Just an fyi:

I've experienced somewhat of an irregular idle and "notchy" shifting ever since purchasing my 99 328i and hadn't been able to completely solve the problem(s) through dealer check-ups or through posts. This past week it seems I came across the solution: the throttle motor installed on pre-2000 e46's is apperently defective - which causes the above problems. I had the part replaced and she drives like new - it's unbelievable how much better.

Just a heads-up to those of you to which this may apply.

Your dealer should have checked any applicable Service Bulletins for your vehicle when you brought it in.

How lazy dealers have become.

I had my throttle body replaced couple of months ago because of that similar issue. At first they couldn't figure out what the problem was. took them a whole week to find it.

Ya, it's crazy how long it took them to find the root of my problems as well. All in all, I spent a full year in and out of the shop and they couldn't put a finger on it. This time I took it in because the "service engine soon", "EML" and "ASC" lights came on simultaneously and the engine was unresponsive when I pressed on the gas pedal. The diagnostic showed several "errors" which pointed to the throttle motor.

Honestly, I have a suspicion that they knew this all along and were just milking me for all they could. But maybe that's just my pessmistic side taking over?

how many different repairs did they do before they found the problem?

The only "major" repair was the installation of a new (rebuilt) tranny and clutch. Since its certified I only had to pay for the clutch - I think it was around $350 - 400. Other than that, it was just a big headache. I kept taking it back to the $tealer complaining of the same symptoms each time and since they couldn't "replicate" the problems they would just dismiss them.

My thinking now is that the tranny didn't even need replaced. The rpms were probably dropping so low that it caused a slight grind or notchy feeling when shifting gears. Who knows.

I'm glad not to have to deal with this anymore. The car drives better now then it ever has.

first few times my $tealer couldn't find the problem either... I think the third or 4th time they said it was the accelerator plate that was the problem. That repair cost me $200. After that the car drove okay for a day before the problem came back big time. Took it back and the car was there was there for 3 days before they called and said it was the throttle body. The service advisor was good and said since they didn't correctly diagonse the problem in the first place this repair is covered by them. now the throttle is like new...but that service advisor I worked with is no longer there :(

Sounds like you were treated fairly. I only have one question: They told me that the throttle motor on pre-2000 e46's was defective and most if not all need replaced at some point. Wouldn't this come up in their original query??? Seems strange to me that it took over a year to diagnose a problem that should be an automatic alert in the system.

I was very pleased with my service advisor. However he's not there anymore. I hope that didn't get him fired or anything.

I haven't seen any technical service bulletins or recalls that cover this issue. There is a long list of them at this website. www.alldata.com/recalls

I checked www.alldata.com site and it states that they do not give TSB info on Acura, BMW and Honda at the request of those maufacturers.
I've had the lights come on a couple of weeks ago with the slow throttle response but they went out on their own.