I have a '99 E430 and it often dies when you first try to start it up. It seems like the 'catch mechanism' for the engine speed control occassionally does not keep the throttle open for a long enough time. If I step on the gas just a bit on start-up then it holds the idlle speed fine. It there an external engine speed monitor that works only on start-up? The engine works flawlessly once it runs for 5 seconds.

 

I am answering my own question since I researched this issue. Come to find out my new key that I had ordered was not making a successful handshake with the ECU about 30% of the time. I went back to using the old key and everything is fine. My car goes in next week to be analyzed about inductor matches in the key end. The dealer knows about this occasional issue with new keys.

 

I am answering my own question since I researched this issue. Come to find out my new key that I had ordered was not making a successful handshake with the ECU about 30% of the time. I went back to using the old key and everything is fine. My car goes in next week to be analyzed about inductor matches in the key end.