Some Concerns about the Beast - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

kiddhan625 · 3rd October 2006, 12:44

I have a 2002 M5 with about 22,000 miles on it. I am having some issues and would like for you guys to shed some light on possible causes. The car is going in tommorow for a dash replacement and would like to get the following issues looked at as well:

1. The Air Bag light comes on at random times and turns off at random. I am assuming this a faulty sensor of some sort?

2. When driving the car at consistent speed above 40 mph if I place my left foot slightly on the cluth pedal I feel a strong vibration coming from the pedal. The same vibration at a lesser effect can be felt in the shifter.

3. Shifting from 1st to 2nd and from 3rd to 4th is pretty rough. Feels like something needs to be greased or lubed.

4. The car seems to be lagging! It doesn't pull like it use to. Even in sport mode seems like the car is not performing anywhere near the level it was. Considering the car only has 22,000 miles I am kind of surprised.

5. I have an extended warranty on the car and was wondering if I should get the Extended Maintenance through BMW? Mine expires on Oct 16th of this month.

Any input would greatly appreciated. Thanks

Frits · 3rd October 2006, 13:16

As for number 4: do a search on MAFs. Or cam position sensors. These can seriously affect the car's performance.

dave_gt · 3rd October 2006, 13:52

kiddhan625. I stress that I am not a qualified mechanic, but I'll have a bash:

1. This could indeed be a faulty sensor, or more likely a dodgy connector. My airbag light did the same thing a while back. The dealer (who actually seems quite good) diagnosed that the passenger seat sensor was faulty. I read on this board that the connector underneath the seat can be the culprit. I fiddled around with said connector trying to make the best connection possible by hand and it seems to have worked. I haven't seen the airbag light for a couple of months and it was only this thread that reminded me of it!

2&3. Some people do report clutch failiures at 20,000+ miles but it depends on the sort of driving it is used for - mine is still going strong at 90,000. Most members report that the clutch can't hold onto the revs when it goes, so it might not be the actual cltuch plates that are worn. Also, several members report that they find the 1st to 2nd change a bit notchy, although 2nd to 3rd is usually ok. Maybe if there was a problem with the clutch - possibly the thrust bearing being knackered - that would affect the clutches ability to fully disengage engine from gearbox and the shifts wouldn't feel as smooth. I would get a proper garage to check it out.

4. I agree that MAFs sound a likely cause, but at 22,000 miles it would be early for MAFs to be bad. There is a test that you can do to monitor the fuel flow (and therefore air flow) which can indicate if you have bad MAFs. It was written by moderator DavidS - search should find it.

5. Warranties have been a bit contentious recently, and I think that the situation is a bit different on either side of the pond. I'll leave it up to someone in the good ol' US of A

kiddhan625 · 3rd October 2006, 16:50

Thanks for the input guys. Anyone have anymore insight on #2? If it normal to feel a vibration in the clutch pedal?

MGZ · 3rd October 2006, 16:56

Maybe a very, very, very slight vibration absolutely nothing more and that is only if I really think abt it.

gbogh3 · 3rd October 2006, 16:57

#5 I left my beast at the dealer for 3 weeks when it was coming off warranty. Even though you are about to get it back in a few days, or maybe its back, you may want to schedule another appt a couple days before it goes off.
The dealer can keep the paper work open if they choose so you can keep adding things to the car to be fixed. You can always take it to an independent, have them pull all the codes and give you a print out, then hand a copy (not the original) to the dealer to clear and fix faults, this way if something comes up in 4 months, you have made them aware of it BEFORE the car went off warranty.

Don't know about # 2, sorry.
GL

kiddhan625 · 3rd October 2006, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGZ

Maybe a very, very, very slight vibration absolutely nothing more and that is only if I really think abt it.

This isn't slight. I can feel it through the boots I wear. Its got me concerned because I feel the same vibration in the shifter but to a lesser effect.

MGZ · 3rd October 2006, 17:22

Then I think that something might be seriously wrong. But wait until the real specialists have their say

jclyman · 3rd October 2006, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiddhan625

I have a 2002 M5 with about 22,000 miles on it. I am having some issues and would like for you guys to shed some light on possible causes. The car is going in tommorow for a dash replacement and would like to get the following issues looked at as well:

1. The Air Bag light comes on at random times and turns off at random. I am assuming this a faulty sensor of some sort?

5. I have an extended warranty on the car and was wondering if I should get the Extended Maintenance through BMW? Mine expires on Oct 16th of this month.

Any input would greatly appreciated. Thanks

Suggestion on 1. Same thing happened to my 1997 318ti, but the light stayed on. My indi blew the seat belt connector out with air and sprayed electrical contact cleaner in it ... SOLVED! I had assumed the same thing.

On 5. If you decide on the Extended Maintenance ... DON'T PAY MORE THAN $ 1,195.

mottati · 3rd October 2006, 19:34

i think by stepping on the clutch pedal, while you are driving, you are causing it to slip, hence the vibration.
mike