S65 V8 engine in a BMW M3 E90/92/93 and M5's with a V10 has two throttle valve actuators that fail prematurely at 40-80K miles. Both the internal nylon gears and electronics will fail, affecting accelerator pedal response and causing hesitation, especially with the dct transmission. These parts are not a maintenance item. When failed, the engine malfunction, excess emissions, skid control, and ABS braking warning lights are triggered. Engine goes into limp mode. This is dangerous when it happens while driving in rainy, snowy, and icy road conditions. The throttle valve actuator design defect should have triggered a BMW recall. Replacement parts are $1000-1300 each plus $1000 labor and have never been redesigned by BMW/Bosch. So the replacement parts are also defective and will fail prematurely. Repairs occurred on Dec. 2012 at 80K miles for $2000 and on Jan. 2016 at 140K miles for $3000. A BMW M3 and M5 recall and redesigned parts are warranted. BMW technical service bulletins should be issued for this design flaw. 8yr/80km federal emissions warranty should cover these repairs as well.

- Valencia, CA, USA

Shortly after purchasing my BMW 2009 M3, I noticed a rare but very disturbing pattern on take off. I had car checked in dealer and I was told it was likely secondary to my driving style! this uncontrolled take off is like hi rev and rapid acceleration periodically alternating with deceleration for few seconds. I had this happen prob a dozen time so far(36K on car). On day of my accident, in stop and go traffic with speed less than 5 miles per hour, car literally went off on me. It accelerated to hit the car in front and then managed to push the car into another 3 cars in front, before it came to a stall. I am not sure if it was exactly like my previous episodes because the distance between my car and next car was short. What I am sure is that I had no control on car.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

My 2009 BMW M3 with a dct transmission lags between 1st and 2nd gear. When you push on the accelerator the car does not go for at least 2 seconds, then it shoots forward. I have complained to BMW but they say this is normal. This occurs all the time when I am slowing down and the car is down shifting.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA