3-Series (E46, E90)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1999 to Current. Models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318Ci, BMW 320i, BMW 323i, BMW 325i, BMW 330i, BMW 328 Ci, BMW 328i, BMW 325i/xi, BMW 330Ci, BMW 320d, BMW 330d, BMW 335d.
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Can anybody help diagnose this problem, a recent service did not help and apparently nothing showed up in the diagnostic - which I was surprised about since I am convinced this is an electronics/sensor problem rather than mechanical.
Hopefully someone who has experienced a similar problem can help since BMW main dealer was unable to.
Car runs fine from cold and keeps running fine until it slows for a while, eg queuing for a roundabout or roadworks, after this it seems to loose all low down power. It is really noticeable in all gears and feels like it has no power/torque from low revs. Thing is, if I stop and switch off ignition then go again it's back to normal full power, this is what makes me think it's something electronic.
It has been getting worse recently with the problem occurring during motorway driving, accelerate in fifth to overtake one minute & everything is fine, next time there is no power and that’s it gone till next restart. And has got to the stage that, when it's warm, even a restart doesn't sort the problem.
Anybody experienced this sort of problem or have any idea what's causing it? Any advice greatly appreciated as this is really starting to put me off the car I loved so much.
This could sound weird but check your exhaust! on the second tip there is a flap inside that closes when you first accelerate, this creates backpressure and gives you torque and power in the bottom end if the vacuum line comes off the flap the car feels slugish. May be part of the problem, hope this helps.
I had a similar problem with mine. I would often have to restart the car, and sometimes that didn't even make a difference. I am new to the website and still don't know a whole lot about bmw's mechanically, but when I took my car to the dealer they told me that I had to replace my intake and exhaust cam sensors.
Cam sensors are one culprit. I believe low-end torque is controlled a bit by the efficiency of the combustion in the chamber. How are your spark plugs? Any SES lights or error codes concerning the ignition coils?
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