So 2 1/2 months ago I purchsed my FIRST BMW and I was sooo excited !!!Unfortunately, up until 3 weeks ago, everything was grreat until all this started happening and now I'm soooo discouraged!
Im even thinking of selling it! http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/icons/icon9.gif

Here's my story.....

1) First my cars rpm started falling and the engine wouldn't stay on.
Result: Intake hose or valve need cleaning..$80 Towing / $25 Labor.

2) A week later, as I was driving, the car just went idle and would
start and stop again every 5 minutes.
Result: It was the relay that needed changing... $80 Towing / $120 Labor.

3) Today I decided to get my new clutch kit installed cause it was slipping and my car still had it's original clutch with 125,000 km so I brought it to my
mechanic who did an awesome job, I couldn't believe the sweet drive!!!
Result........$375 Clutch Kit / $350 Labor.


Total Costs to date: $1,110.00

So tonight, I decided to take my car for a ride to try and get a good feel for
the new clutch and all of a sudden, it goes idle again as Im making a stop sign! It just went into glide mode! Luckily I was able to pull over, and when I tried to start the engine again, it started up and the rpm's would fall to zero and it died again! I was able to keep my foot on the gas peddle and keep the rpm's high enough to drive it home! Now I have to get it towed to my mechanic AGAIN (another $80) and wait to see what the hell is wrong!!!

I AM SO F%&$@#* PISSED AND DISCOURAGED!

All advice, encouragement and opinions are welcomed!

Sincerely,
A very sad BMW owner

I think I know exactly whats wrong with your car. check the pcv hose, it is a small hard plastic hose that goes from the valve cover to the pcv oil separater under the intake manifold, and check the intake tube for leaks or cracks also there is a small tube conected to the big intake boot from the under side, that is for the iac valve, make sure that is not disconnected or leaking air. also (this is not common) but, make sure the oil cap has a good seal. basicly what you are getting is a big vacuume leak. you are able to keep the car running with you foot on the cas but when you let off it dies, right?

do they not have somthing like AAA in canada? $80 Ca is cheaper than $80 us it costs to get a car towed. and most of the time after 5 miles its somthing rediculas like $15 a mile. maybe get a friend with a truck and rent a car dolly from u-haul it might come out cheaper (last time I checked) than $80 for a tow it also depends on how expencive the beer payment for your frined with the truck to tow your car is.

had the same problem with my 87' 325, replaced all the vacuum hoses, never had any problem since then.... btw it's been 1 1/2 years since then:)

i would do some research and install or do whatever it is myself as long as its not too bad. and i would ask on this forum before taking it to a mechanic because the people are usually know more about these cars then alot of mechanics like pro mp3 telling you about that hose. good luck with your ride

...also don't feel too bad, It could always be worse. How about a rod poking through the side of you're engine block? I often feel like setting my car on fire and watching it burn becasue it is not perfect and I don't have the money to make it the way I want it.

KUSA325is, you actually got my Screen name right!

My advice, never expect a 12 year old used car to be reliable in any way.

do some good research on here... a good investment is the e36 bentley publisher's manual. ppl on here really no alot about theses cars, and are really heplful. good luck to ya

I don't know if this will help, but it's a matter of philosophy.

My boss has an '06 SRT8 Charger, and an H2 Hummer... He sneers at my new/old E21, and my 510's (though he just got back from an SRT8 meet in Vegas, and he was surprised to learn that one of the pro drivers personally owned 3 Miatas and 2 510's! :D )

Anywho... I got no respect from my boss when I got my E21 for under $600.00. To him, it's a piece of crap, while I love the little car very much. He even said he wanted me to drive my Camry for work because he didn't want me breaking-down on the way to a customer's location. The E21 NEVER has broken down in two months now, and I drive it everywhere regardless.

I told him this: "I could have spent $5000 on a used car, and then spent $600 fixing it up."

"OR I can spend $600 on a used car, and spend $5000 fixing it up. It's all the same to me, just more effort. It's all a matter of philosophy, and when I'm done, you'll admire it too."

He conceded that the logic is sound, but he thinks I still drive an ugly car.

So ultimately the question to yourself is: How much did you pay, and how much more $ is realistic to make it a sound vehicle?

Any old car is is gonna have that "pocketbook" drain phenomena. I've already learned that BMW's need to replace vacuum hoses like a baby needs changing.

Why did you go for a BMW in the first place? There must have been a reason. I'll tell you what I know of my own experience.

They drive well. Very well. They are in a breed of "drivers car" that includes the Nissan Z and 240sx, the Miatas, the RX-7's, old Spitfires... They are usually 4-seaters and can be lumped-into a category with other two-seat sports cars, and no one questions it. They are about the only FR four-seat sedans that people don't question as belonging with two-seat sports-cars.

Civics want to race me. No. My car can't beat it's way out of a paper bag yet, but they see the "BMW" thing, and give me the "chin-up" nod at stop-lights. Sheesh. There's a stigma that goes with these cars. Somewhere in history, BMW got a rep for being fast, but I have to duck my head and let them pull away.

No ricer has ever wanted to race my Camry. :\

But yeah... Just getting the attention is cool.

So you got an old BMW?

Rubber rots, steel rusts, and electrical systems get funky. This is true on ANY old car.

BMW's, from what I've seen, use more rubber, suffer poorly on the undersides from salted roads, and rely on EVERYTHING being electrical. My guages twitch like they are epileptic. Welcome to hell.

but...

The engines are solid. The steering and handling are awesome. The suspension is tight and sticky. The interior is sweet. I have a 914. It's as luxurious as sitting in a cardboard box as a child and making "vroom vroom" sounds.

So you regret your BMW? Why did you get it? Was it new? If it's old, you could have got an F-150 that would run forever. But didn't you want something better than an old ford?

Once you get your car over it's "I'm sick" blues, you'll have something that will catch attention, feel comfy, and drive like a raped ape.

Am I a BMW commercial? I prefer my 510 for hard driving, but it's like riding bareback on a mean horse.

The Bimmer loves me back, and is so close in performance, I sometimes forget what's missing. I guess that's the "BMW" thang: Drive well, and not shake your nuts loose.

Hope it helps! :D

Ek.

Buy a Hyundai next time

why not buy a bentley manual and learn how to do basic stuff instead of paying your mechanic everytime you need something. How hard can it be to change a relay?

don't give up. me and my bmw have a love hate relationship. my wife swears the car loves to hate me. but when it comes down to it the car is a great car with a few bugs that are eventually getting fixed. i do agree with the others in getting the manual and trying to fix what you can. keep your chin up.

Stop paying for all this simple crap.

And get Triple A service...costs 90 bucks for a full year. free towing and roadside assistance. you already spent $240.

You should really ask yourself why you bought the car you did. You should also realize that in buying one that is 12 years old it's not in the condition that it comes off the factory floor. It should also come to no suprise that since it's a BMW, both parts and labor might come at a premium.

It's a simple fact that cars literally fall apart as they get older. I bought mine with full intention of servicing it myself past getting an initial expert diagnosis. If this is something you didn't plan to do, either you should have screened cars more thuroughly when you were shopping for one or you should have simply bought a new car with a dealer warranty.

Imo, if you're willing to put in the wrench time, owning a BMW is a lot more rewarding than just driving one. The forums here are extremely helpful if you can search, as well as the Bentley manual. It's also a good idea to hook up with some enthusists from your area to talk about issues you have been having. Some of them may be so nice as to lend a hand or tools to help you out. The BMWCCA helps in this way if you join them.

Remember, you're not alone in this.

are you a chick?

Sounds to me like the idle valve has gone bad. Like he stated it was doing before but he just had it cleaned. I always replace them. They may work for a while after cleaning them but they will always jam again.

Don't sell up, now you have spent the money, and when the car is FIXED, you know it will be fine!