E70 4.8 Transmission Issues

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by Blue Mountain Raider

you know, perhaps all the people that aren't happy with the e70 could file a joint lawsuit against bmw na about this ?

Yea, thats a great idea, lets get together and make a group of lawyers a bunch of cash so we can each collect $35.

[bsklar]

I think that many people are experiencing the same issues. I have had all the software upgrades and given plenty of time to "re-learn" driving patterns and this morning the car lunged violently as I was pulling out of my driveway in front of my neighbor in his Lexus LS. The other things you will likely notice is high reving and late shifts on any steady incline if you have the same issue. I have said before I also think this is having an impact on gas mileage. My current problem is that I cannot get my service guy at Tom Williams BMW to call me back.

[Cairns]

I think a collective letter signed by as many of you as possible, with a copy of the complaint to DOT and NHTSA (pointing out that accelerating while slowing down is a safety issue) would help greatly. If DOT or NHTSA gets involved to any degree I have no doubts BMW will begin doing some serious work on the issue. If the trans is acting the way many of you are saying I suspect this could become a mandatory recall. This isn't a piece of trim falling off or waxy doors.

And why not copy CBS/60 minutes while you're at it? They nearly ruined Audi over a transmission non-issue. I bet BMW and dealer service advisors would start returning calls real quick once the word was out.

[BG624]

I just took delivery of my X5 4.8 on Monday and the tranny seems ok. I can feel the downshifts as you slow to a stop but it's not terribly jerky. I don't have any of the lunging issues. I think the tranny holds gears longer going up hills so you'll have power which you wouldn't have if it upshifts going up a hill. My Audi A8 does the same thing on hills.
When I first test drove the X5 in December it definetely lunged starting from a stop. I was told it will "learn" it's way out of it. Obviously they fixed that since mine does not do it. My wife noted how much smother the tranny is on our X5 than it was on the demo car in Dec.
Either the software needs to be updated or the tranny is no good, lunging has nothing to do with a tranny that's learning your driving style nor does very jerky downshifts.

[Scheckat]

Brought my E70 3.0SI in for a brake light out Tuesday. Dealer performed transmission update and performed complete car encoding with new software when they went to do QC check the "check engine" light came on (it has never been on before). Tech could not resolve check engine light issue so they called BMWNA engineer. It turns out that when they do the transmission update and then the complete car encoding they need to deselect the transmission portion of the encoding otherwise the software gets overwritten with the old code and causes the check engine issue. Picked up the car today and so far so good. No issues and no lights will keep you posted...

[LVR]

Originally Posted by X5FX

Yea, thats a great idea, lets get together and make a group of lawyers a bunch of cash so we can each collect $35.

Hmmmm. Guys, here's the thing. BMW have a deliberate market strategy to minimise the fuel consumption ratings for their V8's in their biggest market (USA) The downside is that they have over engineered the trans software to do it and it's particularly obvious on the V8's and diesels.

Check out the E53 forums and do a search on trans, and you'll see a lot of posts from some of us who have learned that this is VERY deliberate. (See also info about economy settings and gear selections in roundabouts and why it changes to 1st instead of 2nd)

Alternatively, go check out the E60 forums and do a search on transmission slam

With respect, talk of legal action is pointless. I'm currently going through the corporate 'get stuffed' for my trans/suspension/detonation and I have gone all the way up to the BMW board in Germany. Despite the evidence, eg denying it detonates then I find that 550 owners are also complaining........they deliberately take the line of denying there is a problem until you give up. (So because I'm a tenacious SOB I will keep my lawyers at them until they take responsibility for the junk they pass off as $165k premium performance)

If you want to get anywhere, I've learned that you need to document EVERY episode inc time, speed, location eg hill etc of the issue and get an independent expert witness to document the examples, then be prepared to spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ to get the legal eagles to go them.......... ASSUMING it is actually a fault

For what I've also learned, is that despite the evidence, you still lose. You either keep/trade (lose $$$ in changeover) or sue them. Either way it costs.

So if you want action, be prepared to stump up.

Or, you check out your local laws and if you're lucky enough to have 'lemon laws' you use the documented evidence you have to get a replacement. Don't make the same mistake I have and follow all the suggestions/promises/software fixes etc until you have time against you.......... Get in early

[radel]

Anybody here who had the transmission software upgrade? Can you please share your views/comments on the latest tranny update?

[PhoenixM3]

I had one software update, but it did not help. I think I will just wait for a solid TSB on this or just trade it for a 535xi.

[Big_Dog_X5]

I have had my 4.8 for a week now and I must say it has the best gearbox I have driven, this is my 6th BMW and my wife has a lexus. This box is by far the smoothest and most intuitive.

[PhoenixM3]

Maybe the mapping "down under" is different?