2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

Just towed my 04 X3 from phx to Tx about 15 hours with a couple of overnighters. Anyway, I back the car off the dolly and start to drive but somethings not right, cars tranny's acting weird, pressing gas but responding well at all and I think I smell burning rubber, a little. I also notice the auto transmission failure indicator light is on as well. OMG What have I done? The manual said to put it in park, turn it off, apply hand brake, turn off few seconds, then restart. Said it should reset itself? really? Can anyone help, with this happening we are having to drive the 16ft penski rental truck w empty car dolly in Tx looking for hotel that allows pets. Are you kidding me. Any the worst part of it, it feels like Im in a freaking sauna. Im from Az and love the heat........... dry heat,,,,,, this is bullsht, humidity is insane, I hate walking from the house to your car and needing a shower. really?

Just towed my 04 X3 from phx to Tx about 15 hours with a couple of overnighters. Anyway, I back the car off the dolly and start to drive but somethings not right, cars tranny's acting weird, pressing gas notresponding well at all and I think I smell burning rubber, a little. I also notice the auto transmission failure indicator light is on as well. OMG What have I done? The manual said to put it in park, turn it off, apply hand brake, turn off few seconds, then restart. Said it should reset itself? really? Can anyone help, with this happening we are having to drive the 16ft penski rental truck w empty car dolly in Tx looking for hotel that allows pets. Are you kidding me. Any the worst part of it, it feels like Im in a freaking sauna. Im from Az and love the heat........... dry heat,,,,,, this is bullsht, humidity is insane, I hate walking from the house to your car and needing a shower. really?

you are in the wrong section Leannaluv? this if for 07+ autos only. repost in the general X3 forum.
kev

Originally Posted by Supercourse

It might vary by market, but I don't believe the E83 in general came with a AGM battery.

It is true that if your vehicle came from the factory with an AGM any replacement should be an AGM (because of the somewhat different charging characteristic).

If your O.E. battery has the 'magic eye', a white translucent case, and a vent, it is not an AGM.

All N. American E83's AFAIK came with a conventional flooded cell battery.

Did the E83 come with an AGM in Australia, even as far back as 2006?
Possibly for climatic reasons?

http://elsaweb.spaghetticoder.org/do....04/34922413/3

So I do not have an AGM battery (or VRLA) . . . ie magic eye etc . thank you for the update sir.

Oh and yes I should have check spaghetti coder (one of my favorite reference sites). So battery must be std lead acid . . . sigh . . scratch another theory.

My bad sorry. Im just freaking out a tad, I just burnt up my tranny!

Originally Posted by leannaluv

Just towed my 04 X3 from phx to Tx about 15 hours with a couple of overnighters. Anyway, I back the car off the dolly and start to drive but somethings not right, cars tranny's acting weird, pressing gas but responding well at all and I think I smell burning rubber, a little. I also notice the auto transmission failure indicator light is on as well. OMG What have I done? The manual said to put it in park, turn it off, apply hand brake, turn off few seconds, then restart. Said it should reset itself? really? Can anyone help, with this happening we are having to drive the 16ft penski rental truck w empty car dolly in Tx looking for hotel that allows pets. Are you kidding me. Any the worst part of it, it feels like Im in a freaking sauna. Im from Az and love the heat........... dry heat,,,,,, this is bullsht, humidity is insane, I hate walking from the house to your car and needing a shower. really?

You used a dolly instead of a trailer/flatbed to tow?

Originally Posted by maxeaus

Excuse my ignorance but what is "AT" electronics and what is a "AGM" battery?

I'm guessing AT means auto transmission, but i don't know the AGM bit

.................Google, "Absorbed Glass Matt", OK i will check this out, not sure what one i have but it went flat on me two weeks ago and the NRMA saved my ass, it was easily recharged though after an overnight charge on the battery charger, so mine has the "eye".

WTF, $600 for a battery! thats ridiculous, i would never pay that....ever.

I corrected my previous post - was not 600 but 420 bucks. My bad. Still not a lot better considering it is a stock liquid filled lead acid battery.

Hi Guys

Just a update on my x3 3.0d 2007 model. There was a huge leak from the middle of the car around where the transmission is when ever the car was parked on a incline. The oil that leaked wasnt red as the ATF but black. Had the car in to get the front Diff, Transfer case and ATF oil replaced with a new filter and seems like the tranny was leaking oil which has been fixed.

With the oil change the car is so much smother when it comes to gear changes. During the diagnostics there were errors for 2 glow plugs and the glow plug control unit, DPF error as well. The mechanic recommended that i get the oil changed with a new filter and PCV value as well as that might resolve the DPF error. After i bought the car i noticed at cold starts when i start it up and drive it around and say i stop at a light for a minute after about 30 seconds with the gear on D and my foot on the brake the engine starts vibrating a lot as much as shaking the car and when i let go of the brake and just let the car roll on D the car is very jerky until i accelerate and the vibration goes away. The mechanic that i took the car to said that i could be related to the PCV value again. Another mechanic i took it to told me that one of the Injectors isnt working and that is what it might be.

Any hints on this issue guys??? I am seriously considering selling this as the repair bill here in australia are huge for these things. SO far i have been quoted $1000 for the PCV value, oil, filter replacement, IF its the DPF then another $2000 and if its the injector with the glow plugs at $2400, Glow plug replacement alone would cols around $700.

Any hints on this issue guys??? or should i just trade it in for a brand new Toyota that i know would las tme a life time with no issues...

Originally Posted by skirulz

Hi Guys

Just a update on my x3 3.0d 2007 model. There was a huge leak from the middle of the car around where the transmission is when ever the car was parked on a incline. The oil that leaked wasnt red as the ATF but black. Had the car in to get the front Diff, Transfer case and ATF oil replaced with a new filter and seems like the tranny was leaking oil which has been fixed.

With the oil change the car is so much smother when it comes to gear changes. During the diagnostics there were errors for 2 glow plugs and the glow plug control unit, DPF error as well. The mechanic recommended that i get the oil changed with a new filter and PCV value as well as that might resolve the DPF error. After i bought the car i noticed at cold starts when i start it up and drive it around and say i stop at a light for a minute after about 30 seconds with the gear on D and my foot on the brake the engine starts vibrating a lot as much as shaking the car and when i let go of the brake and just let the car roll on D the car is very jerky until i accelerate and the vibration goes away. The mechanic that i took the car to said that i could be related to the PCV value again. Another mechanic i took it to told me that one of the Injectors isnt working and that is what it might be.

Any hints on this issue guys??? I am seriously considering selling this as the repair bill here in australia are huge for these things. SO far i have been quoted $1000 for the PCV value, oil, filter replacement, IF its the DPF then another $2000 and if its the injector with the glow plugs at $2400, Glow plug replacement alone would cols around $700.

Any hints on this issue guys??? or should i just trade it in for a brand new Toyota that i know would las tme a life time with no issues...

$1000 for PVC plus oil and filter seems cheap. Not a dealer I assume.

I am not where near an expert but during reading on other more diesel based forums the DPF typically will cause a loss of power and inability to rev out if blocked. No reports of idling issues that are DPF related I have seen. Same forums tell how to remove and clean the DPF. The DPF is a lifetime product btw so your vehicle must have had a hard life with no runs long enough for exhaust and engine temperature to get high enough to re-generate it IF it is blocked.
With respect to glow plugs I would have thought they are only used at engine start and not during running - so what you have described does not make sense to me.
An injector not working on the other hand would cause rough idle.
I would recommend getting all codes cleared then re-read after you have the above issues - just in case something else is going on. e.g. low battery during cranking causing codes that have hung around. ie I notice in my reviewing of codes using INPA and a OBD cable that some have no mileage history attached just a count number so hard to tell when they occurred.

Good luck.

ps the above is not so relevant to this thread and maybe an admin might move it.

OK... I just bought a beautiful 2008 X3 and have noticed some of the symptoms described in this thread. But it is a GIANT thread! Can someone post the latest relevant TSB or SIB and perhaps also the quick 'check' that I have noticed mentioned, but cannot find in these 68 pages.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by rpmX3

OK... I just bought a beautiful 2008 X3 and have noticed some of the symptoms described in this thread. But it is a GIANT thread! Can someone post the latest relevant TSB or SIB and perhaps also the quick 'check' that I have noticed mentioned, but cannot find in these 68 pages.

Thanks!

I can tell you if you drive the vehicle, slow down to about 15 mph (this puts it at about second gear where the problem occurs) then make a quick uphill right turn that if it hunts for a gear and lurches slightly that its got the problem and if you ask the SA if it has the latest TSB (and it actually does) then there is no fixing it. This however works under the premise that you have a knowledgeable and straight forward sales person that will be honest and want to build a relationship and not a quick sale.

This is not going to guarantee it's ok as this often happens when the car starts cold during winter months.

Don't know the latest TSB as after getting 13 "updates" they finally gave in and did a trade assist to an MT for me. Good Luck.

Hi folks,

I haven't had much for issues with my '07 X3 but I do notice the shifting is rather harsh at times, especially when slowing down around 10-20 MPH. I am a second owner but I don't believe the original owner got the software updated to address the issue ya'll have been talking about.

My question is, has anyone tried to get this update covered under a CPO warranty? The original warranty is out but I'm on CPO for another year. A quick call to one of the BMW dealers gave me a quote of almost $400 to do the update and said it would take all day. I'm interested in getting it but seems like a "power train" issue which the CPO warranty SHOULD cover. Just wondering how hard it's going to be to convince BMW of that.

Thanks,

seismik

Originally Posted by seismik

Hi folks,

I haven't had much for issues with my '07 X3 but I do notice the shifting is rather harsh at times, especially when slowing down around 10-20 MPH. I am a second owner but I don't believe the original owner got the software updated to address the issue ya'll have been talking about.

My question is, has anyone tried to get this update covered under a CPO warranty? The original warranty is out but I'm on CPO for another year. A quick call to one of the BMW dealers gave me a quote of almost $400 to do the update and said it would take all day. I'm interested in getting it but seems like a "power train" issue which the CPO warranty SHOULD cover. Just wondering how hard it's going to be to convince BMW of that.

Thanks,

seismik

The dealer should be able to cover it for you. I had mine done under factory warranty, however.

My 2007 BMW x3 is a piece of ****

Originally Posted by Nailedit

My 2007 BMW x3 is a piece of ****

My 2007 is about to hit 125000 miles - great so far!

So what's the issue(s)?

My transmission is slipping like everyone else's and my car soynds like its about to take flight

After reading through all of the 68 pages, after noticing the problem with the 2007 X3 I bought last week, it seems as if the issue is still unresolved. Firstly, does the BMW dealer charge to check and see if your vehicle has the latest update? Secondly, if mines do require the update, and since it seems to be a BMW issue, do I have to pay for it? I really like it and would hate to have to get something else, but if I have to, I want to get it corrected while I'm still protected against buying a lemon. Btw I am knew here and this is my first BMW don't want it to be a bad experience for me...

The dealer will not charge to let you know which software you have. Since you just bought it, let them know about the issue. They should be able to install updated software or at a minimum reset the adaptive learning.

It should be no charge since you just bought it, but some will charge you for it.

Originally Posted by madurodave

The dealer will not charge to let you know which software you have. Since you just bought it, let them know about the issue. They should be able to install updated software or at a minimum reset the adaptive learning.

It should be no charge since you just bought it, but some will charge you for it.

Does it make a difference that I didn't by it from the BMW dealer?

Originally Posted by chrisdaniels33

Does it make a difference that I didn't by it from the BMW dealer?

It could! Hopefully they will want to earn your business though.

Originally Posted by madurodave

It could! Hopefully they will want to earn your business though.

Thanks...

Originally Posted by chrisdaniels33

I want to get it corrected while I'm still protected against buying a lemon. Btw I am knew here and this is my first BMW don't want it to be a bad experience for me...

I am not sure the laws in NJ but I know in California you have no such protection on a used vehicle. Lemon laws only cover the vehicle during the original bumper to bumper factory warranty. In addition this is a no cooling off state.

My advice would be to double check your options while you are perusing solutions. In addition you can have the BMW dealer print the service history. You might find a pattern of reported issues with tranny that you can use to help your case if you are still protected by lemon laws or buy back.

I was in the same situation as you - bought a 2007 X3 in WA state in September. I took it into the dealer and they will check your software for free - if it needs an update they will probably charge you $130 or so. That was the quote I got but didn't need the update. Instead they just reset the adaptive learning for me for free. The other dealer I called wanted to charge $350 for the update if needed (so they didn't get a visit).

I still find the downshifting harsh at very speed - 3 to 2nd I think is the bad one but you get used to it. Shifting up isn't much of an issue for me anymore but took some time to adjust to that sensitive gas pedal.

Yeah I'm going to stop by my local dealer today and see what the results are, will let you guys know, other than that I'm happy with it, and I plan on keeping it for a while...

What about the newer X3's, like 09's and '10's + do they have these issues?