Mine was jerky in the beginning, but now it is quite smooth. The key is not to let the gas pedal go once you press it... (jk)

However, it is still rough when in the DS mode, I guess I did not train it enough.

I must admit I like the fact that when going down a hill whilst towing, the box goes to a lower gear to increase engine braking, but it just seems as if the BMW engineers have over done this feature, which leaves the car at odd revs at odd times. My E53 was as smooth as silk, and pretty much perfect. I also find the the 4.8 E70 slower off the blocks than my 4.6 E53 due to the autobox setup I think.

I just called my dealership (again) regarding the transmission, as after reading all the other members who are experiencing problems, it has me even more agitated. I was informed today, around 5:30pm PST, that as of now, there is NO fix for the problem. My service advisor told me there are A LOT of complaints from E70 owners (almost all 4.8i owners) and 750Li owners. Both cars are experiencing the same rough transmission problems, and the aggressive downshifting and refusal to upshift in a timely and fuel efficient manner. The SA said that BMW is "trying" to work on a solution, whether it be a software update, mechanical fix or a combination. I am just fuming mad, that I'm paying over $1000.00 a month for my 4.8i, and I have to wait for BMW to "try" and fix my transmission. Not acceptable on a $20,000 car, even worse on a $70,000 car. I want my money back. From poor A/C, settings re-setting themselves, crappy back up camera, shite transmission, battery warnings.... Not happy!

Don't worry. BMW doesn't have a good fix for the X3 transmission problems either. Wtf is up with BMW thesedays?

2 words - cost cutting... :)

I have the same problem with my 2007 4.8i and have had multiple software updates. I am not convinced it is a software issue because if it was, it would be solved by now. My X5's erratic shifting is flat out embarrasing in some cases when even non-enthusiast passengers notice it. I love almost everything else about this vehicle, but the transmission (and creaky plastic center console) ruined it for me. I have my M3 Sedan due in later this month and I expect some pretty hefty discount arrangement based on my pure dissatisfaction with my X5. I just wish BMW would admit they goofed and offer a real solution for customers.

Side note, I have both a 2005 and 2008 X3 and they both shift a world better than my X5 (but not perfectly). The 2008 X3 is a whole different vehicle from the 2005 in terms of build quality (the return to European manufacturing must have helped).

Wait. I thought the X3's had the bad transmisison.

So this problem with the X5 is in the 08 models as well. So depressing to hear. :(

Well 3 pages of posts about this, mtech, shows that 2008 X5 owners (or a lot of us) have crappy transmissions as well.

Sorry to pop your X5 bubble :D

I was talking this morning to the guy who details my cars (and also does reconditioning for the BMW dealership) and he mentioned how bad he thought the new X5 V8's shifted without me even mentioning my problem to him.

BMW seems to have problems with their automatics. I test drove one of the new three series last year and the transmission shifting was much worse than on my Ford Focus. Believe it or not, the Ford Focus automatic had much crisper, quicker, and smoother shifts than the 3 Series!

The most disappointing was the BMW transmission response if you floored it between 20-30 MPH. It would rev the engine up, and then after a big delay, the transmission would downshift and get going. Frankly the delay in response to flooring the throttle reminded me of my Mother's 1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham's characteristics!