2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

My X3 is going in to the dealer tonight for the trans programming upgrade (and engine programming upgrade). The dealer said the trans is the #1 complaint about the X3's. He indicated that the fix will not eliminate all of the hestitation, but will greatly improve it (which is what I gather from posts I have read). He indicated BMW never quite got the throttle-by-wire dialed in correctly, which is why everyone has issues.

Anyway, I will report back next week on the progress. The hesitation is annoying, but that is my main complaint on my X3.

Originally Posted by madurodave

He indicated BMW never quite got the throttle-by-wire dialed in correctly, which is why everyone has issues.

Interesting comment and something I notice everyday as I transition from engine braking going downhill into a sharp 90 deg right turn. When I reapply the throttle it's delayed and then a little abrupt as the engine responds. I've never experienced anything like it in any other car. Not the end of the world but very annoying for the price.

Looks lile I have a longer wait. The reprogramming is the transmission module and engine control module. The engine control module lost its programming while they were doing this. It may be another week before I get the X3 back (due to the holidays).

Oh well, I am glad they gave me a 2008 750Li as a loaner. 360 hp, baby! Big car, though.

Originally Posted by madurodave

Looks lile I have a longer wait. The reprogramming is the transmission module and engine control module. The engine control module lost its programming while they were doing this. It may be another week before I get the X3 back (due to the holidays).

Oh well, I am glad they gave me a 2008 750Li as a loaner. 360 hp, baby! Big car, though.

they probably fried the module and have to get a new one from Germany.

Well they got the chip back to the program by disconnecting it from the battery overnight. Anyway, the new software is in and the X3 is back in my hands.

Initial impressions: The initial response off of a hard stop (traffic light, etc) is much better. It feels like sport mode while being in drive mode. Great acceleration, no hesitation, very responsive. Uphill downshifts are much better, but still slightly jerky. I don't feel the same abruptness that it had before. Acceleration on to a highway after slow down on on-ramp is better, but there is still a delay. The delay does not feel as pronounced.

This was all from my drive home, so I will give it a few days and give a further update.

All in all, better than it was, not as good as it should be!

I took a very long, mixed road drive today. So far, most everything seems MUCH better. Still some hesitation getting on to the highway, but not as bad as before.

Still same feelings: From stop, X3 gets up and goes MUCH faster. No sudden down-shift on hill when slowing. Now it has a gentle downshift.

If BMW could cure the highway hesitation completely, it would be so much better!

madurodave, thanks for the update! Does your service invoice have any details as to what version software they loaded, or the updates they made?

It's easier for me to get what I want from the local dealer's service department if I can give them specific details.

Regards,
Steve
2007 X3

Originally Posted by slilley

madurodave, thanks for the update! Does your service invoice have any details as to what version software they loaded, or the updates they made?

It's easier for me to get what I want from the local dealer's service department if I can give them specific details.

Regards,
Steve
2007 X3

I will post it later. The Service Advisor said it was the very latest version.

As mentioned previously, the SA did warn me that it will not be 100% fix and he is correct.

Much better, but not where I would like it. I had another hesitation incident which REALLY makes me wish they would get it right soon!

Looks like they used:

2461504 reprogram EGS module per SIB 24-08-07

1214715 program DME for shifting issue per SIB 12-17-07

Those worked pretty well for me so far as I said earlier.

Originally Posted by madurodave

* * * I had another hesitation incident which REALLY makes me wish they would get it right soon!

It's just that sort of experience that drove me out of my '07 AT. One item of performance I've particularly valued in a BMW over the years is predictability.

Originally Posted by Terry J. Harris

It's just that sort of experience that drove me out of my '07 AT. One item of performance I've particularly valued in a BMW over the years is predictability.

So is your 2008 a MT?

Originally Posted by Terry J. Harris

It's just that sort of experience that drove me out of my '07 AT. One item of performance I've particularly valued in a BMW over the years is predictability.

Between August 2007 and September 2008, my X3 had 6 software updates. With the adaptation reset, every time it drove better initially for about 2 weeks and then the consistency would deteriorate. In the last update, BMW also had the "mechatronics" replaced and some improvements are felt. It now drives good maybe 90% of the time but in other times, it's jerky with rough up and down shifts, weird throttle responses and occasional jolts. I told BMW about this and they say there is Nothing more they can do.

X3ML, given that you appear to be in "Ontario" (is that Canada?) the 'jerkyness' may translate to significant safety risk on snow covered roads. Even worse on broken snow floor...

Originally Posted by x3ml

Between August 2007 and September 2008, my X3 had 6 software updates. With the adaptation reset, every time it drove better initially for about 2 weeks and then the consistency would deteriorate. In the last update, BMW also had the "mechatronics" replaced and some improvements are felt. It now drives good maybe 90% of the time but in other times, it's jerky with rough up and down shifts, weird throttle responses and occasional jolts. I told BMW about this and they say there is Nothing more they can do.

I will have to see how it does over time. 1 week into it so far.

Originally Posted by madurodave

So is your 2008 a MT?

Yes!

Originally Posted by ghpup

X3ML, given that you appear to be in "Ontario" (is that Canada?) the 'jerkyness' may translate to significant safety risk on snow covered roads. Even worse on broken snow floor...

Under slippery conditions, whether it's raining or on snow/icy roads, I found it quite a challenge to stay out of trouble when it decided to act up. You won't see me driving aggressively in my X3, I tend to drive slowly when cornering and I leave extra distances behind other vehicles so I have a bit of margin of safety. However, I still had a few close calls because I cannot decide when my X3 is going to behave badly.

And yes this Ontario is in Canada and that means no lemon laws' going to help me. "BMW believes that the risk of any significant successful claim associated with the jerky shifting characteristics of this X3 is small, should an accident been occurred as a result".

Originally Posted by Terry J. Harris

Yes!

Hey Terry, now that you have had some time with your 2008 MT, how is it compared to your 2007 AT?
Is it truly immune to the driveability issues of the AT?

It does appear to be immune to the hesitation issues. The 1st gear very definitely is a "granny" gear with its very own noticeable power band, but it's just/only that - a power band, that behaves the same each and every time I push down on the gas pedal. My '00 Z3's 1st gear, by comparison, is much more "linear" in its acceleration, and the power band more noticeable in 2nd and 3rd gear. The '08 MT similarly responds very predictably in each and every other gear. The power band in each of the X3's gears starts somewhere right between 3500 and 4000 rpms. In summary, though, I love the MT in this beast. FWIW, it behaves almost identical to my buddy's '05 MT.

The only "odd" thing for me is the existence of a 6th gear - but within that first month or so I got better about not leaving it in 5th due to forgetting about there being a 6th. It's taken me a little longer to get better at hitting that down-shift from 5th to 4th (avoiding unintentionally putting it back into 6th), but even that seems to be behind me now.

I still haven't driven it much - only 2300 miles on it and I picked it up July 11th. But winter finally seems to have hit Wyoming, so it should start to see some more regular use. Driving is some fresh snow today, in fact!

I have to chime in after Terry's comments.

My MT 08 is pretty much "immune" as well. The first gear is just something fun to redline.

The stongest gears for acceleration are 3'rd and 4'th which is what most good vehicles do.

Never have I had to wonder "Will it or Won't it" do what it is supposed to do. It is predicatable in all things good.

My only regret at this point is not getting the Sport package and 19" wheels, but that just makes it more fun for future BMW purchases. Yup, this one has converted me to a BMW lover. That about says it

4,500 miles here.

Thanks for the response guys.
So, when starting out on a flat surface, do you start in first or second?
As you may recall, the AT starts in second.

Originally Posted by Zoltar

Thanks for the response guys.
So, when starting out on a flat surface, do you start in first or second?
As you may recall, the AT starts in second.

With my reprogram, D now feels closer to S with starting in 1st gear.

I will be driving the X3 tomorrow so I will verify my statement.

Originally Posted by Zoltar

Thanks for the response guys.
So, when starting out on a flat surface, do you start in first or second?
As you may recall, the AT starts in second.

First, can't really start off in second without riding the clutch. It is so smooth I rarely notice I am shifting--- unless the darn Grande Cafe Mocha gets in my way.

Concur with what Evl says in his above two posts - start in first always (unless I go stupid at the light, which does occur on rare occasion ) and 3rd and 4th gears really respond to any effort to let it rip. 2nd is no slouch, though.

As all of you can appreciate, the car has great power and now, with my MT, it does exactly as I ask/expect in response to my right foot.

My AT reprogram does start off in 1st while in D mode. I double checked it today.

BTW - my mpg's went down. Now averaging 22 mpg versus 24 mpg on old trans program. The shift points are definitely changed.

In to Week 2 - so far very responsive!

My 3 month old 2008 X3 has been having problems where on accelerating from a stop sign, slowing for a curve and then accelerating or slowing at a yield sign and pulling into traffic - the car has felt like it went into neutral then jumped into gear - It also changes gears on inclines and then accelerates so fast upon changing gears that it almost jumps out from under me. The dealer "reloaded the GM software" last week at the dealer but it is still not changing gears correctly. Any advice