New Owner Questions on 4.8i 2007
 

Hate to post one of these "Im a new owner" threads, but I have a few quick questions I hope can get answered.

For starters, painfully had to sell my 02 Estoril Blue M3 Vert to buy this vehicle as I have a 15 month old, so Im having post partum depression typing this as we speak.

That said, I thought insisting on the 4.8i would be a good compromise. Have a few questions or concerns in my wopping 3 days of ownership. Its an 07 CPO with 37K miles 4.8i sport package and most options excl. nav and park sensors.

1. Sitting in the car at idle in Park for about 15 minutes, and car had a quick lunge forward feeling? We were in park, but it jolted forward slightly, is this normal?

2. Idrive appears to blow? Works on an off intermittently. Can move up down, but pressing in appears to work some times, then not others. Have not tried the 3 finger reboot I read about, but mine has no nav, so I assume its a 2 finger reboot? Do these ever work perfect, or is this just something you have to live with. Im leary of dealer corrective actions, but I would welcome advice as to how to get the dealer to fix it correctly vs. just doing the reboot and telling me its working great when they really should be replacing something? or if a computer flash is required, etc. Any advice on this issue is welcome.

3. Voice command seems to suck as well. I say dial name, and it does not always recognize. Is this just something that takes practice to get right or does the voice command system really not live up to expectations?

4. Running boards. Have nice running boards, but they appear to have some oxidation / yellowish rust accumulating. Is there any specific cleaner that will take this off?

5. Jerky acceleration and decelleration. I realize this has a dual overhead cam and is very torquey, but is it normal to have somewhat of a jerky accleration/decelleration. I have to really feather the pedal to try and make it a smooth run.

Thanks in advance to any owners who can assist.


3.

As a "new" 07 owner myself, I'll give my best answers below.

1) Never had this. However, if you apply the parking brake while the engine is on and then turn it off, it will lurch a bit. Reasoning is that while the engine's on, the parking brake uses the hydraulic brakes. While it's off, it uses an electromechanical brake for the rear wheels only. Do you recall turning it off and then feeling the lurch? Also, not the best to idle for ANY length of time at a stop. Especially from a cold start.

2) iDrive works fine for me. I'd have it checked out.

3) Voice command is great for me. No offence - but do you have an accent or do you speak American English? Perhaps this has something to do with it?

4) I don't have RB's so it doesn't apply to me.

5) This is a "known" issue with our trucks. It's just a jerky transmission. Some say a software update helps but others say it doesn't. So far, I've learned to ease on the gas and once you're past about 2k RPM - it is pretty linear from there.

Hope this helps,
Jeremy

PS: Sorry about the M3. I miss mine as well.

Thanks for the quick response. Dont remember if I turned off the engine or not when the lunge happened, but it has happened twice after sitting in idle. I was putzing around with the voice command programming, but was concerned about the fact that it slightly lunged forward. Will ask dealer and keep an eye on it.

Thank you for the other comments as well, especially the trans, did not want to over react. As for accents, Im from NJ, but dont think its that strong to foul up a voice command......

Well, the reason I ask about it being on or off is because this happened to me and I had no idea why. Then I read in the owners manual that while the engine is on, it uses the hydraulic brakes and while off, it uses the electromechanical brake for the rear wheels only. I'm figuring it was just like when you engage the handbrake in an auto-tranny car with your foot-brake on. Then release the foot-brake and there is a small lurch or roll.

The voice command thing, honestly, I'd say ask the dealer if you're up to date with your software. Mine works very very well. Almost too well. I don't talk loud or direct, I just talk as if I was talking to no one like a crazy person. Seems to work fine.

Good luck, keep us updated.

PS: How do you like the 4.8? I came from a 2005 3.0i and holy night and day difference, batman. Now I want a new 5.0 because I hear those are even more insane than our 4.8's.

I had mine in the other week to check the tranny and the software update they did worked. They actually hook up the car for a few hours and the one update covers anything else on the whole car--so it might alleviate any other problems.

Keep in mind if yours is out of warranty the update they do you will have to pay for.

I've heard that they won't just "do" the update. Don't you have to have an issue that requires it? Or was your tranny really bad?

Just did software update today. 2008 4.8i, 47K miles(10/07 production). First trip home showed improved mpg. Before I had max 14 mpg on 70/30 highwaay/city driving. Downshifting was terrible. I got home with 16.2 mpg. Shifting is better now.
I will keep you posted...

The tech said there was no error code he could read off the tranny but said the road test confirmed it was harsh on the downshift. Now it's smooth. Just bring it in--it will be noticeable to them it's not like you are making it up, etc.

Awesome. Thanks.

Did your paperwork list a software update code or procedure? I would like to go in armed with specific info/numbers since the dealers are often clueless with regard to current service bulletins, etc. Any help would be appreciated.