HELP ME IN THE UK

I have purchased a 1998 840Ci Sport Auto with 26000 mls a one owner vehicle and me, with full BMW service history. I picked up 840 on 3rd Jan and drove 180mls to my home in the Midlands, no problems car running like a dream. Arrived home took my partner out for a ride she fell in love with it. Monday morning drove to work approximately 25mls away no problems, no problems on the return so did 200mls untill Friday when a problem arose. Motorway driving went to use kickdown and noticed a slight loss of power and did,nt respond as normal. Off motorway onto access road uphill to roundabout pulled up foot on brake. Weather very wet .Problem 840 juddered as though there was a misfire I was only 1 mile from my office.
840 left in office car park untill 1200hrs car started ok and appeared to run ok, I left early to get to my local BMW dealer in Leamington Spa. 2 miles from home had the same problem but this time worse. This problem only happens when gears are engaged. Approximately 1 mile from home No power engine just ticking over managed to get home total loss of power. Started engine in normal way no problems.
Due to the total lack of engine I called out the AA as I did,nt want the same thing to happen on the way to Garage. AA comment was. "Sounds like you,v got a Cat gone there mate. I hope bloody not said I there £600 each.
AA followed me to garage no problems.
BMW Garage put 840 on ramp to check Cats. Thank God all ok.
Put vehicle on computer reported that no problems showed up.
I explained that this problem only appeared when car is being driven engine appears ok when running static.
840 off road untill Monday when they are going to run car and do a computer check on vehicle whilst in motion.
There, folks is my Problem. I cannot drive a vehicle no matter how expensive if its going to fail like that. I need my faith restoring.
Has anybody had a similar problem.
I think its its a fuel flow problem. But, Iam not an expert. I will no more on Monday, But, if they tell me theirs nothing wrong I do have a real problem because I did,nt imagine it. I will wait untill Monday. In the meantime HELP

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Ian and John, thanks for the reply. My Warranty is with Warranty Holdings Full Gold Cover my BM dealer is ok about it. The word you use is a better discription "Pulse" The engine gets an iregular heart beat and then stops similar to a heart attack. LOL OK so mines has had a stroke hope it gets fixed on Monday or I know what the problem is. Will post all action.
TTFN

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Ian, I tried to get the BMW warranty extended. but the previous owners had let it lapse. So Iam stuck with Warranty Holdings. I understand all your comments regarding labour rates and costs. My present thoughts at present are to get the car fixed so I can use it each day. If this is not the case and the problem persists and the 8 becomes unreliable I will have to think what my plans will be. I need a reliable car for bussiness use and getting to the office 25mls away without having to worry about the engine packing up. As you can tell Ian I am a bit pissed off at the moment. I am hoping Monday will be better. I will keep you posted.

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A quick up-date. Car in Garage 12th January 2004. Had all tests with the exception of the Road Run with computer on board. Latest report to me was that on the return journey to the garage 8 completely stopped firing on all but 2 cylinders. At least it has happened to someone else other than me. They disconected the Air flow meter which has a fault. A new airflow meter is on order and they inform me when fitted things should be OK. We will see on Tuesday when hopefully it should be fixed.
Furhter report to follow for interested parties. I am still p___ed off. But getting better.

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BMW rates as you Know £75.00 per hour WHL rates £28.00 per hour WHL need to get into the real world. Air Flow meter about £200 quids plus fitting.Interesting that the engine packed up when they were test driving it, thats anti sods law if you get the drift.
TTFN
PS has anybody had problems uploading pics can,nt get mine to upload. Mind you its probably me I only use my pc for mega architectural drawings and its only XP Pro. LMFAO

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The Saga continues !!!! Its not the Air Flow Meter. A cat has gone. At least we know its external to the EMU. Funny thing thats what the AA said when I explained the problem to them last friday. The Garage unfortunatly did,nt think is was the Cat but now it is. Lets hope we are correct this time. 1 Cat inc vat £600.00p. Not covered under warranty so supplying dealer is going to get a nice Bill. It would appear other cat is OK ????? We will have to wait and see. Funny how ones gone but not the other.

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Ian, Non BMW dealership. Has agreed to pay for replacment cat. BMW Garage has applied to HQ for adjustment to cost as low milage of vehicle and failure of part that is not fit for purpose. I am happy thats is not an internal engine problem. At present its not going to cost me a thing other than using my partners car. Like you my future concern is if one goes the other will not be far behind. But however if BMW reinburse at least 50% or all of replacement cat and the the other cat goes shortly after I should still be OK, I will wait and see.
Keep you posted.
Alasdair.

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No indication of antisipated life of cat but I would assume it must be longer than 25k mls. Ive told them to get on with it. They have applied for cost reduction due to age and milage.
Will keep you posted.
Alasdair

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THE SAGA ENDS. I hope!!!!

Ian and to all helpfull replies. I have just herd today that BMW are going to replace the Cat at no cost.
My faith has been restored. Somebody up there loves me.
I should be picking car up from my local BMW dealer who I must say has been very helpfull and has persued the claim for me. For future reference the dealers name who I would recommend in this area is:-
Damon Hill BMW Limited
Leamington Spa