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bought new car...
2009-12-04, 4:24 PM #41
From the Owners Manual:

"Recommended octane rating: 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically
to different octane ratings, provided
that the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will
have an opposite effect."
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-12-04, 6:12 PM #42
With regards to octane most of the posts here are right on track. Well, all of them except the one obvious one. I run the highest available at the pump in whatever state I am in in my Trans Am because that is what the owners manual suggests. It says I can run lower with reduced performance. I run 87 in my Grand Cherokee because that is what the owners manual suggests. I must say, though, that I have never seen gasoline marketting that hyped higher octane fuel. Usually they seem to be hyping whatever detergent additives they use.

My one relevant opinion on the topic of fuel in general would be to stay away from cheap fuel. At one period in time I was having a terrible time with my Grand Cherokee stalling at idle and running rough. The dealer cleaned the injectors and warned me about cheap fuel. There was an off brand, cheap gas station near my house that my wife and I used to fill up at. I stopped going there and have only bought my fuel from AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) and name brand stations since and have never had that problem again.
"I would rather claim to be an uneducated man than be mal-educated and claim to be otherwise." - Wookie 03:16

2009-12-04, 9:15 PM #43
slight problem. I can't get the glove compartment open. :( The fuse box is in there. (There's a lock on it, but either way I turn the key it doesn't seem to want to open.) Any suggestions?

Also, the remote entry doesn't work. I replaced the battery in the key and now I think I might need to replace a fuse (see above).

(I knew about these things before I bought the car, but I was hoping a new battery in the key would fix the remote entry and wasn't sure what I'd do about the glove compartment)
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-12-04, 9:29 PM #44
From some random thread on the internet titled "Pictorial Guide to all the E36 BMW 3 Series (92-99) Keys"

Quote:
Master Key (dealership only; $75) - Opens All Doors/Trunk/Glove Box and starts the car. If you have a 1995 to 1999 BMW your Keys will be chipped. Meaning that your car only starts when the chip is read by the ignition cylinder. It is a small dark grey magnetic object placed in the head of the key.

Valet Key (dealership only; $65) - Opens only the Driver's Door and Starts the Car. Does not do anything else. Intended for Valets, so they cannot open your trunk or glove box. This key is usually grey and is about equal size to the Master Key.

Wallet Key (dealership only; $50) - Opens All Doors/Trunk/Glove Box and starts the car. Intended to be kept in the driver's wallet/purse for emergency use only when the Master Key is unavailable(stolen or lost). This key is said by the dealership to be "disposible" for 1995 - 1999 cars with chipped keys. Meaning that the key will only start and drive your car limited times before the chip stops working. I have a chipped car and I've used my Wallet Key numerous times to start and drive car so I'm not sure how true that is. This key will be slim, small, black and plastic.

Master Keys w/ Alarm Control Flip Fob for Keyless Entry (aftermarket; $$$ varies) These Keys are sold as blanks and can be cut at very rare and specific specialist shops for about $20-$30. After cutting the key you can dissect either your Master Key or Valet Key and transfer the magnetic chip into the Alarm Fob body so the key fob can be used like a Master Key to start the car, etc... The Keyless Alarm control inside Fob body will either come with it's own aftermarket keyless entry alarm kit or can be program to work with the OEM Alarm or another aftermarket Alarm. Quality key fob like these are relatively rare to find online and once you get it, it may be difficult to find a local cutter that will cut it. And once you get it cut you will have to chip it, as well as connect the keyless Alarm functions. So it is a lot of work but the results can be very desirable.

BUYING KEYS: The OEM Keys can ONLY be bought at the dealership and they require only two things; Your Driver's License and the Registration Papers for the car. You must be the registered driver of the car to buy keys for the car so don't send your little sister or butler to get your keys. Also do not bring Titles or Dear John letters. You can also easily buy aftermarket blanks (as seen on ebay) and get them cut if you know a specialist that will cut it and if you don't need a chip in the key (1992 to 1994).

SECURITY NOTE: Do not keep your Valet Keys or Wallet Keys in the glove box or anywhere in the car. Thieves have been known to pry open glove boxes in search of Valet Keys. It is common knowledge that BMWs come with these keys so Theives take advantage of it.


Sounds like you might have the Valet key. Hopefully that's not the only key they gave you...
2009-12-04, 9:38 PM #45
I already read about that in the manual and was thinking that might be a possibility (though it's more likely jammed, because I can turn the lock to the glove box without problems). however further in that thread describes the master key as having a groove down the center where the valet key does not (you can see the difference in the pics). My key does have the groove apparently required to open the glove box.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-12-04, 9:45 PM #46
The possibilities are really endless with such a high mileage car. Does that key work on the trunk? Maybe the glove box lock was swapped with one from another car, or maybe it's jammed like you said. Try compressed air in the lock, try googling CANT OPEN MY GLOVE BOX 1999 BMW ETC ETC ETC ETC....
2009-12-04, 9:48 PM #47
key does open the trunk. I'll do some googling. (haven't had much luck so far)
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-12-04, 10:07 PM #48
Find the BMW forum with the most active members, sign up, and start reading, searching, and posting.
2009-12-04, 10:09 PM #49
heh, I'm thinking about doing that. :p But I ALWAYS go to Massassi for my answers. :p

Found out today that there is a 6 disc cd changer in the trunk.. But it doesn't seem to work. :(
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
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