Voluntary Emissions Recall - 08E-A03

[MauiM3Mania]

Anyone else receive this notice? Looks pretty darn official, coming from BMWNA.

"Your 2003-2006 model year M3 BMW automobile has a software error, such that the DME programming, as originally installed, may cause the on-board diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the emissions performance of the catalytic converter, causing the "Service Engine Soon: lamp to illuminate prematurely."

What a run-on sentence!

Further... well, they say that BMW will fix it free of charge for parts and labor. They are going to reprogram the DME with the improved version of the software.

May take up to one day.

If you possess a 2003 - 2006 M3 BMW, call your local dealer to set an appointment.

They further state that if you do not have this recall campaign performed, you may have problems passing emissions test.

If your car is registered in CA, you MUST have the recall addressed as the DMV knows and is watching.

[manm3]

I got the recall done...had the car in for something else and they did the reprogramming...

feels like that the pickup has gone down.

Anyone else with the recall done.

[2005 330iZHP]

My car was at the dealer a few months ago to replace the airbag control module, and they said that they did a recall to reprogram the DME. Anyone know if this is a different update or if it's the same one?

[nick325xit 5spd]

There's another letter for "2002-2003" cars that also extends the emissions warranty to 10 years/unlimited miles. I'm guessing that the break point is the '03.5 cars, but that's a pure guess.

[xplosiveg06]

feels like that the pickup has gone down.

really the car feels slower after you got the recall done ? i just got the letter in the mail yesterday and was afraid they were going to de tune the car for emissions

[doeboy]

I just got the letter yesterday. Anyone have any more details on what this is about?

[irritant4]

I got the letter. I am going to wait for my light to come on :>

[turbospool]

campaign 08e-a03



i just got a letter saying that my dme needs to be reprogrammed for emmisions of cats or something. anyboy else get this?

[2005 330iZHP]

I got the letter two days ago. I had my car at the dealer in March to replace the airbag control module, and they said that they did a recall to reprogram the DME. Anyone know if this is the same update or if it's something new?

[ohnoes]

Got the letter today... but I have D/A Race software, so I'm not gonna have it reflashed.

[EURO M3 CSL]

is this for specific years? or all?

[ohnoes]

is this for specific years? or all?

My letter reads 2002-2003, but I believe there's also a recall for '03-'06, as stickied in this forum.

[2005 330iZHP]

My letter reads 2002-2003, but I believe there's also a recall for '03-'06, as stickied in this forum.

Yep. 02-03 gets the recall and the emissions warranty extended to 10yr/unlimited miles but the 03-06 only get the recall (no warranty extension), IIRC.

[turbospool]

they arent gonna cut down on power are they

[ftc3]

I doubt they would cut the power. That would equate to a pretty sweet lawsuit. I remember when the RX8 came out and they over stated HP by a small amount and it ended up costing them a lot in free service or rebates.

[manm3]

I had the recall done and the car definitely not behaving the same way...accel is not as free as it use to feel before !!

any one else with the recall done?

I am calling the dealer later today.

[EURO M3 CSL]

aww man. do u think the european delivery cars have a problem or is it all? my car only has 5k miles on it and i love how its sooo responsive.

[GeorgeF31]

I had the first recall (for 02-03) done because they snuck an SMG software update into it as well.

I got the notice, but I think I'll hold off until someone can say if the update really does slow the car down or if that's just perception.

[ecrouse]

I had the first recall (for 02-03) done because they snuck an SMG software update into it as well.

I got the notice, but I think I'll hold off until someone can say if the update really does slow the car down or if that's just perception.

Interestingly, it looks like the same thing. There is one letter for 02-03 and a different letter for 03-06 but it seems to be the same update with the exception that it extends the emissions warranty on the 02-03 but not the 03-06 (I realize that overlaps)

What did your butt dyno read after the first recall and do you remember if it was 08E-A03 as well? What did the SMG update do?

Another thread I just read.
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=263946

[stimpee]

I think people should be very careful in using the "butt dyno" to assess the impact of this change. If the DME is reprogrammed, it is very likely that all adaption, etc gets reset in the DME. Depending on how you drive, it could take a while for the DME to "relearn" things and get back to where it was before.

That is not to say that things are not getting messed with, just be careful how you evaluate the possible changes, and what you say based on your butt dyno...

[ecrouse]

5 or 6 people in the link I posted claimed no performance change at all. No one claimed more or less power.

[wennderful]

I got the letter. I am going to wait for my light to come on :>

Ditto to that. What if it DOES effect the performance? I'm not taking any chances.

I made an appointment to bring the car in as soon as I received the letter. However, thanks to this forum, I've decided postpone it for now. Let's see what happens.

Thanks Guys!!

[manm3]

This a wierd...

I sensed a slowing of the car after the recall was done
BUT after driving about 30 miles the car is behaving same as old self.

Pickup and response if back where it used to be!

Anyone else with the experience?

[tk7294]

Aww, I have an 01... I guess Im in the clear...

[ohnoes]

This a wierd...

I sensed a slowing of the car after the recall was done
BUT after driving about 30 miles the car is behaving same as old self.

Pickup and response if back where it used to be!

Anyone else with the experience?

That's due to ECU adaptations.