Am I just being crazy?
 

Ok so I've read the many posts about people with the jolting forward issue when rolling to a stop with the x5 and the software upgrade fix. My wife took the car to the dealer (I was out of town) and she couldn't replicate the "issue" and neither could the technician. They reset the transmission data but couldn't find any other issues. Till this day I still experience the "problem".

I'm using quotes because I'm starting to think maybe what I'm feeling is normal behavior and the wide known issue is more severe then what I'm experiencing. The only x5 I've ever driven is my own so I can't determine on my own if I have a real problem or not. I've driven many other automatic cars which dont display the behavior im having with my e70. But none were as heavy as the x5.. So I don't know if the weight of the x5 is what is causing the difference.

My question for you guys is do you ever experience any sort of jolt/push forward when your car is rolling to a stop and downshifting (even if it is extremely minimal)? I notice the power of the push ranges from barely noticeable to "that didn't feel right". Is your transmission always silky smooth with no sudden movement or does what I'm experiencing sound normal?

The problem is driving me so insane that EVERY time I stop I'm trying to replicate the issue and it doesn't always happen. This is absolute torture :(

I had mine in for service the other day and had them look at the transmission as it was "hunting" when coming to a stop very discreetly. They found that there was a leak in the Mechatronic Sleeve in the transmission and replaced it. Apparently, that leak is fairly common.

35d- 70k- no issues (yet!)

Wish I could help. Never had that issue on my 35D. Its so frustrating to take the car to the dealer and they can't replicate the problem. I'm convinced its a lie from the dealer lol

No issue here with the tranny is normal mode. If it's in sport mode you'll feel the downshifts though.

Ok so it sounds like even if I can only reproduce a slight jump forward for the dealer that should be enough to prove there is a problem.

Thanks for all the input :thumbup:

I have the same issue. It's when it shifts into first, when you come to a stop. It more pronounced when you try to stop easy, vs a more abrupt stop.
I just thought it was normal.

Apparently I have that mechatronic sleeve leak going on right now but haven't felt any jolt. The only jolt I've felt in the 3.0 was upon releasing the brake, say at a red light just before hitting the gas. A software update fixed it... apparently a recall and they applied a whole fix that I'm sure included other updates at the time (2009).

I thought the X5 started in 2nd gear in normal mode? If I come to a complete stop then go to sport mode, I feel a slight jerk as the tranny downshifts to first. At least that's what I've always assumed it was doing.

Lots of info about your issue. I believe the consensus is that most have
found a way to live with it. It's just the nature of the beast.

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

I doubt the leak is causing the jolt. I thought this was fairly common in any cars with automatic transmission. It's annoying, and there's varying degree to how easy it is to detect this behaviour, but as I recall it's there on all automatic cars I've driven.

Well, mine was same, jolting forward issue when rolling to a stop with the x5, but dealer replaced transmission ~3 yrs ago. Since then no issues at all. I mean not at all.

You're correct.

OP,

Were you able to get your situation figured out? I am also experiencing the same issue on my 09 3.0si. The "jerk" doesn't happen all the time but I kind of figured out how to reproduce it. The A/C has to be turned on and you have to be slowly coasting to a stop or lightly press on the brake when stopping. The "jerk/bump" will happen in between the 5mph-0mph.

I brought it to the dealer and was able to reproduce it for them. They took it in and now I'm waiting for it back. I'll update this thread once I hear back from them. I hope everything goes well.

Isn't this just the transmission downshifting? I don't think there's anything you can do, it's just an issue we have to deal with.

Reviving this ... what ever happened?

I've been living with the problem for quite some time now, but I'm going to bring it in to the dealer one more time to see if they can diagnose something. I have been able to reproduce the issue every time now as well exactly how you describe it... coasting to a stop with no brake at all, or very lightly pressing. Happens every time.

It's just downshifting, man. Combined with some crappy software (relatively speaking).

Yes, to fix the problem, they had to replace the transmission.

First time I took it in, they said they couldn't duplicate the problem. The second time, I took the foreman along with me and was able to duplicate the problem. They said they were able to resolve it by resetting the adaptive drive. The issue returned. I took my car back in for a third time and they said it was because I have aftermarket rims on the car and was told to put my factory wheels back on for the problem to go away. The rims were aftermarket but they are similar to the rims that you can get at BMW. I went from 19" rims to 20" rims. BMW sells the X5 with a 20" rims package so I didn't think I was doing any harm. Anyways, I put the original rims back on as requested and they reset the adaptive drive once again. The problem never went away. I took it in for a 4th time and they said it was a transfer case issue and had it replaced. When I received the car back I had the problem come back while driving it home. I returned my car to BMW again for a 5th time and my service adviser said they were going to replace the transmission. He wanted to replace it from the get go but BMW kept denying his request.

I loved the X5 but there was just too many issues with it when I bought it CPO with 14k miles. I ultimately ended up lemoning the X5 right before the warranty expired. Other issues I had was faulty fuel gauges and coolant leaks as well. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!

Wow. That is pretty amazing. Were your tire sizes 'matched' in terms of outer diameter to OE bmw offerings?? If these were different I could seem them sticking to guns, but if this is in BMW spec, that is pretty silly.

Thanks for the update. My CPO warranty is expiring early next year so if it really is the tranny I definitely want it to be fixed before then :thumbup:

I have an appointment this Saturday at the dealer, I will make sure I show them the problem myself so they don't come back and say they couldn't reproduce it. That's already happened twice - first time they reset some of the software, the other time they didnt do anything.

What I don't understand is if it truly is the transmission how could having the A/C on affect the behavior? I was able to verify this as well today - A/C off no issue (or at least much harder to reproduce). A/C on - reproduce the issue everytime. Seems very strange.

On my other vehicle (a Corolla) when stopped at a light, turning AC on jolts the vehicle a bit and I can hear engine working slightly differently. The corolla does not have a tachometer so I can't see what RPM is with AC on.

Using AC does put some additional load on the engine. Maybe this issue has something to do with engine, not transmission? Perhaps when AC is on and vehicle is nearing a stop, the transmisison downshifts and tips the load over some edge. The computer then senses engine about to stall and puts a bit of gas to prevent that.

You may need to do your own investigation - your mechanic is obviously out of ideas. Keep an eye on RPM needle when coming up to a stop. does it move? Up or down?

Unfortunately, there's probably no wayto mechanically increase/decrease RPM while idling.

Good point. I will keep my eye on the tach - as well as the MPG gauge.

Update - i observed the RPMs when I felt the jolt.. no change.

Dropped the car off at the dealer today and reproduced the issue for one of the technicians. FINALLY they admitted they felt/understood the issue. Car is with them now. Will let you guys know once I hear anything from them.

Can't say I'm surpised... they reset the adaptive drive and said the problem went away.

I told them a previous dealer already did that and the problem comes right back. They said at this point there is nothing they can do because the car isn't throwing any codes so they can't just start replacing parts on it.

They said if I want to take this any further I need to file a case with the BMW customer relations department. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

I keep seeing "reset adaptive drive" in this thread...

I think people really mean "reset drive adaptations"...two ENTIRELY different things

No, THEY need to start a PUMA. They are being lazy, or want to avoid a difficult process. IMO

All BMWNA will do is promise you the world in terms of 'getting to the bottom of this', then they will call the dealer and get their story...then probably claim 'work this out with your dealer, THEY are the experts"

Happy to be wrong though- keep us posted.

Yea you're right - they reset drive adapataion values, not adaptive drive.

I just got off the phone with the Customer Relations department. After 45 mins of hold time - the "Resolution Specialist" told me they ALSO could not do anything at this time.

Oh man did I let her have it.

She then said she will be calling up the dealer to have them schedule a Technical Specialist to come to the dealership and inspect the car.

Now for the waiting.

^^ Just so we are clear, the BMW warranty does not say "We will repair any defect that sets a code". Their warranty states they will fix ANY defect, irrespective of codes!

Your primary focus should be to get BMW- via their dealership- to say "there is an issue".

When you drop a car off with a complaint, it is usually "C/S noise and jerking" This means 'Customer States'. It does not mean "we agree". This is why the R/O or Repair Order- and the language they use in it- is so important. "Issue confirmed, reset adaptations" is different than "no issues found, reset adaptation to address customer concern"

People approach this as a "how do I get my car fixed" problem...I tend to approach as a "how do I get BMW on the hook" problem. If you do that, then you can force them to fix it.

Good luck!

What should I do?
 

Ok I need some advice. I'm so pissed off right now.

So latest events that have happened over the past couple months (mentioned some of this already in my previous posts):

1) Dropped the car off about a month ago and reproduced the problem for one of the mechanics. Left the car there overnight. Get a call the next day saying they reset the drive adaption values and the problem went away. Got pissed off and told them that's been done twice already the problem comes back everytime. Was told to file a case with BMWNA. Did that - they get back to me and say they can't do anything because the dealership told them they weren't able to reproduce the problem (f'ing lie). Pick up the car while the office was closed one night so I couldn't talk to anyone. On the drive home, SAME DAMN PROBLEM HAPPENS.

2) Called the next day to complain to the SA. She told me to bring in the car again. Had to go out of the country on vacation so I told her I'd bring it in a couple weeks.

Now for the recent update:

3) While driving the car to the dealer on Tuesday, freaking thing overheats. I wasn't able to drive the car for them to reproduce the problem as a result. (they had to change the water pump and I couldn't stick around) SA tells me not to worry, she's sure they will reproduce it on their own. I leave. Get a call that night saying the mechanic said the problem is THE BATTERY. The battery is getting weak and [fill in some b.s. excuse here] is causing the rough downshift. After the charge, they tested the car and the problem was gone.

4) Go the next day to pick it up. With the same brainiac mechanic in the car, take it for a spin. Well what do you know - problem is still there. Now the mechanic goes from saying it was fixed and caused by the weak battery, to saying this is NORMAL. Go back to the dealership, tell them if it's "NORMAL" let me drive another 2009 X5 to see if I can reproduce the problem. They put me in one, same year, MORE miles - and guess what - NO PROBLEM. I come back after the drive, tell the service advisor. She calls the foreman over. Foreman gives some b.s. excuse that because they didn't reset the adaption values in the other car first, I wasn't comparing apples to apples. I tell him to reset them and I'll drive it again - he says - "that isn't necessary". We go on the drive.. reproduce the problem for him - he says "he's felt this thousands of time" and it's a "software issue". Then he says they need to get BMW Engineering involved and that I'll hear from them shortly.

5) Get a call today. They said BMW Engineering said this is NORMAL also. It's related to the Idle Control something something b.s. I re-iterate - if this is NORMAL why doesn't it happen on the other car. "Oh I guess it's just more prevalent in your vehicle". I told her I'm coming in tomorrow and I want to talk to her manager.

/end rant

Hopefully some of you guys made it through all that and can provide me some advice. I am definitely going to push for them to reset the adapation values on the other car and let me test drive it. I'm sure the problem still won't be there. From that point who knows what they will say - I'm guessing something along the lines of what they said earlier - "oh I guess it's just more noticeable in yours".

What should I do? Threaten to contact the BBB? Take them to court? I feel like I'm running out of options here.

Any advice would be appreciated.

EDIT: I should probably mention, the car is under CPO and it expires in February of next year. I'm sure if the car wasn't under warranty they would've replaced the tranny the first time I took it in.

Understand that the dealer isnt BMW. BMWNA is BMW and THEY pay the bills. The DEALER can control how things are spun to BMW...you want the dealer on your side, tryong to get BMW to pay for a new tranny.

I would walk in with a file folder with all the work orders and calmly explain that "there is an issue- YOU guys have verified there is an issue, YOU have tried to fix this multiple times. Trying to claim there is no issue is simply unacceptable. OK? Now, how can I help YOU get BMW to take action? If something is "more prevalent" in my vehicle, then we need to change whatever is making it prevalent in this car.

Anyway, my 2 cents

Lots of info about your issue. As I said; I believe the consensus is that most have
found a way to live with it. It's just the nature of the beast. I know this is not
what you want to hear. I actually found a way to avoid the downshift issue by
knowing the symptoms and avoiding the conditions that make it happen.It only
happened once this year and that's because I was talking to the CEO instead
of paying attention.

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

I know it's not a big deal and it would definitely be easy to deal with. BUT, my concern is it's a sign of a failing transmission. I don't want my CPO to expire in February and then in April my tranny goes completely bad and then I have to pay 8k+ for a new one.

Additionally, the fact that I drove another X5, same year, same engine, and more miles - and that car didn't have the issue.. is another thing that leads me to believe this is a problem with my transmission.

Most likely it is. Lets assume it 100% is an issue with the copy of the tranny put into your car. Might not be terminal, might just be an annoyance... thats a whole nuther topic

But how do you prove it?

One thought- a bit esoteric...how about pulling a sample of the ATF and looking for any signs of wear? Have it analyzed and see if any red flags show up. If there are some wear signatures, see if the dealer might be convinced. If nothing else, if the trans does fail later you have all the prior reports AND a lab report saying "we saw abnormal wear" prior to the CPO. Just a thought.

And if it is totally clean, it might assuage your fears you are headed to a failure....