Knock on wood...updates have transformed our X3!
I've been following this thread weekly over the past 7+ months. I even added my complaint about my wife's 2007 X3's transmission on page 21 of this thread (see post 522). Long story short, I hated the way the X3 transmission was always fighting me...so irritating, especially in stop-and-go traffic around town. My wife didn't complain about it very much, but I found it so bad that I'd only drive it when necessary. And even then, I'd end up flipping the auto shifter into "manual" mode after a few miles, so I could control the shifting (it worked fine in manual mode, which told me that this was a programming problem).
After seeing reports in December and early January from ramjet-austin, Martlet66, and madurodave, I decided it was time to take the X3 back to the dealer for an update. Their lead tech took it for a ride, and he was able to feel some of the problems with hesitation and jerky shifts. They updated the X3 with the latest DME and EGS updates.
That visit to the dealer was almost two weeks ago now, and I'm pleased to report that the X3 has been transformed as a result of the updates. I noticed the difference right away, but I wanted to wait a week or so before reporting in here -- just in case the car started to relearn it's old (bad) habits. It is a very significant improvement. It pretty much behaves in a way that you'd expect it to. Every once in a while it'll hold onto a gear longer than I think it should, but that's only happened two or three times. And now I'm driving the X3 more than ever before, because it's in the (warm) garage while my car is sitting in the (cold) driveway. While it's still not "perfect", it's good enough that I don't even think about the transmission when driving anymore.
One of the big changes I've noticed is with the electronic throttle control (i.e. the gas pedal). Prior to the update, it felt more like an on-off switch to me. You'd give it a little gas, and it would go a little. You'd give it a little more, and get very little added oomph. Then you'd go a little further, and BAM, the transmission would downshift, the revs would rise sharply, and your passengers would all think you were just learning to drive. That problem is gone. I guess it makes sense that the throttle and transmission are directly linked.
Anyway, I hope the X3 bliss can continue. Now my only complaint is an occasional rubbing in the steering. It feels like a wire bundle laying on the steering rack under the dash. When I turn the wheel, I can feel it rubbing. If I raise and lower the steering wheel, it goes away for a day or two. Dealer couldn't reproduce that one.
Thanks BMW North America for finally listening! We are really happy with the X3 overall, and would purchase it again. And thanks to the people here at Bimmerfest -- especially ramjet-austin, Martlet66, and madurodave -- for your feedback. Lets hope this problem is a thing of the past for all of us!
Regards,
Steve
2007 BMW X3 (wife's)
2004 BMW 330i ZHP (my "Sunday" and DE car)
2008 Infiniti G35x (my daily driver)