Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw m3. the contact stated that the electrical system shorted out and all the electrical devices failed to work. the vehicle decelerated without warning and the engine went into limp mode and lost power. all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new battery was needed and a part on the fuse box needed to be replaced. the manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 98,000. the vin was unknown.
Windows were closed. there had been a light rain. temperature was about 90 degrees f. doors were unlocked. upon shutting the ignition key off in a parking lot, both doors locked automatically and immediately. lock button on console was not pushed. both doors would not open, by use of the buttons on the keys or by the console button. two different keys were tried. the door handles moved, but would not open the doors. i don't believe the outside door handles would have opened the doors either because the doors were "locked" . the inside temperature of the car began to rise rapidly so the engine was started to provide air conditioning. restarting the engine several times did not change the condition of the locked doors. after 10 to 12 minutes i decided to lower the driver's side window and use the key in the door lock on the exterior of the car. this finally unlocked both doors. this could have been deadly if there was an engine fire and i had pull over the car and shut the key off. the doors may lock. a disabled or weak person may not have the strength to break the glass or climb out the window if they panic. i am very scared to use the car at this point...even to drive it to get repaired.
Bmw m3 e46 (2001-2005) do not respond to any standard obdii commands from various tool manufacturers. these vehicles do not seem to be obdii compliant. *jb
2004 bmw m3 convertible. i was on my way home and decided to put the top down. i have owned the vehicle for approx. 6 months and have performed this operation a countless number of times (i live in southern california). i was driving around 40 mph when i looked in the rear view and noticed that the stowage lid was completely up. i pulled over and performed the operation, but it would not close. i immediately called sos and they were not able to assist me. on friday, august 6, i took the car to beverly hills bmw where they inspected the car and determined that it was my negligence which caused the problem. according to them, i did not complete the top down operation and was driving around with the lid open. i assured them that this was not the case and that i am positive that i had waited for the windows to come up (which only happens after the operation is complete). the service manager tells me that there is no other way for it to come up and that warranty would not cover the bent hinges because i had caused it. hinges were replaced at my expense by the dealer. i am absolutely sure that i had completed the operation and it is more likely that an electronic malfunction possibly released/unlocked the latches holding the stowage lid in place (or possibly some other malfunction), and i should not be responsible for the damages which subsequently occured.