Transmission problem acknowledged by the service dept

Quicksilver · #1 03-27-2006, 03:24 PM

Some of you X5 owners have complained about feeling like you have been rear ended by another car only to find it was actually your transmission or something in the drive train. Well the only good new is i ask the dealer if there were any transmission upgrades. He ask why and before I got the complete sentance out he said the rest of my words. He said they believe it is the controller?? Whatever. There have been many complaints about this issue but BMW has not issued a fix as of yet. I don't know what would work to solve this issue. Maybe if all of us flooded BMWUSA with letters perhaps we can get some action. Or if any of you have another option to get BMW's attention perhaps you can share it. For the rest of you who don't believe BMW will do anything perhaps your right but for now maybe we can concentrate on what we can do rather than what we cannot do.

On another note: today was my first experience with a manufacture problem. The rear passenger door panel (with shades installed) is coming loose from the door. I tried at one dealer to solve it but they needed more time so they set up an appointment a week ahead of time but no car to drive for this repair. Went back to where I bought the car BAM. Scheduled an appointment and was provided a car. Man I love good service.

cmyX6go · #2 03-27-2006, 03:57 PM

I had the problem when I accelerated from a roll. Dealer upgraded the software a few weeks ago and it hasn't happened since. Actually, the performance is much better off the line. X5Jay asked what the specifics were on the upgrade but when I called the service advisor to ask (my work order had some BS on it, nothing specific) he said they just plug it in and see what comes up

If I didn't feel the difference, I'd think they were blowing smoke up my arse, but the shifting is so much smoother now and no rear end feeling bangs. Sorry I can't tell you more.

X5Dawg · #3 03-27-2006, 05:31 PM

Is this problem only common for the 4.4?? I have a 3.0i and have the same issue - seems to happen between 1st and 2nd gear. Had the dealer take a look at it last time it was in and they said they were not finding any "codes" regarding the tranny. Took one of the shop guys on a test drive and of course could not get it to happen. Has done it a few times since. I have been trying to record when it occurs and what the situation was (cold, hot, quick start, etc.). Wish they would just flash the tranny software and see if I can tell a difference.

dkl · #4 03-27-2006, 10:22 PM

It seems like BMW knows about the problem, but doesn't want to release an "official" TSB on it. I had the same transmission hesitation when accelerating from a rolling stop on my 3.0i and it magically went away after a complaint and a dealer visit...but my dealer denied doing anything to it...weird

Seems like they want to keep things quiet about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyX5go

I had the problem when I accelerated from a roll. Dealer upgraded the software a few weeks ago and it hasn't happened since. Actually, the performance is much better off the line. X5Jay asked what the specifics were on the upgrade but when I called the service advisor to ask (my work order had some BS on it, nothing specific) he said they just plug it in and see what comes up

If I didn't feel the difference, I'd think they were blowing smoke up my arse, but the shifting is so much smoother now and no rear end feeling bangs. Sorry I can't tell you more.

obiparis · #5 03-27-2006, 06:08 PM

do you guys mean the problem occurs when you are coming to a stop? like the car will "clunk" or "jerk" when it's about to stop? If so, I think the problem is worse when you turn off the AC because it will drop the idle lower. I'm having this problem on my 540 now. I'm still trying to find a fix. Some guys suggested to update the AGS software which the previous owner already did and still no luck.

more details on your problem will be helpful.

Quicksilver · #6 03-27-2006, 07:03 PM

The tranny upgrade some have spoken about is model specific and I was told that mine is not covered in a recall or update. But the dealership does know about the problem so we will see. OH OH just got a call. Their keeping the X overnight. Something about a tranny software update. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Road Runner · #7 04-03-2006, 11:00 AM

Quicksilver,

Thanks for all that info! My wife's 05 has had this problem for a few months now, but it's now beginning to happen more often. Several times she's thought she was just rear-ended. It finally happened with me driving a few days ago. It is a very forceful thud and sudden lurch forward. My impression is that it seems like the transmission is slipping (violently) when down-shifting from 2nd to 1st gear.

Here are my other observations of when this seems to occur:

- Going uphill or a slight upward incline
- Slow down to near stop, then let off the brake and apply the gas lightly

A perfect is example is when my wife pulls into our garage, as our driveway has a slight upward slope. This sudden and violent jerk of the whole car forward has occurred at least twice when her car has pulled into the garage.

I would think BMW NA would be very concerned about this as I can see some ambulance chaser attorneys pursuing lawsuits against BMW NA if someone were to get whiplash or run into another vehicle or object as a result of this.

Perhaps BMW should be reminded of the sudden acceleration class action lawsuit (and subsequent recall) in the U.S. a few years ago - I believe it was against either Ford or GM for vehicles that would suddenly accelerate forward without any action by the driver.

RR

///Bruce · #8 04-03-2006, 11:25 AM

What year(s) are we talking about? My 02 4.6 has (knock on formica...) one of the best shifting transmisions I have EVER owned.

Now, I have other issues like door locks, SES lights, the smell of burning oil from under the hood, a sunroof visor that slides back and forth when I either accelerate or decelerate. It's actually kind of funny.

cmyX6go · #9 04-03-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Bruce

What year(s) are we talking about? My 02 4.6 has (knock on formica...) one of the best shifting transmisions I have EVER owned.

Now, I have other issues like door locks, SES lights, the smell of burning oil from under the hood, a sunroof visor that slides back and forth when I either accelerate or decelerate. It's actually kind of funny.

'05 4.4, Dec 04 build here

ArtMan · #10 04-03-2006, 11:29 AM

ive been to my dealer about i dont know anymore but a lot and they keep saying that the problem is normal....they told me it was the torque convertor locking up since i dont know shit about trannys i cant say how valid his statement is. but all i know is that if i were to shift from 5to4 at about 45mph it jerks had and simmalr when its in sport mode there is a jerk right before a stop.