LCI E53 3.0i some questions

[quavey]

Evening guys, I joined a few years ago now when looking at E70's - back then I ended up buying a Supercharged L322 but several cars later I have acquired an E53 - not a car I ever really considered owning but I'm actually quite enjoying it. I swapped this one for another Range Rover I had and what I've ended up with is this:

3.0i Sport Auto building 02/04 I think it was
Options as far as I can see:

Comms Pack
Sliding Load Tray
Panoramic Roof
Leather
Running Boards
Ext. Mirror Upgrade

Anyway its an old BMW so its got a couple of issues, I'm currently working through most of them but one that is perplexing me at the moment is a very strange hesitation when moving off from rest. Particularly from a junction or onto a roundabout etc. It verges on the side of dangerous as the first inch of throttle pedal appears to do almost nothing and then a hair's width later causes a very swift surge of acceleration. It doesn't seem so bad when we are going and changes gear better than I expected I have to admit. The problem is when pulling out of a junction you are not sure its going to go unless you bury it and then it goes just fine!

I've done some research and actually found a few references to early 2004 3.0i's suffering from just this but a software update on the DME (version 38 or later) seems to cure it. I am familiar with INPA etc but I really don't feel very confidence attempting to code the car using Winfkp is there another tool I can use to update this module? Or should I just ask BMW to update it? I'm fairly friendly with the local dealer.

It does not have any codes stored or any other symptoms, it also idles perfectly smoothly with no hunting etc. However i did wonder if this was a DISA issue and what I'm experiencing is a lack of low down power?

[Alan Gunn]

Have you looked if there are any outstanding recalls for your car might've been one for your problem.

[quavey]

Yes I did look on the MOT website for recalls but I've not checked directly with BMW yet. I will try giving them a call, problem is if it goes in there no doubt they will come back with an enormous list! I have found some better step by step instructions for updating it using winfkp so I might have a look at that and if I can stay confident and keep it on a battery charger throughout it should be OK.

I did forget to put the picture of the old girl up!

IMG_8107.jpg (261.92 KiB) Viewed 1372 times

[marti]

Had the same issue on my 2004 e46, had it remapped 4yrs ago and all is good...instant response on the throttle and full power through the rev range.....had a mobile remap chap come to the house and did it...£250.

[quavey]

Had the same issue on my 2004 e46, had it remapped 4yrs ago and all is good...instant response on the throttle and full power through the rev range.....had a mobile remap chap come to the house and did it...£250.

Very interesting! Was that a 330ci? I had a 2001 330ci a couple of years ago as a track car and it wasnt like this but my late 03 530i was a bit similar to the X5 althoguh dont think its as bad.

[marti]

Had the same issue on my 2004 e46, had it remapped 4yrs ago and all is good...instant response on the throttle and full power through the rev range.....had a mobile remap chap come to the house and did it...£250.

Very interesting! Was that a 330ci? I had a 2001 330ci a couple of years ago as a track car and it wasnt like this but my late 03 530i was a bit similar to the X5 althoguh dont think its as bad.

Yes a 330ci..........had a very bad throttle response especially at junctions and roundabouts to the point I wouldnt pull away until it was totally clear......was dangerous.

[quavey]

Very interesting, to be honest this seems worst when its cold. I've used it today but still this very definite lack of response. I will attempt to update the software on it soon and see how it does.

[Themoog2]

How about cleaning the maf, throttle body and disa? It may be something simple.