BMW Repair: e46 316i se 2001 loss of power and cutting out., e school, warning light

Question
Hi,
I'm after some advice really before i have to fork out at the dealers. I have the above vehicle, I've owned it for 3 years now and it has never had any problems, flown through services and MOT's.  i have been having a few problems with my 316i for a few months now, first of all it didn't like starting when engine was warm (i.e. school run - started fine cold first thing but when dropped kids off and came back to start it up, wouldn't start, abs warning light would come on, whole car would judder and would take at least 5 attempts and plenty of revs to actually start) and it still does that from time to time but has now started with a more serious problem, it now doesn't like running when cold and when I've got about half a mile down the revs fall, power steering goes, all control goes and then cuts out. its started doing this quite often now and i daren't use the car as it did it when i was in a junction with the kids in car! Has any body got any ideas?

Answer
Jas, this smells like a sticking idle valve. We don't have your engine in the U.S. so I don't know where it is. I would replace it or remove it and clean it. It costs $150 US. and can make life difficult when it starts to seize up with carbon. Replace any intake boots that you find torn or cracking.
-Evan