Rough downshifts...

[318i318is328i645i745ix5]

Guys I am having this issue too and its really buggin the hell out of me. I tried the 30 sec reset and it seemed to work but it seems its creeping in again.

I noticed though that when the car is cold it doesnt happen.

Anyway, after reading all the posts it seems this is a product defect and deserves a recall as it is a safety issue especially in traffic.

What do you think guys...?

[va8341]

Originally Posted by 318i318is328i645i745ix5

Guys I am having this issue too and its really buggin the hell out of me. I tried the 30 sec reset and it seemed to work but it seems its creeping in again.

I noticed though that when the car is cold it doesnt happen.

Anyway, after reading all the posts it seems this is a product defect and deserves a recall as it is a safety issue especially in traffic.

What do you think guys...?

I started experiencing this (2nd to 1st hiccup or slight rear ended like) a few months ago. I then followed the 30 sec reset approach. It worked for a few days. I eventually took my X (2003 4.6is with 98K) to dealer on Oct. 17th and they said it's normal even they can feel it when I replicated it on road. It slightly slams right around 10mph dot and rpm has a little jump while engine make a sudden sound. So I insisted on reprogram. They charged me $135. They couldn't tell me what exactly the version of trany software they updated but assured it's current one they have.

But since then I still have the problem. It's just I experince it much less than before. Before 8 out 10 times; now probably 1 or 2 out 10 times.

They told me that if software update doesn't help for long, next try the tranny filter and fluid change. A $980 job, do you believe this BS? $40 per half liter fluid they quoted me. Castrol.

I'll do a diy. Will update if ATF fluid and filter change helps.

I feel this is ZF transmission design/build flaw. It seems a lot of V8 X5 affected, particulary when reaching to 80K or 100K miles range.

[XV8]

Originally Posted by va8341

I started experiencing this (2nd to 1st hiccup or slight rear ended like) a few months ago. I then followed the 30 sec reset approach. It worked for a few days. I eventually took my X (2003 4.6is with 98K) to dealer on Oct. 17th and they said it's normal even they can feel it when I replicated it on road. It slightly slams right around 10mph dot and rpm has a little jump while engine make a sudden sound. So I insisted on reprogram. They charged me $135. They couldn't tell me what exactly the version of trany software they updated but assured it's current one they have.

But since then I still have the problem. It's just I experince it much less than before. Before 8 out 10 times; now probably 1 or 2 out 10 times.

They told me that if software update doesn't help for long, next try the tranny filter and fluid change. A $980 job, do you believe this BS? $40 per half liter fluid they quoted me. Castrol.

I'll do a diy. Will update if ATF fluid and filter change helps.

I feel this is ZF transmission design/build flaw. It seems a lot of V8 X5 affected, particulary when reaching to 80K or 100K miles range.

I have the same rough downshift problem on my 2003 4.6is since hitting 80K miles about a month ago. Exactly as described by others, it occurs when I get off the highway and when I drive locally in the city. I say, it happens to me about 7-8 times every 10 too. Currently at 83K, I'll try the trans reset method to see if this will work later in the day. Will post up my X results in a week.

[chilliwilli]

I've performed everything imaginable and had various/multiple diagnosis done by dealer, indy, and Euro performance shop. I almost rear-ended someone so i decided to look into this further...What i discovered is that BMW issued a Service Bulletin (trany program) fix for 2004+ V8's but nothing for the 4.6iS. The only fix the dealer offered was to top off the trany fluid. They claim it's inherent to the performance engine

I stopped holding my breath, expecting them to do something about this.

[Roadkill]

hey all,

keep in mind that the "30 sec gas pedal hold" is only resetting the transmission adaptations. these adaptations are stored from your driving tendencies and can exacerbate the famous "clunking" or "lurching" issues with the zf. however, the reset will not make it go away. it only hides it for a little while.

chilli, it's total BS that the dealer is telling you it has anything to do with a performance motor. it's all tranny related. we on the e39 board have discussed this problem at length and i ended up replacing my tranny (e39 540i Touring w/ 120K miles at time of replacement). good luck with getting satisfaction.

[Weasel]

I have no harsh downshifts with my 03 4.6is... and (knock on wood) have had zero indications on any transmission problems as of yet, at 95,000 miles. I did reprogram the DME and EGS with the newest progman software back when I retrofitted the trailer module, just because I could , but had no problems before that either.

If it is all customer pay, you could always ask them for a price to do a tranny pan drain and fill with filter replacement, followed by reprogramming with latest progman software if they still have an operational progman terminal, otherwise ISTA-P programming of the EGS.

A non integrated BMW like the E53 should only cost 1 hour labor to program since it won't need to program everything else with it. And the transmission drain and fill with filter will be a couple hours labor and the fluid is expensive per quart, and you will need about a gallon and a half.

[PaulE]

I have this problem as well. 2006 4.4L; 82,000 miles. Just bought it and did not notice it during the test drive or until a couple of weeks after I bought it.

I typically see it when I'm driving about 5-10 mph, coasting and then get back on the gas.
It is a fairly violent thump.

Transmission fluid is full.

I tried the 30 second gas pedal reset and it did not seem to make any difference. It also happens when it's cold (within 10 minutes of driving in the morning).

Not really thrilled here.

[XV8]

Originally Posted by Weasel

I have no harsh downshifts with my 03 4.6is... and (knock on wood) have had zero indications on any transmission problems as of yet, at 95,000 miles. I did reprogram the DME and EGS with the newest progman software back when I retrofitted the trailer module, just because I could , but had no problems before that either.

If it is all customer pay, you could always ask them for a price to do a tranny pan drain and fill with filter replacement, followed by reprogramming with latest progman software if they still have an operational progman terminal, otherwise ISTA-P programming of the EGS.

A non integrated BMW like the E53 should only cost 1 hour labor to program since it won't need to program everything else with it. And the transmission drain and fill with filter will be a couple hours labor and the fluid is expensive per quart, and you will need about a gallon and a half.

Glad to hear that you don't have this problem at 95K. I'm considering to have the software checked at a BMW dealership. The BMW Service Advisor claimed this diagnostics cost will vary between $60 to $135 (with the software updated to the newest version if necessary).

Also asked if I should be concerned about the tranny... and he replied, "this is a know issue with the V8 engines 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8".

Guess, I gotta take the 1st step to find out what software version my X is running on. Since I do not have BMW warranty coverage but a 3rd party warranty when I purchased the vehicle used (which does cover the cost to replace the tranny)... any advice on how to deal with the BMW service advisors? Wish me luck!!

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by dinan e39

...

chilli, it's total BS that the dealer is telling you it has anything to do with a performance motor. it's all tranny related. we on the e39 board have discussed this problem at length and i ended up replacing my tranny (e39 540i Touring w/ 120K miles at time of replacement). good luck with getting satisfaction.

I guess what they meant was that it's inherent to the performance models. I had the same issue with my previous 4.6iS at around 50K miles...had the Dinan S2 system installed and it was still present but not as bad. My current 4.6iS was purchased at low miles and experienced the rough downshift as early as 40K miles. I recently rebuilt the trany and installed updated oem torque converter @ 70K...it's still present!

I don't understand why they can't develop a similar remedy as they did for the 2004+ V8's...perhaps if we start a petition

[LeiZ]

After reading this thread, I found out I had the same issue with my X as well. Not so often, around 3~4 out of 10 times, usually happens when the car is cold and after a short acceleration.

This issue is TOTALLY GONE after I did the transmission fluid change using Royal Purple. I haven't tried other brands, and this is my 1st time transmission fluid change. So overall it works pretty good on my X now. Just a little bit worry about whether the fluid pumped in is enough.