Tranny Program Update

[imaginis]

Has anyone else had the software update to the 2004 545 auto transmission?

I used to have a e39 540, and the tranny slammed down from 2nd or 3rd to 1st pretty frequently. I noticed the same in my CPO 2004 545, so I had them look at it when it was last at the dealer.

They said that BMW had put out an update to the tranny software to relieve the issue, so they did the update.

I have noticed some wierd differences. Especially when driving at really slow speeds (5-10mph) like in rush hour traffic for example, my MPG meter spends a lot of time below the 15mpg mark, even if I don't have my foot on the gas pedal. It's almost like the engie is keeping it it rev'd so it doesn't slam down or something.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Here is a pic I took wit hmy camera phone, going about 5 mph coasting down to a stop. You can see that the MPG meter is all the way to the right.

http://www.ibiblio.org/efloyd/speed.jpg

[Me530]

There was a progman software update that fixed this problem, AFAIK.

[MSAMMY]

Has anyone else had the software update to the 2004 545 auto transmission?

I used to have a e39 540, and the tranny slammed down from 2nd or 3rd to 1st pretty frequently. I noticed the same in my CPO 2004 545, so I had them look at it when it was last at the dealer.

They said that BMW had put out an update to the tranny software to relieve the issue, so they did the update.

I have noticed some wierd differences. Especially when driving at really slow speeds (5-10mph) like in rush hour traffic for example, my MPG meter spends a lot of time below the 15mpg mark, even if I don't have my foot on the gas pedal. It's almost like the engie is keeping it it rev'd so it doesn't slam down or something.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Here is a pic I took wit hmy camera phone, going about 5 mph coasting down to a stop. You can see that the MPG meter is all the way to the right.


I had the infamous "transmission slam" problem and brought my car in back in July. They upgraded the tranny software and upgraded progman to V26. The slam is gone, tranny shifts much smoother, however, it seems they got around the slam problem by not allowing the tranny to downshift to 1st ever, unless coming to a full stop (or full acceleration). On a rolling stop, 2nd gear is always selected for a smooth start. I haven't noticed the MPG gauge acting like yours, but will check mine out tomorrow and post what I see. One thing I do believe, is that car is way low on torque as a result of the upgrade - I would rather have the slam back than how my car accelerates now - be careful what you ask for. My car goes back in for an intermittent SES light on/off (again) this Thursday, so I will address the torque issue with the shop foreman.

[imaginis]

Thanks MSAMMY, let me know what you find out.

I believe they upgraded my PROGMAN as well because my IDrive screens look a little different. I primarily noticed it when I played a CD and noticed that the display was different when selecting a track from the CD.

From what I've seen, my Idrive works a little slower after the update, especially when starting up the car.

So...what I got from that tranny "fix" was...
1. 6 hours in the waiting room to do a tranny software update
2. A slower Idrive
2. Lower torque
3. Wierd tranny "up-winding" to keep it from slamming

...and they wouldn't even enable my Bluetooth or MP3 playback over CD since I have a 6/04 production model.

[MSAMMY]

Thanks MSAMMY, let me know what you find out.

I believe they upgraded my PROGMAN as well because my IDrive screens look a little different. I primarily noticed it when I played a CD and noticed that the display was different when selecting a track from the CD.

From what I've seen, my Idrive works a little slower after the update, especially when starting up the car.

So...what I got from that tranny "fix" was...
1. 6 hours in the waiting room to do a tranny software update
2. A slower Idrive
2. Lower torque
3. Wierd tranny "up-winding" to keep it from slamming

...and they wouldn't even enable my Bluetooth or MP3 playback over CD since I have a 6/04 production model.

imaginis, OK, this is what I found out today on my commute to work. My MPG needle swings slowly to the right at about 5mph to between the 15 and 12 mark, then immediately snaps to the left all the way. I'm not sure how it behaved before the upgrade. I'm hoping someone with a 2006 or 2007 which has the original software can comment on how their MPG needle behaves (keep in mind this is nothing more than an old fashioned vacuum gauge!). I do agree though they have done something weird to mask the tranny slam issue due to the strangeness when coming to a stop &/or rolling stops. In my opinion, they dumbed-down the torque settings to tame the transmission slam at the expense on the acceleration side - the car does not feel like is has the same power before I brought it in. My SA tells me it's the adaptive transmission software - needs to re-learn my driving habits, but after 1,500 miles, it's no better.

Don't feel bad about the 6 hour wait - mine was in for 7 days and needed tranny software upgrade, progman, 02 sensors replaced due to an intermittent SES light on/off every day. They gave me an 07 Toyota Camry to drive as a loaner and I was truly glad to have my car back on day 7! The beauty of all this - I drop my car off tomorrow am again for the original problem - intermittent SES light again! At least my transmission downshift slam problem is fixed, but I will ask the service manager to kindly give me my 360 ft/lbs. of torque back! :bawling:

[jacktown]

Man I have developed a bit of a tranny slam every once and awhile that I didnt have-when stopping it will jerk down a gear-but after reading this I think I will live with it-I only have like 240 foot pounds-I cannot spare a single pound

[imaginis]

Yeah, I'm almost up for reverting the software upgrade, but I'm not sure if it can be done.

Thanks MSAMMY, I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one with the problem.

I analyzed it a little more in rush hour traffic yesterday on the way home. I actually felt something still winding when the MPG needle was all the way to the right. Could that be the driveshaft still spinning, or the wheel in the tranny or something? Something is spinning in order to create that low MPG, and I can feel it when it stops and the car shifts down to first gear. I'm just wondering what's going to wear out over the next few years due to the upgrade.

Maybe if enough people have problems, they'll put out another update. It sounds to me like the people didn't really test the upgrade all that well. They probably just assigned it to an intern and when he got it fixed, they just published it. haha

It kind of reminds me of the MS Windows automatic updates that screws up your computer. lol

[MSAMMY]

Yeah, I'm almost up for reverting the software upgrade, but I'm not sure if it can be done.

Thanks MSAMMY, I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one with the problem.

I analyzed it a little more in rush hour traffic yesterday on the way home. I actually felt something still winding when the MPG needle was all the way to the right. Could that be the driveshaft still spinning, or the wheel in the tranny or something? Something is spinning in order to create that low MPG, and I can feel it when it stops and the car shifts down to first gear. I'm just wondering what's going to wear out over the next few years due to the upgrade.

Maybe if enough people have problems, they'll put out another update. It sounds to me like the people didn't really test the upgrade all that well. They probably just assigned it to an intern and when he got it fixed, they just published it. haha

It kind of reminds me of the MS Windows automatic updates that screws up your computer. lol

I'm not sure what you feel "winding" when the needle is to the right. I can't go and test my car since it's at the dealer right now and I was just informed they need to keep it overnight again. They're ordering new oxygen sensors and will be replacing them again for the SES light problem - they're telling me this may also fix my lower torque feel but I'm not buying into that. Also, get this, they want me to bring the car back in a few weeks for a software upgrade again (once available) to fix my HDRadio (non-multicast) problem and voice command problem that the V26 upgrade broke on me! I'm with you, I'd rather have the old software put back since they are only making things worse! :cry: I'm hoping I can at least get my car back for the weekend the Camry they gave me as a loaner is nice, but I want my race car back! :eeps:

[MSAMMY]

...It sounds to me like the people didn't really test the upgrade all that well...

Actually, now that I think of it, I really do believe we're doing the testing for them!!! :dunno:

[Billd104]

My MPG needle does the same thing. At slow speeds it goes all the way to 6 then below 5 MPH it retards all the way to the left.