I think I bought a lemon (2003 M3 will not start)

I bought my dream car three days ago. The day after I bought it the
Flat Tire Monitor came on, no flat. I checked pressure and all was fine - I reset the monitor; not that big of deal. It came on again, I reset it, no biggie.

I also notice a thumping sound from the rear when I shift to any gear above 4k. I'm not sure if this is normal but my gut tells me it's not.

**!! But today, a great day in Colorado and I'm not at work. I want to drive. I want to drive bad. I go to the garage but IT WILL NOT START.

2003 M3 w/smg 64.5k miles

All lights come on, it's in 0, key turns fully but all I get is what sounds like electronic fuel injection turning on, no clicking, nothing more. I do not hear any type of starter engagement - the engine doesn't turn over at all.

I've searched and searched the forums and verified the hood is closed (slam hood, hold down sensor, slam hood more, sit on hood), battery good, fuses good, SMG in correct starting position, break pressed (pressed hard). The only thing I have found that I cannot check is to use different keys - I have one key.

I cleaned my checking account to come up with the down payment so I cannot even get it towed.

I'm starting to get angry.

Any comments / ideas / suggestions much appreciated.

Thank you.

bad battery?

Car starts doing these types of things when battery goes out...


bump. help him guys. Im an e36 monger

I had the same problem. It was the key!!

Have you checked the battery voltage?

Called roadside assistance who were supposed to send a flatbed out, but instead just sent a pickup truck from a local service station. They tried jumping it (which I had already tried and told them that on the phone) and of course it didn't do anything.

Truck guy said to call again tomorrow and have someone come tow it.

It's a lemon.

That sucks. Sorry to hear about your problems. Hopefully you can get it resolved or get your money back.

im having the same problems with me e39 528i. i mean its no m3 but im currently experiencing the same thing. if you have a spare or valet key try that. it may also be you ignition switch because other things on the car tend to start acting up just before it goes out. keep your faith in BMW my friend, and please dont let this tarnish your getting to know and love your dream car. i mean my car wont start and that means no joy rides for a day or two but ive got a spare car and in this case as much as ever not driving my baby is just going to make my next sprint across the chesapeake bay bridge at well over the speed limit that much more enjoyable.

I'm thinking you may just have a bad starter. Just had to replace the one on my E46 323. Same symptoms. Battery OK. Lights come on, just would not make a sound when turning the key.

Thanks all.

I hope the CPO warrantee covers whatever the problem is. If it doesn't ... well ... that's just not going to be good.

dude, did you buy it from a dealership or not- a bmw m3 is NOT the car to clean your bank account out with, sooo much money to fix it.

yeah.. my M3 isn't starting either...
but i'm pretty sure it's my battery since it's clicking and all that...
blah.

Did you try reclosing the hood? Sometimes the sensors that detect a closed hood doesn't make the needed connection and inhibit the car from starting.

I doubt it is a lemon, all of them clunk, it is a common thing, nothing is wrong with the car in that area. And you probably have a dead key or dead battery.

i have a 6spd and was really surprised by the clunk from the SMG, that is normal, sounds like a battery (its in the trunk)

Are you jumping from the engine bay or directly to the battery?

Mine died once and the remote engine terminals wouldn't work but jumping form the battery did.

+1 on re-closing hood and doors.

As others have said, the key's internal battery may have gone dead too.

The 03 had a hood contact switch service bulletin, mine were changed recently and the dealer said they sometimes prevent starting/gear engaging if they're going bad.

Also, you'll really wish you bought it with remaining factory warranty & CPO.

i had this problem on my car and my chip in the key was bad so bmw made me a new key, problem solved? have you tried using a spare?

The key is a simple try to see if it fixes the problem, also they did have some issues with m3 hydro pumps(its for the smg system) that will cause a no start,it should blow a fuse in the ebox. also when you reset your tire pressure, make sure the key is in the first or second key position.

He said he only has one key, so he can not try the spare key.

Roadside towed it on Monday morning and the BMW shop told me that night that it's the starter. They said it's not a common break so they didn't have a starter in stock, nor did anyone in Colorado they called - so they're having one air mailed.

Starter will be here tomorrow morning (wednesday) and the service tech said the car will be ready before end of day. It's covered by the CPO so it will cost me 50 dollars to fix.
__

Good to hear the clunking sound when shifting is normal - I was getting nervous.

And I can live with a faulty tire pressure monitor light, so hopefully after the starter gets replaced I don't have any problems

And I can live with a faulty tire pressure monitor light, so hopefully after the starter gets replaced I don't have any problems
Get your tire pressure monitor fixed while the car is in. CPO charges $50 per visit so the TPM can be fixed for free while they are replacing the starter.