[justwanttoknowmore]

323i 2009 tiptronic. been having a strange idling issue at cold start up in which the car while in reverse will rev above 1000 down to 500 rpm irregularly. the car will actually accelerate decelerate in reverse until car rpm normalizes.

had car into shop three times now and second time they said a software update is out that fixes issue. well it happened again and this time bmw service says
to use low grade fuel 89 only from shell or esso or petrocan. do not use chevron 94 as they say some additive is in the fuel? so get lower performance and lower gas mileage with a high end car? wtf?

they said two to three cars a week are coming in with the same issue? i think clearly a class action lawsuit is in order as my car came this way delivered day one! wondering if anyone else has noticed this? my bmw dealer is bmw store in van and they are a bunch of jokers. latest trip there they lost insurance papers for the car?

too bad because the car has been great otherwise for a small intermittent rattle


would like to know if anyone else is having this issue in canada? 2009 323i is only avail here.

[smallseafishie]

wow use lower grade fuel? I'd get them to get that in writing so you can slap them in court.

Maybe a leaky intake manifold gaket?

[GewoW]

I smell BS.

And FYI I gave in my 335 with 88000KM and used Petro Can 94 99% of the time (otherwise Shell 91) and it was running smooth like BUTTA.

[matrix76]

I have the same problem. They did the software update and, the 2nd time it was in, they did a firmware update that they was just released. My concern with this issue is that when reversing, cold, the car sometimes will get away from you so you have to be on the brake right away. I will say though that since all the updates have been done the fuel mileage has improved and the heavy black carbon build up at the tailpipe has been reduced.

[Saintor]

do not use chevron 94 as they say some additive is in the fuel? so get lower performance and lower gas mileage with a high end car?

I guess that he was telling you to use 91 instead of 94, as recommended by BMW. I doubt that it is the reason of your problem.

Three visits and still not fixed - I feel for you. Did you leave it overnight for real cold start? You can also take a video. When I brought a video of my valve clicking on cold start to my dealer, there was no longer question.

[bulldog_yyc]

sounds like BS

[justwanttoknowmore]

there is something wrong with the engine in the 323i series and bMW should fix it.

i will post the repair sheet that the bmw store shop stated as reason for the issue and maybe we will get some results. great forum. i will be talking to bmw canada customer service tomorrow and will post their answer as well.

i think i will use 91 regardless of what they say and avoid 94 for now. im told the car is uptodate with latest software by the shop.

[justwanttoknowmore]

Originally Posted by matrix76

I have the same problem. Got mine from Brian Jessel in Van. As well, it has been in a few times for this issue. They did the software update and, the 2nd time it was in, they did a firmware update that they was just released. My concern with this issue is that when reversing, cold, the car sometimes will get away from you so you have to be on the brake right away. I will say though that since all the updates have been done the fuel mileage has improved and the heavy black carbon build up at the tailpipe has been reduced. Honestly, if I lived closer to Van I would continue to send the car in to clear up this problem but I find these appointments take up too much of my time so I am living with it for now. Class action, count me in.

Oh ya, my car still shakes when I start it, even when it is warmed up.

I did have a bigger problem with my car, read in this thread, post #10 is the wrap-up, http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380107

by the way what fuel consumption are you getting with yours? i get in the city about 400km a tank. using 94 grade. highway about 600km. sound about right?

[Casca]

Yeah, many times when I call in about a problem with a product I bought from a place, they tell me someone else is to blame. I guess you switching to different fuels will get you off their backs for a while and who knows, maybe even when the problem comes back again you'll still think it's because of the octane of the fuel instead of having them actually figure out what the deal is.

[justwanttoknowmore]

Originally Posted by Saintor

I guess that he was telling you to use 91 instead of 94, as recommended by BMW. I doubt that it is the reason of your problem.

Three visits and still not fixed - I feel for you. Did you leave it overnight for real cold start? You can also take a video. When I brought a video of my valve clicking on cold start to my dealer, there was no longer question.

i have a video and they fully admit that issue exists but have no idea how to fix it.. fyi i had a loaner 2009 323i and it does the same thing. this is only a cold start issue, once the car is warmed up you cannot reproduce the issue. 24 hour wait and the issue is back. the second software up date did seem to fix the issue but the problem came back again last week. it is a minor issue but clearly a defect. i do like everything else about the car so it is frustrating. quite simply a video on youtube of this could get bmw canadas attention ill get bmw na response tomorrow.

[ToXiC]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesnt chevron 94 have 10% ethanol? I think that may be the reason they are telling you to stay away from it.. AFAIK Shell 91 doesnt have any ethanol, but I'm not positive.. Regardless of whether that is the cause of your problems or not, from what I have heard, it's a good idea to stay away from fuels with added ethanol..

Concering your issue OP, this only happens on cold start, correct? And it will go away if you let the car idle for a minute? I notice my revs jump around a bit on cold start, but I always just assumed that was normal... However, my car has an n54 so idk if that makes a difference...

for the record, I only use shell 91

Whatever it is, I hope you get everything sorted out

[mimiandi]

are you still experiencing this issue? 400km a tank? that's a bit on the low side? I think i get at least 500km...i drive between work and do drive on canada 1 but during rush hours so it aint really driving on the highway. i got mine from bmw store as well.

[chenx15]

must be the HPFP... i joke i joke... that kind of suck man. sorry to hear that.

[hipnotic]

something is not right

[ninesixtwo]

horrible thread title.

[Alexandro]

well if it makes you feel better about mileage, I think I'm one of the worst: 17 l /100 km, for a 2008 E90 328i. My area is very hilly and my commute is short. So I was told that is still normal albeit on the high side.
On the highway, I managed to get 7 l /100km.