03 325 feels off each AM, stalls easily

[sasha_03_325CI]

Hello, found possible solutions to other issues on this site already. Wish I'd found this before bringing my car in to the dealer. There's one other thing I'm hoping some more experienced owners here can either recognize or tell me I'm overly sensitive. Here's the short version:
When started in the AM, spring temps, there's a noticeable whine/rubbing noice from the driver's side engine area. Dealer said it was the heat shield rubbing, bent it back as a fix. However, I still notice it. Also notice sound increases with RPMs, not in gear. And if you hit the gas quickly there seems to be a stumble/stutter for a moment. Biggest annoyance is the ease of stalling. When engaging gears, either direction, you really need to keep the revs high or it'll stall. Especially second gear. I've driven a manual for 12 years and don't stall in any gear at any other time of the day. Once on the road there's no issue.

Seems perhaps the pedal level isn't providing the same amount of fuel as when warm? Just a random thought. Also one morning couldn't engage second gear in my lot, tried but wouldn't go in. Then I felt it engage, let off the clutch and heard a wonderful grind. How that happened I don't know. Hasn't again. Had the car inspected once, everything mechanical checked out with no codes. It's going in to another dealer next week. Any directions I should point them in? Or am I being nuts? Specs: it's relatively new to me, 03 325CI, 5speed, sport/premium/19K.

Sorry for the length! It's a bad habit...any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
Alex

 

[Big Daddy]

Welcome to the board. I am really not sure about the problems you mention but it should be easy to check that heat shield in the morning when you hear the nosie. Open the hood and touch the shield (Make sure she is not too hot) and see if the noise changes, if not it is not the shield. How new or what condition is your air filter?

The trans problem I am not sure.

 

[aNoodle]

A whine/rubbing noice? It goes away after the engine is warmed up? Sounds like it could be a pully. It will progressively get worse until it whines all the time. But it starts usually as a noise only when it's cold.

The stalling issue could be any number of things. I've had lots of "issues" but thankfully (where's some wood) that hasn't been one of them.

 

[sasha_03_325CI]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I actually thought that sound was a pully or belt of sorts. When I first test drove the car and had about 30 minutes to walk around it, etc. the noise was present. Sales guy said the car had been sitting so that's probably why the noise was present. It's still there, and didn't really go away after the dealer checked all out. I'm "trained" not to trust dealers regardless, but even so the "heat shield" description didn't make too much sense. I know the sound of vibrating metal and this isn't it. Hopefully my local dealer will find something futher.

I'm not sure how old the air filter is. I've had the car since late March and have only put about 2500 miles on it. Overall it's mint, just these (seemingly) minor irks. Plus now the sunroof cover jammed so it can't be opened fully, and the drivers window makes a nasty sound 3/4 way up when closing. Don't know if all coupes sound this way but when closing the door it really rattles. I'm waiting for the glass to fall out..ha.

The shifting thing in the AM is just odd. It's one of those "I can feel it and explain it but nothing appears odd when looked at". And good luck replicating it for them. I was warned it might have to stay overnight to repair the roof, so at least they'll see it cold in the AM. This really shows something I dislike about new cars...if the computer says it's OK, then it's OK. They don't get in there and visually troubleshoot. Oh well. Overall I love the car and can't believe I waited so long for one. Last night I semi-raced a brand new 911 C2. That was fun, heh. Nothing insane, just pushing it through twisting back roads....that car could have wiped me up but I held my own quite well. BMWs really are on rails, not one tire chirp.

Thanks again for the advice. I'll post back after it's been checked out.

Alex