Is this the place to ask questions?

Hey Folks, I'm excited to rejoin the BMW family today, but I made the mistake of asking a question on the Introduction Forum, instead of JUST INTRODUCING myself.

So, it looks like this is where I can ask my question, but I do not want to upset Student from Boston again, so can someone confirm that I can ask a question about a 1999 E39 Steering and Electronic problems here, please.

I know my question may sound smart ashish but, it is not, just really want some answers, and it appears the rules have to be followed, so I thank you for your assistance. R

Your response on the other forum probably involved the word "search"?

Yes the power steering and electrical issues are common with these cars.

Try a search on your model + power steering pump.

You will be over whelmed with the info you will find.

Then if you still cannot find what you are looking for, feel free to ask

QUOTE: rodzrag "Hello Everyone, after a number of years I have returned to the BMW family (Had an M3 before). I just purchased a nicely cared for (155K miles) E39 1999 540I with the M5 sports package.

Believe it or not I only have two areas of concern, one is the steering, it is really hard to steer specially when manuevering around parking lots and backing up, I am guessing it will be time to replace the steering pump, very very soon, any thoughts?

The other question I have is the information center. The computer info is very hard to read as there seems to be mixing pixels in the board. The former owner claimed that it is just a matter of removing the dashboard and cleaning the connection and applying some dielectric grease, could it be that simple? am I in for a huge repair? At any rate, I look forward to attending some BMW events in SoCal soon and meeting some of you.

Thank you. R"

QUOTE: Student
"Ill make this nice an simple for you, there's a thing called rules. Here i believe we like to follow them. This is the introduction section, so introduce, not ask questions about your automobile. Need further explanation with proof? Here."


We are here to help when we can and sometimes we do hear the same questions over and over again. This is why you may receive the "try to search for your answer then ask if you can't find it" reply.

With that said, 99% of us are very nice and ready to offer help even when you post in the wrong section. So please excuse the 1% that come off as total pricks...

The rest of us respect & learn from each other.

BTW, Welcome to the fest!!

Originally Posted by Joe@Bavarian

QUOTE: rodzrag "Hello Everyone, after a number of years I have returned to the BMW family (Had an M3 before). I just purchased a nicely cared for (155K miles) E39 1999 540I with the M5 sports package.

Believe it or not I only have two areas of concern, one is the steering, it is really hard to steer specially when manuevering around parking lots and backing up, I am guessing it will be time to replace the steering pump, very very soon, any thoughts?

The other question I have is the information center. The computer info is very hard to read as there seems to be mixing pixels in the board. The former owner claimed that it is just a matter of removing the dashboard and cleaning the connection and applying some dielectric grease, could it be that simple? am I in for a huge repair? At any rate, I look forward to attending some BMW events in SoCal soon and meeting some of you.

Thank you. R"

QUOTE: Student
"Ill make this nice an simple for you, there's a thing called rules. Here i believe we like to follow them. This is the introduction section, so introduce, not ask questions about your automobile. Need further explanation with proof? Here."


We are here to help when we can and sometimes we do hear the same questions over and over again. This is why you may receive the "try to search for your answer then ask if you can't find it" reply.

With that said, 99% of us are very nice and ready to offer help even when you post in the wrong section. So please excuse the 1% that come off as total pricks...

The rest of us respect & learn from each other.

BTW, Welcome to the fest!!

Words of a true gentleman!

When you say the "information center" are you talking the gauge cluster or the MID ( Multi Information Display) located by your climate control?

From what I have seen, cleaning them will not fix it. You have to send it out for repair or buy good used / new ones.


As for the steering, do the search because there is a ton of good info on that topic.

Oh BALONIE! Or is it Bologna? Go ahead and ask your question and someone helpful will chime in. Student sounds like a playground bully to me. Impolite at the very least. If you don't know the buzzwords it's often difficult to do an effective search anyway.

So welcome to the fest. You will find lots of great info and camaraderie here, and occasionally someone having a bad day. GOod luck and let us know how it goes.

Don't worry about the Student guy. Most people from Boston are upset about something most of the time.

Thank you everybody, I am getting the hang of this. I appreciate everyones input. R

There will always be repeat questions. Without repeat questions there would be no new threads. Without new threads the forum traffic will slowly dwindle until the website closes. New topics keep the traffic up and there is usually a good conversation to be had. You just have to approach each topic like you're shooting pool with a guy and having a few beers. Would you tell the guy you're shooting pool with to do a search? No, you'd end up having a conversation about BMW's and or whatever.

Granted, not every question will result in something positive. There will always be stoopid people. People that don't use any sort of grammar and people that just generally rub you the wrong way. Just ignore those dudes. Let someone else answer their question. Chances are, if you're an OG you've answered everything a hundred times already. Guys like me really appreciate that.

Telling people to search is counter productive as it brings animosity to the conversation. Its just as easy to say, read the FAQ at the top of the page.

With that said, you gotta have thick skin on the internet. If you do something not to bright, expect to get a little **** for it. Same atmosphere as the pool hall, if you're out having a beer and do something stoopid like walk into the ladies room, you're gonna get a ton of crap for it. Kinda like asking questions in a forum designated, introductions. Not to bright, so expect to catch some crap for it. Take nothing said over the internet seriously. It will ruin things for you. Remember, we're all just guys sitting in front of pc/phone/tablet or whatever, talking about BMWs.

Just my .02

This sub-forum is for anything E39 related, so ask away (after search )
Welcome to the fest.

Originally Posted by tedm

Don't worry about the Student guy. Most people from Boston are upset about something most of the time.

Because Red Sox

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

Because Red Sox

true Bobby V is retarded

pixel stuff
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/504260

for your power steering try lubing the universal joint on the shaft that goes to the rack.

Originally Posted by dunne44

true Bobby V is retarded

Come on! I like the guy!