Driving sensations
 

I'm new to the X5 3.0 SI and bought an 08 with 9,000 miles on the chassis a few weeks ago.

My previous cars were BMW 3 series (2) and MBz E Class (1), Tundra P-U, I find something strange in the X5.

I've only logged a few hundred miles on this car, half in cities, half in rural areas, and my sense is the g/box is always in the "wrong gear" IE trying to provide lots of engine braking, all of the time!

I have only engaged the Sport shifting a time or two, and prefer to use the standard automatic g/box for 99% of the time. I live in hilly areas and in areas where other cars will accelerate downhill in normal driving, the X5 slows where others will roll "free" and gather speed. I know the cruise control WILL slow decent, but I'm not in cruise control at the time.

I have Hill Decent Control in this car, but it is turned off and according to the owner's manual, not a factor above 9 MPH or so.

Is engine "STRONG" engine braking, like expected on a sports motorcycle, a normal sense in X5s?

Thanks,
Dick
Seattle area

I find that it's very random on mine. Coasting up to a red light can be like braking up to a red light one day and able to coast the next. I haven't figured it out... and I think it's because the transmission isn't able to either. ;) Maybe depends where you were in the gear before you let off? I'm at 8800 mi.

Mine does this and I think several people have noticed as well, taking off my feet immediately starts slowing down the truck using the engine.

Check this thread:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-cruising.html

The newer BMW automatic gearboxes drive very much like manual transmissions. At about 30 km/h, the torque converter locks up and provides a direct connection similar to engaging a gear with a manual gearbox, improving driving feel and reducing fuel consumption. Hence, when one lets off the throttle, there is engine braking. Anyone who's driven a manual knows the feeling.

However, the revs shouldn't be over 2500rpm when you coast to a stop and there shouldn't be jerking, although one can probably feel the transmission downshift each gear and the torque converter decouple at 30km/h.

annoying
 

I just traded a 2005 for a 2008 3.0 and the gearing and throttle response is very annoying. The 2005 was much smoother and always in the right gear. It is very difficult to drive and my wife who loved to drive the 2005 will not drive the 2008. You would think that BMW would have a fix for the "Ultimate Driving Machine"

Have you had the dealer reflash the transmission? That way the X will adapt to the way YOU drive, not the previous owner. Just a thought....