Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[RickM3]

It does have angel eyes. Thank you!

[Cubieman]

Is there a common modification that requires a fused wire coming off of the positive jump terminal and then running to the cowling? I'll get a picture later if it would help in identifying the purpose of this wire.

Possibly angel eyes on the headlights.

[RickM3]

Is there a common modification that requires a fused wire coming off of the positive jump terminal and then running to the cowling? I'll get a picture later if it would help in identifying the purpose of this wire.

[Cubieman]

Another glass question, this time the front windshield.

I am hoping to buy a new windshield but need to make sure I get the correct one, if it's available that is.

I know nothing about glass but pulled some #'s off the windshield, after looking at realoem and all the options I don't believe I have enough information to proceed.

Should I use a VIN decoder to find what P/N I need?

FWIW this is all the numbers on my windshield that I could find:


Pilkington 43 R-001047

AS M 83-3 DOT 25
E000201

[Slideways]

Is there a consensus on a replacement rear windshield (brand, availability, etc)? Looks like OE is NLA? Not finding much info on the rear, most threads are on the front replacement. I'm getting the windows redone and the shop talked about replacing the rear glass if the old tint won't come off. Hopefully it won't come to that but I'd like to be prepared.

Pick one up from a parts car. Glass techs should be able to remove the rear glass without damaging it.

[Keith_MN]

Is there a consensus on a replacement rear windshield (brand, availability, etc)? Looks like OE is NLA? Not finding much info on the rear, most threads are on the front replacement. I'm getting the windows redone and the shop talked about replacing the rear glass if the old tint won't come off. Hopefully it won't come to that but I'd like to be prepared.

[DJAM3]

I've had two different MK20 cars, both with yellow tag racks. DSC doesn't seem any different to me. I turn it off if I plan on pushing the car.

[fattycharged]

Is it still a bad idea to swap to a faster steering rack if you're on a MK20 DSC? I recall reading a few years ago that because MK20 can't be programmed to account for different steering ratios than the stock M3 rack, if you swap in a different rack you'll set off DSC constantly. Is this a solved problem or still the same now in 2025?

Related question: anyone here rack swap a MK20 car and not regret it?

I always turn of DSC anyways, but curious if it still is an issue with it OFF as well


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[ATB88]

Is it still a bad idea to swap to a faster steering rack if you're on a MK20 DSC? I recall reading a few years ago that because MK20 can't be programmed to account for different steering ratios than the stock M3 rack, if you swap in a different rack you'll set off DSC constantly. Is this a solved problem or still the same now in 2025?

Related question: anyone here rack swap a MK20 car and not regret it?

[bavarian3]

Does anyone know the size of CSL muffler tips? Are they different from US muffler tips?

[PSUEng]

I'm in the auto industry and work with a lot of dealerships (not on the sales side) however from what I've noticed and have spoken to people, dealerships aren't going to negotiate as much as they did before COVID. I would expect the cheapest you'll find is MSRP. If the dealer won't let you buy for that and wants to keep adding stuff on, I would just keep calling dealers and find one that will.

Because you're ordering the car, you have the benefit of choosing the dealership. Out of state/smaller dealerships will generally give you a better deal.

I negotiated 3% off MSRP and no adds/fees beyond state legal max doc fees and will get an extra rebate from BMWCCA; pickup in SC at Performance Center. Man that was painful; haven't bought a car at a dealer in 10yrs. Oh, and I avoided the +$1300 MSRP increase for July production since this was a June allocation.

Sreten trashed this thing on his channel, but it's to be expected. It's going to be my wife's car and she really likes it and I like it too. If anyone wants a clean, low mileage 2016 GX 460 message me!

[L0okitzRaj]

Not sure if this qualifies for Dumb Q thread, but I'm negotiating a deal on a 2026 X5 xDrive40i, build to order. If anyone can provide insight into what a "good deal" is, I'm open to it. No trade, Performance Center delivery; should be an easy transaction but some of these dealers just insist on the add-ons, and just really seem to hold on to every penny. I know people have to eat and business is business, but this price discovery is painful.

I'm in the auto industry and work with a lot of dealerships (not on the sales side) however from what I've noticed and have spoken to people, dealerships aren't going to negotiate as much as they did before COVID. I would expect the cheapest you'll find is MSRP. If the dealer won't let you buy for that and wants to keep adding stuff on, I would just keep calling dealers and find one that will.

Because you're ordering the car, you have the benefit of choosing the dealership. Out of state/smaller dealerships will generally give you a better deal.

[PSUEng]

Not sure if this qualifies for Dumb Q thread, but I'm negotiating a deal on a 2026 X5 xDrive40i, build to order. If anyone can provide insight into what a "good deal" is, I'm open to it. No trade, Performance Center delivery; should be an easy transaction but some of these dealers just insist on the add-ons, and just really seem to hold on to every penny. I know people have to eat and business is business, but this price discovery is painful.

[ATB88]

Is this a normal bumper-fender gap on a front bumper? Car's in the shop to have the front bumper resprayed and refitted with new mounting hardware, this looks like too big a gap to be correct fitment correct?

[Tbonem3]

What's the rough lifespan of OE rubber RTABs (Z4M variant) with vorshlag limiter shims installed? I had them installed when I got the car at 45k miles, now I'm up to 105k miles 7 years later. Are they for sure cooked? The ones that were on the car with 45k miles were absolutely cooked. Do the limiter shims make a huge difference in lifespan? Also, is there any disadvantage of moving to spherical monoball RTABs when I replace? (car is street only vert, lots of freeway miles)

The limiters should help yes, but I also think their lifespan is heavily dependent upon install technique (clocked correctly). But with 60k, they're surely done. Get solid anyway.