1) I am faced with my dealer quoting me just over $3,000 to r/r the stock servotronics steering rack in my car that has 68,000 miles. The boots are swollen and fluid level requires retopping off every 1000 miles or so. No fluid yet getting to the ground - all dry. This car does not have the S217 active steering option listed on dealer option sheet but it does have the S226A Sports Suspension option. So, a good bet that I do not have active steering?

Have any of you done a r/r for the rack? The BMW part # quoted to me was 32 10 677 536 at $1930.14 on RealOEM.com ($2300 at dealer!). Dealer offers a ZF reman'd rack with 2-year (only!) warranty. I am considering a $450 carsteeringwholesale.com reman'd rack , their part # 80-01382, for only $485 and my core. If I DIY and it is not a huge PITA, I could tolerate (but don't want to!) several bad racks replaced with my labor being free... Is this a DIY project or are specialized tools needed? Can you describe the steps and is raising up engine after withdrawing motor mount bolts required? I sure wish we had a good manual out for these E60 cars...

2) In searching I saw others ask about service resets in iDrive for our cars. I found this thread: https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showto...reset&st=75 I would like to change my own oil (and microfilters, brake flush in 2 years, etc...) when it comes due (shows 6000 miles yet) or just do it right away as I have only owned the car a few months - for piece of mind just in case it sat awhile and iDrive is only computing miles and not time since last change... I did already have the rear end and manual trans fluid replaced. My car has no metal key, just the radio transmitter fob that "plugs" into steering column. I do not have comfort access. I believe the posts to require pressing in the trip reset knob. Are the steps good for the 2007 cars? Just push the remote key in, press start button without foot on brake or clutch and then hold trip reset for 10 seconds? Any other cool data such as software rev codes, etc. I can pull out of the car while scrolling through?

3) I had the dealer install and program for sat radio with new Gen 2.5 Sirius tuner and also the BMW iPod kit. My car is not a Logic7 car. I want to add HD radio as we have some good local programming. To that end, I have obtained the IBOC tuner with antenna splitter and two required brackets to install in left rear stock location of trunk. However, no power, MOST optic or antenna wires are present near that area. Is a retrofit possible - or was the option only available for 2007 cars with Logic7?

Thanks for all help!

 

Regarding 2 ,yes you can reset the service items with the push-button start models.I would recommend resets when the work is required and you have done it.I say this because with oil service it is not just mileage,time also comes into the equation.If annual mileage is around half the average figure of 12000 miles it is quite a shock to see how the "miles to service" can suddenly drop after about 15 months.(I carry out an annual oil change anyway.)