1994 525i (M50 + 5 Spd) Major hesitation problems.

First off, just wanted to thank everyone on the forums. This place has been a great source of information, I'm completely new to BMW's after coming from a long line of Toyota Supras (Must be something about an inline 6 :)

Just picked up a 94 525i with approximately 134,000 km's on it. Appears to be well maintained and cared for.

In the past month I've owned the vehicle I've been very impressed, only problem before this was a leaky clutch slave cylinder. Something to expected on a 10 year old car. Solid piece of machincery and with the factory towing package does a great job of moving my race bike.

The past 3 days I've had alot of problems with hesitation, this only seems to occur on a 'warm' start after the car has been sitting for 2 or 3 hours after the initial drive to work in the morning and sitting in 35 degree C weather. Engine starts normally and acts perfectly but after driving for 4 or 5 minutes the engine refuses to make power, an audible/shaking misfire is heard on multiple cylinders. I can get the engine to rev up but with alot of misfiring and hesitation when the clutch disengaged.
When I pull off to the side of the road the engine will idle fine and after a minute or two of blipping the throttle the whole situation clears up. This worries me as losing power in a roundabout here in the middle east could end up in a big mess :)

No check engine light, checked the codes, pulled all the plugs in good condition and not fouled. I've been keeping the tank full, added some fuel treatment (I doubt condensation is an issue here like back home in eastern Canada) and injector cleaner. Perhaps a failing injector, tps sensor?

I'm not sure if this is a fuel or a ignition problem. Haven't found an indentical case with an M50 engine in the archives, so any advice would be appreciated before I take it to a dealer.

Thanks in advance.

Alfred
Doha, Qatar.

change your plugs, do NOT put in the Bosch platinums or splitfires. As much as i hate it, go to the dealer and buy the stock plugs, they work best in the M50. Also, make sure you are using the highest grade and octane fuel you can find. Mine will sputter if i use crappy fuel. If none of that fixes your problem, have the coils checked, you might have a failing one.