Re: <E36 M3> Missing at idle - Dealer says normal

[George R Carr Jr <george.r.carr.jr@xxxxxxxxx>]

> All,

> I bought a 1995 BMW M3 approximately four weeks ago.  I recently noticed
> that the engine was randomly missing at idle speeds.  I discovered the
> behavior while listening to the exhaust.   You can hear the typical "puff"
> sound usually heard when one cylinder doesn't fire.  You can also feel a
> subtle vibration through the car when it occurs.  However, there is no loss
> of power while driving at normal speeds.
>
> I took the car to my local dealer (Crown BMW) to have it checked out.  They
> put the car on their computer and informed me that there was nothing wrong.
> They said this is normal for the M3.  They said a change in timing occurs at
> idle speeds to help keep the car within emission standards.  They said that
> this is what causes the random miss.
>
> I am struggling with this explanation and searching for a second opinion.
> My warrantee runs out in less than two months.  Can any other M3 owners
> confirm this behavior or validate the dealers diagnosis?
>
> Thanks for any help,
> - - Bryan Davis
> rbdavis@domain.elided

I seen that one on my car.

I just left my dealer (9/18/98 AM) with the same kind of story on my 98
M3/4 with 3600 miles on it. My car idles a bit rough and is a bit sluggish
(retarded) the first couple minutes when first started up cold (overnight).
It is annoying to be told that's NORMAL! My VW's never did that, including
my highly motified 79 Scirocco. I asked the dealer whether one of the after
market chip changes would help. He didn't know. I'm planning on a JimC's
(but I'm also waiting for some time to get to the mountains)

Thanks.

George R Carr Jr        303-649-7568          __   __
General Dynamics Information Systems   / / / /  | /  |    ______
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