2000 Z3 Limp Mode x3

[83SC in PA]

Well, I've got a 2000 Z3 for the weekend which normally would be a sweet deal, but it will only do 50MPH! It's my buddy from work's vehicle and he has had it to my local dealer(he commutes about 90 miles each way) 2 times now because the car has been going into limp mode.

The first time was approx. 3 weeks ago and was diagnosed as a throttle sensor. 500 bucks. The second time was this week and the tech said this time it was the idle sensor. 300 bucks. Tech stated that it was just a coincidence that this part failed so soon after the throttle sensor and was not related to the previous problem. Tonight friend starts his 90 mile commute and 3 miles down the road - you guessed it; limp mode for a third time.

I gave him my trusty MB 240D to get him home and I am going to be discussing this issue with the BMW dealer tomorrow. To me, it seems as if they are either just changing parts to fix a problem they cannot properly diagnose or maybe the ECU has gone haywire and is generating random codes? This car has over 130K on the clock but has been serviced regularly. Anyone out there with similar issues or can provide constructive advise?

Thanks.

[83SC in PA]

Now the service dept. is saying that the DME needs to be replaced as it was displaying false codes. Another 1500 bucks. Friend is discussing with service manager a refund of money spent replacing parts that didn't need to be replaced. No answer back on that question yet. They are hemming and hawing around and mumbling something about the mileage. I think he ought to have(at the very least) that money applied to the DME replacement as they should have diagnosed the problem correctly in the first place.

[83SC in PA]

DME was the problem and the dealership treated my friend fairly. This is a very quiet forum. Much more information and feedback on Roadfly.com. I wish this forum could be as active as the 911 Technical forum. Wishful thinking I guess.