4.8 Transmission Logic - Time to fix it or flick it

[jobaker4]

Hi Folks, Sorry to bring back up this old thread but in doing some research regarding my '05 4.8is I had found this discussion regarding Lag/Poor Throttle Reponse/Horrible Transmission Logic.

I am experiencing many of the problems described in this thread. After dealing with a Harsh Downshift coming to a stop my dealer reprogrammed my tranny and it helped a lot regarding the transmission. What I notice now is that it will bog down and be slow to downshift when I apply pressure to the gas pedal. After pressing the gas pedal past a certian point the car will downshift and take off in a rediculous fashion.

Has anybody had further successes regarding this issue lately? Are the people in this thread still around? If so have you all had your problems fixed?

Many thanks for the help!
-Josh

[LVR]

Sorry to say but there does not seem to be a lasting fix. The trans is designed to remain in as economical setting as possible purely by driving it in D. If you want the performance, go to S (sport mode).

If you want both, then it has to have time to realise that is what you are telling it.

Many are the stories here in Australia of 7, 5 and X5 owners trading into another vehicle (not always BMW) because of gearbox performance.

My wife and I were all set to update our X5's but this and other issues means we have our lawyers involved, and are awaiting acknowledgement by BMW that there is even a problem, despite a clear trail of documentation.

Needless to say, we are currently test driving other brands........

[Scott in Cincy]

My 4.8is (2005) is at the dealer right now for a couple reasons:
Replace the sunroof because it leaks like a rusty bucket and the "banging" transmission problem. We'll see what it comes back like...

[NextGen]

I have a 2004 4.4i and I have just about had it with my transmission also. The dealer told me I had the latest software upgrade but according to this thread I need to have them check other things. The thing is I am not a mechanic nor do I want be. It is their job to try and figure out what is wrong with it and try different things. I shouldn't be the one to say something like "did you check the DME?". Heck, I don't even know what DME stands for, I'll have to look that up.

I don't expect this type of problem from a $25000 car let alone a $60000 one! Unlike many here this is my first BMW. I finally get to point in life where I can enjoy higher quality things, and this is what I get...lower quality!

In all fairness, if you take away the transmission problem, then I would consider this one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. So I am hanging in there for another round at the dealer. If I offer to pay for the fix instead of using the warranty maybe they will be more motivated?

[J.Seven]

Originally Posted by x5fromOz

Having recently replaced my auto trans in my 4.4 with a new one, I cant understand how it is that my wifes Subaru Forester X is so nice to drive with smooth auto shifts and never anything to repair at service time....beats me as to why we keep coming back for more??? Maybe it is becuase somebody once said , in this country, that "Life was not meant to be easy".

How many miles on your X when it needed a new gearbox?
Can you tell the cost involved in this process if you don´t mind my asking?
Thanks in advance.

J.Seven

[Don Coffey]

Well I thought this sort of problem was unique to the diesel engine. Or so the top engineer for BMW GB said! I have the same problem with the transmission not changing down as you approach junctions. According to the dealer this is to make the car as economical as possible, the point BMW seem to be missing, is that we buy their cars because we enjoy driving and by having the transmission programed this way it is not only taking a lot of the driving pleasure away from us but like a few of you, is enough to say 'bye, bye BMW'

Don

[Quicksilver]

See if there is anything in this thread you can use. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...t=transmission

[NextGen]

See if there is anything in this thread you can use. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...t=transmission

Quicksilver - do you know how to determine the transmission software version? It looks like everyone is saying V.23 fixes most of these issues. I don't know what version I have.

[Don Coffey]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

See if there is anything in this thread you can use. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...t=transmission

Cheers Quicksilver,

However I have been told that I have the latest version and after extensive tests both in my car and other X5's, BMW have said it is a characteristic and there's nothing they can do.

Don

[NextGen]

So I finally went in for my first Inspection I service and I told them about the transmission. A few months back I had told another dealership about it and they said I had the latest software. Well this time I told them that I read about an upgrade that fixes the problem on an internet forum. The service man asked me which forum and I kindly replied X5World. He told me that they had to take the X for a test drive and that I need to ride with the technician. He aslo told me to tell the tech about what I read on the forum.

I am not sure if it made a difference but I gave him as much detail as I could remember from my readings here. He said that there was an upgrade for my X. I picked it up yesterday and they told me I was upgraded to version 44. I told them that sounded kinda high as I have been reading about people upgrading to version 22 or 23. They double checked the number and said it was now 44. I said okay and took off. After a day of driving I notice a huge difference in the tranny. The hard hit is almost all gone. I haven't tested it enough but I think I still feel a little hit for some driving situations. Before the upgrade I couldn't bring the X to a smooth stop. It would always jerk a little before coming to a complete stop. It no longer does that. I'll need to spend a few more days with it but so far so good.