"Tip-In" and "Initial Acceleration" problems fixed

Originally Posted by The X Men

Think of it this way, when you are riding a 21 speed bike and you are on the 21th speed, how long does it take you to down shift to 3rd gear. Yes, I agree with you that the software can be more agressive, but thats what the sport mode is for, it keep the tranny in a lower gear and has a different throttle map, much like your sprint booster.

I think the hardware is fine. If it isn't, no amount of sport mode can help. The normal mode programming just sucks, and that is the root cause for all of us that is having these lags.

I just hope BMW realizes that the issue is still not resolved and will release software updates for our 2011 builds. Seems they have solved the issues in the 2013 models (from previous posts in this thread).

Originally Posted by douggie

I think the hardware is fine. If it isn't, no amount of sport mode can help. The normal mode programming just sucks, and that is the root cause for all of us that is having these lags.

I just hope BMW realizes that the issue is still not resolved and will release software updates for our 2011 builds. Seems they have solved the issues in the 2013 models (from previous posts in this thread).

I agree, to a certain extent.

Update: Just picked up my car from service yesterday and it drives much better it terms of lag and acceleration smoothness and I’m quite happy with how it turned out.

Here are the issues that bother me though, As said before, from the time I got the car until now, I thought the acceleration and shifting characteristics were normal. It turns out during service that the Mass Airflow Sensor had permanently failed. It has been replaced and while there picking up the car I was told by my SA that the car was “reprogrammed” as well. But I could find no reference to reprogramming on the service invoice.


Either way; the acceleration lag is gone, the car drives like the loaner did, and I’m left with even more questions. Since I got the car (5 miles on it), it has always driven the same, in other words I can’t remember a time before this service visit where I noticed a change in its drivability.

Is it possible that the sensor was bad from the very beginning… in a brand new car?
Is it possible that the car was actually reprogrammed during service? (it did take a few days to get it back)
Is it possible that the Airflow sensor was indeed responsible for the lag?
Is it possible that this is my imagination?

I have attached the service invoice so that all may see exactly what (they told me) was done.

Well, I got my baby back after having the "global update" performed and I must say there is big difference in how she runs. The hesitation is gone (responds like the JB3 does) when in non-sport mode and she seems to have more spring in her step. I'm going to run her JB3 free for a few days just to get the "real" feel of her running bareback again. I was depressed last week before the global update as she was a bit sluggish and hesitated at times (especially when compared to having the JB3 on her). It will be interstiing to see/feel the difference when I slip the JB3 back on her. But I must say guys, the update does make her feel better. I know some have complained that right after the update the hesitation, etc. was gone but after time it has reappeared. I won't go too long before I put the JB3 back on so I doubt I'll experience the return of the hesitation (if indeed it were to return).

I've attached the work order for reference to the SIB.

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

Well, I got my baby back after having the "global update" performed and I must say there is big difference in how she runs. The hesitation is gone (responds like the JB3 does) when in non-sport mode and she seems to have more spring in her step. I'm going to run her JB3 free for a few days just to get the "real" feel of her running bareback again. I was depressed last week before the global update as she was a bit sluggish and hesitated at times (especially when compared to having the JB3 on her). It will be interstiing to see/feel the difference when I slip the JB3 back on her. But I must say guys, the update does make her feel better. I know some have complained that right after the update the hesitation, etc. was gone but after time it has reappeared. I won't go too long before I put the JB3 back on so I doubt I'll experience the return of the hesitation (if indeed it were to return).

I've attached the work order for reference to the SIB.

Any chance you might do a dyno before and after so we can see what it really adds?

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

Well, I got my baby back after having the "global update" performed and I must say there is big difference in how she runs. The hesitation is gone (responds like the JB3 does) when in non-sport mode and she seems to have more spring in her step. I'm going to run her JB3 free for a few days just to get the "real" feel of her running bareback again. I was depressed last week before the global update as she was a bit sluggish and hesitated at times (especially when compared to having the JB3 on her). It will be interstiing to see/feel the difference when I slip the JB3 back on her. But I must say guys, the update does make her feel better. I know some have complained that right after the update the hesitation, etc. was gone but after time it has reappeared. I won't go too long before I put the JB3 back on so I doubt I'll experience the return of the hesitation (if indeed it were to return).

I've attached the work order for reference to the SIB.

Are you going to update to the JB4 Stage 1...likely a harness update? I can tell you that the JB4 I have added is fantastic from every perspective. Thanks for the tip.

I probably will go from stage 1 to stage 2 (JB3->JB4) but probably not until the spring.

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

I probably will go from stage 1 to stage 2 (JB3->JB4) but probably not until the spring.

I'm thinking about it too. Would like a little more functionality in the Stage 2 tune. The Stage 1 is great though.

Originally Posted by bighungry618

I agree, to a certain extent.

Update: Just picked up my car from service yesterday and it drives much better it terms of lag and acceleration smoothness and I’m quite happy with how it turned out.

Here are the issues that bother me though, As said before, from the time I got the car until now, I thought the acceleration and shifting characteristics were normal. It turns out during service that the Mass Airflow Sensor had permanently failed. It has been replaced and while there picking up the car I was told by my SA that the car was “reprogrammed” as well. But I could find no reference to reprogramming on the service invoice.


Either way; the acceleration lag is gone, the car drives like the loaner did, and I’m left with even more questions. Since I got the car (5 miles on it), it has always driven the same, in other words I can’t remember a time before this service visit where I noticed a change in its drivability.

Is it possible that the sensor was bad from the very beginning… in a brand new car?
Is it possible that the car was actually reprogrammed during service? (it did take a few days to get it back)
Is it possible that the Airflow sensor was indeed responsible for the lag?
Is it possible that this is my imagination?

I have attached the service invoice so that all may see exactly what (they told me) was done.

Yes, I'm afraid that there are lots of people think that their cars are fine. Well, I guess if there's no comparison, it's hard to know what we're missing.

Regarding your questions, I'm puzzled too. It doesn't make much sense that you are able to drive with a bad airflow sensor since day 1. I'd imagine the engine would either run rough or that your gas mileage would be bad. But again, I'm sure they do not fix things that ain't broke either.

Well, keep driving it for a few weeks and see if the lag returns.

One other thing I have notice is that the transmission tends to lag more or accelarate with more of a jerk from a stop while it is cold, when its warm up, it smooth out quite a bit.

Originally Posted by douggie

Yes, I'm afraid that there are lots of people think that their cars are fine. Well, I guess if there's no comparison, it's hard to know what we're missing.

Regarding your questions, I'm puzzled too. It doesn't make much sense that you are able to drive with a bad airflow sensor since day 1. I'd imagine the engine would either run rough or that your gas mileage would be bad. But again, I'm sure they do not fix things that ain't broke either.

Well, keep driving it for a few weeks and see if the lag returns.

Before the service visit;
The car did idle roughly, the gas mileage was never better than 18.7, and the breaks squealed relentlessly since day one, at that time I was told, "its just because they're new"

Im not sure trust anything I hear now......sigh

My late build 2011 drives pretty smooth with no tip-in after the update (you can search for my feedback on this thread). I do experience the tip-in issue again when the car is in "DS"

I will post my question on the JB4 vs the JB3 on that other thread you guys were on.

Anyone that got a software update for Accleration problem, noticed that default start mode is now COMFORT, before my update it was ECO, any body else notice this after this fix ? BMW Service also did AUTO STOP to last position, so I dont know.

I think mine was always comfort but I have a 2012.

My car has the throttle delay and is due for maintenance. What is the latest and greatest as far as Software Updates. I thought I remember reading that a new update was due in December.

I just want to say THANKS for that information. I told my dealer about this information, and they were able to update the software on my car. It drives completely different now. I also had to wait 2 days, as far as I can tell so far it was worth the wait.

Does anyone know if the new 2013 built in Jan 2013 have this issue? Or have they applied the patch already?

I have a Jan 2013 build 550i xDrive M Sport w/ DHP and ~1,200 miles on the odometer.

Zero tip in. Operates how you would expect.

Thanks!

Get the sport auto trans and you won't have issues.

Get the standard automatic and not guaranteed so much.

I just drove a 2013 with the non-sport auto and it had the issue.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Get the sport auto trans and you won't have issues.

Get the standard automatic and not guaranteed so much.

I just drove a 2013 with the non-sport auto and it had the issue.

Yes, I should have added that my car *does* have the sport auto trans (you have to select it apart from selecting M sport), so decaf is likely correct if he test drove a Jan without sport auto trans.