I recently had issues with starting my car.
First thing in the morning, I would have to crank for more than 5 seconds to get it started. If I restarted it after a few minutes of turning it off, it would start right up. If I let it sit for more than an hour or two before a restart, it would do the same thing, take a long time to start.

I replaced my fuel filter, and now it starts immediately, less than 1 second.

So, if you are having starting problems, and have never changed your filter, do it. The filter costs $60 from Mini, and takes about 45 minutes to replace.

 

My '05 is exhibiting that same sort of behavior - at 201k miles I guess it has earned a fuel filter - hopefully that's it. How many miles on your car?

Thanks for posting!

Pat

 

Almost 140. I have a sneaking suspicion that the ethanol fuel may be part of the problem. I've never seen a fuel filter so dirty before.

 

Posted in error.