BMW Engine Light (engine losing power)

eddiem74

I have 2008 BMW 320i Coupe. Over the last couple of weeks I felt like it was losing power, stuttering a bit, and not accelerating as quick. Initially I thought it might have been dirty petrol, however in the meantime I had refilled in a different garage and still the same. Then this week a light came on intermittently that indicated an engine fault around losing power.

I tried to book into Joe Duffys as its the nearest garage to me, however their computer was down for diagnostics since last week, and they could not tell me when it would be back? So I went to Frank Keane.

Car was in this morning, and they ran a diagnostics, and carried out the free summer check. And the result was €83 charge for today to tell me the software needs to be updated as its quite old (new appointment €135+VAT) and that might fix the problem.

I'm no car expert or mechanic, but does a software update make sense or is it going to be software update done, now we need to look at the engine itself?

Thought's ?

DublinDilbert

eddiem74 wrote: »

I have 2008 BMW 320i Coupe. Over the last couple of weeks I felt like it was losing power, stuttering a bit, and not accelerating as quick. Initially I thought it might have been dirty petrol, however in the meantime I had refilled in a different garage and still the same. Then this week a light came on intermittently that indicated an engine fault around losing power.

I tried to book into Joe Duffys as its the nearest garage to me, however their computer was down for diagnostics since last week, and they could not tell me when it would be back? So I went to Frank Keane.

Car was in this morning, and they ran a diagnostics, and carried out the free summer check. And the result was €83 charge for today to tell me the software needs to be updated as its quite old (new appointment €135+VAT) and that might fix the problem.

I'm no car expert or mechanic, but does a software update make sense or is it going to be software update done, now we need to look at the engine itself?

Thought's ?

Doesn't sound right to be honest. The car ran fine when it was delivered, so why not now. Does it only stutter intermittently? or does it do it all the time?

Is the car not still under warranty? If they are saying there is an issue with the software that was on the car when it was delivered I would be expecting it for free, even if your just outside warranty.

Victor_M

eddiem74 wrote: »

I have 2008 BMW 320i Coupe. Over the last couple of weeks I felt like it was losing power, stuttering a bit, and not accelerating as quick. Initially I thought it might have been dirty petrol, however in the meantime I had refilled in a different garage and still the same. Then this week a light came on intermittently that indicated an engine fault around losing power.

I tried to book into Joe Duffys as its the nearest garage to me, however their computer was down for diagnostics since last week, and they could not tell me when it would be back? So I went to Frank Keane.

Car was in this morning, and they ran a diagnostics, and carried out the free summer check. And the result was €83 charge for today to tell me the software needs to be updated as its quite old (new appointment €135+VAT) and that might fix the problem.

I'm no car expert or mechanic, but does a software update make sense or is it going to be software update done, now we need to look at the engine itself?

Thought's ?

Oxygen sensor would be my guess, common fault on the older E46 3 series, it never ceases to amaze me how the garages act as if your problem is the very first time they have seen that particular issue (not just this issue any time I've been in over the years with my cars, not matter how frequently occuring the issue they act like they've never seen it before).
Obviously it may be something else but €250 worth of diagnostics is crazy, if it's out of warranty bring it to AC car sales on the south circular road keep the FBMW service history with the main dealers by all means but get AC to do any work like that.

cycocycle

Software doesnt become ineffective unless some other change has been made elsewhere with a direct effect on that software.A problem with modern diagnostics is the people using the equipment dont always know how to interpret the results of a test.
Your problem could be as simple as a loose connection or hose or something more involved like a dead MAF unit or oxygen sensor.

Muckie

Would have guessed MAF by your discribition.

But thats mad about a software problem, so there's nothing to say that

next year another "software problem" will a rise.

What ever happened to faulty sensor/part replace and on you

go for another 60,000miles.

Anan1

eddiem74 wrote: »

And the result was €83 charge for today to tell me the software needs to be updated as its quite old (new appointment €135+VAT) and that might fix the problem.

I'm no car expert or mechanic, but does a software update make sense or is it going to be software update done, now we need to look at the engine itself?

Thought's ?

My mother has a 2007 320d that had problems with the rain-sensing wipers for almost two years. Neither Maxwell nor M&G Milltown could fix it in spite of repeated visits. Joe Duffy in Dun Laoghaire finally did a software update under warranty that cured the problem. As an aside, the car is running a lot better since - smoother gearchanges, quieter etc.

eddiem74

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Does it only stutter intermittently? or does it do it all the time?

Is the car not still under warranty?

Warranty is up since January.

It's usually a lack of power when you try to accelerate. It an automatic, so its like when you are not in sport mode you usually get a slight delay in acceleration, but this is more noticeable, and feels like its about to die, kinda chugs, and eventually accelerates, but it does feel like it hasn't the same speed/power.

I would say generally the car is not feeling as responsive as it did, and it all seems intermitent. For example the warning light came on the other day 5-6 times, and not since for example.

I must say the reason for my post was, when the service agent came back to me and said you need a software update, I was thinking what the heck has that got to do with acceleration/engine power problems? I did ask him, and he basically said the update could resolve the issue, and if it didn't then they would have to look at injectors, etc.. This was when I started feeling, am I being screwed here........i.e. fix every issue first except the actual one !

R.O.R

Oh Oh, sounds like the same issue we've had with all the 08 316's, 318's, 320's and even a late 07 523 - all Petrol.

I'd put money on it being at least one coil, maybe more - or if you are really unlucky, it could be an injector.

All were giving the same issue - engine light on and chugging under acceleration. Usually change the 1 coil that's gone and wait for the next one or 2 to go. Once a second coil has gone then they'll replace them all.

It's a major issue with the Effecient Dynamic Petrol models, hopefully you won't have the issues with the injectors. I think we'ver replaced 14 at this stage on the 07 5 Series, and I found out again last week it's giving the same problem again.

Muckie

:eek: "Best build cars in the World..." So the saying went.

Shame really loved the 80's car, fecking tanks they were.

f22

I had the same issue with a 04 325ci years ago, and as mentioned it was a coil. They replaced all the coils (aparently the ones used were pure ****) and never had a moments trouble.

eddiem74

Thanks for the feedback guys, I am gonna drop an email to some other dealers with this info, and say what responses I get.

CaraFawn

eddiem74 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback guys, I am gonna drop an email to some other dealers with this info, and say what responses I get.

Do not lose your time sending emails to dealers seriously, one they will not tell you over an email what your problem is, 2 they will ask you to come down and charge you a lot for the diagnostic and overcharge you for parts.
Just go to an indy such as AC Car Sales as already mentionned.
http://www.accarsales.ie