.. if you are close enough to the dealer you may want to visit the service manager with the key to the X. They can take the key and read it for any service performed at any certified BMW dealership. If you ask nicely sometimes they will print out your service history (especially if you inquire about a warranty, but '05 may limit your options, not sure).

oh, kewl thanks Elvis 3.0, i'll ask them nicely.

Not sure if anyone has tried this but, For me, this didnt work... ;/

Help us help you better. :)

You have no model/model year/build date info in a permanent signature...nor does it appear anywhere in any of your posts.

So when you make inquiries to the forum that need critical or specific details...it makes it difficult to understand or know how to answer or respond to you.

For example, there are TWO procedures based on the build date of your BMW...and you say it didn't work...with no other details.

I'm sure I'm not the only one scratching my head wondering...which procedure didn't work? And since there's no info as to which procedure nor any vehicle information...I have no idea how to respond to you as to what else you can try or if there was something you did incorrectly or could have done differently.

Again, help us help you better by supplying enough details (model/model year/build date) and/or giving more information in your statements. :)

BTW, I've tried both procedures and both have worked for me with no problems. The old ways (short pins #7 & ground to car) on my e30, (short pins #7 & #19) on my e32/e34/e38/e39 & the new way using the instrument cluster buttons on my e38 (after I got a new cluster from BMW thru the Goodwill Replacement for F'd-up pixels) & e53.

Thanks Qsilver7 for taking the time to reply to my reply to this post. I wasn't looking for a response, directly, but thanks. If you would like the info you mentioned, I would be glad to give it. In response.... I've seen 3 different posts on how to do it, and neither of them produced any results. As for the signature, that is not an area I'm familiar with. Hope this clears up any confusion and allows you to stop scratching your head. ;)

You can create a permanent signature by clicking on the USER CP link which can be found along the top right of the page (in the blue border). Click the user cp link and when the page refreshes, there should be multiple links along the left side of the page and one of them should say EDIT SIGNATURE. Click that link it should be obvious as to what you need to do. :)