[griz31]

Hey Everyone,

Have had my 2016 BSM M235i for a little under a month now (~approaching 1200 miles).

I have mostly followed the break-in process, with a couple spirited drives along the way. I would say even for the most part when I get on it, I shift before the 4500 mark.

Anyways, I have noticed the stock power (in sport mode) seems to be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes I'll get on it and it's like a rocket ship. Other times it just seems like it just doesn't have the same power. In searching the threads I did read up on resetting throttle response and have performed that. It seemed to help for that drive, but the inconsistencies seemed to return.

This is pretty subjective and could very well just be my butt dyno messing with me, but just curious if anyone has experienced what feels like inconsistent power in the stock m235i? Is this something thats maybe common in the first few 1000 miles?


**I also posted this in the 2addicts maintenance section. Im not sure if its frowned upon to double post in different sections, but I figured the general section gets more views. Let me know if I should delete.**

Thanks!

[Beartato]

I've kinda noticed the same thing, but I always chalk it up to it being a turbo, and even though it's a twin scroll turbo if you don't shift properly the turbo has to play catch up. It's hard to keep your spool consistent at that low RPM.

[JChristie]

Probably obvious but do you have traction control off? It’s pretty aggressive at cutting power if it detects even the slightest wheel spin.

[griz31]

Originally Posted by JChristie

Probably obvious but do you have traction control off? It’s pretty aggressive at cutting power if it detects even the slightest wheel spin.

That did come up in searching the "problem", but this seems to happen in both cases (traction control on and off). It doesn't seem to be a traction problem as in the scenerios I'm referencing, tires weren't slipping. Admittedly, I havent spent too much time driving with TC off.

Originally Posted by Beartato

I've kinda noticed the same thing, but I always chalk it up to it being a turbo, and even though it's a twin scroll turbo if you don't shift properly the turbo has to play catch up. It's hard to keep your spool consistent at that low RPM.

This seems to maybe be more accurate to what I am feeling. Like sometimes it feels like there is so much turbo lag the car wont move, whereas other times the car just launches. The inconsistency is a bit annoying, like am I gonna drive the 235i today or the prius.

Any other experiences/thoughts on what to do?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by griz31

That did come up in searching the "problem", but this seems to happen in both cases (traction control on and off). It doesn't seem to be a traction problem as in the scenerios I'm referencing, tires weren't slipping. Admittedly, I havent spent too much time driving with TC off.

This seems to maybe be more accurate to what I am feeling. Like sometimes it feels like there is so much turbo lag the car wont move, whereas other times the car just launches. The inconsistency is a bit annoying, like am I gonna drive the 235i today or the prius.

Any other experiences/thoughts on what to do?

The car will feel like this when the A/C is on or its heat soaked (we have tiny intercoolers). You notice it even more with the manual. It's just the nature of turbo cars..... my old VW 2.0T was the same.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by griz31

Hey Everyone,

Have had my 2016 BSM M235i for a little under a month now (~approaching 1200 miles).

Anyways, I have noticed the stock power (in sport mode) seems to be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes I'll get on it and it's like a rocket ship. Other times it just seems like it just doesn't have the same power. In searching the threads I did read up on resetting throttle response and have performed that. It seemed to help for that drive, but the inconsistencies seemed to return.

This is pretty subjective and could very well just be my butt dyno messing with me, but just curious if anyone has experienced what feels like inconsistent power in the stock m235i? Is this something thats maybe common in the first few 1000 miles?




Thanks!

Have you factored in the ambient temperature differences -morning cool, afternoon hot-when noticing the power change? This time of year under hood temps are noticeably higher in the heat of the day which heats up intake air even with an intercooler.(heat soak)
JChristie makes a good point about traction control.It won't allow a hard launch in any weather. I use Sport+ with DTC enabled in hot weather.(and most other times!)

[XutvJet]

Put the car in Sport+ otherwise the traction control will greatly neuter power at any hint of wheel spin. My car feels like it has no boost in 1st when in Comfort or Sport because the system picks up spin before I can even detect it. In Sport+, I can often get wheel spin dipping hard into throttle at 30mph in 2nd, even in hot weather.

Also, in temps above 75 and/or high humidity, the turbo lag becomes more significant due to the reduced oxygen in the air. Power is reduced a bit too.

[griz31]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Glad it isn't just me who notices it. I'll be sure to drive in Sport+ with no AC and blow under the hood at red lights

Thanks all

[amw896]

the car also learns your driving style as well so maybe that has an effect. When I notice mine starts running sluggish I'll hold the traction button for 5sec to fully disable all assists. It might just be me but the car seems to almost reset when I do that.

[griz31]

Originally Posted by amw896

the car also learns your driving style as well so maybe that has an effect. When I notice mine starts running sluggish I'll hold the traction button for 5sec to fully disable all assists. It might just be me but the car seems to almost reset when I do that.

Not really sure what you mean? Doesn't holding the traction button just turn off traction control?

I've done the throttle response reset a couple of times though. (Turn on, hold pedal down, turn off, start engine)

[amw896]

Originally Posted by griz31

Not really sure what you mean? Doesn't holding the traction button just turn off traction control?

I've done the throttle response reset a couple of times though. (Turn on, hold pedal down, turn off, start engine)

I believe it turns off dtc and DSC. I find this mode to be the most neutral and consistent of all of them. I don't know, I find when I drove in sport + or comfort consistently for too long it's almost like the car adapts too much and starts getting lazy. Ill take a trip with all the nannies off and then go back and it feels like it did day 1 lol....probably all in my head

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by amw896

I believe it turns off dtc and DSC. I find this mode to be the most neutral and consistent of all of them. I don't know, I find when I drove in sport + or comfort consistently for too long it's almost like the car adapts too much and starts getting lazy. Ill take a trip with all the nannies off and then go back and it feels like it did day 1 lol....probably all in my head

one touch turns DTC ON which allows a bit more wheel spin that DSC ON
hold 5 secs... DSC OFF traction control is off and only thing active is the eDiff which will brake individual wheel if it's spinning freely or much faster than the other wheel to send some torque to the opposite wheel

Sport+ is just Sport but with DTC ON.... as you can't be in Sport and also hit DTC button as it will take you out of Sport and just leave you in DTC ON mode...

So believe it or not the car has 6 different modes. ECO - COMFORT - SPORT - SPORT+ - DTC ON - DSC OFF

DSC OFF also has same throttle response as COMFORT... so that can explain why when you go from DSC OFF to SPORT if feels more lively as throttle response in SPORT is increased

[qnet]

I noticed this a little during the break-in period. I mentioned this in another thread, and no one seemed to experience the same thing, but it felt like my car ran better after the break-in period. After the break-in period, my car seemed to have more pep and throttle response, even in comfort-mode. It even sounded more aggressive.

I was thinking this was BMW's way of protecting the car during break-in, having something in the ECU that doesn't let the car run quite as aggressive. Of course I have no proof of this, and it could be all in my head. It really did seem like the car ran better after break-in however.

[Deutsche-Broke]

Noticed the same thing.. Hit Sport and + mode and drove for a few days letting it, "get spirited".. No difference.. But still breaking it in..

[griz31]

Originally Posted by qnet

I noticed this a little during the break-in period. I mentioned this in another thread, and no one seemed to experience the same thing, but it felt like my car ran better after the break-in period. After the break-in period, my car seemed to have more pep and throttle response, even in comfort-mode. It even sounded more aggressive.

I was thinking this was BMW's way of protecting the car during break-in, having something in the ECU that doesn't let the car run quite as aggressive. Of course I have no proof of this, and it could be all in my head. It really did seem like the car ran better after break-in however.

Just passed the break in period so maybe it will be more consistent.

Originally Posted by Deutsche-Broke

Noticed the same thing.. Hit Sport and + mode and drove for a few days letting it, "get spirited".. No difference.. But still breaking it in..

Ya it just felt like somedays it would really take off and other days it wouldnt. I think what everyone said above is the likely culprit

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by qnet

I noticed this a little during the break-in period. I mentioned this in another thread, and no one seemed to experience the same thing, but it felt like my car ran better after the break-in period. After the break-in period, my car seemed to have more pep and throttle response, even in comfort-mode. It even sounded more aggressive.

I was thinking this was BMW's way of protecting the car during break-in, having something in the ECU that doesn't let the car run quite as aggressive. Of course I have no proof of this, and it could be all in my head. It really did seem like the car ran better after break-in however.

Others have noted this before as well. I've noticed that there are days that my car seems to want to lay down the power and others where I feel like even flooring it doesn't give me peak output. :/ I haven't been able to find a pattern yet. Some days are just better than others.

[Nahlem]

Agree on this one too when i had the 235i i noticed it also, Some days the power was there at my command just waiting to be unleashed like a beast but the next day it was like "Don't wake me up i am not in the mood" type of feeling when driving the car i have no idea why it was like that but i am glad i am not the only one who felt this then i know i am not crazy

[djarchow]

You also have to consider engine temps (much harder with our cars unless you use Torque or another app on your phone to see it).

I am still in my break-in period so not getting on mine too hard yet, but my 335is was pretty aggressive at reducing power output until the engine was fully warmed up. On the flip side, if it was getting too warm it reduced power too. At least my 335is had a temperature gauge so I knew when it was happening.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by djarchow

You also have to consider engine temps (much harder with our cars unless you use Torque or another app on your phone to see it).

I am still in my break-in period so not getting on mine too hard yet, but my 335is was pretty aggressive at reducing power output until the engine was fully warmed up. On the flip side, if it was getting too warm it reduced power too. At least my 335is had a temperature gauge so I knew when it was happening.

Hmm, interesting. I use torque and typically don't get on it until oil temps get to 200°. Hadn't considered temps being too high though, so I'll keep an eye on that.

[griz31]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I'm glad its not just me experiencing this. It sounds like it's not a serious issue of any sort, more just a function of the car. While annoying, im not sure there's anyway around it. With this information ill hopefully be able get a little more consistent. I'll also be able to test better now that im past break in

[Madmatt]

Originally Posted by Alden_88M

Agree on this one too when i had the 235i i noticed it also, Some days the power was there at my command just waiting to be unleashed like a beast but the next day it was like "Don't wake me up i am not in the mood" type of feeling when driving the car i have no idea why it was like that but i am glad i am not the only one who felt this then i know i am not crazy

Would you notice this all on same tank of gas? Wondering if differences in gas (octane and quality) from one tank to another could account for maybe some of that? But if you saw it with same tank of gas that theory is shot..

Madmatt

[BentZero]

Same tank for me.