All

Few of us around the midlands then!

Hi and welcome to the forum Lee

Thanks all, just been nosing around in the boot behind the little pockets etc and all looks to be ok.... but if someone could put a picture up of there's that'd be great as i can confirm it all looks normal.

Ideally free of rust around the seams where the boot meets the wheelarches
like this
and this

Also whip off the rear quarter panels to inspect the cavity behind the Pininfarina badges - the pins let in water and rust the sills....

Yeah - so i've just checked what i can see in the boot (guessing i need to undo things to get all the carpet out so i peeled back and shined the light behind) - The seam where you said one side has definitely started to go. No holes but can see rust - Luckily i have a mate who's a welder!

Once the belts etc are all done i'll get it down to his place for a few days and keep fingers cross he doesnt find too much!!

Out of interest where else is common?

I've seen:

Rear arch
Cill (mainly around rear)
Boot floor seams
RearBumper support

Anywhere else common?

Rear inner arches to boot floor.
Spare wheel well.
Front and rear sill ends.
Front and rear eiffel towers.
Floor pans.
Front suspension turret plates.
..... and much more if you know where to look.

Most likely needs a new thermostat. The not self cancelling tickers is a common problem or so I have heard but you get used to it!
Welcome to Coupe ownership, have fun!
Anne