Please help, I am thankful to be alive!

So i was just driving my 95' m3 home from the store about about 30 minutes ago, and it is currently snowing outside. I'm about halfway home when the traffic in front of me stopped, so i hit my brakes and my car starts sliding out of control. I start veering off to the right and nearly took out a mailbox, so i steer to the left and i start sliding sideways to the oncoming lane and almost hit a car! By the way as soon as i hit my brakes the ABS light came on, and stayed on until i got home. As soon as the light came on, my ABS stopped working and i nearly crashed every time i had to use my brakes. I just bought this car back in October and only had it on the road for a month. My ABS light has never came on except one other time when the roads were very wet and icy. At this point I am pretty pissed off about this car. It has a slow coolant leak, eating about 12oz a week. Based on this information, does anybody know what could be wrong with my Anti-lock brakes? Also to my knowledge the car's cooling system is all stock still and it has 153k miles. It would also be most appreciated if i can get an estimate of all the repairs if they were done by a reputable mechanic. Also if any of the jobs are easy enough to do myself, but i am only 19 and don't know anything about my car. I don't know if this helps, but here are some pics of under the hood. [IMG][/IMG]

First off glad you're okay.

Secondly the ABS will likely be a wheel speed sensor, that or the brakes are actually clogged up with snow/ice.

Third, for the cooling system, follow the steps I've outlined here:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...155&highlight=



Ed

Gorgeous color. I love Avus.

Cooling system is wildly simple on this car.

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

And of course, the next logical question is: What kind of tires do you have, and what condition are they in?

Thanks for the reply. I do not know the tires but they look fairly new. BMW Motorsport wheels/rims they look very nice

He was asking if you have winter tires or summer tires.

Where is mass are you?

This was some slick stuff today. And I suggest getting a set of winter tires. There was a set sub $200 on CL in western mass the other day...

Also if your cooling system is still 100% stock its been in there twice as long as it should have. Not only is Jonesin's tutorial the right thing to do, it's the right thing to do right now. Make sure to follow the bleeding instructions if you do it yourself. If you ignore it now, it will make you pay attention later. And if you do the cooling system yourself ZeGerman's estimate has always been about $450 for the parts.
Beautiful car though, excellent choice in color and style.

Also, Jeff, to help you drive better in adverse conditions, I strongly recommend the Boston BMWCCA Teen Street Survival classes. They are relatively inexpensive (like $70 for the day) and you will spend the whole day getting your car to safely lose control, then learn how to correct understeer/oversteer (spins) and emergency braking.

Car problem or not, knowing how to handle your car will help save your life in situations like this. http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/

Glad you are okay!

Originally Posted by TechieTechie

Also, Jeff, to help you drive better in adverse conditions, I strongly recommend the Boston BMWCCA Teen Street Survival classes. They are relatively inexpensive (like $70 for the day) and you will spend the whole day getting your car to safely lose control, then learn how to correct understeer/oversteer (spins) and emergency braking.

Car problem or not, knowing how to handle your car will help save your life in situations like this. http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/

Glad you are okay!

This. You made a few bad choices in that scenario, and this class will help you understand that and how to drive better in inclement weather in the future.

Also, GOD YOUR CAR IS GORGEOUS.

Also, Get some Mud/Snow tires at least for that baby in the winter. Please don't hurt those stamped, square, LTW wheels. They're worth a fortune.

Thanks guys! That class looks very interesting I will be looking into it for sure.

Originally Posted by petriej

Also, GOD YOUR CAR IS GORGEOUS.

I agree with that wholeheartedly.

Hey everyone I've got some terrible news! So yesterday I was driving home (about an hour away) and as soon as I started up my taillights went out on me. Also, while I'm driving i sometimes hear this "rumbling" or "crackling" sound coming from behind my radio/dashboard. That sound seems to be fairly common since i started driving it. And it just never sounded right sounds like wires are being frayed or something. Anyway, I'm nearly home, my dashboard is buzzing like crazy and then... POP!! A loud explosion sound comes from the dash! I barely made it home thinkin my car was going to explode right there. I'm currently not driving it and have to get it checked out by an electric guy. Based on that, anyone know what the hell could of went wrong?? Please and thanks

Forgot to mention mu car has a bad battery I have not replaced yet don't know if that could I caused something

I have come I the conclusion that an electrical short must of happened somewhere, which also explains the battery problem. My front windshield also let's in a ton of water when it rains because the seal is old and worn. Maybe water could of got to the wires and causes all that noise?

Well if water is getting in and onto electrical components, then yes, that could absolutely be your problem. I'd get it fixed ASAP. You do not want to deal with a lifetime of electrical issues. Replace what is damaged (easier said than done), and pray for no electrical fires.

Update, the car started today and everything seemed to be working fine, and no fuses were out. I noticed something that I didn't see before, a quarter size crack in the windshield! I know It was not there before the drive, and I was on the highway so that could of been a rock hitting the Windshield causing that loud noise! Either way I'm now going to get the windshield and seal replaced and have an electrician check the fuses for any shorts.

Someone is coming tomorrow to replace the windshield and the seal. I replaced tail light bulb and all seems to be good. Should I still get it checked out by an electrician? Is there some type of "electrical inspection" I can get done somewhere? Any input would be much appreciated!