Anyway to improve ultra-cold start ups?

Block heater. Does the E46 have one?

If so, use it.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=621330

Done and done.
sent from my ATARI sc1224

Suggest you read the first link below in my signature.

I did not hear any mention of the DISA O-ring or DISA being inspected, this is a big cause of cold start misfires after the car has sat for overnight or even longer.

Also you need to make sure your engine is not running chronically cold, this can lead to excessive carbon build up that causes cold start issues as well.

Read this thread - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ghlight=report

Also make sure your engine coolant temp before you start the car is at or below ambient temp, if higher, this is an issue that may need to be addressed.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Especially to Trizzuth's. Mine's basically the same way. Nowadays when I re-arrange my car I always take it for a spin around the block. A block heater sounds like a lot of work to be only used a couple days a year. Probably expensive too. Should I switch to German Castrol? Maybe use the BG Moa additive. Will that help?

DISA will be getting done soon. Thermostat is 18 months old~ 10,000 miles.

Does not matter how old the thermostat is, you need to check and verify the engine coolant temperature.

The only way you can accurately condemn a weak thermostat is during the colder Winter months.

In September it was reading 91 C. I'll try again when it gets above 20 degrees outside. Also, looked at the block heater post. Looks easy and affordable. I might do it.

I'm in Pittsburgh too. Pretty cold this morning. Worse tomorrow. I'll have to ask my daughter how it started when she gets home.

Originally Posted by Sweetness

In September it was reading 91 C. I'll try again when it gets above 20 degrees outside. Also, looked at the block heater post. Looks easy and affordable. I might do it.

Hey I mean if you've got a garage and an extra $140 laying around, you've got nothing to lose.

Originally Posted by Sweetness

In September it was reading 91 C. I'll try again when it gets above 20 degrees outside. Also, looked at the block heater post. Looks easy and affordable. I might do it.

Once the ambient temperature gets above about 70F, then a soft failed thermostat cannot really be detected.

Installing that oem block heater will probably be the easiest DIY you ever do. Unless you concider washing windows a DIY. For extreme cold weather,a block heater is an exellent upgrade. If you can't find one then PM me and ill send you the link.

sent from my ATARI sc1224

Originally Posted by Sweetness

Thanks for all the responses guys. Especially to Trizzuth's. Mine's basically the same way. Nowadays when I re-arrange my car I always take it for a spin around the block. A block heater sounds like a lot of work to be only used a couple days a year. Probably expensive too. Should I switch to German Castrol? Maybe use the BG Moa additive. Will that help?

Along these same lines (so technically not a hijack?), my car goes into the garage just before the first snow and stays there until the end of March. However, not being able to stand this situation for more than a month or so, I take it out 2-3 times during the winter and drive it up and down my street for 30 minutes, then put it away. So my question is - do you think this is enough time, in first and second gears only, to fully warm the oil up and boil off all O2? I cannot go beyond my little street, as the car is not insured during the winter

Is there any way to hide the engine block heater plug? It looks fugly sticking out the front like that.

I recall someone actually putting a 12 Volt heater on a 5 series and running it off battery on a timer. I cannot recall if they put an additional battery in the car or all the details, if I can find the info I will post it.

The Ultimate Engine Heater Setup - http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...-heat-s62.html

As long as the crank speed is consistent to normal temp crank speed then you should be fine. Everything is very very cold around 0 degrees for an engine and starting is is a challenge. It's normal to have weird noises at that temperature.
My e30 does not like to start in the cold. It'll start but it sure doesnt like it. Haha. My e46 is much better. It might be a little loud at first in cold temps but all is well. Totally normal.

Originally Posted by HiHoBrian

Just remember to unplug all this stuff before driving away.

sent from my ATARI sc1224

OP the oil you are using is fine. The electronics appear to be slow because that is the nature of the displays BMW uses. Sounds like your car starts fine. Don't worry about it. It takes longer to warm up in cold temperatures. This is normal. Cars don't care about wind chill when parked.

Originally Posted by sgoetz628

Along these same lines (so technically not a hijack?), my car goes into the garage just before the first snow and stays there until the end of March. However, not being able to stand this situation for more than a month or so, I take it out 2-3 times during the winter and drive it up and down my street for 30 minutes, then put it away. So my question is - do you think this is enough time, in first and second gears only, to fully warm the oil up and boil off all O2? I cannot go beyond my little street, as the car is not insured during the winter

Let it warm up in the driveway before driving until the heater is toasty and then go for a short drive up/down the street.

Low speed driving lets the oil warm up quicker is not much airflow compared to freeway cruising but if you really want to know then install an oil temp gauge

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Having an oil temp gauge and living in an area with a lot of traffic (albeit a cold one this time of year), it takes a LONG time for oil to heat up under most circumstances, regardless of ambient temp. I seriously doubt driving up and down the street warms it up fully.

Oil takes 1 1/2 - 3 times longer than the coolant to warm up.

Cars with water based oil coolers actually have oil warmers during start up!

Be kind to your engine, drive it easy for at least 20 minutes until you think about getting to heavy with the right foot.