X5 2007 Acceleration Hesitation

brand new as I was pulling out of the dealers parking lot it completely died on me same problem with the AWD AND SCD CSD or something or other took possesion of friday feb 1st and sat the second went back to the dealer on a tow truck ....the most expensive 40 minute ride ever 54 thou,,,how much is that a minute?

I took delivery of the new model X5 4.8l, in July - in the first launch in Australia. Owned previous X5 4.4l for 4 years - without a problem.
This car has had acceleration problems from day 1. It stutters, hiccoughs and surges in low gears. For 4 months BMW and dealer denied there was a problem, the old, it's learning your driving, needs to be driven in for 15,000 kilometres, we can't find a problem, etc etc.

Then when I demonstrated the problem in Nov, to someone from BMW Head Office - there have been 5 different fixes (that definitely fixed the problem) - but didn't.

They have downloaded the info from the car to Germany, added different oil, reset it back to factory standard 3 times, told me to use sport, none of which has worked.

Today they rang to say that they (and they think they are wonderful) are putting a whole new transmission in the car. Lucky me!!!!

BUT - I feel ripped off.
If the car needs a new transmission it has done so for 7 months. BMW and the dealer have not acknowledged my patience, the inconvenience to me, or apologized (especially for the 4 months of denials of problems).
I am concerned that a local mechanic working at a less than efficient dealership - is going to do a dodgy job of installing a transmission into a new model car.

how many miles do you people have on your car? mine has 320 and still driving great. hopes it doesn't happen to me!!

3,500 kilometers. Has been happening since about 10 kilometer on the clock though.

Originally Posted by hugh1850

Ever since I bitched here it seems to be acting ok. Although I will say I've been driving it like a Buick.

+1. It's been "ok." It seems a little sluggish, like it has to think about accelerating for a second or two sometimes though.

BTW: 5,600 miles on her (2008...got it in Nov '07)

Originally Posted by cross5x

how many miles do you people have on your car? mine has 320 and still driving great. hopes it doesn't happen to me!!

You have a 4.8 thought, right?

I have a 3.0. Is this just an issue with the 3.0?

I read one of the previous posts and they say it happens with the 4.8 too.

Hi! I just got my 01 4.4i a couple of days ago and it has the same hesitation problem after 5 miles or so on the expressway but not on stop and go traffic.

So far I have put 260 miles on my 4.8i and no problems. No question in the first few miles I tought OH NO some hesitation with downshifting etc like mention here but it seems after it learns your driving style if smoothed out.

The dealer told me they are aware of the problem and that the engineers in Germany won't get the fix to us until Oct 2008. It has something to do with the computer programing, they said. I think the dealer is lieing to just put me off and maybe I will go away. I am seriously considering hiring a lawyer to make this a recall saftey issue as I have almost hit the person in front of me on several occasions because the car just sits there at the light and then all of a sudden takes off like I pressed on the accellerator big time!. It definitely is a saftey issue and should be a recall situation.

Let me hear from people with the same problems with their BMW transmission. They want all this $$ for the vehicle and it drives like a volkswagon! The ultimate driving machine? I think not, more like the ultimate driving nightmare! I want my money back or a vehicle that operates safely and dependably

Nick

Well, it isn't the GM sourced 6 speed that some of the X3 folks have issues with, since the X5 uses a ZF sourced box. BMW needs to get on this and fix it. There are just too many attractive alternative vehicles either out there now or on the way.

I know of two other owners who have 2007 X5's and they say that the car is just a dog off the line. One rues the day that he traded in his 2004 for a 2007. Of course, your car may have a real problem, but the newer models are becoming known for not being nearly as quick off the line as the older models.

Its not fair to compare your perception of quickness with an X3 - different car, different gearing - pretty much apples to oranges.

Go, couldn't agree more! Different cars, with only the engine in both the same in the 3.0si. My point was only to say that over on the X3 board there has been concern with the 6 speed automatic that came on line with the '07 MY. The X3 uses a GM sourced transmission. My mention of the X3 was only to point out that if the X5 has a similar problem with hesitation, it can't be blamed on the GM box since the X5 uses a ZF box with the same engine. Since both X3 and X5 use different transmissions with the 3.0si, and both have experienced hesitation to varying degrees it most probably is not the transmission, but rather the software controlling the transmission which is BMW. In any event they need to get this sorted out, there are too many great alternatives to both the X3 and X5 either out there now or due out soon.

I have just purchased a new 3.0 and I'm experiencing some lag right off the line. Maybe it's normal given that it's a heavy vehicle and the displacement is only 3.0 liter.
I've been renting and driving a Hyundai Sonata 4cyl model and it's very peppy on a stop light. And even my previous vehicle, which is a year 2000 minivan is pretty fast taking off.
But the X5 3.0 is pretty slow to go from a complete stop. After pressing on the throttle, I have to wait for about 2 to 3 seconds for the engine to come alive, pick up speed and be more responsive. It's not very sensitive to my throttle input, like sluggish off the line. It feels like I'm starting from a second gear, yeah, that's exactly what it feels like.
Is this what you 3.0 owners are experiencing too? It's not peppy or responsive or light on its feet. I know it's a heavy vehicle, but if it's slower than a Sonata 4cyl (which was very responsive to my throttle input from a complete stop), then I don't know...
It's a lot better after picking up some speed though.

I experience slight lag too, but only while going uphill. So I try to use sport mode while going uphill and also while taking off (if I am the first car at the signal) and switch to regular mode once I've reached good cruising speed. So far I have 2500kms.

Just took possession of a 2008 3.0 si today. It's no M3, but it gets out of its own way. I find Sport mode makes a big difference...much more so than in our previous car, a 2004 325 xi wagon.

It also shifts nicely in manual mode. I expect the engine will loosen up with time. We have all of 13 miles on her, but so far, I've encountered no unpleasant surprises when it comes to throttle response.

Originally Posted by autoque

I have just purchased a new 3.0 and I'm experiencing some lag right off the line. Maybe it's normal given that it's a heavy vehicle and the displacement is only 3.0 liter.
I've been renting and driving a Hyundai Sonata 4cyl model and it's very peppy on a stop light. And even my previous vehicle, which is a year 2000 minivan is pretty fast taking off.
But the X5 3.0 is pretty slow to go from a complete stop. After pressing on the throttle, I have to wait for about 2 to 3 seconds for the engine to come alive, pick up speed and be more responsive. It's not very sensitive to my throttle input, like sluggish off the line. It feels like I'm starting from a second gear, yeah, that's exactly what it feels like.
Is this what you 3.0 owners are experiencing too? It's not peppy or responsive or light on its feet. I know it's a heavy vehicle, but if it's slower than a Sonata 4cyl (which was very responsive to my throttle input from a complete stop), then I don't know...
It's a lot better after picking up some speed though.

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. Check your inbox for our offer of assistance.

Originally Posted by nkurns

The dealer told me they are aware of the problem and that the engineers in Germany won't get the fix to us until Oct 2008. It has something to do with the computer programing, they said. I think the dealer is lieing to just put me off and maybe I will go away. I am seriously considering hiring a lawyer to make this a recall saftey issue as I have almost hit the person in front of me on several occasions because the car just sits there at the light and then all of a sudden takes off like I pressed on the accellerator big time!. It definitely is a saftey issue and should be a recall situation.

Let me hear from people with the same problems with their BMW transmission. They want all this $$ for the vehicle and it drives like a volkswagon! The ultimate driving machine? I think not, more like the ultimate driving nightmare! I want my money back or a vehicle that operates safely and dependably

Nick

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. Check your inbox for our offer of assistance.

I have just got my 2007 4.8L X5 with 17000 mls, I have just read this entire thread and will be watching my car for any problems, at the moment it goes like a rocket.

vatkens,
pm sent

The car always start in 2nd gear. Hence the problem. It will need to use manual mode to shift to 1st gear and overcome the program from the factory. Not ideal unless BMW dealer gets a software update from BMW.

Or use the DS mode to start it in 1st gear.

My DS mode also starts in 2nd gear. Try yours and let me know. Drive the car for 1 minute in D mode and stop the car simulating a traffic light. Put into DS mode and upshift. It shows 3rd gear, which means it was in 2nd gear waiting for you to accelerate. The only way I can make mine to go to 1st gear is in manual mode.

I did a little test and I think it starts in 1st gear. But mine's 3.0si, and since yours is 4.8, BMW might've justfied starting it in 2nd gear even with DS mode because they maybe thought 4.8i is strong enough to be started in 2nd. But then who knows really...

Originally Posted by Barcius

My DS mode also starts in 2nd gear. Try yours and let me know. Drive the car for 1 minute in D mode and stop the car simulating a traffic light. Put into DS mode and upshift. It shows 3rd gear, which means it was in 2nd gear waiting for you to accelerate. The only way I can make mine to go to 1st gear is in manual mode.

Mine starts in 2nd gear as well.