Transmission Slippage.

MRV99 · #1 12-13-2007, 07:53 PM

Ok I am wondering if anyone here has experienced this. My wife was complaining that she thinks here 4.4 sport had more power than her new 07 4.8 sport. I assured her that she has 60 more HP and I feel it is just as fast or faster and asked her why. She said when she needs to mash the gas and make a pass the car hesitates for 2 sec and then starts going fast. I then though that she was not pushing the peddel to the floor

. So I was with her and told her to show me and sure enought. Since I have alot of trans and motor experience I did a few tests which I used to do to check trans. I can mash the gas, force the engine to spin up and have the trans lag for 2 seconds and hesitate really bad. This shows up in sport mode and regular mode. I tell you it is very noticable. I am just wondering is anyone else has experienced this and if the have was it fixed by BMW?

Thanks

rh71 · #2 12-13-2007, 08:39 PM

There are a couple threads that talk about the hesitation. In the X3 forums, there seems to be a "known issue" for it (same 3.0 engine).

I thought it was just the X5 3.0 but during my 4.8 test drive, it was present as well. I guess it has to be chalked up to the electronic throttle. I'm also wondering if it can be tuned better by software updates.

How many miles on the car?

X5FX · #3 12-13-2007, 09:01 PM

its not the transmission slipping...it will go away after a few thousand miles

alexmish · #4 12-13-2007, 09:08 PM

I experience the same thing ! And that is why I like how 4.4 drives... Dont know if the transmission will "learn" my driving style, if there is such thing at all ...

MRV99 · #5 12-13-2007, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the quick responses. I don't think it is a throttle delay because the engine spins up pretty fast with the trans catching up later. The sensation which I relate it to is when you have a clutch that is near the end of its life and it take time for the clutch to catch up to the motor. Now I can't speak for BMW transmission but I have rebuilt a few manuals and 1 automatic and to me this does not seem right.

X5FX if it is not the trans slipping what could it be and how does it just go away? I was also wondering if it has something to do with the new xDrive. The scarry thing is when you need to get on the gas it just does not move and believe me in Chicago traffic that can be a very very bad thing.

X5FX · #6 12-13-2007, 11:21 PM

not sure, but I would guess its a combo of several things- engine breaking in, transmission learning, and the drive-by-wire throttle. Tell your wife to be a bit heavier on the pedal. I find that you need to be a bit more aggressive with your foot, eventually it will become second nature.

The hesitation seemed to lessen as I drove it more...now I rarely notice it.

canamx5 · #7 12-13-2007, 11:47 PM

I'm experiencing something similar. This only happens in first gear when I floor it. If I'm on the freeway or in any other gear and smash it, everything is fine. This is how I would describe it, and it goes like this. It feels like when you're about to puke and you try to hold it in, everything comes up but not out and then eventually it does!

So far the E70's tranny is the worst I've had in a long time going back to my ML 430. It just plain sucks IMO! (mine does anyway) The 7 speed Transmission in the CEO's R500 is an absolute dream to drive (not talking about the car here) not to mention that it's just as fast with less HP.

I have had the car for a year now and nothing has changed, even after multiple visits to the stealer regarding this problem.

I hope you have better luck.

PhoenixM3 · #8 12-14-2007, 01:15 AM

I have to agree that the transmission in my X5 seems to leave a lot to be desired. I have had discussions with other members about random issues: hesitation, slamming, and just lack of consistency. My dealership has looked at mine multiple times and been in communication with BMW corporate, but they cannot find a problem. To me, the transmission feels poor in quality compared to that of my X3. Such a pity considering how great the X5 is to drive from other aspects.

X5Boston · #9 12-14-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixM3

I have to agree that the transmission in my X5 seems to leave a lot to be desired. I have had discussions with other members about random issues: hesitation, slamming, and just lack of consistency. My dealership has looked at mine multiple times and been in communication with BMW corporate, but they cannot find a problem. To me, the transmission feels poor in quality compared to that of my X3. Such a pity considering how great the X5 is to drive from other aspects.

Ditto

I have a feeling my issues are a bit more serious than software.

Every so often, especially when the transmission is cold, the shift is so harsh its like getting kicked in the back.

alexmish · #10 12-14-2007, 01:16 AM