Whats with the throttle??

[JoelF]

I just traded in a 2005 X5 3.0 for a 2008 X5 3.0. On the 2008 you have to push the throttle halfway or full throttle to get moving. It seems like the shift points are wrong. A friend has a 2008 550i and it is the same way. My 2005 had much better throttle response and shift patterns. What & why did BMW change?? Thanks

[Penguin]

I suspect the change is to get better MPG in the government tests and avoid CAFE fines. Does putting the transmission into sport mode improve things?

[rh71]

it's disappointing and one of the problems I had with it during my test drive. But you learn to deal with it. By that I mean you adjust yourself by pressing further faster and it's still smooth. I'm only getting 16mpg majority city at 8k miles - not sure if that has to do with stepping on it more. Is yours broken in yet?

[JoelF]

It is a big difference from my 2005. The 2008 is a CPO with 10K on it. Yes, it does help by putting the transmission is SPORT (meaning moving the shifter to the left)

[AzNMpower32]

It's really irritating and BMW started this annoying habit sometime in 2007. My mom's 2006 325i has a soft but still linear throttle response; when I drove a 2009 loaner xi it was as everyone has described: nothing for the first 2mm of travel and then whoosh all at once. I adapted to it over time but there were still times where I'd go "oh whoops, sorry"

The newer automatic gearboxes don't help the situation. They're programmed to minimise fuel consumption so downshifts are lazy and shifts generally occur at haphazard times if you're used to the older GM-5 gearbox.

[texmln]

My 2004 X5 3.0 did the same thing for the first couple of years. I finally found a tranny control software upgrade discussed here in the forums. After the upgrade the throttle issue was gone. Now, you've got a newer model that I do but my guess is the "fix" is really just for those complaining about it and not necessarily being put out in new vehicles. Take it in and describe the problem. I'm sure the dealer has a software application to cure it.

[rh71]

^ the cure is DS mode. It's really a programming/mapping issue now that it's drive-by-wire. Just last night I again drove my '95 Rodeo which is not DBW and it is instantaneous response. Too bad it's only got 175hp for an SUV.

Can't really drive all that smoothly in DS though... it holds gears way too high for everyday driving.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by rh71

^ the cure is DS mode. It's really a programming/mapping issue now that it's drive-by-wire. Just last night I again drove my '95 Rodeo which is not DBW and it is instantaneous response. Too bad it's only got 175hp for an SUV.

Can't really drive all that smoothly in DS though... it holds gears way too high for everyday driving.

DS works well in the diesel. Actually, the gearbox shifts well in the diesel. Fast but not felt. Too bad the programming is all messed up, and the throttle response works in geological time.

By the way, I've realised my X3 spoils me in so many ways including throttle response. I had to do a maximum acceleration lane change today in the X5 (pops took my car to work, mom went to the hair salon ) and I nearly got run over because the kickdown works in geological time. The low-cetane fuel didn't help either, wish my dad would understand the difference. There was a full 3-4 second gap of nothing before the car did anything and dropped into 1st gear.

[MINIz guy]

I have a similar problem in my mom's X6. When pulling out onto the road, I am always scared as pressing the throttle doesn't incite a response and any more would send me rocketing into the horizon. The E53 X5 isn't much better because of the lackluster torque. DS doesn't work well for either cars because of it holding gears. Manual mode is too jerky on the X6 but decent on the X5. Only a true manual transmission would solve all these problems.