Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 3-Series Starting Problems

95 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 10

#79 of 95 Re: You All Won't Believe This One [dholifield1] by 55396

Jan 06, 2013 (11:17 am)

Replying to: dholifield1 (Sep 27, 2012 12:23 pm)
My 08 Certified 528i has had the entire drivers side and hood repainted, and not well done either. It was certified 7k miles. The older gal who owned it acted surprised when I asked and said it had not been. I assumed she wasn't telling the truth, as BMW would NEVER do such a thing and then certify it. Now I'm not so sure. Would this be acceptable to BMW as a car to certify? I spose the car is still OK, still................... If so and not stated, I would feel deceived.

#80 of 95 Re: You All Won't Believe This One [55396] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2013 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Jan 06, 2013 11:17 am)
There's nothing in the guidelines that prohibits a car that has been repainted from being certified; however, the guidelines presume that the repaint is of an acceptable standard. Here's what it says:
 
"Depending on the location and extent, most
cosmetic shortcomings should be repaired prior to offering the vehicle for sale under the CPO program"
 
The question is, what are "cosmetic shortcomings?" the guidelines do specify that dents, or chips down to primer or metal are not acceptable and should be repaired, but it says nothing about things like orange peel or mis-matched colors.

#81 of 95 2006 BMW 330i starting issues by tggary

Feb 08, 2013 (2:53 pm)

I recently had a bad misfire on my 2006 330i Sedan one cold morning, a coil going for the second time in three months. The first time in 9/12 they replaced ignition coil 2 and two weeks ago all six were replaced, an oil gasket leak fixed and some bushings done too -- all under third party Warranty but still paid 562 smackers on my own (100 deductible). Since the service my car slow cranks a lot and I did get very poor gas mileage for a week or so afterward. Car has 49,060 on her, and first coil went down at 47.4K.
 
This morning the car barely started in the wintry conditions, around 30 degrees F so far but ice and snow and high winds as the blizzard is approaching, and then after some 1500 to 2000 RPM idle time with the aid of my foot, waiting until after the car warmed up a bit before I did that, the car started a lot quicker in the next two attempts. I ended with a 5 minute stint at 1750 RPMs as I am hoping to keep enough of a battery charge to rectify the problem without jumping or towing. I already took the flashlight to the trunk but couldn't tell if the indicator was light yellow or pale green - it definitely wasn't black.
 
I am thinking how I can steer around the Stealer and buy and properly install a near top of the line Duralast Platinum AGM which goes for about $155 at Autozone. Then I will just need a shop referral to get it installed, programmed and registered correctly. Right?
 
I wish I could just install it myself, but even Autozone says no way - Do Not Install Yourself...bummer.
 
I do take far too many very short drives so this may have depleted my battery. There are no changes in digital readouts or low battery warnings upon starting - just very slow cranks half the time, no clicks and worse in the cold. At 40F or above, she always kicks over more easily. Any suggestions re: battery preferred without the BMW Service ripoff will be appreciated. Aside from battery, could the coils be involved in the slow cranks?
 
TGGary

#82 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [tggary] by 55396

Feb 08, 2013 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: tggary (Feb 08, 2013 2:53 pm)
The coil's function is to just zap the spark plug. I don't see what that would have to do with cranking. That may just be a low battery, especially since it improved after running/charging. I would take it on a longer drive to insure a good charge, or throw a charger on it before buying something you don't need. If it has the problem a day or so after, you probably have your answer.
 
 I have never bought a top of the line battery. $155? Yeow. For that they should install free. Why shouldn't you do it yourself?
 
If the CCA's etc. are adequate or better than OEM, any battery should be fine but check the warranty. I usually buy mine at SAMS or Fleet Farm.

#83 of 95 Slow cranks by tggary

Feb 08, 2013 (7:44 pm)

55396 - Good advice - I'll take it and also take that long drive. Autozone says only a BMW tooled shop can set the battery up to the computer etc.. just as the Stealer says...otherwise I would do it myself. The reason why I want a high cold amp battery for 155 bucks is that it will be stronger than the BMW stock one and will start the car easier in freezing temps, here in New York, Connecticut and when we go to Canada in the winter.

#84 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [55396] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (11:21 am)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 08, 2013 5:57 pm)
$155 is about the going rate for a BMW battery. Just had mine replaced a few months ago.

#85 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [reply to 55396] by tggary

Feb 09, 2013 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: 55396 (Feb 08, 2013 5:57 pm)
Update 55936: We had the blizzard last night and the 330i was covered in snow and ice, and in the high 20s outside - it was parked outside for about 18 hours after I high idled it to recharge, and the car started up after 2 slow cranks and then 3 faster ones...as I had to dig out and de-ice/snow the Bimmer and the old Benz outside, I kept both cars on and turned the low heater setting on the BMW to dislodge the ice while shoveling the street and sidewalk.
 
Then after about 20 minutes, I jumped into the 330i and idled at 2000RPM for about 4 to 5 minutes. Tomorrow the wife and will go out to the trunk to read the indicator again as I am a bit color blind - it's either light green or yellow (I know it's not black)...if yellow I will replace ASAP. If it's green I will take the car on a long highway trip to see if the starting action snaps back into strong --
Will update. Tonight it's hitting 18F around here so if it starts tomorrow I know I will get to the Stealer or Autozone before a jump or tow.

#86 of 95 DIY Battery replace by 55396

Feb 09, 2013 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: tggary (Feb 08, 2013 7:44 pm)
Here is a You Tube video on replacing a battery in a 2001 E46 but gives you the idea. $120.
 
link title

#87 of 95 Battery for 2006 330i E90 - by tggary

Feb 09, 2013 (2:08 pm)

155 bucks plus core if I go to Autozone, 248 plus 120 labor plus taxes if Stealer...

#88 of 95 Re: 2006 BMW 330i starting issues [kyfdx] by 55396

Feb 09, 2013 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 09, 2013 11:21 am)
$90 to $142 here but I didn't check details.
 
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=battery+48/H6#q=battery+48/H6&hl=en&tbs- =p_ord:p&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=nCUXUe3vFKTR2QXSvIHAAQ&ved=0CC0Quw0oAQ&bav=on.2,or.r_g- c.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42080656,d.b2I&fp=d3ac23762ef5e591&biw=1014&bih=548
 
More things I found.
 
I believe that Johnson Controls is phasing out the old group 48 battery and replacing it with this design, designated as an H6 battery. At least the Wal-Mart battery catalog says that the group 48 battery is being phased out. No stock on the old-style group 48 battery at either Wal-Mart here, only the newer H6 battery.
 
That design has shown up at Wal-Mart. It says "Distributed by Johnson Controls" on it. I've seen that design before; it looks like a Varta battery (Varta is owned by Johnson Controls).
 
Varta is a major OEM for the German car companies. Almost every Audi I've ever seen had one installed at the factory.

Messages Page 9 of 10

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement