3.0i Vs 3.0si accelerator pedal feel

B

babo456

Member
Hi folks,

Thought I'd join instead of lurking!

I had a 2003 3.0i for a year and have since moved onto a 3.0si which I've had for 6 months now.

The accelerator feel is different in my si. It feels like there is less pedal travel/less modulation of the throttle/laggy.

I have tried the throttle reset with turning of the key to on, wait 15 seconds etc but hasn't made a difference (unless I'm doing it wrong...) Sport button doesn't change anything other than make it feel worse, sooner.

Unsure if it could be related but the car is in getting ABS rings/sensors done but the pedal issue was present before the ABS played up - no other codes other than ABS.

Any ideas?
 
The N52 should have really fast crisp throttle response so what you describe doesn't sound right. Problems in this area are pretty rare but it's basically controlled by two key items...the valvetronic motor and the eccentric shaft sensor. Do a search on those two items and you will have plenty of reading to do, but essentially you should check if the eccentric shaft sensor has any oil contamination as a starter for ten.

The other possibility is a laggy vanos which is controlled by two solenoids on the front of the engine. Fairly easy to access and unbolt with a single fixing. Take them off and soak them in carb cleaner for a few minutes. You can also swap them over as you refit which can help eliminate problems. They do typically chuck a code when they get really gunked up though.

Can't see it being connected to the ABS sensors at all.
 
Yeah I'd say something's amiss here - SI in sport mode is about as hair-trigger as I've seen in terms of an injection engine.
 
Thanks both for the comments.

Gives me somewhere to start. I think I'll try blow out any rubbish in the MAF also.
 
Has anything been done to the car in the last 6 months or before you got it?

When was it last serviced?

What fuel are you using?

Long or short trips?

Have the plugs been changed?

Coil Packs changed?

Any other errors showing up?


I take it this is what you followed to reset...

:x :x Throttle Reset
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=195&p=340346&hilit=throttle+reset#p2221

If you have different people driving your car, or have been doing a lot of town driving, this can help to reset the throttle responsiveness back to factory defaults.

Turn ignition off
Turn key to "on" position
Wait 15 seconds
Turn ignition off
Wait another 15 seconds

Start the car.... you should find the responsiveness has been reset.
 
Reading what you wrote, particularly the bit about the sport button, I do wonder if what your describing is just the difference in throttle response between the two engines. I've personally always felt the M54 is a tad lazy in the throttle response department and like it a bit sharper, the way I have made it now. But I do accept its very subjective throttle response and your perception of it very much depends on what other cars you drive or are moving from.
 
I think the OP is comparing M54 to N52, and saying the N52 is more 'laggy', which is why it doesn't sound right.
 
ph001 said:
I think the OP is comparing M54 to N52, and saying the N52 is more 'laggy', which is why it doesn't sound right.
Click to expand...

I was/am a little confused by what he wrote. He saying there's less travel on n52 (implying to me a more aggressive throttle response) but then seems to contradict that saying its laggy. He then says the sports button makes it worse which once again implies the throttle is too aggressive as that's what the button increases. Like I said bit confusing what is actually going on here
 
Coincidentally an excellent old post by Bing may also be worth checking out here https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=36349
 
Hi folks thanks for the comments so far.

Perhaps I could clarify by saying it almost feels as if the pedal has less travel compared to my old 2003 3.0. Like there is less modulability of the throttle or travel. Like the actual pedal has less distance to travel.

As per post above r.e. servicing etc. Had an oil change when I bought it about 9 months ago and I have recently done the spark plugs within the last month also. Certainly seems to start nicer now the sparks have been changed. Battery also done recently. Normally short trips but I do try get it heated up to full temp once a week. I use TESCO momentum fuel.

I did try the throttle reset as suggested searching through the forum previously but I'll try it again.

No other errors, had the codes read recently for my new ABS senors/rings.
 
It does sound like what your describing is the difference in throttle response. Although that said the accelerator pedal is a different physical part on the n52 engine. It's not the same part as on m54 cars
 
MACK said:
It does sound like what your describing is the difference in throttle response. Although that said the accelerator pedal is a different physical part on the n52 engine. It's not the same part as on m54 cars
Click to expand...

Hmm maybe it is just the fact it is a different pedal!

Thanks for your help folks.
 
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