My car not very fast or powerful

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

hi guys,

My car is stock m3/4/5 '98 at 63,xxx, I bought it a year ago, I feel it not much faster than a 200 hp cars. The engine is smooth, however, I feel like it not have a strong compression, maybe, ring and cylinder get loose.



I just did a tune up still not much stronger. Seem like engine burning oil cuz the exhaust tip get dirty (carbon deposit) quickly although don't see lot of smoke, and spa.



The engine rev fine but car don't pull that much, like can't get to 20mph in 1st or 40mph in 2nd and throttle response not very well.

I doubt the previous owner did not take good care to the car.



I should have known better when buying M3.



Thank for reading.

[m3f_BMWME]

hi guys,

My car is stock m3/4/5 '98 at 63,xxx, I bought it a year ago, I feel it not much faster than a 200 hp cars. The engine is smooth, however, I feel like it not have a strong compression, maybe, ring and cylinder get loose.



I just did a tune up still not much stronger. Seem like engine burning oil cuz the exhaust tip get dirty (carbon deposit) quickly although don't see lot of smoke, and spa.



The engine rev fine but car don't pull that much, like can't get to 20mph in 1st or 40mph in 2nd and throttle response not very well.

I doubt the previous owner did not take good care to the car.



I should have known better when buying M3.



Thank for reading.



I'd love to say I read that...but I don't read gibberish very well... :bang:



If you think your compression is low (highly unlikely with only 60k miles) then get a compression and leak down test done. If you think it is burning oil check your oil level between changes...it should be obvious.

And what is a "tune up" anyway? Did you have them look at the OBDII codes? Did you have filters, plugs, wires, ect replaced?

Sorry not much patience today...more info would help though...

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

I did inspection II tune up. The old spark plugs are black and grey (not brown like it should be.)

It burns like 1k miles per qrt of mobil 1 0-40.

yes. I might need compression test. Is it a DIY or how much it cost?

I am in MD.



Anyone have an idea. Thnx in advance.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I understood the message perfectly. The car is slow. Does it pull all the way to redline? (6500 RPM). Did you change the filters? (Fuel, air)

I would assume you have new spark plugs if you are talking about the most basic tuneup. No plug wires on an E36/6, so that is not an issue. I think you need to take the car to a BMW specialist and find some baseline numbers with either a compression check or leakdown test. And get the car's computer scanned, as was suggested.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Get a compression and a leakdown if the numbers don't look very good. Is your clutch slipping at all? What kind of MPG are you getting?

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

I understood the message perfectly. The car is slow. Does it pull all the way to redline? (6500 RPM). Did you change the filters? (Fuel, air)

I would assume you have new spark plugs if you are talking about the most basic tuneup. No plug wires on an E36/6, so that is not an issue. I think you need to take the car to a BMW specialist and find some baseline numbers with either a compression check or leakdown test. And get the car's computer scanned, as was suggested.

Thank you for understanding my message , I changed spark plugs but not fuel filter, thought it last 100k miles, and car idle fine and pull all the way to rev limit , I hit the limit sometimes with 2nd gear.

I might look for some 350z to test run b4 going for leak down test. (how much it cost and sugestion in MD???)

I got the code scanner and the computer is free from error. :help:

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I would to the leakdown test first before you start racing people, just to make sure everything in the engine is sound.

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

Get a compression and a leakdown if the numbers don't look very good. Is your clutch slipping at all? What kind of MPG are you getting?

Is it a DIY or how much the test run. I got 21-22 mpg normal commute. (50-50) The clutch slipping? not sure a little bit i think , did 2-5 method then the rev will stay at 2000rpm but car still running at 5th. :hmm:

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The clutch is fine then.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Maybe you are just expecting more from the car than it can provide? You could always go to a local Dyno shop and for $60-$75 have a dyno of it done. You should be around 195-210 HP if your car is bone stock. If it is not in that range, then something might be wrong.



If you are in that range, then the car is performing as designed and you either need to mod it to go faster, or decide if the M3 is the right car for you? There are other cheaper cars that go faster out there. A used WRX with $1000 in mods will put you into the mid 13's in the quarter. If you could find a used SRT-4 Neon, that would be a very fast car, but it is a neon and you are driving an M3, so there is a tradeoff in luxury.



Just an idea.

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

The clutch is fine then.

Thnx Sirius, hopefully will see you on the belt way to test my car.

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

Maybe you are just expecting more from the car than it can provide? You could always go to a local Dyno shop and for $60-$75 have a dyno of it done. You should be around 195-210 HP if your car is bone stock. If it is not in that range, then something might be wrong.



If you are in that range, then the car is performing as designed and you either need to mod it to go faster, or decide if the M3 is the right car for you? There are other cheaper cars that go faster out there. A used WRX with $1000 in mods will put you into the mid 13's in the quarter. If you could find a used SRT-4 Neon, that would be a very fast car, but it is a neon and you are driving an M3, so there is a tradeoff in luxury.



Just an idea.

I thought our car running under 14 sec stock. I will go to dyno and let you guys know.

thnx

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

It depends on how good you are driving the car. If you are not a great launcher (like me) then you can probably expect a low 14's. If you are really good, then maybe you can touch 13.9.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Thnx Sirius, hopefully will see you on the belt way to test my car.



What color is your car? I'll keep my eyes open.

[m3f_hungphan2k2]

Maybe you are just expecting more from the car than it can provide? You could always go to a local Dyno shop and for $60-$75 have a dyno of it done. You should be around 195-210 HP if your car is bone stock. If it is not in that range, then something might be wrong.



If you are in that range, then the car is performing as designed and you either need to mod it to go faster, or decide if the M3 is the right car for you? There are other cheaper cars that go faster out there. A used WRX with $1000 in mods will put you into the mid 13's in the quarter. If you could find a used SRT-4 Neon, that would be a very fast car, but it is a neon and you are driving an M3, so there is a tradeoff in luxury.



Just an idea.

Yes I will get it dyno and let you guys know.



thnx for all responses.