New-to-me '90 730i questions

[Dan Moloughney <dan.moloughney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I recently purchased a '90 730i over here in Germany -- I
also just ordered the manual in english so I can figure
out how to use the OBC etc., but I do have a few questions
righ now. If someone could help I'd appreciate it.

1) The outside temperature is always at -35C or -37F. I
   found info on the web somewhere saying that if the
   sensor is broken then it would read -40 something F.
   I have not looked at the sensor yet (I'm told it's
   under the front bumper, passenger side?).
   Is there any tests I can easily do?
   Is there a calibration setting? Can I set the temperature
   on the OBC?
   I believe I have an OBC IV (there's a button on top left
   of OBC with C/Km - F/M).
   No, it's not -35C here, most like about 10C.
   
2) I seem to usually have hot air coming out the windshield
   defrost vents. It's very annoying to eyes (dries them out),
   I'm thinking this is automatic since the car "thinks" it's
   extremely cold outside (-35C). I also seem to have hot air
   blowing on my feet alot too, even though I've got my
   temperature (driver's side) set as cold as possible (AC off).
   Any suggestions?
   
3) For the first week I had the car every time I would turn
   it on or turn it off I would get a warning from the
   computer telling me to check the owner's manual (I have
   figured out how to set the computer to english). In the
   German manual I have, I translated enough to think I was
   supposed to hit the button to the right of computer display
   (button below tach). I hit it and get arrows on each side
   of the display pointing inwards, but nothing written in
   the middle. I have not had this problem for several days
   now, but would like to know what's going on. I'm thinking
   it may be a warning that I'm in gear, so now I park out
   of gear (with hand brake). Any thoughts?
   
4) Another computer warning. One day I got the big "beep" and
   there was a warning on the display again, I believe it
   said "ASC"...which to me means "automatic stability control",
   which I didn't think this car had. There is no other sign
   that it has this feature -- I looked at a '93 before buying
   this one that had ASC-T (ASC and traction) and it had a 
   special light and button below the radio.
   
5) Is there a simple add-on to warn me when the lights are on
   and ignition is off? This car has so many bells and whistles,
   but doesn't tell me if I leave the lights on. I've built these
   warnings before on older/simpler cars, but I don't really want
   to play too much with the electricals of this beautiful/complex car.
   
6) This one bugs me: the car's a 5 speed manual, and I was in stop 
   and go traffic (mostly stopped) on Saturday. Several times after
   having it out of gear (stopped) and then pushing in clutch and
   moving shifter to first gear, I'd get a grinding like the clutch
   wasn't all the way in. I was making sure the clutch was fully
   depressed. This had happened to me a few times in the last two
   weeks that I've owned the car, but I just figured I was being
   sloppy and had started to release the clutch before having it
   fully in gear. It hasn't happened again since the traffic jam.
   Should I adjust the clutch? Is there a FAQ around on how to do
   this?
   
For what it's worth, my experience in buying a car in Germany has
shown that the big cars (7 series BMW's, S-class MB's) depreciate
really quickly here, and there are many of these vehicles in 
beautiful shape. I'm not a mechanic, but I can see that many, if
not most, of the locals in this area (southern Germany) take very
good care of their vehicles. And, because of the cost of gas, over
1.80DM/litre (approx $1.45Canadian, or maybe US$1/litre) the big
cars don't have many buyers in the used car segment...hence allowing
me to afford a much nicer car than I could if living in Canada.
Just thought I'd share that little tid-bit of info. I'm actually
thinking about exporting used vehicles to Canada/US, but don't really
know anything about it....

Take care, and thanks for any help,

Dan M.


1990 730i, 5 speed, AC, sunroof, ABS, no leather (damn!), metallic red

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