bmw e30 325i sometimes takes longer to start

[anton]

Hi there,
was wondering if anyone had some advice, ive got a 1989 minter 325i e30.

Engine sounds scha-weet...pulls strong and all the rest.
Engine bay so neat you could have your breakfast served on the valve cover.

but for some strange reason, every so now and then its almost like it wont start or struggles to start...

what is this? i know my way around auto electrics and it isnt a battery problem...

starter motor bushes???

im very finnicky with my vehicles, like to keep everything tip-top!!!

its funny she starts INSTANTLY first time every morning!!!

the sometimes now and then difficulty starting is more when the vehicle has run for a while and then stood.

its not like it doesnt start.. i turn the key, 3 or 4 swings nothing happens and then i leave it.. wait 10seconds or so, try again, then she starts.

it obviously.. well.. my common sense tells me this, takes more effort to swing/start a 6cylinder engine than a 4cylinder.. presumably...

maybe smallish standard battery????
come to think of it, mostly when doing stop-start trips.

any ideas/help will be appreciated.

thanks
Anton

[SGP]

Check the rotor arm and distributor cap.just a suggestion..

[MadE30mike]

My sport does this also! bout once a month or so il turn the key and it takes bout 5 seconds B4 it fires up,never really worryd bout this as it always starts after 4-5seconds and it 98% of the tym starts instantly.

I would also like to know what causes this ???

[Brianmoooore]

Struggles to turn over or turns over fast and just doesn't start? Coughs and splutters or doesn't fire at all?

[SGP]

my m20 motronic 1.1 does this as well,turns over grand,but sometimes won't start 1st time.usually fires up instantly the 2nd time,9 times out of 10 it does start 1st time.sometimes it starts up lumpy and doesn't switch off the ignition lights without an increase in revs...I'm perplexed.Everything seems to be performing perfectly.Its almost as if the motronic initialises itself each time the ignition is switched on and sometimes its missing something,if you know what I mean.

[SGP]

PS.it's been Superchipped.But don'y think that has any bearing.

[m-dtech]

had similar problem on my m10 changed cap & rotor and it dissapeared