Sounds like your injectors are leaking. Although I thought these symptoms only showed up on warm starts with leaky injectors.
'89 525 hard starting then over rich. '89 525 185km, when cold ( NC 25 t0 40 degrees), fires immediately but will not run Typically 6 to 8 or more trys and must hold throttle part open like starting flooded carbureted engine. Finally starts, running rough and smoking (blue/gray?) as if flooded. Occasionally no start.
Hot starts fine and runs well.
Recent cleaning/stabilant treatment of engine/chassis/ battery gound cable connection. Son had reported the "dreaded stumbles" while on the road but I have not seen that the one day before the ground work nor in the ten days since.
Sounds like your injectors are leaking. Although I thought these symptoms only showed up on warm starts with leaky injectors.
I had this exact problem with my E12. I was told that it was to do with the cold start valve. The valve itself doesn't go but rather the sensor that tells the valve how long to open for. I'm not sure how it works with the E34 but the E12 had a small sensor built into a kind of by way from the cooling system located near the block (lay-mans terms). I would start with this first. You could dis-connect the cold start valve power source and see how you go. Your starting wont improve but you wont flood it. I killed numerous batteries with this problem. Good luck!!!
Cheers
Wingman
'89 525i/A Exec 193000kms
'94 Subaru Liberty AWD Wagon
Looking for Merc 300TE
NSW, Australia
ummm e34's don't have a cold start valve too my knowledge early e28s where the last 5ers to have them. I also thought that these problems only manifested themselves only when hot. i would definitely look in the way of a leaky injector though as the source of the problem. thing with your "hot start" you might not be leaving the car for as a long period hence less fuel will build up in the intake.
Germans: Why can't they make everything?
You can see that I have never had my E34 apart!!! The symptoms are exactly the same though.
Cheers
Wingman
'89 525i/A Exec 193000kms
'94 Subaru Liberty AWD Wagon
Looking for Merc 300TE
NSW, Australia
yeah i know what you mean i have an early e28 with idle dramas so thats how i know about cold start injectors, believe me having a problem with L-jetronic teaches you alot and hopefully if i furfill my dream of getting an early 70s 911S that knowledge should come in handy
Germans: Why can't they make everything?
so did you work out what it is yet?
Germans: Why can't they make everything?
Have not solved problem. Clearly affected but ambient temp. 30 degrees and hard to start. 30 deg with rain and I'm dead. Harder to start, more smoke and idle surging for maybe 30 to 45 sec.