Cold Start problem fixed!

astan100 · Sat, Sep-13-2003, 03:07:19 PM

Hey guys,

I just got my inspection I done and I mentioned the cold start thing, but I knew that all M3's did that.

They said that they could update my DME...and since I don't have it chipped or anything, I said what the hell, it can't make anything worse...

So, they did something to it (I knew they did this for E46's, but I didn't know anything about our cars) and it is much better now. When I start it up, I don't have to wait and let the engine almost stall itself out a few times without any input from me. I can drive it immediately and it only feels a little funny and now the gas doesn't feel timid until the oil is a little warm.

I'm saying that you should floor it around right off start now, but it feels a lot better. It's still not perfect, but I feel our cars aren't supposed to be anyway.

I highly recommend taking it in to a local dealer if your car isn't chipped and have them do this.

**Cleveland** · Sat, Sep-13-2003, 04:38:20 PM

I had the same thing done about a year ago. DME upgrade free of charge. I got tired of the car almost stalling out when I would first start it up in the morning. From what I gather, a lot of people still don't know it's available.

MSantillana · Sun, Sep-14-2003, 07:10:27 AM

Hi.. this may sound like a real stupid question but what is a DME upgrade ?...this is my first time hearing about it.....i just got my m3 about a month ago and im still learning about the car by researching online and forums. i dont really know much yet, but maybe you guys can help me. i have a 97 m3 with 72,000 miles on it. when i start the car, it does get kinda rough with some vibrations and a bit of shaking then it goes away. it isnt really that bad ....i have read that other people have this same issue with their m3's . I have also read somewhere that it is normal. In anycase, if there's a way to resolve this problem through the dealer without getting charged, i figured why not. did you say it was free?

thenx in advance for any replies!

astan100 · Sun, Sep-14-2003, 03:04:41 PM

Yes, I reached someone. Glad you read the post.

The DME upgrade is kinda like chipping your car...you know, like sharking it. It isn't extreme though...it just remaps fuel and stuff like that. It is the computer that controls everything.

I think anyway. Whatever it does exactly, who cares, the point is that this helped enormously. I don't have that shaking and almost dying/exploding thing in the mornings anymore which is a really nice touch. It still feels a little funny, but not nearly as bad.

All M3's do this including the new ones, but this will make it a little more bearable.

It is very common, so if you go to the dealer, they'll know what you're talking about. Just mention DME upgrade and cold start in the same sentence and they'll hook you up.

Call first of course.

MSantillana · Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:36:40 AM

Good info!

Thenx for the help.
I understand it now. I will surely call the dealer and ask them about it.

emn120_dude · Mon, Sep-15-2003, 01:26:49 PM

So what is the true reason for the rough idle on a cold start? My car seems to get worse. I'm sure when this car was brand new, it wouldn't do this. Obviously something "changed".

WytLytnyn · Mon, Sep-15-2003, 02:10:23 PM

You may also have carbon buildup around the injectors....

emn120_dude · Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:06:37 PM

Wouldn't that cause it to run rough all the time? I believe I have the same problem as most, it goes away once the car has warmed after about a minute.

astan100 · Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:41:25 PM

Okay, so after a few more days of this...the problem isn't entirely fixed, but it is better I think. The car doesn't groan and almost die and the revs don't bounce around on their own like it used to. It still isn't super fun to drive right away, but overall I think this helped quite a bit.

BlkBimM3R · Mon, Sep-22-2003, 07:19:42 PM

did you get a receipt or anything? what is the procedure called or is there some type of service/recall/or order #? I'm going to see if Pacific BMW will do this procedure and if I can get an appt this weekend but I want to know what its called incase they don't know about it or feel like not doing it for free or something... I've had pretty good exp w/ them in the past but I'd rather go in asking/stating what its oficially called than for the service guy to be like "what? free?!? what??"...

Sat, Sep-13-2003, 03:07:19 PM	#1
astan100 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Age: 31 Posts: 3,189 Reputation: 0 Location: Hoboken, NJ	Cold Start problem fixed! Hey guys, I just got my inspection I done and I mentioned the cold start thing, but I knew that all M3's did that. They said that they could update my DME...and since I don't have it chipped or anything, I said what the hell, it can't make anything worse... So, they did something to it (I knew they did this for E46's, but I didn't know anything about our cars) and it is much better now. When I start it up, I don't have to wait and let the engine almost stall itself out a few times without any input from me. I can drive it immediately and it only feels a little funny and now the gas doesn't feel timid until the oil is a little warm. I'm saying that you should floor it around right off start now, but it feels a lot better. It's still not perfect, but I feel our cars aren't supposed to be anyway. I highly recommend taking it in to a local dealer if your car isn't chipped and have them do this. __________________ 99 Cosmos M3 with Modena Interior. Mods: Carbonio CAI,Bilstein Struts/Shocks,SS Brake Lines,K-mac Camber Plates, Stellar Alarm In the Market for: Ellipsoids + HIDs (R.I.P- Bosch Housings with 4300k HID's.), a ZKW fog light bracket...not sure which side yet. Recently installed: New set of Rear Bilsteins with RE RSMs To be installed: UUC Red TME's, Alpine Head Unit/Sirius Current annoying M3 problems: wind noise from badly aligned windows

Sat, Sep-13-2003, 04:38:20 PM	#2
Cleveland ///M POWERED Join Date: Oct 2002 Age: 44 Posts: 7,379 Reputation: 1172 Location: Heaven	It does make a difference I had the same thing done about a year ago. DME upgrade free of charge. I got tired of the car almost stalling out when I would first start it up in the morning. From what I gather, a lot of people still don't know it's available. __________________ R E M E M B E R O U R T R O O P S True leaders are not those who strive to be first, but those who are first to strive and give their all for the success of the team. They can be identified by the clarity of their vision, the strength of their actions, and the integrity of their intent. A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, and the courage to make tough decisions. A true leader has compassion, and is willing to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but he becomes one by the confidence that he inspires in others. He commands the respect of his peers, and is humbled by the admiration of his followers. True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan, and empower the team for action. By the strength of the leader's commitment, the power of the team is unleashed.

Sun, Sep-14-2003, 07:10:27 AM	#3
MSantillana ///M3 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 128 Reputation: 0	Hi.. this may sound like a real stupid question but what is a DME upgrade ?...this is my first time hearing about it.....i just got my m3 about a month ago and im still learning about the car by researching online and forums. i dont really know much yet, but maybe you guys can help me. i have a 97 m3 with 72,000 miles on it. when i start the car, it does get kinda rough with some vibrations and a bit of shaking then it goes away. it isnt really that bad ....i have read that other people have this same issue with their m3's . I have also read somewhere that it is normal. In anycase, if there's a way to resolve this problem through the dealer without getting charged, i figured why not. did you say it was free? thenx in advance for any replies! __________________ Mark - '03 Steel Gray ///M3 - 6MT

Sun, Sep-14-2003, 03:04:41 PM	#4
astan100 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Age: 31 Posts: 3,189 Reputation: 0 Location: Hoboken, NJ	Yes, I reached someone. Glad you read the post. The DME upgrade is kinda like chipping your car...you know, like sharking it. It isn't extreme though...it just remaps fuel and stuff like that. It is the computer that controls everything. I think anyway. Whatever it does exactly, who cares, the point is that this helped enormously. I don't have that shaking and almost dying/exploding thing in the mornings anymore which is a really nice touch. It still feels a little funny, but not nearly as bad. All M3's do this including the new ones, but this will make it a little more bearable. It is very common, so if you go to the dealer, they'll know what you're talking about. Just mention DME upgrade and cold start in the same sentence and they'll hook you up. Call first of course. __________________ 99 Cosmos M3 with Modena Interior. Mods: Carbonio CAI,Bilstein Struts/Shocks,SS Brake Lines,K-mac Camber Plates, Stellar Alarm In the Market for: Ellipsoids + HIDs (R.I.P- Bosch Housings with 4300k HID's.), a ZKW fog light bracket...not sure which side yet. Recently installed: New set of Rear Bilsteins with RE RSMs To be installed: UUC Red TME's, Alpine Head Unit/Sirius Current annoying M3 problems: wind noise from badly aligned windows

Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:36:40 AM	#5
MSantillana ///M3 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 128 Reputation: 0	Good info! Thenx for the help. I understand it now. I will surely call the dealer and ask them about it. __________________ Mark - '03 Steel Gray ///M3 - 6MT

Mon, Sep-15-2003, 01:26:49 PM	#6
emn120_dude Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 77 Reputation: 0 Location: Georgia	So what is the true reason for the rough idle on a cold start? My car seems to get worse. I'm sure when this car was brand new, it wouldn't do this. Obviously something "changed". __________________ 1997 Cosmos Black Sedan 5 Speed Shark Injected K&N Filter with Custom Heat Shield SuperSprint Exhaust ERT Underdrive Pulley Clear Side Lamps Clear Corner Lamps Front and Rear Stut Bars Alpine 7894 Head Unit Infinity Basslink Subwoofer 35% Tint Aluminum Pedals Bavarian Autosport Bra Xenon Fog Lights Zimmerman Crossdrilled Rotors Euro Ellipsoid with Angel Eyes

Mon, Sep-15-2003, 02:10:23 PM	#7
WytLytnyn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,220 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Atlanta	You may also have carbon buildup around the injectors.... __________________ Current: 2005 Titaniumsilber M3 Coupe Dinan Stage 1 software UUC EVO 3 + DSSR Look Ma! No sunroof! "Wood" trim! Unpowered Cloth Seats! NAV! Michelin Pilot Super Sports on OEM 19's "If everything is under control, you are just not driving fast enough!" - Sir Stirling Moss

Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:06:37 PM	#8
emn120_dude Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 77 Reputation: 0 Location: Georgia	Wouldn't that cause it to run rough all the time? I believe I have the same problem as most, it goes away once the car has warmed after about a minute. __________________ 1997 Cosmos Black Sedan 5 Speed Shark Injected K&N Filter with Custom Heat Shield SuperSprint Exhaust ERT Underdrive Pulley Clear Side Lamps Clear Corner Lamps Front and Rear Stut Bars Alpine 7894 Head Unit Infinity Basslink Subwoofer 35% Tint Aluminum Pedals Bavarian Autosport Bra Xenon Fog Lights Zimmerman Crossdrilled Rotors Euro Ellipsoid with Angel Eyes

Mon, Sep-15-2003, 03:41:25 PM	#9
astan100 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Age: 31 Posts: 3,189 Reputation: 0 Location: Hoboken, NJ	Okay, so after a few more days of this...the problem isn't entirely fixed, but it is better I think. The car doesn't groan and almost die and the revs don't bounce around on their own like it used to. It still isn't super fun to drive right away, but overall I think this helped quite a bit. __________________ 99 Cosmos M3 with Modena Interior. Mods: Carbonio CAI,Bilstein Struts/Shocks,SS Brake Lines,K-mac Camber Plates, Stellar Alarm In the Market for: Ellipsoids + HIDs (R.I.P- Bosch Housings with 4300k HID's.), a ZKW fog light bracket...not sure which side yet. Recently installed: New set of Rear Bilsteins with RE RSMs To be installed: UUC Red TME's, Alpine Head Unit/Sirius Current annoying M3 problems: wind noise from badly aligned windows

Mon, Sep-22-2003, 07:19:42 PM	#10
BlkBimM3R Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,311 Reputation: 0 Location: So Cali	did you get a receipt or anything? what is the procedure called or is there some type of service/recall/or order #? I'm going to see if Pacific BMW will do this procedure and if I can get an appt this weekend but I want to know what its called incase they don't know about it or feel like not doing it for free or something... I've had pretty good exp w/ them in the past but I'd rather go in asking/stating what its oficially called than for the service guy to be like "what? free?!? what??"...

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