[asonntag]

I just bought a 2007 328i Coupe with around 90k on it. I don't know any maintenance history, but it seems like it was cared for pretty well, so I'm guessing all the standard regular maintenance has been performed.

I've recently noticed in the extremely cold temperatures we've been having (0-10F) that when I start the car after letting it sit over night it has a rough idle. Not right away though. If I start the car and let it warm up in the driveway, it's completely fine with no idle issues. But, if I start the car and drive it immediately that's when the problem occurs. I can start it, back out of the driveway with no idle issues, but when I get to the first stop sign after leaving my house the car idles very rough sitting there. When i go to accelerate, it has a delayed acceleration and then all the power will kick in after about 3-4 seconds. After that, the car is pretty much back to normal. The next couple of the lights the car may idle a little rough, but barely noticeable and no delayed acceleration. If I let the car sit for 6 hours or so during the day when it's only 5 degrees out, even at a cold start I don't have any issues. It seems to only be an issue when the car sits over night for a good 12 hours or so.

The car isn't giving me any codes, check engine light or anything, so I'm not sure where to start. I've read a number of posts and it seems like it could be anything from a bad fuel injector, coil, spark plugs, the list goes on. Anyone have a similar issue?

[Nickanna]

If I'm hearing you correctly, you're only having the issue when you start it and drive it immediately in very cold temps, but don't have the issue if you let it warm up first. Correct?

Not trying to state the obvious, but in temps that low why wouldn't you let it warm up first? I honestly never start and immediately go, it's not good for your car (or any car IMO) when below freezing. Even in warmer temps, I always let the idle drop to the normal 600+/- rpms before I take off.

[PichaDis11]

You are right it could be few reasons. When this situation happened with me it was a misfire caused by the exhaust vanos solenoid. You could swap them to see if it makes any difference. Start troubleshoot from the coils though.

[asonntag]

Originally Posted by Nickanna

If I'm hearing you correctly, you're only having the issue when you start it and drive it immediately in very cold temps, but don't have the issue if you let it warm up first. Correct?

Not trying to state the obvious, but in temps that low why wouldn't you let it warm up first? I honestly never start and immediately go, it's not good for your car (or any car IMO) when below freezing. Even in warmer temps, I always let the idle drop to the normal 600+/- rpms before I take off.

Yes, correct. Usually I do let it warm up, I know it's not good for it, but it still shouldn't be running this way. I actually got the check engine light to come one today. Had it ran:

P0012 - "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over - Retarded (Bank 1)

Still have to research exactly what's causing that code to come up though.

[07lilredwagon]

I now tend to let the car at the very least drop down to normal idle after starting...I do like to let it idle for 5 minutes or so if I can during the winter...its just happier that way!

JP

[parabola]

My 328 had the same issue you described, rough idle with cold engine either in D or R. If simply left idling in P, no issues.
Took it to the dealership, they updated the DME, and that fixed it, no more issues.
Luckily it was covered by warranty so I did no have to pay anything.

[cnguyen84]

Originally Posted by asonntag

Yes, correct. Usually I do let it warm up, I know it's not good for it, but it still shouldn't be running this way. I actually got the check engine light to come one today. Had it ran:

P0012 - "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over - Retarded (Bank 1)

Still have to research exactly what's causing that code to come up though.

I just happen to purchase a 2007 328i coupe a month ago and experienced the same issue last week. I live in Florida and noticed this problem when the cold fronts came through a few times. I took it to the dealer and they said that the camshaft bearing ledges need to be replaced. This is a $2,000 job including parts. According to the SA, it is an 11 hour job. There is a caveat. This was a lease trade-in, so it is unclear whether this issue was preexisting or not, but that was what turned out to be the issue for me. If the "P0012" code turns out to be the same thing, then I am sorry for the bad news. It is a costly job. Good luck.

[cnguyen84]

Also, this may help... doesn't say anything about the cam bearing ledge though. So, you might avert a costly repair.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0012

[Eddien123]

Question if you restart it does the problem go away?

[RandyFL73]

I have always done a "driven warm-up"..

http://porsche356registry.org/resour...rocedures.html

I know it's a Porsche article however it applies to all internal combustion engines.

[asonntag]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

Question if you restart it does the problem go away?

Yes, I just tried it today. Although today the issue was a little different. It was fine driving around, but when I got home and put it in park it started idling pretty rough. If I put it back in drive it was fine.

After I restarted the car the rough idle was gone.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by asonntag

Yes, I just tried it today. Although today the issue was a little different. It was fine driving around, but when I got home and put it in park it started idling pretty rough. If I put it back in drive it was fine.

After I restarted the car the rough idle was gone.

Yeah that's odd. But the silver lining is it's most likely not a serious problem if it isn't consistent. Still should get that checked out though. Good luck.