Reprogramming

My '04 has been reprogrammed four times and my dealer still can't resolve nagging electrical issues; sometimes the alarm chirps when unlocking the car, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes the driver's side door chimes when opened, other times it doesn't, and sometimes the trunk pops open when the car is parked near other BMWs. Now as a result of the latest reprogramming effort, when I turn off the motor and remove the key the electronic features (radio/screen) stay on for a few more seconds. My dealer said this is normal but I don't buy it. Has anyone else had these types of problems and if so have they been repaired successfully?

Welcome to the "Fest there, "Hapye" (sorry, little play on your chosen handle of "Madde")!

Well, I just posted in Vern's thread how great my '05 545i has been so you probably don't want to hear that. I haven't had any major issue or little niggling things other than a couple NAV hiccups now and then that haven't been anything to worry about.

Sometimes my radio will stay on for a few seconds after shutting the car down but it doesn't happen very much. So, perhaps it is normal.

Understandable and thank you for the response. It's good to know about the radio (I guess). I saw your response to Vern and unfortunately after six service visits in one year I've had the same thought. My wife's Lexus isn't nearly as fun to drive or as stylish but it's only had two mechanical issues in six years and Lexus has been far more responsive then BMW. Hopefully things will get better as this is my third BMW.

Hmm, the radio and stuff in my '06 530i all take a second or 2 to turn off after the key shuts down the engine. I think that in this car there is really no master relay that shuts the battery power off from the electronics - it is all taken care of by the various computers, and the key just tells the computers to start the various shutdown activities. I suspect it is similar to "shutting down" a Windows PC, as opposed to just pulling the plug.

Jon.

Thanks; a very good analogy with the Windows PC. It just seemed odd because the car never used to do that prior to the latest reprogramming. One thing less to fret about.

Hi. I just had an alarm and iPOD installed and had similar problems. They had to replace the Genral Module.

I find my trunk open from time to time in the mornings, but they could not find a fault condition.

One time, my top and windows did not come up until I rebooted the car.

CIAO

Thank you. Next time I go in for service I'll let them know that the problems aren't exclusive to my car and that they need to look at the General Module. I've found that if I lock the trunk in valet mode it won't mysteriously pop open. Of course this renders the inside release button useless so it's hardly a solution. I have no confidence in my dealer's ability to resolve this issue but if it happens to more people perhaps BMW will take it seriously. Thanks again.