E46 cutting out at low revs and not starting cleanly

Youstolemyname

Youstolemyname

Youstolemyname

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Up until recently the missus' E46 325i has run like a dream. It started without problem within a fraction of a second and was just perfect.

Recently she has reported it stalling at low revs and then after stalling taking a few seconds longer than normal to start. I took it out and managed to get it to do just that- it would stall when the revs were low sometimes (think slowing down to a junction) and then after trying to restart it take a few turns of the starter motor to fire up.

It cruises like normal and picks up well, just seems to be a bit poorly.

Any ideas what it may be?

Thanks for any help.
 
Nothing has been touched on it since she got it nearly twelve months ago. It had an inspection one at purchase and is still 9k miles away from the oil service. She always puts premium fuel in it (on my instruction!) so we are at a loss to what is up with it.
 
Because the manual says to get the best out of it to use premium petrol (98ron iirc).
 
It is personal choice but to get the BMW stated figures they tell you to use 98ron. Even my car is best run on Super to get the rated figures and it's a 2 litre.
 
[TW]Fox;17008425 said:
Because the handbook tells him to? I'm assuming he means Super Unleaded, as Premium Unleaded is infact the name for what we consider 'normal' unleaded - 95 Ron.
Click to expand...

This and its only a few quid a tank more than the normal stuff...

Not one for taking the car to bits myself so cleaning the idle control valve is probably a non runner. Trip to the local independent or main deal in order?
 
An indy or dealer will be able to see why it's cutting out via a quick diagnostic. My old E46 did this and BMW said the engine was running lean possibly due to a bad fuel mixture or contamination.

Their recommended action was to replace the fuel filter.
 
maccapacca said:
Really? I thought it was a personal choice or reserved for massive premium engines
Click to expand...

The E46 325i has an M54B25 engine fitted. This engine is designed for 98 RON fuel, and the quoted performance and fuel consumption figures are quoted using 98 RON fuel. This is clearly stated in the manual.

Back when the car was released, the 3 litre version of the same engnie was pretty 'massive and premium' as far as saloon car engines go!
 
So Fox, would you recommend going to the local dealer (Halliwell Jones) or an independent?

We are in the middle of moving and buying a new house so any disruption to our transport and a huge bill could well be done without...
 
As you dont know whats wrong with it, go to an independant. BMW will charge you a fortune for diagnosis. I never let a BMW main dealer near my car without a guaranteed price before I hand the keys over which they cannot give if they dont know whats wrong.

First step would be to get the fault codes read.
 
Cheers mate, will give the local indy a call in the morning. There is a specialist a few mins from our current place.

Very jealous of your California road trip having just completed our own version of it. Any questions about being over there just ask me.
 
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