So i test drove my 2nd e46 yesterday at a dealer, and initially, i thought the car felt strangely under-powered. It seemed less powerful than the last one I drove, which was a private party car. I drove the car for an inspection, and told the BMW specialist what I thought on the way there...and he made a point to take it for a drive.

he said the car felt perfectly fine, and that what it was was probably that the car had been sitting for quite a while, and that it wasn't warm enough. He went on to explain that the e46 ECU will change the programming when the car isn't fully warmed up, and basically make the car slower, in effect. Is this accurate?

Sure enough, on the way back to the dealer, the car seemed to pull much harder at that point...

So i test drove my 2nd e46 yesterday at a dealer, and initially, i thought the car felt strangely under-powered. It seemed less powerful than the last one I drove, which was a private party car. I drove the car for an inspection, and told the BMW specialist what I thought on the way there...and he made a point to take it for a drive.

he said the car felt perfectly fine, and that what it was was probably that the car had been sitting for quite a while, and that it wasn't warm enough. He went on to explain that the e46 ECU will change the programming when the car isn't fully warmed up, and basically make the car slower, in effect. Is this accurate?

Sure enough, on the way back to the dealer, the car seemed to pull much harder at that point...
Hmm...was it a brand new car? I think that when the new cars come in, they need to get some programming done that allows the engine to work to its full potential. But, yeah, the engine definitely runs better when warm.

it was an '03. I dunno, maybe it was just my imagination, but I usually have a pretty good feel on the ole butt dyno....and it felt sluggish. I can only assume it was that the car hadn't been driven in a few weeks perhaps, or at least a number of days... It was warmed up briefly while sitting in the lot, but no more than 5 to 10 minutes.

You try sport mode? That certainly makes the engine feel more lively. Reduces the pedal travel A LOT, but it is hard to drive the car smooth with it on. I tend to only use it on the highway, or when i am driving like an ahole.

As stated above, the car does work much better when it is all warmed up. Which takes a while, even when it is warm outside. You should really wait, no only until all the lights are out on the tach, but until the oil temp passes 150*. I ALWAYS make sure the oil temp is up before i get on the car hard and it seems to run better for it. 1 time i got on it a little (had to merge onto the highway) when it was still a little cold and it seemed to idle rough and not be as smooth.

Good luck with the purchase! ( you should have bought mine while you had the chance :devillook )

;) thanks. Yours was black though...i needed OUT of black M3s, not back into one. :D

;) thanks. Yours was black though...i needed OUT of black M3s, not back into one. :D
Then get Imola ;)

So you drove a SMG? Could that be it? Why not drive a 6spd..

Then get Imola ;)

So you drove a SMG? Could that be it? Why not drive a 6spd..


uhhh, nope... it was a 6 speed!