2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

The supposed September update is vaporware I guess. People with automatic X3 vehicles are being hung out to dry apparently. BMW doesn't seem to care about their customers and continues to sweep this problem under the rug like it doesn't exist.

Originally Posted by Bobert

The supposed September update is vaporware I guess. People with automatic X3 vehicles are being hung out to dry apparently. BMW doesn't seem to care about their customers and continues to sweep this problem under the rug like it doesn't exist.

Why do you say it's vaporware? Have you heard something specific, or is that you have not heard anything. Just wondering. I must say that it would seem your conclusion is correct. That's an awfully big rug being swept under. Like the NY Lottery says "Hey, you never know".

Maybe Vatkens could give us some info.



Cue the crickets....

Originally Posted by MJS

Maybe Vatkens could give us some info.



Cue the crickets....

Maybe pigs will fly... Probably not though.

I took my wife's X3 in for service this morning, to address the transmission issues. They were out of BMW loaners, so they gave me an '08 Toyota Highlander. I'm not a big Toyota fan, however, the Highlander shifts 1,000 times better than the X3. I feel like asking them if I can just keep the Highlander, and they can use the X3 as a loaner.

BTW, the service adviser said that this was the first time she had heard of transmission issues with X3's. I just shook my head, and handed her the keys...

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

I took my wife's X3 in for service this morning, to address the transmission issues. They were out of BMW loaners, so they gave me an '08 Toyota Highlander. I'm not a big Toyota fan, however, the Highlander shifts 1,000 times better than the X3. I feel like asking them if I can just keep the Highlander, and they can use the X3 as a loaner.

BTW, the service adviser said that this was the first time she had heard of transmission issues with X3's. I just shook my head, and handed her the keys...

Isn't it sad that you would prefer a Highlander to your X3? Anyone monitoring this forum should get it, if somehow you haven't already. I drove a Highlander loaner when my '04 X3 was in the body shop for 3 days. I absolutley HATED it! My '04 X3 was the best car I had ever owned/driven, and now I'm trying to ignore a problem that I really can't.

lPonderous!

Originally Posted by x3ronnie

Isn't it sad that you would prefer a Highlander to your X3? Anyone monitoring this forum should get it, if somehow you haven't already. I drove a Highlander loaner when my '04 X3 was in the body shop for 3 days. I absolutley HATED it! My '04 X3 was the best car I had ever owned/driven, and now I'm trying to ignore a problem that I really can't.

lPonderous!

Yes, quite sad. If you look at my signature, it is obvious that I have been a loyal BMW customer since 1970. The '08 Mercedes replaced my X5, and a Mercedes GLK will probably replace the X3, assuming that the X3 does not get hit before the lease is up, when trying to accelerate out of a turn....in either case, the X3 replacement will not be a BMW.

Originally Posted by x3ronnie

Why do you say it's vaporware? Have you heard something specific, or is that you have not heard anything. Just wondering. I must say that it would seem your conclusion is correct. That's an awfully big rug being swept under. Like the NY Lottery says "Hey, you never know".

Oh well, my wife was really looking forward to this vehicle, I guess I could always dish out an extra $14K, and get her one of the working Canadian versions....nahhhh....walking promotes longevity, and I want an M3.

Just curious, but anyone with an '08 having issues?

Originally Posted by QuantumJump

Oh well, my wife was really looking forward to this vehicle, I guess I could always dish out an extra $14K, and get her one of the working Canadian versions....nahhhh....walking promotes longevity, and I want an M3.

Just curious, but anyone with an '08 having issues?

Working Canadian versions? I hadn't heard this. My Canadian version has the same problems.

Originally Posted by matti

Working Canadian versions? I hadn't heard this. My Canadian version has the same problems.

Thanks for the heads up. Has your dealer admitted that your vehicle has an issue, or are they stating it is working 'normally'?

Originally Posted by QuantumJump

Thanks for the heads up. Has your dealer admitted that your vehicle has an issue, or are they stating it is working 'normally'?

No admission of any issue / blame it on me and the adaptive function and my driving habits.
It's the typical response on issues. I think they check their personalities and opinions at the door when they show up in the morning. The last time I was at the dealer they said I would get any software updates every 25,000 km when my service is due. They say that they have no idea when updates are available. Uninspiring and not the ultimate driving machine.

love my AT '07 x3. No issues whatsover with the transmission. I drive it hard and the control module has learned what I want rather nicely. I made sure to get the update this summer when i took it for its one year. This seemed to make "D" a little crisper. I have no hesitation, though, and no lag. I must not be experiencing the same thing other owners are. I couldnt be happier with it.

Thanks, I'm also perfectly happy with my AT '07 X3 and was wondering if it was worth asking for the update next service...

Originally Posted by pdxgrease

love my AT '07 x3. No issues whatsover with the transmission. I drive it hard and the control module has learned what I want rather nicely. I made sure to get the update this summer when i took it for its one year. This seemed to make "D" a little crisper. I have no hesitation, though, and no lag. I must not be experiencing the same thing other owners are. I couldnt be happier with it.

Originally Posted by TheCritic

Thanks, I'm also perfectly happy with my AT '07 X3 and was wondering if it was worth asking for the update next service...

If it aint broke...

sometimes i have to wonder if problems are exacerbated by our paying exclusive attention to them. Kind of like a dog biting at a wound. Then again since my x3 seems perfectly normal I may just be out of touch. I cant think of a single other vehicle that I would want. I would love paddle shifters though... Is there a mod for that?

Originally Posted by pdxgrease

sometimes i have to wonder if problems are exacerbated by our paying exclusive attention to them. ?

If you are one of the unfortunate ones to have the problem you will know--don't make light of it --it is real and it is a problem! At over $45k a pop the trans should be near flawless...like the rest of the vehicle.

I've started to hear a noise that I thought was related to the tires. Above about 45 mph "woop woop woop". Brought in to my local independent repair shop. He feels that it is coming from the differential, or transfer case. I am bringing in to the dealer next Wednesday. After 17.5k miles, I have had alot of grief with this vehicle. The trans has been acting pretty normal most of the time. This is not the result of the last update imo, because that was a little while back.

there have been a few reports on here and elsewhere of the entire differential failing under 60,000 miles.

It's been a few weeks since the last post to this thread, so I'm wondering if anyone has any news worth sharing.

red, dare we hope that BMW has actually fixed the problem with some of the 6 speed automatics and this thread can now fade into oblivion? On the other hand, maybe the folks with the issues have just given up and moved on to other cars or just are living with the problem until the lease is up. Who knows?

Originally Posted by UncleJ

red, dare we hope that BMW has actually fixed the problem with some of the 6 speed automatics and this thread can now fade into oblivion? On the other hand, maybe the folks with the issues have just given up and moved on to other cars or just are living with the problem until the lease is up. Who knows?

The second part. Mine is much improved, and is definitely a nuisance and not a safety issue. I don't even know if it's exclusively the trans or perhaps a combination of different things. Bottom line, I still experience jerky starts, and it's ridiculous.

I guess I feel lucky. I have experience the hesitation issues, but no issues with jerky starts. I drive it on the easy side most of the time.

Sport mode does seem more abrupt. I will try it there a little for in-town driving.

Believe it or not, I just purchases a new 2007 X3si in Septebmer 2008. The car has what I would call throtle response issues when starting from a stop in "D", but all o ther modes seem to work fine. I do notice that shifts while in "M" are jerkier than my wife's '00 528 5speed steptronic, not not unliveable. Overall, I'm pretty happy, though I was a bit nervous prior to purchasing it after reading this thread. I go in next Monday for a break-in oil change as I'll only just cover the first 1K miles this week. I'll also have them look at the TPMS system as its given me false readings twice after the car sits out during the day and I can't get the 'rear window wash' to work. Is there one? The wipers work fine, but is there actually a wash like the front windsheild has?

push the wiper forward.

Originally Posted by ghpup

...and I can't get the 'rear window wash' to work. Is there one? The wipers work fine, but is there actually a wash like the front windsheild has?

Around here, they're known for delivering with the rear washer pump disconnected. Open the hood and see if both pumps on your washer fluid reservoir have the wires connected to them. I'll bet one of them doesn't.