Stiff BMW accelerator.

I have the same car and had the same problem. I bet it is the cable. Mine was nasty at 20k when I bought the car - thanks so much bmw for your used car checks...... At 50k it jammed open on me - niiiiiiiice. Sorry, let me take that back, german cars are superior and never go wrong and bmw used cars give you peace of mind - ah, thats better :-)

I changed the cable - it has a plastic liner, so I'm not sure if it can be safely lubed. An honest mechanic at the dealer told me it is a common problem and the later cars have got rid of the cable. Changing it is fairly easy as long as you know how the cable fits at either end - of course, I didnt, and the engine end has to be done largely by feel. Buy the cable first - then you'll see how the pedal end fits - I wish I could remember how the other end fits - I seem to remember that you released it by pushing the lead bead in the opposite direction to that in which it is pulled when opening the throttle ( if that makes sense :-). Use a torch and mirror to look at this - its plastic and looks breakable :-(

Hugh Jampton

You drove a car for 30k miles with a sticky throttle until it jammed then blame the design? Sheesh...

Yes, although it was a gradual thing. At first I thought that perhaps they were all like that. Remember this car had, by definition, been prepared to bmws high standards - and I, like a fool, believed that. Also, remember that the ECU low pass filters throttle cable input - so initially I blamed that. One day the problem became much worse during a long journey and it did partially jam . I fixed it the next day. As to blaming the design - well, the new one has been in there a few months now, and I think it is starting to show signs of a problem :-( At least its not an expensive part.

Steve

it jammed then

Remember this car

Funny you should say that. Although the car has been main dealer serviced all it's life, with a full dealer history. Prior to selling, the owner decided he wanted it fully fully serviced, inspected, and any faults fixed. This was done only last week. According to the bill, apart from the usual service items, oil change etc. New front discs and pads were fitted, b/fluid, air filter, and a/c filter changed. Quite a long list that totalled £790!!. Worth about £300 IMO. Yet it was still returned with the stiff throttle!. Any future servicing will be done by my son, or a local guy who has a small w/shop. No bloated BMW bills for him. Thanks for the info. I'll tell him to buy a new cable. It wont be on the road for the next few weeks anyway, while he sorts out the registration and insurance etc. So there's no particular rush. Mike.

Thats what you get from car that cost 28k new. My car also cost 28k new, and has just suffered a sticking throttle cable as well. ........But then my car has 15 years of use under its roof.

(Its a 730i ... E32).

-- Regards SDD

Warning: Email reply address is a spamtrap, remove teeth to reply directly !!!!

bmw main dealer service costs are very high - oil change is close on 200 quid in west herts ! I agree, steer clear of the main dealers - and, as you have noticed, you dont really get good service. I could bore you with a whole list of things that they "missed" on my car - dont worry, I wont :-) Best of luck with the cable.

Steve

Although agreeing with you in principle, you have to compare like with like. Even with a basic oil service I get either a loan car or mine collected and returned, and a full valet. My local independent, while cheaper and just as good if not better offers neither.