4.4i transmission hesitation question

[X5Flyboy]

Originally Posted by rayxi

The tranny software update has been out for a while. You would think new vehicles from the factory would already have the latest software.

It does seem incredulous that the end of the '06 production run still does not have the latest updates. Mine's all of 10 weeks old, straight from the factory and needs an UPDATE! I'll check with my dealer later this AM. Thanks for the info.

[sageriders]

Checked with my dealer service crew yesterday, and they ARE aware of the problem, but they say it is with SOME cars only. Apparently, other cars come from the factory OK.

The service dept policy is not to do anything with the new cars unless a buyer complains-I'm guessing for 2 reasons. First, not all cars have the problem. Depends on production date and how long the transmission in the car was in inventory before installation; and second, some drivers will not know the difference.

Once an owner complains, they do the update, which can take up to 2-2 1/2 hours.

We'll see how mine is when it gets here. Now in production. But I'm confident my dealer will fix the thing if necessary. Can't wait for the new one to get here. I'm lost without wheels.

[Francis Chan]

I just came back from my BMW dealer for dropping off my 06 4.4i for fixing a minor problem. I asked the service manager for the 4.4i transmission hesitation firmware update. He entered the VIN of my 4.4i on
the computer for checking and he told me that mine do not need an update.

[dcast1]

I now have just over 300 miles on the x5 and the hesitation seems to have disappeared before having a chance to get back to the dealer. Just needed to break in a bit maybe???

By the way, what an incredible forum! Thank you!!!

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by dcast1

I now have just over 300 miles on the x5 and the hesitation seems to have disappeared before having a chance to get back to the dealer. Just needed to break in a bit maybe???

By the way, what an incredible forum! Thank you!!!

Not so much break in as adaptation to your driving style.

[X5Flyboy]

Originally Posted by dcast1

I now have just over 300 miles on the x5 and the hesitation seems to have disappeared before having a chance to get back to the dealer. Just needed to break in a bit maybe???

By the way, what an incredible forum! Thank you!!!

I managed to put +11K miles on mine in 9 weeks from a factory p/u. I will admit the hesitation does not happen all the time. But I do notice it is very hesitant to drop down a gear(or 2) when I press on the accelerator. Especially from very low speed. I've even had it buck acouple of times. Going into my dealer 5 July. I guess it is setup to keep the car rolling at the lowest rpm possible. On a flat road, I've maintained 40mph as low as 800rpm (to 1100rpm), which seems very low.

And yes, THIS is the place to be if you own an X5.

[LVR]

Originally Posted by burkleymh

I managed to put +11K miles on mine in 9 weeks from a factory p/u. I will admit the hesitation does not happen all the time. But I do notice it is very hesitant to drop down a gear(or 2) when I press on the accelerator. Especially from very low speed. I've even had it buck acouple of times. Going into my dealer 5 July. I guess it is setup to keep the car rolling at the lowest rpm possible. On a flat road, I've maintained 40mph as low as 800rpm (to 1100rpm), which seems very low.

And yes, THIS is the place to be if you own an X5.

BMW have deliberately set up the trans so that in slow speed driving or stop/start traffic it only drops down into second as the lowest gear. This is an economy setting. If you are on a long cruise then it selects an extreme economy (XE) mode. For it to drop into 1st you have to be driving harder, ie staying in E or S. The more conservative your driving, the harder it is to 'wake up' as it learns.

BMW are very protective of their fuel consumption figures as it is an important factor for them in the US market apparently. The new 1 series and 3 series here in Oz had trans noises that had to do with BMW 'unloading' the engine whilst at idle to conserve petrol. Numerous complaints have caused them to delete that feature here in Oz

[noncom23]

I spoke with Classic BMW in Dallas today. Pat Arnold is their Chief Service Advisor. He tells me software titled "V23" will be available from
BMW in the next 4-6 weeks for the 2006 4.4 .
This should take care of the hesitation.

Incidently, I spoke with Dinan also this week. A sales rep named Phil tells software is under design for the 06 4.4 also. Unknown date of availibilty. Thx.