How's the car now? I also bought an ActiveHybrid 3, 2013 model built in Germany then shipped here to Thailand in 2015. Got a good deal on it, knock on wood. It's been running great, it's a lovely car to drive. But I got my first code yesterday, RPA, flat tyre monitor failure, unable to detect a possible flat tyre, take to service, drive moderately, etc. Took it in and after 30 minutes with their little module they found it to be a failure of the front right ABS Module. And they want almost $250 to change just that, half that if I don't use BMW parts! Yikes. What if all four went? My word. Welcome to the world of BMW service. Ha!

 

BMWs are very sensitive and it’s rare to scan a vehicle and get no faults. Are you having a problem or warning light or just checking codes? Have you tried to clear them and see what returns? The only faults I MIGHT consider a problem is the switch contactors, misfires and FlexRay but then again we can’t tell how old these faults are, frequency and if they are present or not.

 

Yes, I get a Flat Tyre Monitor (RPA) failure. It says I can drive the car but "moderately" of course. I can't clear the warning from the iDrive so every time I start up or put her into reverse I get the warning so it's at least annoying, though I can't detect any driving faults so far. But I have not opened her up since I got the warning so hard to say. I took it to the place I bought it from and they said I had to replace the Front L/R ABS Speed Sensor. This is a $20 part on eBay so I don't get the $250 price tag, or half that for a three-month warranty rather than two years on the original part. It looks easy to change and should take 10 minutes from what others have said.

Love the car, though.

 

Whats a 'right front ABS module'??
Maybe a wheel speed sensor? Or something specific to this model?

And $250 is a lot? OMG, get ready. Owning a hybrid in Thailand?!?!

 

Whats a 'right front ABS module'??
Maybe a wheel speed sensor? Or something specific to this model?

And $250 is a lot? OMG, get ready. Owning a hybrid in Thailand?!?!

Ha, I know.

I know what the proper name is now, Front L/R ABS Speed Sensor for BMW. I need the front right.

Yes, I can get this part on eBay for $20 with shipping from the US an additional $30 or from China with free shipping but maybe more of a chance for a dodgy part. In other forums (local Expat car forum here) I have been told this sensor takes 10 minutes to change. It only took them 20 minutes to check it with their fancy control unit.

tinyurl.com/eayueye9

We have lots of hybrids here now, by all of the major manufacturers, the car industry is strong and healthy here, Thailand makes more light trucks than anywhere else in the world. I'm not much of a car guy usually but my wife bought an X1 five years ago and I love it. So when I saw a great price (for here) on an imported ActiveHybrid 3 then I went for it. She's so fun and fast. We do not have many 6-cylinder as the tax is super high, even if they are manufactured in country. The guy who imported my car from Germany probably paid 300% tax on her, so that means a €50K euro car turns into a €150K car here. Yikes. I paid much much less of course.

I knew it would be expensive to repair but charging me $250 for a $20 part and 10 minute job is nuts.

Generally in Thailand parts are expensive, labor is not. So I'm getting a quote from 2-3 places for just labor and I'll order the part myself.

 

Hello everyone, sorry for the late reply but the car has been running adequate. I am now at 90k Miles so I guess that a good thing. I've done two oil change since then. I'm assuming the clunking noise that I mentioned earlier in my previous post is from the Engine trying to decide to switch to the battery mode or Engine on.

Small Issues
-I am still experiencing very laggy acceleration at low speeds.

• wet/Moldy smell coming from the Vent with just the air on, once I turn on the AC the smell will dramatically go away. I've tried using an Evap cleaner to get rid of it but I might have to take it into the shop to get it diagnosed.
• My radio will randomly lower my music about 80-90% randomly which is quite annoying, sometimes the song on the HUD does not update and freezes but will continue playing the next song.

Replaced Parts Since Then.
Fuel Pressure Sensor (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) turned on. Easy fix, turned the Check Engine Light off.
Replaced Rear Bumper (Teenage girl rear ended me, They paid for the repairs)
Replaced Hood Latch Sensor (Kept chiming every sec that hood is open.)

Besides that the car has been running great!

 

Hello everyone, sorry for the late reply but the car has been running adequate. I am now at 90k Miles so I guess that a good thing. I've done two oil change since then. I'm assuming the clunking noise that I mentioned earlier in my previous post is from the Engine trying to decide to switch to the battery mode or Engine on. Small Issues -I am still experiencing very laggy acceleration at low speeds.

• wet/Moldy smell coming from the Vent with just the air on, once I turn on the AC the smell will dramatically go away. I've tried using an Evap cleaner to get rid of it but I might have to take it into the shop to get it diagnosed.
• My radio will randomly lower my music about 80-90% randomly which is quite annoying, sometimes the song on the HUD does not update and freezes but will continue playing the next song.

Replaced Parts Since Then. Fuel Pressure Sensor (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) turned on. Easy fix, turned the Check Engine Light off. Replaced Rear Bumper (Teenage girl rear ended me, They paid for the repairs) Replaced Hood Latch Sensor (Kept chiming every sec that hood is open.) Besides that the car has been running great! View attachment 1046569

How Did You get CEL off For the fuel pressure sensor , am having the same problem with it .. the code is 19401A ?