Normal 135i cold start?

[max102654]

Is this normal? Every morning after cold start, when the engine is idling, there is a huge amount of white smoke coming out at the exhaust. As seen in the video, towards the end of the clip, the smoke seems massive compared to other cars that I own. The BMW Z3 or the 328i that I drove never did this. The smoke generally lasts for a couple of minutes. I am wondering if this is normal and if other 135i behave the same way.

[Mega Man]

Was it cold at the time you filmed this?

I believe mine did this for a while too, when it was brand, spankin' new. Hard to say though, since it was also December-January.

[max102654]

Originally Posted by Mega Man

Was it cold at the time you filmed this?

I believe mine did this for a while too, when it was brand, spankin' new. Hard to say though, since it was also December-January.

I filmed this 2 days ago in sunny Los Angeles.

[creepy coupe]

Are you sure it's not steam? Mine does it about two minuets after take off from cold

[cagekicker]

that's odd!

[tbird]

Also depends on humidity. If it is 60 degrees out (which it can be in L.A. during the early morning) and you happen to have a humid day, it can smoke like that.

I don't see a bluish tinge, and obviously you don't smell any burning smell or you would have mentioned that.

My "guess" is that it is simple humidity, but you would have to look at the weather for that day. If you still are worried, then take this video and show it to your Service Rep. This is also a good idea because if you show it to him and he says "It's nothing" but then later on your car fails, you can then state that you DID bring it in for this issue.

According to BMW NA, you "MUST" report all things on the car and always give your local Service Dept all the heads up on "ALL" issues, or they will not be addressed in the future. I found that one out on my last BMW.

[shodanusmc]

In Chicago, no white smoke ....anyplace from 40-80 degrees. I would leave it over night at the dealer and let them see it.

[john08135i]

Thats not smoke.. its steam like when cars run in the cold weather

[max102654]

I was initially not aware of the issue but someone beeped me from behind one morning when I was driving on the surface street and then I saw the smoke from my mirrors. I recognized that during cold start, there is some amount of smoke (steam) due to normal condensation but I was concerned since it was puffing out what seems to be excessive at some incidents. I had a 328i parked in the same space the next day after I filmed the 135i; during cold start, the 328i too emits some smoke but it was very mild and it disappeared quickly in a minute or two.

I e-mailed the video last night to two friends of mine who are both BMW certified mechanic. They both said it does not look normal as the amount seems to be excessive. I wish I could take the car to them but one of them is in Phoenix and the other one is up north 60 miles away.

This car is new and I am just wondering if other 135i behaves the same at cold start.

[shodanusmc]

Mine does not.

[flyburch]

mine did it a couple of times when i first got it looked alot like yours but i have 900 miles on it and no more smoke. It concerned me also.

[dragon1761]

that is normal. I think its due to the condensation. Just try to park your car indoors in a garage and it wont have that problem. If you have black smoke then you should get it checked up right away

[HACKULO]

mine do the same thing ~~~but only 2 or 3 mins~

i am in the LA also

[Mega Man]

I'm in the LA area as well, but mine doesn't do that, not anymore. It did it when it was brand new.

I don't park it inside, though I would like to.

[Robert]

mine never did that.