2003 Z4 Running Rough After Attempted Steal

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Please Help! Someone attempted to steal my late husband's 2003 Z4 from the driveway. They were not successful but ever since the car is running very rough. The engine is "surging" and the following lights are on the dash: EML. Service Engine Soon, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). There is a strong fume smell when the car is turned on. I have not driven the car other than to park it safely in the garage.

We have replaced the battery the would-be thief damaged. Prior to this the car was running smoothly. Is there something related to the alarm system that needs to be re-set. I know how to drive the car, but next to nothing about the controls. It has 57,000 miles on the odometer.

My husband, David, had bookmarked this web site and I hope someone can help.

Thank you in advance,
Denise
 
Denise,

I can't help with the mechanical issues although I'm sure someone far more knowledgeable than I will be along soon to do just that. I can though express my sorrow at your loss and that some scumbag tried to steal the car.
 
The first thing is try is actually disconnecting the battery again. Leave it for say half and hour then reconnect and try again. For certain faults this can clear them. If this doesn't help I think you'll have to take it to someone with BMW diagnostic equipment so that they can read the codes from the cars computer and advise you further.

To echo above, very sorry to hear your loss also.
 
What scum bags.

So sorry for your loss.. Any more info on how they tried to steal it, and any damage they cause may help.

Did they manage to pop the bonnet aswell do something in the engine bay too?


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Sorry to hear of your loss. Was David a member of the forum?

If you're not overly familiar with cars, or not keen on experimenting, the most sensible thing to do would be to get it to a local workshop. BMW or independent. If the car's still insured, it may be covered for the damage caused by the attempted theft. Give the insurers a call and ask their advice

Either that, or maybe there's a forum member nearby who would call by...

Edit - whereabouts are you? Don't give specifics, just a town
 
Denise,

So sorry for your loss, difficult times for you and yours no matter the circumstance.

Fortunately, these would be thieves are quite stupid, otherwise they would have known it's extremely difficult to start the car and drive away without the keys. Who knows what lengths smarter thieves would go through to get a hold of the keys.

I can't offer any more practical advice than what's been offered. I'm afraid they may have damaged one or more control modules in an attempt to force the car to start. Definitely enquire into insurance coverage for damage as a consequence of attempted theft. Truly the only way to get better information is to connect it to a diagnostic computer.

Best of luck to you, and above all, take care of yourself, you deserve it.
 
Thanks to all of you. I was afraid it was going to take a trip to the shop. I will call our insurer and give them the police report number.

The idiot thief did have the bonnet opened, and trashed the interior. Apparently, from hand prints, was reaching under the dash as well. We can't see anything disconnected (but that would have been too easy). We will try disconnecting the new battery one more time, and hope. If that doesn't make the car happy, it's off to the shop.

David was involved with the forum (from Orange County, California) because he was seeking help with the soft top at one time. And the forum had given him a fix, so thanks for that as well.

Denise
 
My son disconnected the battery, waited thirty minutes, then reconnected it. I attempted to drive the car around a short block, but it was surging and lurching so much that I returned to the garage. In addition to the other lights I mentioned the airbag and brake lights on the dash do not go out. I don't know what the idiot thief did, but it looks like the shop.

Does anyone have a mechanic that works on the Z4's in the Costa Mesa, California area? I have one I've used for the kids' cars in Buena Park, but he doesn't have experience with this car.

Thank you again to everyone,
Denise
 
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