BMW Throttle Delay
Discussion
I just thought I'd make a post to let everyone know my recent experiences with my BMW. So, if you're thinking of buying a BMW, you're bored, or you are interested in accelerator pedals - please read on!
I bought a five year old 330 coupe from a BMW dealer two months ago. 330 coupes were proving very hard to find, and this one was immaculate. When the dealer only offered me a ten minute round the block test drive I reluctantly agreed. I had found a minter of a car with a very low mileage and in immaculate condition, so I parted with the cash there and then.
Three days in I was not happy!! The problem was the accelerator pedal.. If you come onto the throttle absolutely nothing happens for just under a second. In fact, you can stamp your foot up and down on the pedal and the engine just stays at the same revs regardless.
Obviously, hill starts and gear changes require practise, but bends are the real problem. You are left coasting on the way into a bend, and when the throttle bites it causes a jerk, usually just before the apex. In the dry this is annoying and ruins your enjoyment of the car, and in the wet it can be quite dangerous (DSC has rescued me on two occasions!). I will add that I am an experienced and successful racer and have driven lots of different cars of varying power on track (Nobles, Caterhams, Elises etc etc). I'm quite used to driving through bends at all speeds and I find this behaviour in my BMW impossible to live with, even at the lowish road speeds that I use it for.
I have written to BMW customer services, been to two dealers to have the car examined and apparently this is perfectly normal behaviour for a 2000 model 330ci!!! I have driven all models of 1 series and they all do it too; though to a much lesser extent so I don't think you'd notice unless you were pushing on. Isn't "pushing on" what BMWs are about though?
I just thought I'd highlight this problem on an open forum so that anyone thinking of buying a BMW ensures that they have a longer test drive than I did, and also knows what to look for in case it annoys them as much as it does me! Sadly, they've offered my £5k less than I paid for it trade in...
If you've made it this far through my post then do you have any car suggestions please? - my BMW has got to go before I drive it off a cliff in annoyance. I would like RWD, a balanced chassis, reasonable power and room for my cello and guitars!
I bought a five year old 330 coupe from a BMW dealer two months ago. 330 coupes were proving very hard to find, and this one was immaculate. When the dealer only offered me a ten minute round the block test drive I reluctantly agreed. I had found a minter of a car with a very low mileage and in immaculate condition, so I parted with the cash there and then.
Three days in I was not happy!! The problem was the accelerator pedal.. If you come onto the throttle absolutely nothing happens for just under a second. In fact, you can stamp your foot up and down on the pedal and the engine just stays at the same revs regardless.
Obviously, hill starts and gear changes require practise, but bends are the real problem. You are left coasting on the way into a bend, and when the throttle bites it causes a jerk, usually just before the apex. In the dry this is annoying and ruins your enjoyment of the car, and in the wet it can be quite dangerous (DSC has rescued me on two occasions!). I will add that I am an experienced and successful racer and have driven lots of different cars of varying power on track (Nobles, Caterhams, Elises etc etc). I'm quite used to driving through bends at all speeds and I find this behaviour in my BMW impossible to live with, even at the lowish road speeds that I use it for.
I have written to BMW customer services, been to two dealers to have the car examined and apparently this is perfectly normal behaviour for a 2000 model 330ci!!! I have driven all models of 1 series and they all do it too; though to a much lesser extent so I don't think you'd notice unless you were pushing on. Isn't "pushing on" what BMWs are about though?
I just thought I'd highlight this problem on an open forum so that anyone thinking of buying a BMW ensures that they have a longer test drive than I did, and also knows what to look for in case it annoys them as much as it does me! Sadly, they've offered my £5k less than I paid for it trade in...
If you've made it this far through my post then do you have any car suggestions please? - my BMW has got to go before I drive it off a cliff in annoyance. I would like RWD, a balanced chassis, reasonable power and room for my cello and guitars!
i had the same problem with my 2000 330i touring from brand new to 90000 miles which was one of the first 3 litres in the country - coicidentally, its when they switched to fly by wire throttle and made a shite job of it IMO
amazingly at the same time they advertised the fly by wire in the mags with a picture of a light switch - very apt because thats exactly how it worked, like a switch - the throttle was either on or off!
i had assumed it was because mine was a very early car, but it seems not
cheers
paul
amazingly at the same time they advertised the fly by wire in the mags with a picture of a light switch - very apt because thats exactly how it worked, like a switch - the throttle was either on or off!
i had assumed it was because mine was a very early car, but it seems not
cheers
paul
Thanks for the reply. It is reassuring to know that other people have had the same problem.
The delay is ridiculous!! I've no idea how I am supposed to control the car! During a gear change I come on the throttle before I've even let the clucth up. If correctly timed you get a smooth gearchange.
The delay is ridiculous!! I've no idea how I am supposed to control the car! During a gear change I come on the throttle before I've even let the clucth up. If correctly timed you get a smooth gearchange.
The Boxster is an obvious solution, but the 330 cost me £15,850 and that was really stretching. Its main appeal is the very low running costs (34mpg on the motorway, massive service intervals and it is relatively new). 968s are just a bit old and scare me with their running costs. Besides, where does the cello go?
Yes - if you ignore the throttle problem it is the best car I have ever owned, or probably ever will own.
Sadly, if you factor in that throttle delay it is easily the worst car that I have ever owned.
I am hoping that by posting on a forum I can save someone else the hassle of buying one and having to sell it again!
Sadly, if you factor in that throttle delay it is easily the worst car that I have ever owned.
I am hoping that by posting on a forum I can save someone else the hassle of buying one and having to sell it again!
RobM77 said:
Three days in I was not happy!! The problem was the accelerator pedal.. If you come onto the throttle absolutely nothing happens for just under a second. In fact, you can stamp your foot up and down on the pedal and the engine just stays at the same revs regardless.
having only read this post and not the replies I would like to add that "they all do that sir" or at least the five 2002 316i's, one 320i and one 330i that I use frequently at my office all do that, it's noticeably worse on the 316i's as I guess thy're set up to be less responsive and sporty...the symptoms are as describe ie you can actually depress the throttle to the floor and back without any change at all in revs if you do it quick enough...it makes for very jerky driving until you are used to it.
Tuning companies can make this delay smaller, but none can remove it. I have tried cars that have had the work done and they are still undriveable in my opinion.
This wouldn't bother me so much if BMW weren't the only company out there making refined, balanced rear wheel drive cars that you can fit a cello, two guitars and a week's luggage in!
This wouldn't bother me so much if BMW weren't the only company out there making refined, balanced rear wheel drive cars that you can fit a cello, two guitars and a week's luggage in!
What I want to know is how on earth can BMW have the cheek to own a slogan like 'the ultimate driving machine'?
My ex-girlfriend's Nissan Micra was genuinely more of an 'EVO' experience. OK, so the car wasn't balanced and rear wheel drive, but your throttle adjustments had an affect on the attitude of the car - i.e. you were *driving* the car round corners.
My ex-girlfriend's Nissan Micra was genuinely more of an 'EVO' experience. OK, so the car wasn't balanced and rear wheel drive, but your throttle adjustments had an affect on the attitude of the car - i.e. you were *driving* the car round corners.
I expect you can recoup your loss by buying a Vauxhall Signum which will have depreciated at the rate of a landslide and of course, may not stop. However, my experience of Astra and Zafira throttles is similar to your BMW so you may want to check this.
BTW, I appreciate it's FWD but it's hard to think of a car in your price range with RWD. Perhaps a Subaru WRX estate which tend to be cheaper than the saloons are they are stylisticaly challenged.
BTW, I appreciate it's FWD but it's hard to think of a car in your price range with RWD. Perhaps a Subaru WRX estate which tend to be cheaper than the saloons are they are stylisticaly challenged.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff