Acceleration Delay...help please
 

We have a 2011 X5 with the gasoline fueled turbo engine. When I step on the accelerator pedal there is a delay (~0.5 seconds) before the power comes on. The SUV has about 7k miles now and the issues seems more noticeable now than when it was new.

I have had other turbo charged cars so think I know what turbo lag is. I don't think it turbo lag. This seems like a communication issue between the pedal and the brain.

I did a search here but did not find the answer. I may have not searced for the correct term.

I'm guessing we are not the only folks experiencing this issue.

Anyone know what's going on?

Thanks for the help.

Bob-

Lots of looksees...

No opinions?

It's ok to tell me if you think I'm crazy :confused:


Bob-

You can try this from another thread posted by LemansX5 to reset the throttle response. Might be worth a try?! :)
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Originally Posted by LeMansX5 View Post

Reset throttle response:

1) Insert the key & push the start button. (Don't touch the brake pedal & don't remove the key at any time)

2) Press & hold the accelerator down for 10 seconds.

3) Without releasing the accelerator push the start button.

4) Release the accelerator.

5) Wait a full 2 minutes.

6) Start the car normally & drive to see if it's more responsive.

You are crazy!

j/k. Figure out if you can drive another X5 35i to compare with yours? Friend? Pretend test drive?

Thanks Joe. I'll try the reset tonight.

Bob-

Good idea 007. This will provide a second data point to compare to.

Thanks,

Bob-

Have you tried starting in DS mode or shifting to M1? I find starting in 2nd to be sluggish.

Did the reset. Some improvement.

Thanks!

Bob-

didn't we find in a posted tech document a couple years back that the reset is only for that session since it only learns for that session and it resets whenever the vehicle is shut off? I recall posting the doc.

Anyway, the lag is somewhat normal to BMWs in my opinion.

This is a known behavior (as I don't want to use the term "problem"). You have to feather the gas pedal initially and then you press hard, you are good to go.......... but if you press hard to begin with you will experience this "delay". There's a DIY device you can buy for around $200-$300 that eliminates the lag. Sorry I don't remember what its called off hand.

:popcorn:

Its called a Sprint booster. Its pretty good. Doesn't erase the delay completely, but improves it significantly. Plenty of video reviews on you tube also.

There you go! :tgif:

LeMansX5,

Thanks so much for those "Reset throttle response" instructions! I've been meaning to do it on my 2008 X5 4.8i for a while and finally did it three days ago.

I cannot believe how more pleasurable my ride is; gear changes are so much smoother!

I'm going to do this again whenever I feel like like there's a bit of "lurching" going on (and I did have the SIB to fix that a while ago). Maybe all they did was this "reset throttle response" procedure...

rh71,

No, it didn't reset itself.

I have noticed the delay on my '11 35d, but only after long stops.
For example, there would be a long hill at the bottom of which I need to turn left (therefore almost stopping). I would be coming up to the turn, at ~5mph, then stomp on the gas, and there will be this painfull long delay before the car lunges forward. Very uncomfortable if there's another car in the lane which you are trying to cross.
I have heard somewhere that transmission is used to help braking, and the lag is the time needed to switch.
I would gladly give up the lag for slightly longer stopping distance...

Will this work on all E70 X5 models? I have a 2008 3.0d.

Cheers

Yes, it should work for you.

What I pun is that wants to start in 2nd gear, then has to shift to 1st and hence delay. I hate this feature.

The few recent year models of BMWs with automatic transmissions I have driven have all had poor throttle response from standstill or very low speeds, e.g., my Ford focus does not have a lot of power, but the throttle response is vastly superior to any BMW automatic I have tried.

By the way, what's the difference between that "Reset Throttle Response" setting shown on this thread, compared to simply flicking the gearshift to DS mode?

I think if you put the tranny in sport mode it'll start in 1st. I would recommend doing that whenever you need quicker throttle response.

I do miss the days of the mechanical throttle linkage.

I had the same issue with my E63 when I had it. I am sure that some of the problems can be with turbo lag, but ost of the problems stem from the drive by wire set-up. You can do things to help it, like getting a tune will clear most of it up, but you can never get rid of it all. The other thing that will work is a sprint booster. It actually modifys the drive by wire signal to provide a quuicker response. Whe I got the tune,,,the acceleration improvement and off idle acceleration was improved greatly. This is the route that I would go with. Getting my X5 5.0i in a week, so I will get back on here and share my thoughts about the "lag".

Totally agree, plus the transmission programming seems a little wonky, perhaps exacerbated by all those gears.

I have a 2002 330i, and I remember getting a Z3 3.0i as a loaner for a week way back when. The two cars have the same engine, and quite possibly the same automatic transmission. But the Z3 has a mechanical throttle compared to the 330i's drive by wire.

OMG driving the Z3 was like a revelation. It felt completely different and reminded me of everything I loved about my E36. Immediate, direct, and progressive throttle response. Especially from a standstill, it behaved exactly as you would expect without the odd laggy and twitchy E46 throttle tip-in behavior.

Our E53 X5 and now the X70 still have that weird artificial throttle tip-in. I would've thought after 10 years BMW would have it totally dialed in, but no such luck.

this might sound really stupid....

when it says "Insert key and push start button", does this mean start the car up? i ask because i know some cars have the push-button start, but i want to make sure.

also, when i push the accelerator down, do i go all the way to the floor? if the car is actually running, that just doesn't seem like a good idea...

You are correct, that would not be a good idea. The vehicle isn't running for this reset.

so what "start button" am i supposed to be pushing???

when you press the START button and do NOT press the brake pedal, the engine does not start... so, the engine is NOT running, therefore there is a note - do not push the brake pedal during the procedure...

:nanana::nanana:

PS. granted, you may change within programming of the car to start the engine without the brake but if you are capable of that, you already know more that most of us to begin with...;)

^ let us know if the reset works out well for you guys.

ok.... now i'm realizing my mistake. this is the e70 forum, not the e53 section :imnew:

I don't think this is really a "throttle response reset." It used to be mentioned as a "transmission reset." Some people swear by it, whereas others doubt it's even doing anything.

There are stories that while holding the throttle down, you hear a click and then let go of it. I've tried this "reset" a few times and can't say I've ever felt a difference.

Worked great for me. Definitely a noticeable difference on acceleration @ launch and passing/overtaking. Thanks

I just tried this with my 2011 X5 5.0, and, after a brief test drive, i am pretty certain it has helped.