Drivetrain Malfunction

1st BMW, 1st post...

Anyone else get a Drivetrain Malfunction error?

I just purchased a 2012 328i... It had 35 miles on it, and I literally drove it home about 55 miles when I noticed several hard shifts. The following morning it gave me a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error and said "Drive moderately", "Maximum drivetrain output not available" and to have the system checked. Started to drive back to the dealer, but shortly thereafter, car wouldn't shift out of first gear.

So, with just under 100 miles on the car, and 12 hours in my possession, I watched her get loaded onto a flatbed and hauled away.

Got the call back from the dealer 1 day later. Bad transmission and they are waiting on a replacement.

Dealer has been absolutely great, roadside assistance was wonderful, loaner car is ok, but I'm pretty disappointed. Is this a common problem? I'm extremely nervous about reliability now...

Damn that sucks ! But seriously if your trans went that fast I wouldn't leave the dealership without replacing the whole car just from my experience ! Btw my first post too ...but long time bimmerfest reader good luck thou !

I had the IDENTICAL problem. Search for posts under my name and feel free to private msg me as well. My transmission failed at 100 miles - brand new. Replacement trans installed - car now has 2500 miles - no issues.

I had the same thing during my euro delivery. I pulled over, turned off/on and started up again. I ended up driving another 400 miles of spirited driving without issue.

My car arrives on Aug 15 and the VDC will be looking at it. I hope it's a sensor or something!!!!!

Had a 2007 335i that did that all the time. BMW eventually took the car back. Rest assured they'll try to help you and if they can't get the car to behave, they'll do the right thing...

Thanks for the responses... Glad to hear that it seems others have had the problem corrected.

Like I said, the dealership is doing a great job - they actually brought me a loaner on the flatbed when they picked up my car. They've since tinted the windows and paid my first payment on the new car as well.

Fingers crossed

Lets keep eachother updated here!

Originally Posted by jtrevill

I'm extremely nervous about reliability now...

Why the long face? You bought in the first year of production - expect rough edges and areas needing further development.

About the 3rd or 4th year, reliability will improve.

Originally Posted by Rmnoonan

I had the same thing during my euro delivery. I pulled over, turned off/on and started up again. I ended up driving another 400 miles of spirited driving without issue.

My car arrives on Aug 15 and the VDC will be looking at it. I hope it's a sensor or something!!!!!

In my case, the sensor for 5th gear failed, which caused abnormal up/down shifting. Upon examination of my trans, they found the fluid was over-filled and was a darker-than-normal color with a foul odor to it. Not sure if they found metal in the fluid as that was not reported on the repair description - but based on the conditions above - BMW decided to replace the transmission. My local dealer was working directly with the factory on the diagnosis - they ran multiple test plans and sent the data back to Munich.

2500 miles post-repair - the car is running flawlessly and I am glad I had it repaired.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Why the long face? You bought in the first year of production - expect rough edges and areas needing further development.

About the 3rd or 4th year, reliability will improve.

I don't agree with this at all. Transmission failure is not something that should be attributed to "rough edges" and "needing further development". Bugs in the software and maybe a software problem with a transmission shift falls into this - not a mechanical failure. There are way to many years of development in transmissions to have a failure such as this be attributed to a first year of production. That's why the long face...

I agree; a transmission failure should not occur - although it may be a sensor or some other minor issue. Even if they need to replace your transmission everything will be fine.

Nevertheless, I'm sure you knew before buying the car BMW's reliability is average at best.

Originally Posted by jtrevill

I don't agree with this at all. Transmission failure is not something that should be attributed to "rough edges" and "needing further development". Bugs in the software and maybe a software problem with a transmission shift falls into this - not a mechanical failure. There are way to many years of development in transmissions to have a failure such as this be attributed to a first year of production. That's why the long face...

Four lil' letters to meditate on: HPFP

Before members complain that it was new new new tech, it wasn't, and the problem incurred has been seen at least 50 years in pumps of all sorts.

Hint: Wasn't the HPFP. Problem lay upstream; HPFP damaged as a result. Yup, shaping up to be a pressure sensor issue.

Buyers naturally believe in BMW engineering, the fruit of years of development; the quality they buy. Mostly valid. But, history shows there are always flaws in the first years of production, fixed about the 3rd year. BMW is good about refinement, in no small part 'cause of forums like this.

We know about start/stop issues, now comes a transmission problem. Hang on Laddie, help is on the way....


.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Why the long face? You bought in the first year of production - expect rough edges and areas needing further development.

About the 3rd or 4th year, reliability will improve.

Originally Posted by jtrevill

I don't agree with this at all. Transmission failure is not something that should be attributed to "rough edges" and "needing further development". Bugs in the software and maybe a software problem with a transmission shift falls into this - not a mechanical failure. There are way to many years of development in transmissions to have a failure such as this be attributed to a first year of production. That's why the long face...

Sorry, CAL, but this is not the first year of production for the eight speed auto by any stretch.

Well, so far I am very pleased with the outcome on the transmission issue. Transmission was expedited, however, I was told it would be done by 8/17 at the earliest. They have since paid my first payment and tinted the windows on the car. Today I got a call and the car was done a few days early! Car drives great, and absolutely no shifting problems.

They stated they replaced the whole transmission with a new one, and sent the old back for examination.

Crossing my fingers for no more problems and excited to finally have my car...

Originally Posted by jtrevill

Well, so far I am very pleased with the outcome on the transmission issue. Transmission was expedited, however, I was told it would be done by 8/17 at the earliest. They have since paid my first payment and tinted the windows on the car. Today I got a call and the car was done a few days early! Car drives great, and absolutely no shifting problems.

They stated they replaced the whole transmission with a new one, and sent the old back for examination.

Crossing my fingers for no more problems and excited to finally have my car...

Glad to hear that Would like to see a pic with the new tints

Originally Posted by jtrevill

They stated they replaced the whole transmission with a new one, and sent the old back for examination.

Crossing my fingers for no more problems and excited to finally have my car...

This is typical. BMW wants to figure out problems like this. Glad to hear all has worked out well.

Originally Posted by xGambit

Glad to hear that Would like to see a pic with the new tints

Pics to come monday. Tint scheduled for that day. 250 more miles without an issue. Car is awesome - if I'm not careful the wife's going to make me sleep in it!

Got a chance to take some pics... These are the before tint pics:






And yesterday got the tint done, so these are the after tint pics:

what % is that looks pretty dark. Is it 20% or even lower?

K had the same thing happen, car was at the shop for over a month and I am going through a BMW trade assist. Push for a new car if you can, I am getting a 2013 with 2k more in features.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by bmwf30

what % is that looks pretty dark. Is it 20% or even lower?

Not sure the %... Just pointed at the one I wanted and told him it should be dark

Pretty happy with the look, hope it's not too dark at night for visibility, but not too concerned.

Originally Posted by Metalusmc

K had the same thing happen, car was at the shop for over a month and I am going through a BMW trade assist. Push for a new car if you can, I am getting a 2013 with 2k more in features.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

Dealer took care of me and had the car back in about a week total. I'm fine with keeping the car, it's what I wanted, and it's not like it was someone at the dealer that caused the problem. Awesome deal for you though! Congrats!

Originally Posted by jtrevill

Not sure the %... Just pointed at the one I wanted and told him it should be dark

Pretty happy with the look, hope it's not too dark at night for visibility, but not too concerned.

Don't be surprised if the popo makes you take it off. Way darker than the legal limit.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Why the long face? You bought in the first year of production - expect rough edges and areas needing further development.

About the 3rd or 4th year, reliability will improve.

So the 400,000th f30 is the charm?

Way to set that bar nice and high. Eye roll

Originally Posted by jtrevill

Thanks for the responses... Glad to hear that it seems others have had the problem corrected.

Like I said, the dealership is doing a great job - they actually brought me a loaner on the flatbed when they picked up my car. They've since tinted the windows and paid my first payment on the new car as well.

Fingers crossed

Its really great that the dealer is doing everything for you but don't you think it would also be great if you told us the dealers name.
cheers
vern