Loss of power...

[the eldest boy]

Hi all,

OK, i'm probably being paranoid here, but i think there's something wrong with my M3. So, before i go down to AGMC for them to take a look, i thought i'd get your valuable and expert opinions.

Basically, the car seems to have lost a little power. The throttle response is certainly slower than it was about a week ago; there seems to be a slight delay between me accelerating and the engine kicking into life. Sometime this is just a fraction of a second, sometimes it feels like a second or so. I'd maybe expect that in the higher gears when travelling at speed, but it seems to be happening in the lower gears as well, even from a standstill in 1st gear. When i first took delivery of the car, i remember putting my foot down and getting that instant jolt as the car sped up. Now, while it's certianly still quick, the car seems less responsive, a bit laboured and not quite as aggressive as it was.

Also, the engine note seems to have changed. When idling or moving in any gear, the note seems too high. The revs (judging by the revometer) look fine, but the car seems to be screaming at me. It's lost that lovely, understated snarling sound and it's been replaced by a struggling, screaming whine. Around 5000rpm, the note is so high that i'm changing gear for fear of the car exploding.

Ayham, perhaps you could have a drive next time we meet and tell me what you think?

Am i being paranoid, or is there something simple/sinister that might be causing the symptoms?

:thanks2:

[Bashar M.]

Well before trying to solve the problem i just want to ask, did you do a full maintenance when you got the car???

Engine Oil & filter, Fuel filter, Air filter, Spark plug set ??!!

If not the symptoms you just described might be cause by the fact those parts weren’t replaced.....

Now if you did do the pervious mentioned maintenance i would expect the following to cause the Sluggishness you feel.....

1. A dirty MAF sensor (Doesn’t need replacement just a 99% Alcohol & Simple Green)
2. Check Ignition coil boots (the rubber boots on the end of the coil, spark plug end)
3. Again a Fuel filter would really stress out the pump causing many issues.
4. Also would check out your battery.

[Bruno]

you should run with a stock M3 and compare both outputs. ayham's is a modded one so you can't really take it for granted. You best match is ahmad khalil's car.

if i were you i'll head to X and have Mark check it out for me.


Bashar a dirty maf won't have these symptoms, but I agree with the rest of the list.

[the eldest boy]

Thanks Bashar, some good advice there.

The car had been through a successful service about 2000kms before i bought it so i didn't get an independant or BMW health-check carried out...would the problems you mentioned have been checked at Service I?

I'm not familiar with car engines at all but i have friends who are. I'll take your list and get those items checked as a starting point. Failing that, i'll take it to BMW to get a health-check done. I need to get the +ve SMG paddle repaired anyway.

Cheers!

[the eldest boy]

if i were you i'll head to X and have Mark check it out for me.

Where's "X" mate? Can i call Mark to make an appointment or something? Who are these mysterious people and places? :err:

Thanks guys.

[ahmad.alkhalil]

[QUOTE=Bruno;13193]you should run with a stock M3 and compare both outputs. ayham's is a modded one so you can't really take it for granted. You best match is ahmad khalil's car.

What do you mean his best match is my car!? mine's modded too... DICE Ipod kit thank you very much!!! :rofl: :rofl: oh and piano black interior! :nono:

I'd be more than happy to help out

[ahmad.alkhalil]

Where's "X" mate? Can i call Mark to make an appointment or something? Who are these mysterious people and places? :err:

Thanks guys.

X = X-Service Center. They are BMW specialists and are located in Al Qouz area off SZR. Mark is the person we normally deal with who's a little bored of M3 at the moment since we all talk to him, hehe. He's a good guy and will help out a lot... you got pm!

[the eldest boy]

What do you mean his best match is my car!? mine's modded too... DICE Ipod kit thank you very much!!!

I love that comment.

[ahmad.alkhalil]

I love that comment.

Glad I was of assistance ;)

[Bashar M.]

you should run with a stock M3 and compare both outputs. ayham's is a modded one so you can't really take it for granted. You best match is ahmad khalil's car.

if i were you i'll head to X and have Mark check it out for me.


Bashar a dirty maf won't have these symptoms, but I agree with the rest of the list.

Well Bruno a dirty MAF would make the car run poor i.e. Sluggish, but in ur case the MAF is destroied :)

Thanks Bashar, some good advice there.

The car had been through a successful service about 2000kms before i bought it so i didn't get an independant or BMW health-check carried out...would the problems you mentioned have been checked at Service I?

I'm not familiar with car engines at all but i have friends who are. I'll take your list and get those items checked as a starting point. Failing that, i'll take it to BMW to get a health-check done. I need to get the +ve SMG paddle repaired anyway.

Cheers!

Hmmmm... well at service I i dont think that all the mentioned stuff is replaced. For example a fuel filter wont be, neither the ignition coil rubber boots.

I'd say take it to a respect independent shop, such as X-service center, for a check up....

[the eldest boy]

Thanks for all your advice guys, it's great to come one here witha problems and have people point you in the right direction.

I'll give Mark a call and let him check it out. I can just see his response now. "You're paranoid, sir, there's nothing the matter at all. Go home and stop wasting my time"

:thanks2:

[Bruno]

Well Bruno a dirty MAF would make the car run poor i.e. Sluggish, but in ur case the MAF is destroied :)

i changed it ages ago, but i should send it to X for a reset. when my maf was destroyed it still had the power for some reason. i still think phil's situation is normal to some extent

[Bashar M.]

I'd say the same......
The past couple days were HOT and Humid, that will make a super car feel sluggish.......

[Haissam]

i think the guys have covered the possibilities :)

but what if you're getting paranoid & it's time to upgrade to an E92 M3 :tongue: :D:D:D :tongue:

[the eldest boy]

but what if you're getting paranoid & it's time to upgrade to an E92 M3 :tongue: :D:D:D :tongue:

NOt yet, and probably not at all according to this journalist;

http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/Top_ten_...mentid=9358362

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BMW M3 (E46)

The new BMW M3 might have raised the game in terms of pure power, but for driver involvement and the ultimate everyday supercar then I can't think of a better car than the BMW M3. In fact, it's the next car on the wish list for yours truly.

With 333bhp, four seats and all the creature comforts, it's the car you can drive to the office that comes alive any time it gets the chance. And it's one of those cars that turns a trip to the shops into a 40-mile backroad blast each and every time.

The E30 M3, the original incarnation, was a purer racing car for the road, and the new version is more luxurious. But for the perfect balance of poise, precision and beauty, the last generation has them all beaten hands down.

This car was a revelation when it was launched, marking BMW as the driver's choice against rivals Audi and Mercedes and it will forever be remembered as one of the greatest driver's cars of all time. In my house, anyway.

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If the E46 M3 could speak, it would say :irule: