[fobunited]

So I went on a mini-vacation in Carmel before I start work on Monday, and while I was driving, my car suddenly goes into limp mode. I get an "Engine Malfunction, Power Decreased" warning on my idrive and a check engine light on my dash.

I've read many stories of this happening on these boards and was scared that it finally happened to me. I had 3000 miles on the car. I was driving back to the resort, and at first it seemed fine. Then I had to drive uphill and the lack of power was incredibly apparent. I car slowed to a crawl and could barely rev above 2500 rpms and took forever to get there. I called BMW Assist and they said that if the check engine light wasn't red, I could still drive it, so then I took the painstaking task of driving the car back to Fremont, which took an eternity and a bunch of big rigs giving me the finger as THEY passed me!

Anyway, I called my dealership (BMW of Fremont), and they were actually kinda rude on the phone. I called and asked to be transfered to service, which I was, and then I talked to the service lady and gave her my name. I was on my cell phone, which then cut out on me. I called her back, telling her what happened, and instead of proceeding to do anything, she just kept on nagging me, literally saying "Why did you hang up on me?" and asked that three or four times, which annoyed me quite a bit.

I've been hearing stories of people having their car at the dealership for 7 or more weeks, which makes me wonder... am I going to get my car lemoned? In a way, I sort of want to. I also have a 2001 330ci, and was originally planning on selling it and just having the 335i, but instead I kept the 330ci, and now use it as my "beater." Since I have that, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get the 335 lemoned, and buy a M Roadster instead. Am I wrong for thinking that? Unfortunately I just bought iForged rims and the Lux 3.0 for the 335i, so I'm going to have to figure out what to do with those, unless they'll work on the M Roadster. Just wanted to share with you guys! Take care

[sflgator]

Are you insane? You want to get your car "lemoned" b/c it went into "limp mode" 1 time?

Relax, Francis...it will be ok. Most "limp mode" occurrences (which are still a small % of 335i's), including mine happened 1 time just like yours (cruising on the hwy. at 65mph while in M6), and so far in several weeks, it has not returned in my car.

Did you stop your car, turn it off, and then restart? If so, did the little yellow light go off and your car return to normal? That's what happened in my case, and like I said, so far so good...no more "limp mode."

If you had a problem with your dealer's service dept. (and any "rude" person handing your call), you should either call or meet with the Service Mgr. to handle your complaint or simply go to another dealer for service. However, jumping the gun by thinking about the lemon law is just ludicrous. btw -- you wouldn't be able to lemon your car unless the problem reoccurs more than 1 time (in fact, it would have to return many times) and the dealer determines that they cannot fix the problem.

[Ninjaneer]

Dude, I think you're far away from a lemon process based on just limp mode. If you're not suffering from fuel pump issues maybe it was just a random thing.

BTW, if it happens again, simply park on the side of the road, shut the engine down, wait a few secs then start it back up and it should disappear and you'll be back in business. Beats driving up that hill in limp mode. If it persists, however, then perhaps you do indeed have a problem.

[De90man]

The same thing happened to me the 2 weeks ago. And it had me vexed. Limping along on a desert highway...

I parked it. Restarted. Bam!!...no more limp mode. It was fine. At the oil temp gage was at 265-270...so it wasn't an oil thing. Some other thing, which I hope will never resurface.

Cheers

[fobunited]

No it's been like this for about 3 days now. EVERY time I turn on my car, the car is in limp mode.

[mayno]

This has to be one of the funniest thread titles I've seen:

Limp mode while on vacation!

Just from your title, it sounded like you needed Viagra during your vacation or something.

anyway, if it's been 3 days, why haven't you taken your car to the service dept? there's no way you'll be able to lemon this...you have to at least give them ONE chance at fixing it (and more likely 2 chances).

[fobunited]

Haha I see your point, but the title sticks.

I'm not expecting my car to be lemoned, I'm merely fantasizing if that occurred. I haven't been able to take it to the service department because I was on vacation and BMW assist told me I could drive it until I got back.

[IS2000]

My car did that a while ago. The dealership thought it was the fuel pump, but it turned out to be a bad Vanos solenoid. It took 2 days to order part and fix the problem.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by fobunited

Haha I see your point, but the title sticks.

I'm not expecting my car to be lemoned, I'm merely fantasizing if that occurred. I haven't been able to take it to the service department because I was on vacation and BMW assist told me I could drive it until I got back.

I guess your "limp mode" problem is worse than most since it remains in limp mode and won't go back to normal after restarting. It sounds like what IS2000 mentioned...may be a bad Vanos solenoid or a fuel pump problem. Either way, take it in for service asap; they'll probably get it fixed within a few days.

[max boost]

[QUOTE=sflgator;1072260]Are you insane? You want to get your car "lemoned" b/c it went into "limp mode" 1 time?

Relax, Francis...it will be ok. Most "limp mode" occurrences (which are still a small % of 335i's), including mine happened 1 time just like yours (cruising on the hwy. at 65mph while in M6), and so far in several weeks, it has not returned in my car.

Did you stop your car, turn it off, and then restart? If so, did the little yellow light go off and your car return to normal? That's what happened in my case, and like I said, so far so good...no more "limp mode."

sflgator i dont even stop to turn the error message off!!!!!!!! heheheheheh
i just holddown the start/off button while still moving then hit to start again...2.5 seconds later its gone :rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks:: rocks::rocks::rocks:

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by max boost

sflgator i dont even stop to turn the error message off!!!!!!!! heheheheheh
i just holddown the start/off button while still moving then hit to start again...2.5 seconds later its gone :rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks::rocks:: rocks::rocks::rocks:

Nice tip. Thanks.

[Dleo]

too long to read, but if you go limp again while on vacation, you might want to ask your dr about viagra, i hear it does miracles for people.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by Dleo

too long to read, but if you go limp again while on vacation, you might want to ask your dr about viagra, i hear it does miracles for people.

what should we do if we go on vacation and NEVER GO LIMP the ENTIRE TIME?!?!
is there a med for that?

[Dleo]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

what should we do if we go on vacation and NEVER GO LIMP the ENTIRE TIME?!?!
is there a med for that?

I suggest some KY, dont leave home without it