Dave's = LMITW!

[TheDarkSide]

"Luckiest Man in the World"

As you all know traded my car in for a 2003 M3 Coupe. I did it because I did not have to put anything down and the payments and about the same.

Does anyone recognize my car from another forum and remeber any stories or anything? Apparently he was denied service so I am guessing why it was traded it:

Here is the list of things I notice about the car:


Driver Window; Auto-Up does not work
Shift knob in not illuminated at night
Engine light is on
Car’s throttle is very inconsistent.
Not sure if it was throttle or transmission related but sometimes from a stop I cannot get the car above like 30 mph. Shutting the car off and restarting it sometimes help. It feels like when you hit a speed limiter, or fuel cutoff.
Rear deck and passenger door panel rattles during shifts or when music plays.
A/C is very poor. In heat blows hot air. In shade or at night it will blow cold.
Handbrake is very weak
Passenger headlight fogs up when washing or when raining.
Back part inside the trunk; driver taillight falls out.
Side grill logo are faded
Side reflectors fill with water and are discolored.
Rotors pulsateLet me say that from reading the manual mine falls under the build date that came with LED tails but mine does not. the back part of the taillight where it clips to the front was busted so in turn had some sort of "ticky-tack" holding it there temporarily. I found it lying in my trunk. I know it will not be covered but it does piss me off.

OK, back to the story: I present these problems to Reeves this morning and they are like didn't you just bring this car in. I am like no, I just got the car. He brings up a service order from apparently fairly recent where the previous owner complained the above symptoms and engine light. The tech denied the work because the found that the cause for the bucking and jerking and engine light was electrical. It was notated that he had custom angel eyes and therefore the harness was modified. Well I go ape-****! Nobody in their right mind would believe this crap! I am going nuts telling them to explain how this works! Did he tap them into the engine wire harness, or how about the ones going to the tranny? Did he do that? He is like I am not sure sir, do you want me to see how much it would cost you to fix it? I was like I am taking it elsewhere.

-Pause- Who is familiar with the lights on an E46 M3? On 6-Speed the light up when you first start the car and start to go away as the car warms up, from there the last one stays lit at red-line. On SMG it does that same but also acts as a shift light and they all light up when you should shift. -Unpause-

The service adviser is like are you sure there is no other problems? I notice that your red-line light is on. I am like it is supposed to be on. He shrugs and keeps writing. WTF? Any way to pass the buck I guess. So I am like this is nuts, show me why it does not work. He is like I will get someone else you can talk to. He comes back 5 minutes later with either the shop master tech or shop foreman. He sits and reads the work order on the computer. I ask him what is going on. He is like I am not sure, and walks outside to my car. He pops the hood and looks at the headlights. He comes back and is like I am not sure, they look stock to me. I will take care of it. I am like look is this normal? When headlights mess up it directly relates to the engine performance. He is like no. I am like so lets say it is the headlights, if I lets say remove the fuse for the headlights, the car should run fine. He is like I don't think so, I will make a note that I am the one that works on it and talk to the original tech.

That's it. They give me a loaner and now I am at work FTW! :ballparty: I have the guy's registration still in the glove-box if someone can tell me if they recognize the guy's name. I could care less, I am not pissed at him, he is in the clear. I just want to see if he has any threads that bitch about what they said to him. My guess is that he sold the LED tails and angel eyes and anything else that was in there.

[LynxZ3r0]

Hmm.. it all sounds incredibly wierd to me... Like I said, I'll be happy to take a look at it anytime for you - Not sure I can tell you anything more than they can, but would happily try.

As far as angel eyes f'ing up the whole car - Possible but HIGHLY unlikely. If he went totally custom (ie: not Umnitza) and wired it directly into the alternator or battery post, theoretically it could short circuit and kill the alternator and/or any other electrical devices in the car.

I say theoretically because it's never happened (to my knowledge) on any car that I've read about.

Your poor throttle response and 1st gear lockup in 25mph sounds almost like the speed sensor is damaged - I assume those are in the rear diff in the E46 as well, but they go out occasionally (not often, but sometimes).

A/C is probably in need of a complete flush and refill (including new oil). I doubt highly the compressor would be dead at 30k. Though, it shouldn't need a flush and refill at 30k either.

Handbrake probably needs to be adjusted - perhaps the previous owner was into drifting. Generally if you don't adjust the e-brake weekly, it'll be shaved down enough to barely catch. Not a difficult fix.

Shift knob sounds like it shorted out - Common problem. Count yourself lucky, because when it happens on the Z3 bodies, it kills our headlights and dash lights also ;) Unsure on how to fix that on the E46 body, Z3s have to replace the potentiometer in the headlight switch, as that is where the fusable link is located.

Rattles and driver's window auto up sounds like the guy had custom stereo work done at Circuit City. :(

Passenger Headlight is not sealed correctly, probably related to botched angel eye install.

Edit: None of these problems sound like critical problems, just will take some time to get those bugs worked out. I doubt anything is highly amiss, just more than the previous owner knew how to fix after his crummy attempts at installs.

[silver-e34]

:eek: dont tell me you didnt have the car looked at by a certified tech before you bought it ?

[TheDarkSide]

I bought it at Lokey Mercedes. It is 2003 with 30k miles. Seemed perfect to me when I drove it. I thought a Mercedes dealer would be reputable :dunno:

[silver-e34]

i guess you learned that lesson the hard way

[TheDarkSide]

Wouldn't you assume they do that before they sell it?

[TheDarkSide]

Then again think about it...the guys that are telling me that the headlights are the cause of the problem are "certified techs", it would not get me real far :roll:

[LynxZ3r0]

Yeah, in general even the "certified" people don't know dick. They only know what they work on and what the manual tells them, in most cases. Sometimes you'll get a truly genuine person who just LOVES working on cars, not just doing it as a way to pay the bills.

I would suggest taking it back to the Merc dealer and being like "WTF is up bitches?" It should NOT have all these problems, and the fact that you're going to end up having to pay to fix them sucks.

I thought about it and you likely won't need a new headlight housing, depending on how the guy did the angel eyes. Can probably seal it up sufficiently with some good RTV, assuming he didn't butcher them.

Tail lights I'd suggest just biting the bullet and purchasing some new ones from Reeves.

Everything else seems to be more of a "open it up and do what needs to be done." Hard to predict what is needed.

[silver-e34]

the merc dealer got dicked as well they were just passing the buck and as we all know they will not take a loss and to be a ase certified tech it takes more than just reading books but unfortunately dealer techs make very good money so that tends to make them work more towards the dealers its not covered by warranty way of thinking so they look for excuses not to work on it or recomend unnecessary work or parts but not all are like that.im sure if you go back to the merc dealer they will say we have nothing to do with that its still under factory warranty unless they sold you some type of warranty if they did than go for it read exactly what it covers so you dont get dicked again.was this a merc certified used vehicle ?

[LynxZ3r0]

I'm not saying all they do is read the books.. but how many of these techs do you think do it because they like it? The money is good, they know that, we know that. Complacency leads to lack of care and understanding.

And yes, Merc will likely say "tough titties".. but it's worth a try. If you never try, you can never bitch, plain and simple.

[TheDarkSide]

So can we at least agree that you would not diagnose the symptoms as headlight? If it was we would all get lower wattage bulbs for HP increase.

[LynxZ3r0]

Of course. Theoretically it could **** up the electronics, but it is HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY unlikely. Many people ran angel eyes exactly how you SHOULDN'T run them for many years with no problems.

[kelso]

you shouldnt have to pay for that, id take it back to mercedes and rip them a new one. tell them to fix the bull**** or give you your car back? even if thats just a bluff see what they say

[silver-e34]

like lynx said higly unlikely i have never heard of it happening but that doesnt mean some know it all didnt dicide to run some wires where they werent supposed to go its all a matter of looking at the install and check to see if it was installed properly and if it was than it is definately 100% sure its not a headlight issue.and yes it doesnt hurt to go to the merc dealer and complain but like i said before see if they sold you a warranty or was it a sold-as-is vehicle

[TheDarkSide]

Let me ask this though, wouldn't the headlights or dash lights flicker or malfunction when the throttle is? The electronics in the car work flawless.

[LynxZ3r0]

The only potential electronic problems I see you as having are:

a) Your shift knob isn't lighting up (and AFAIK, SMG knobs still light up)
b) Your bad throttle response and 1st gear problems MIGHT be speed sensor related. It's an off chance, but it is a chance.

If the angel eyes had short circuited, you would likely see a LOT more fall out than that, yes.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/new346-12.jpg
Curious if your speed sensor is in the same location? I'm also curious if the previous owner swapped out a different differential on you ;) Sounds like he was more into the visual than the actual performance, but a 3.73 is one of the best go-fast mods EVER for an E46.

[LynxZ3r0]

Aha, small update... been reading up a little bit..

Apparently for several year E46 M3s the ignition coils they used were utter and complete crap and would cause your throttle issues and the CEL. Do a little research on that, try E46Fanatics. Not sure what years it affected, can't find it in quick order here while I'm trying to listen in class too ;)

[TheDarkSide]

I do not think it is that. When I tried reving it in neutral to was the same. From idle it look like 3-4 seconds to get over 3k rpms then after that it climbed much quicker, but I did let it drop down to idle again it would suck again.

[M52 POWER!]

WTF why can't they just run a scan tool and see wtf is throwing a code? This isn't hard? I'm thinking it's coils or CPS sensor...

[LynxZ3r0]

Yeah... Soon as I get my Carsoft adapter in, be happy to read the codes.. dunno why BMW won't just read the damn code and tell you whats wrong.. Audi did it for me once, took them a god awful long time, but they did it nonetheless.

[TheDarkSide]

This is the only thing I am thinking. I saw 1 of the clips missing from the intake piping. My guess is that he tried installing a K&N and maybe damaged the MAF? I remeber reading some threads about it a long time ago on M3Forum that they are relatively fragile and a few did not work after putting them back in even if you are super careful. :dunno:

[LDadrenaline]

Using the scanner to find out what code it's throwing requires work, and they'd much rather spend the 2 minutes it takes to tell you why they can't take it. Kevlar has one of the tools (out of the country right now), and it only took him like 2 minutes.

[LynxZ3r0]

I wonder if the E36 and E46 MAFs are interchangeable? If so, I have a good one you can try.

Edit: Looks like a no, just looked up the PNs and they are different.

[prophecy]

Yeah... Soon as I get my Carsoft adapter in, be happy to read the codes.. dunno why BMW won't just read the damn code and tell you whats wrong.. Audi did it for me once, took them a god awful long time, but they did it nonetheless.

dude i have a carsoft adapter for my laptop.. wish you would have said somethin! i wasnt very impressed with what it can do on my e36.. apparently it does more with other models though..

[TheDarkSide]

Awesome, if they give me **** I will just go pick it up and call BMWNA and ask them to investigate it.

[LynxZ3r0]

dude i have a carsoft adapter for my laptop.. wish you would have said somethin! i wasnt very impressed with what it can do on my e36.. apparently it does more with other models though..

Really? Seems like it does everything I need it for, but I haven't actually gotten to use it before.

Seems to do more than any of the other code readers, anyways - AutoEnginuity being the "best" of the affordable ones (don't tell me about the $3999.95 SnapOn one, thanks) and it doesn't do everything I'd like it to.

No biggy ;)

[AwesomeBMW]

Awesome, if they give me **** I will just go pick it up and call BMWNA and ask them to investigate it.
ive heard that BMWNA works hard at trying to please the customer... i was reading an article in a magaizine about this laywer in FL who works mostly with lemon law stuff and he said the easiest company's to deal with are Honda and BMW bc they always just want the customer to be happy and he said the most difficult is Porsche bc he said they never believe they do anything wrong

[JonnyChimpO]

well have you tried ferman... i know alot of the guys there... Ferman is great to me soooo... give them a try.

[LynxZ3r0]

+1 on BMWNA being very easy to deal with. EVERY Z3 owner who did not take fixing the rear subframe into their own hands and dealt with BMWNA was 100% fixed at no cost. Keep in mind, these vehicles are as much as ~7 yrs out of warranty!

It's too bad they only bring the Z3 bodies back to stock, and not actually reinforce. :( I'm kinda waiting for mine to break and saying "here, weld in this crap and stfu" ;)

[Roy]

Sticky Throttle Syndrome... Most M3's have it. It was a recall, just take that in to a dealership and they fix it for free..
Mine does it to, its' annoying..

E-Brake, just ask a mechanic to tighten it, the cables get loose sometimes. Happened quite often on my 325.
maybe?

As for the rest, you didn't notice any of this when you took it for a test drive or anything? I mean you can't notice it all, but none of this came up??

[Cokewell]

Dave, I'm down for a little visit to the dealership with you.

[J_dEAl]

damn dude....that really sucks ass. hope it all works out for you

[SlickShift]

Sorry to hear about the car...again. At least this one is under warranty and you don't have to climb under it! :D Hopefully Reeve's won't be too big of dicks and fix the stuff for you.

About the MAF sensor...they're really delicate. When I put the intake on my 323i I f*cked it up a little and it gave me a CEL ever once and a while. Good luck.

[TheDarkSide]

Only thing I saw was the engine light. The car ran fine, I was just nuts about getting rid of my car and knowing it would be under warranty I did not care. They said if I wanted I could bring it to them, they would give me a loaner and bring it themselves. I had a few other things like oil change I wanted to go over so I brought it myself.

[kelso]

cel= check engine light so thats another point for bad MAF

[ben]

Just hope that when you do get your car fixed, that these are the *only* issues with the car and there isn't anything else wrong with it.

I read about the service at Reeves from your m3forum.net post... certainly doesnt sound like a good experience :(

I bought my car at Bert Smith mainly because of the local E46 M3 owners I talked to (Chuck and Carlos). They recommend the dealership noting that their service department was very good.

The SA I dealt with there 'Dexter' was very nice. I even got a brand new E90 325 loaner while the M3 was in for the 1200 mile service. I must say though, that car was a slow pig! :)

Hope you get everything sorted out before Saturday.

[TheDarkSide]

Thanks Ben, yeah I always had the very best experiences at Bert smith. Just thought it would be a quick trip and it is closer so what the hell :roll:...I had not dealt with Ferman too much. I got in one fight with a SA there and he shut the door in my face. I called that into BMWNA. We will see if Reeves treats me right this time around, this is their last chance. :)

[Variance]

The SA I dealt with there 'Dexter' was very nice. I even got a brand new E90 325 loaner while the M3 was in for the 1200 mile service. I must say though, that car was a slow pig! :)


Dexter is a stand-up guy. He was also my SA when my car went in for an inspection and to get the window regulator replaced. Even gave me a free oil service coupon when they ordered the wrong wipers for the car. I'd whole-heartedly reccomend him.

[AwesomeBMW]

see i always worked with John Waterhouse in Service and then id go in and talked to my good and beautiful friend Sandra... the people over there are stand up and just get on their knees and do what ever they have to do for you... i would recomend Bert Smith over any other place in the world

[LynxZ3r0]

Keep us updated on the status.. if you need any help wrenching anything feel free to set something up on a Sunday and I'll bring the toolbox ;)

[TheDarkSide]

Awesome guys will do :thumbu:

:ditto: on John Waterhouse, he is the man.

[TheDarkSide]

**Update**

The SA called me today, said everything has been completed but are waiting on an injector that will be in tomorrow.

[JCapelo]

awsome....so the car will be ready for the meet?

so the injector was the only problem?

I kno on the e36the headlights have nothing to do with the injectors, lol

them crazy e46s

[Variance]

Headlight fluid injection, duh. It's the new big thing nowadays.

[The Weiner]

i love reeve's the suck my dick everytime i go in not to mention steeve is the man

[TheDarkSide]

They are so awesome! Hip Hip Hurray to Reeves!

[JonnyChimpO]

well glad to here everything is going toward a positive end.

[kelso]

sounds good, but who is paying for the services? free of charge or did you have to pay

[LynxZ3r0]

i love reeve's the suck my dick everytime i go in not to mention steeve is the man

:ditto:

Good to hear they apparently fixed everything. :)

[TheDarkSide]

100% Warranty :alright:

[LynxZ3r0]

/Pwnd! Good stuff :)

[TheDarkSide]

We will see tomorrow if I am just as excited....

[BavarianExpress]

good for you. are you going drive on sat.:thumbu: :germanflag:

[SlickShift]

So what was the final diagnosis on all the problems? Glad that Reeve's pulled through! :thumbu:

[TheDarkSide]

Not sure, they said they were waiting on an injector that will be there tomorrow. Not sure if it was that plus more or solely that :dunno:

[catchuk]

the parts guys are pretty cool over there at reeves too. Unfortunately I have to see them alot.

[JonnyChimpO]

so you get the news when..... hopefully it will be ready for the meet. i really want to see it.

[TheDarkSide]

I should get a call soon. If not I will call in like an hour ;)

[prophecy]

reeves == worst operation EVAR

[TheDarkSide]

:ditto:

[LynxZ3r0]

What did they do now?

[JonnyChimpO]

What did they do now?
:werd:

[prophecy]

more like what didnt they do.

first this

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9435/40pi.jpg

and this

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/1329/coilmelted8ei.jpg

and then after i bought the replacement parts to fix their $1200 estimate, they did this. forgot to put the pieces back together.

http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/9799/14lb1.jpg

total incompetence.

[LynxZ3r0]

HAHAHA! Ok sorry, I had to laugh. I looked at that first pic and was about to say, "Well there's your god damn problem Dave!"

Yeah, I don't let anyone touch my car for a reason. I've never talked to anyone for service, and never will. The guys in parts are cool though. :)

[JonnyChimpO]

dave.... any updates.

[TheDarkSide]

They said they changed the injector like they thought and that was not it. Said one on the main harnesses was crimped all wrong and was in way too lose. Had a very poor connection. :dunno: I will write what it says when I get home. The SA went home early so I am just going by the paper.

[TheDarkSide]

But it is working fine now, it will be there tonight!

[BavarianExpress]

sweet

[LDadrenaline]

woooo I'm stealing your car dave!

[JonnyChimpO]

well glad to here everything is ok. they paid for it right.

[TheDarkSide]

Yes sir! :cheers: