Limp mode?

[ZStig]

I hope VAC motorsports will figure it out, meanwhile someone came from AAA to pick up the car from the dealer, and refuses do so because I'm not there. Wasn't a problem getting it to the dealer without me yesterday, so I told AAA to have another company pick it up. Testing my patience...

[MIKe86]

They're doing you a favor keeping it from VAC motorsports. They are the WORST.

Good luck bud, hope you're one of the few lucky ones that actually has a good experience with them. Mine was nothing short of HORRIBLE.

[ZStig]

VAC quoted me $600 less than the dealer, and I've had mostly good experiences with them. What did they mess up with you?

[MIKe86]

Other than dropping my car on a rinky dink oem jack on uneven gravel filled road - damaging my rear quarter panel and side skirt, completely blowing out my cv boots/joints on my axles because they put my car back on the ground without the rear springs in place (e30 GC coilovers, if they're the e30 guru's they claim to be they should have known better), putting 60 miles on my car with absolutely ZERO reason to drive it ANYWHERE for the work they were doing, and denying to warranty poor motor work that they did - well, I guess nothing.

Seriously, good luck dude. Wish you the best. I'll never set foot in that place again. And I've already spent 5+ G's there. Makes me sick..

[tekmoe]

Originally Posted by MIKe86

Other than dropping my car on a rinky dink oem jack on uneven gravel filled road - damaging my rear quarter panel and side skirt, completely blowing out my cv boots/joints on my axles because they put my car back on the ground without the rear springs in place (e30 GC coilovers, if they're the e30 guru's they claim to be they should have known better), putting 60 miles on my car with absolutely ZERO reason to drive it ANYWHERE for the work they were doing, and denying to warranty poor motor work that they did - well, I guess nothing.

Seriously, good luck dude. Wish you the best. I'll never set foot in that place again. And I've already spent 5+ G's there. Makes me sick..

Wow man, that is awful. Sounds like you need to bitch slap Roffle and demand he take his car elsewhere!!!!

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by tekmoe

Wow man, that is awful. Sounds like you need to bitch slap Roffle and demand he take his car elsewhere!!!!

I've been a happy customer on and off for about 5 years now. I'd rather have them do the work than the dealer.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by MIKe86

Other than dropping my car on a rinky dink oem jack on uneven gravel filled road - damaging my rear quarter panel and side skirt, completely blowing out my cv boots/joints on my axles because they put my car back on the ground without the rear springs in place (e30 GC coilovers, if they're the e30 guru's they claim to be they should have known better), putting 60 miles on my car with absolutely ZERO reason to drive it ANYWHERE for the work they were doing, and denying to warranty poor motor work that they did - well, I guess nothing.

Seriously, good luck dude. Wish you the best. I'll never set foot in that place again. And I've already spent 5+ G's there. Makes me sick..

that sucks Mike. In a high volume business like they have, things going wrong is in-evitable, its what they do AFTER their own mistake that seperates a good business from a non-sustainable one. Sounds like they didn't fess up to their errors, which is not uncommon with car repairs

[ZStig]

they're also recommending an ECU update, has anyone heard of such a thing? (not an aftermarket performance update)

[tekmoe]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

they're also recommending an ECU update, has anyone heard of such a thing? (not an aftermarket performance update)

What does the update consist of? I swear I remember reading someone else said there was an ECU update for Z4M's. I'm curious if it addresses the issue where the revs drop down to 400-500 when sitting idle. It's as if the car is about to die but quickly comes back to life. Last time it happened was over a week ago though so it doesn't occur very often.

[ZStig]

Don't know *shrug

I'll get the update anyway, for the small chance it'll fix my problems.

[Finnegan]

Yes, I've heard of the ECU update. Got it. Indie shop installed it 'cause I didn't have time to run to the dealer 1 day before a track day. Car died/dies at idle (and did so as they were taking it off the shop floor). In my case something to do with the accelerator module/coding part in the ECU programming IIRC. Also IIRC this doesn't apply past a certain build date (I see you have an 06) so it's plausible you need it.

Don't have my car folder/papers here at work to look up software version or so on. Think the flash cost me 90 bucks--way cheaper than a missed track day and lodging costs.

[ZStig]

sounds like there's hope for me then, I'll report back

[Finnegan]

Hi, looked at the dx of throttle this or that on your earlier post.

That rings a bell with what the software update addressed in my case. You may be in luck, it may be a simple flash to fix it. (Hope hope hope!) My car just died and threw a hell of a lot of codes. (It was kind enough to do it after having the alignment done and at the indie shop, so no harm no foul.)

[MIKe86]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

that sucks Mike. In a high volume business like they have, things going wrong is in-evitable, its what they do AFTER their own mistake that seperates a good business from a non-sustainable one. Sounds like they didn't fess up to their errors, which is not uncommon with car repairs

I can understand car slipping off the jack (although he was STUPID for trying to jack it on uneven pavement full of gravel). I can understand dropping the car down without the springs in even though it was a spec'd e30 GC coilover kit. Shit, I can even ALMOST understand telling me you think my exhaust header studs go through oil channels and that's where the leak may be coming from (yea, you do work on HOW MANY e36 family motors? and don't know there is no such thing as studs going through oil channels in the block?)...

but, taking my literal blood and sweat filled non-m e30 that I was $25k deep into for JOY RIDES home has NOTHING to do with any amount of "high volume business."


I'm done talking about them.. but do update this thread and let us know how you made out. Sounds like that dme update may be promising.

[ZStig]

the dme update worked. more or less. No codes, no limp mode for 30 miles yet. I was told it'll take 50 miles for the computer to adjust. As of right now, the throttle doesn't feel as linear as before at light load. Almost as if it hesitates a little bit, and then overcompensates a bit. Only under light throttle. I'm hoping it'll even out after a few more miles and cold starts

[MIKe86]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

the dme update worked. more or less. No codes, no limp mode for 30 miles yet. I was told it'll take 50 miles for the computer to adjust. As of right now, the throttle doesn't feel as linear as before at light load. Almost as if it hesitates a little bit, and then overcompensates a bit. Only under light throttle. I'm hoping it'll even out after a few more miles and cold starts

Ah, scary. Rack up those miles tomorrow see what happens. Actually should be picking mine up from the stealer tomorrow afternoon hopefully mine will be good to go too.

[Finnegan]

Encouraging! Mine was a bit "off" to but then I put 200 miles and a track day on it. 1k miles later and all is well. I think the reflash clears all adaption values and the DME needs to acquire data and adjust.

[beta]

Good news!

I wonder what the last DME version is and if it's worth it to upgrade preventatively.

[ZStig]

back to the shop. hahaha. dme upgrade was only a patch. time to replace the throttle actuator unit, or whatever its called

[Finnegan]

Nuts!

[ZStig]

Good thing I went on intuition, and signed up for AAA right before my 1st of 3 tows. Still paid $100 to sign up + $4/mile, but less than $450 or so I'd have shelled out otherwise