05 545i Transmission Surging Issues help!

Price for the parts was 1000 EUR ($1360) and 400 EUR ($540) for the labour. This price includes new oil and filter for the transmission and also the check of transmission. Technician said that there was faulty plate in the torque converter. Transmission was OK.

wow, I just discovered this thread as I was searching for the problem I have. Sounds like the same as what you guys are experiencing. however, in addition, when I put it in Reverse when it's cold, the car also judders/stutters. Anyone experience this?

Is the lawyer still going to take on this issue? My 04 545 is out of warranty and I don't have extended. I don't want to spend $4K on a repair either.

Originally Posted by cheapa55

wow, I just discovered this thread as I was searching for the problem I have. Sounds like the same as what you guys are experiencing. however, in addition, when I put it in Reverse when it's cold, the car also judders/stutters. Anyone experience this?

Is the lawyer still going to take on this issue? My 04 545 is out of warranty and I don't have extended. I don't want to spend $4K on a repair either.

yup.. whenever its cold and if i'm turning slowly towards left or right, it would stutter and u can feel the shake coming from the the engine area on the left side.

I had transmission surging but only when I take my foot of the gas and apply right after it shifted. I really like the way the car shifts at 2k rpm everytime tho if I'm at 3k I keep up with similar cars but at 4k it's pretty much pulling away because no one really does 4k rpm unless it's a 4 cylinder or 6 trying to keep up cars similar to mine.

Originally Posted by shorttough

yup.. whenever its cold and if i'm turning slowly towards left or right, it would stutter and u can feel the shake coming from the the engine area on the left side.

Crap! so I do have same transmission issues are everyone else here? not good. didn't want to have to do a $5K repair job.

anyone know the long term problems if we don't repair it?

i have the same issue with my 04 530. except i have a manual and it happens at 2200 rpm only in second gear. i have a warranty through the small dealership i got the car from. im going to call them in the morning and see what they say. i will mention that i know about the issue with the mechatronics unit.

i will also contact my local bmw dealer and ask if they have had this issue come in. theyre not gonna like a 20 year old kid coming in and giving them **** about this, so im already going to be fighting an uphill battle.

Originally Posted by cheapa55

Crap! so I do have same transmission issues are everyone else here? not good. didn't want to have to do a $5K repair job.

anyone know the long term problems if we don't repair it?

i've checked my power steering fluid, and it was low, thus i went to Napa Parts and got the fluid and filled the fluid reservoir. I've not noticed any stutter.. so far, but will be monitoring it.. it might not be related to the transmission issue.

Wow! 5000 views so far here.

Originally Posted by shorttough

i've checked my power steering fluid, and it was low, thus i went to Napa Parts and got the fluid and filled the fluid reservoir. I've not noticed any stutter.. so far, but will be monitoring it.. it might not be related to the transmission issue.

Thanks! I'll have to check. btw, how do I check.

When the DSC engages itself when I stomp the throttle at idle it feels like the transmission exploded then the traction control light starts blinking as shown on my video. Is that normal?

Ok, I have a 545i 2004, and I swear since I bought it....all I have had is problems. Its in the shop right now....first there was an oil leak, then my brake booster broke, now I get coolant too low ALL THE TIME, and now my car just starts shaking....it feels like someone hit my from behind...scared the crap out of me the first time....so when I'm driving 30-40mph and take my foot of the gas there's a bump...like the tranny is going to give out. UGHHHH!!! I HATE THIS CAR! Now.....I got "INCREASED EMISSIONS" warning and "ENGINE LOAD" says to drive moderatly and then to service NOW!!! OMG! WHY! WHY ME! So...the guy just called and said its the "mass flow sensor" is not working and that $400 to fix, then he will go from there...if that doesn't work!

BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS CAR! I see other people are having the same problem and I thought I WAS THE ONLY ONE!

Originally Posted by Reneea

Ok, I have a 545i 2004, and I swear since I bought it....all I have had is problems. Its in the shop right now....first there was an oil leak, then my brake booster broke, now I get coolant too low ALL THE TIME, and now my car just starts shaking....it feels like someone hit my from behind...scared the crap out of me the first time....so when I'm driving 30-40mph and take my foot of the gas there's a bump...like the tranny is going to give out. UGHHHH!!! I HATE THIS CAR! Now.....I got "INCREASED EMISSIONS" warning and "ENGINE LOAD" says to drive moderatly and then to service NOW!!! OMG! WHY! WHY ME! So...the guy just called and said its the "mass flow sensor" is not working and that $400 to fix, then he will go from there...if that doesn't work!

BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS CAR! I see other people are having the same problem and I thought I WAS THE ONLY ONE!

Sounds like a car that needs to be sold. That what I would do.

Originally Posted by Reneea

Ok, I have a 545i 2004, and I swear since I bought it....all I have had is problems. Its in the shop right now....first there was an oil leak, then my brake booster broke, now I get coolant too low ALL THE TIME, and now my car just starts shaking....it feels like someone hit my from behind...scared the crap out of me the first time....so when I'm driving 30-40mph and take my foot of the gas there's a bump...like the tranny is going to give out. UGHHHH!!! I HATE THIS CAR! Now.....I got "INCREASED EMISSIONS" warning and "ENGINE LOAD" says to drive moderatly and then to service NOW!!! OMG! WHY! WHY ME! So...the guy just called and said its the "mass flow sensor" is not working and that $400 to fix, then he will go from there...if that doesn't work!

BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS CAR! I see other people are having the same problem and I thought I WAS THE ONLY ONE!

That sucks! My wife has mentioned she felt like someone hit her in the past as well, even to the point where she got out of the car to check. Our brake booster also went out. we have about 70K miles. If this surging problem does cost $5K to fix, we will say goodbye to the car.

Originally Posted by stjoelax07

Thanks! Forwarding this on to my SA, hope things go smoothly with this, definitely will let you know..

Did you speak with your SA again yet? I was going to give mine a call next month, and get the car in to be looked at.

I think my trans. pan is cracked, and of course, this issue with the trans. around 40 mph, that others are having. I have a third-party extended warranty, so if BMW picks up the parts cost, the warranty company should have no problem picking up the labor.

Originally Posted by aiwapro

Did you speak with your SA again yet? I was going to give mine a call next month, and get the car in to be looked at.

I think my trans. pan is cracked, and of course, this issue with the trans. around 40 mph, that others are having. I have a third-party extended warranty, so if BMW picks up the parts cost, the warranty company should have no problem picking up the labor.

Spoke with my SA, and his suggestion is to keep calling BMW, and also if it doesnt work to call again, try calling my 3rd party warranty company, because he didn't see BMW budging anytime soon, mainly my issue is the SA's manager, he wont agree to it, because this all happened to me while under factory warranty, and it would be admitting fault on their part that they didnt fix it and nor will they cover it now....This car is really starting to piss me off.

Can you go to a different dealership and start from scratch?

Originally Posted by aiwapro

Can you go to a different dealership and start from scratch?

I suppose but how? I have 65k now, not under bmw warranty.... and the local dealer is the one that knew about it under factory warranty, and I guess I could go somewhere else, but the closest dealer is chicago so about 90+ miles away

I've had the same sudden jolt from the back as if someone hit u abruptly, like 3 months ago. To Be honest, if u've done some MODs if this is the only issue u have then, i'd stick wit it, until it runs 98K+. I'll put the BG 44k once the problem reappears to shine some light into this issue.

Originally Posted by cheapa55

Thanks! I'll have to check. btw, how do I check.

its on the left side, close to the Fender. You'll find a black jar looking thing, it'll read in fine print "power steering" and u'll see either ATF or CHF11S engraved on it. it'll be too tight to unscrew the top, but it'll eventually come out and depending on what you find, u'll have to get that kind of steering fluid from the dealer. My shuddering disappeared when making turns.

I have a 2005 645 convertible with the SMG transmission and have a similar issue. THe hesitation followed by surge only seems to happen when the vehicle is cold and shifting from first to second gear. Once warmed up, it completely disappears. I had thought that it was an engine issue, not transmission. Anyone else having similar problems?

I had my trusted independent shop in West Chester, PA (Bimmerworks) Check it out. He found nothing wrong.

Do you guys happen to know if the 645 is also impacted by this issue? We essentially have the same engine / transmission combo as the 545.

Originally Posted by spatras

I have a 2005 645 convertible with the SMG transmission and have a similar issue. THe hesitation followed by surge only seems to happen when the vehicle is cold and shifting from first to second gear. Once warmed up, it completely disappears. I had thought that it was an engine issue, not transmission. Anyone else having similar problems?

I had my trusted independent shop in West Chester, PA (Bimmerworks) Check it out. He found nothing wrong.

Do you guys happen to know if the 645 is also impacted by this issue? We essentially have the same engine / transmission combo as the 545.

i'm in the same boat as u r.. the problem disappeared and it is 59 degrees here in Dallas, TX.
So, it can't b a transmission issue.. more like a injector issue if u ask me!!!

Drove my 645 today with the weather at 45 degrees, reasonably warm for February.

Worked flawlessly. Anyone also have the issue only when it is cold outside or is this a full time problem regardless of ambient temp?

park it out the front of the work shop and fill it with lemons so every customer can see it, they will soon change there tune the pricks.

has been know to work before.

This problem with the transmission has crossed the pacific..... my 2004 545i has been surging at 1000 rpm for the last 6 months.... the Australian BMW people have come up with the same brainless answers but thanks for all the information - I will put it to good use and if there is an Australian solution I will let you know. Like the lemon idea though!

Update!

Well, you can look at page 3 for the issues I experienced with my transmission. Pretty much had a bad repeating slip/slamming at low rpms between 35-40 mph. I experienced a couple really rough ones (felt like the rear end may lock up) but mostly a light slipping sensation.

So, i've had my new mechatronics unit in for about 2 weeks now. I've put a bunch of miles on it and it seems to have taken care of the issue I was having. It sounds like many others seem to be running into issues very similar to mine. I hope this info helps everyone out. As BMWNA logs more of these issues maybe it will be easier to get repairs goodwilled. The problems seem to be becoming more prominent.