2009 BMW M3: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

S65 v8 engine in a bmw m3 e90/92/93 and m5's with a v10 has two throttle valve actuators that fail prematurely at 40-80k miles. Both the internal nylon gears and electronics will fail, affecting accelerator pedal response and causing hesitation, especially with the dct transmission. These parts are not a maintenance item. When failed, the engine malfunction, excess emissions, skid control, and ABS braking warning lights are triggered. Engine goes into limp mode. This is dangerous when it happens while driving in rainy, snowy, and icy road conditions. The throttle valve actuator design defect should have triggered a bmw recall. Replacement parts are $1000-1300 each plus $1000 labor and have never been redesigned by bmw/bosch. So the replacement parts are also defective and will fail prematurely. Repairs occurred on dec. 2012 at 80k miles for $2000 and on jan. 2016 at 140k miles for $3000. A bmw m3 and m5 recall and redesigned parts are warranted. Bmw technical service bulletins should be issued for this design flaw. 8yr/80km federal emissions warranty should cover these repairs as well.

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Transmission · 12,011 miles · AZ

1. When slowing down for a red light that turns green, then trying to accelerate before actually stopping, the car hesitates or lags. Could get rear-ended or t-boned if turning in an intersection. Someone is going to get killed due to this ongoing, ignored, serious safety flaw. 2. Can routinely reproduce this hesitation/lag. 3. Bmw refuses to resolve the problem and has told it's dealers it is a normal response.

Filed Aug 3, 2009 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · TX

The dual clutch transmission (dct) in my car, a 2009 bmw m3 routinely hesitates when pushing the accelerator in 2nd gear. The hesitation is long enough to have put me and my passengers in grave danger. In fact, it has almost caused a number of accidents when merging with highway traffic. This is unacceptable and needs to be immediately corrected before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Filed May 29, 2009 · Transmission · 7,518 miles · AZ

2009 bmw m3 dct (dual clutch transmission) exhibits a serious lag/hesitation when trying to accelerate from a rapid rolling stop. When this issue occurs in an intersection or at a stop light, a serious safety issue exists of being t-boned or slammed in the rear. When reported to bmw they claim it "works as designed". Guess someone needs to be seriously injured or killed before bmw will resolve this issue.

Filed Feb 8, 2009 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · 00

In the 2009 bmw m3 sedan with dct (dual clutch) transmission, there is a significant lag or hesitation of at least 1 second between applying pressure to the accelerator and the clutch engaging and giving acceleration to the wheels. This does not happen from a stand-still, but occurs primarily when the car is in motion at virtually all ranges of speed, from rolling stop (5km/hr or less) through standard road speeds of any degree (residential 30-40km/hr, city roads 50-70km/hr, or highway 90km/hr+). I was carefully in the middle of a slow left turn at an intersection on saturday, feb 7, 2009. To avoid an oncoming car prematurely heading in my direction, I pressed on the accelerator to hasten the completion of my turn, but the car did not respond because of the clutch lag. I narrowly avoided being hit. This transmission defect could reasonably result in serious injury or death to the driver or passengers, especially when sudden and unanticipated acceleration out of a difficult driving situation is required. *tr the consumer stated he also experienced unexpected stalls during low speed driving, but not rapid deceleration. Updated 03/11/09.