BMW M3 Starting Issues: Bad Ignition Switch?

Hey there! I actually had really similar issues with my 2003 BMW M5. When it started acting up like yours, I was also thinking ignition switch at first. Took it to my trusted mechanic and it turned out to be a blown fuse in the main circuit that controls the fuel pump relay. Pretty tricky to diagnose because the symptoms were so similar to ignition switch problems. The repair wasn't a major ordeal, had to replace the fuse and they found some minor corrosion in the fuse box that needed cleaning. The whole thing wasn't too serious, but leaving it unfixed could've led to bigger electrical problems down the line. I'd suggest getting it checked out sooner rather than later though, even if it seems minor now, electrical issues can get complicated if left alone. My car's been running smooth since the fix, no starting problems at all. Hope this helps with your troubleshooting. Your mileage is pretty low for that year, so it's worth getting it sorted properly.

Hey thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know it turned out to be the fuse in your case. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks pop up? My M3's been my pride and joy, so I wanna make sure I get this sorted properly.

Hey again! Good to hear back from you. Yeah, I just checked my records, the repair was pretty reasonable, came to 52€ for replacing the fuse and cleaning up that corrosion in the fuse box. I'm happy to report it's been smooth sailing since I got it fixed! Not a single starting issue or electrical problem since then. I can't believe I was so worked up thinking it was the ignition switch, turns out it was such a simple fix. My mechanic really knew what he was doing, spotted the issue right away. Honestly, it's been such a relief not having to worry every time I turn the key. The M5's running like a dream now, just like it should! Makes me appreciate how sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. Totally get you about wanting to take good care of your M3. These cars are special, and it's worth making sure everything's running right. Sounds like you've kept yours in great shape with that low mileage!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! You wouldn't believe it, but I actually got my car checked yesterday after reading your first message. Turns out my problem was pretty similar, faulty wiring near the fuse box was causing all those starting issues. The repair cost me a bit more since they had to replace some corroded wiring too, but definitely cheaper than replacing the whole ignition switch! The mechanic I found was actually really great. He took the time to show me exactly what was wrong and explained everything clearly. My baby's running perfectly now, starts up first try, no more rough idle, nothing. Such a relief! Really glad I didn't put it off any longer. Can't thank you enough for sharing your experience. Saved me from probably spending way more than necessary on replacing parts that weren't even the problem. Time to get back to enjoying those smooth rides again!