2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

I will keep closely evaluating the updated software as it's still apparently in learning mode. FYI, my build date was 9/06.

While I wait for the powers that be to sort out the paperwork over this mess they call a transmission, has anyone heard of another attempt at a newer SIB?

After trying to release one that ( was suspposed to be the "final" fix) by one admission fried an owners DME controller and now we have heard nothing more.

I now know of over a half dozen people that have had their vehicles bought back (not trade assist, big difference) and another half dozen that have been offered trade assist because of this problem (due to legal reasons I can't discuss my personal ventures in this). Are they just buying them back at this juncture instead of fixing them?

Or, have they just given up, and kissed off the remainder of (70+ on this website alone) people that have voiced discontent?

Originally Posted by jmcbmw

I will keep closely evaluating the updated software as it's still apparently in learning mode. FYI, my build date was 9/06.

I have a 9/06 also and had the software patch installed. The shifting was nice for about a week. Now it is even worse than before. The service manager drove my car home to check it out and agreed that there was a shifting problem. When she consulted BMWNA, they told her in no uncertain terms that there was NO PROBLEM and they would do NOTHING for us. I think she is almost as frustrated as we are.

My theory is that what is really wrong with the X3 AT is the U.S. legal system.

Just a theory...

Folks:
I called BMWNA today to officially complain about the dangerous transmission in my 2007 (09/06 build) X3. After I stated the issues, I was able to get the customer relations rep's name and extension, but he refused to give me a case number and stated that case numbers are only for internal use. They also would not send me an acknowledgment (I asked for an email) that I had called.

I will send a certified letter to BMWNA next with that information included. I filed a complaint with the BBB today also.

Maybe we should record our calls to them for "training purposes". Isn't that what they say in the greeting?

Evlengr, thanks for your advice.

Happy to help.

Seems like "Vatkens" is listening, and reporting back to mothership BMWNA.

More people than not are getting the cold shoulder treatment by BMWNA. As my parents would say, "Looks like they are circling the wagons".

Remember, document everything you communicate to the dealer or BMWNA.

The value owed to you ---- should you get a trade assist or buy back is when you first officially reported the problem. That extra 1500 miles of waiting for the "adpative transmission" to work could be an extra $1500 of depreciation.

So the longer you wait to report it,(hence the stalling techniques being used) the less it's worth.

Hello All. I wanted to thank all of you and your resident activist type. After taking some more test drives and speaking to a co-worker that has an X3 with the faulty automatic transmission I decided against spending $42,000 on a vehicle that is more unpredictable than my Vista based laptop. To those of you that may be getting rid of your albatross I can recommend a replacement that also has full service and a loaner program with very low financing. The RDX. There is no turbo lag, and after an additional $2,000 customizing the suspension it now handles better, is less troublesome, and still $8,000 cheaper than the X3. Thanks again for the excellent advice and with the exception of that one character your polite feedback. I only wish the Acura website people were as informative as all of you. Best of luck on getting things right.auf wiedersehen

I've been watching this thread from the beginning. My wife drives an '08 X3 with auto. She has never really complained about shifting, and I rarely drive the X3.

For the past two weeks, I have driven her X3 daily, and I have found the transmission to exhibit most, if not all of the weird shifting that has been reported here. The vehicle is not a pleasure to drive.

The dealer claims that it has the "latest" software, and that it must "adapt". The X3 has about 6k miles on it, so I believe that it should be done "adapting".

I am disappointed that BMWUSA seems to have adopted a policy of ignoring this defect in the X3. So much so that I have decided not to lease an X5 for myself, and instead have decided to take a break from BMW.

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

I've been watching this thread from the beginning. My wife drives an '08 X3 with auto. She has never really complained about shifting, and I rarely drive the X3.

Would you mind sharing the production date of your X3?

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Would you mind sharing the production date of your X3?

Production date is 09/2007

Originally Posted by viii_ball

I took the Service Manager and his shop foreman for a test drive and was able to consistently repeat all 5 issues I experience with the AT in my 2008 X3. After the test drive I constructed an email outling the problem with the explanation as given to me by the mechanic, asking for confirmation of what I understood. Here is the email I sent and two weeks later have not received a confirmation, just an acknowledgment of my email.

As others have posted, BMW is not "agreeing" that there is a problem, as you can tell from the "justifications" given below. And this is leading to a lot of our frustration.

***************************
Dear SM:

Thank you for your time last night. Could you share with your shop foreman (sorry his name escapes me) the information below and have him verify that what I experience with the transmission of the X3 is explained as he did last night.

Lack of immediate throttle response - this is an electronically controlled transmission (as opposed to a cable) and the brain needs a second or so to think and send an instruction to the transmission for a response

Lack of acceleration or feel of not getting out of the way during corner or turn (binding feeling) - this is the stability control taking over and not allowing the car to accelerate so that the driver does not experience under or over steer

Feeling every gear change as the car up shifts - BMW engineers their cars so that the drivers "feel" the car. They could program this out but its a conscious choice to give a feel to the vehicle

Hard shifting and binding feel when in traffic - BMW has a 1-2 1-2 transmission lock that if it senses consecutive shifts from 1st gear to 2nd, back to 1st and into 2nd it will lock into 2nd gear as a way to "save fuel" during stop and go traffic.

Binding and noticeable down shifting when rolling to a stop - this is a characteristic of the AWD. You feel things because the front transmission mechanisms are still turning.

We took our 09/06 2007 X3 in for the 6th time today, and an engineer from BMWNA drove it. Like others before us (above), we were told "that is the way this X3 is supposed to drive". What?!! So, given that there is no problem according to BMW, we are stuck with a dangerous vehicle. The dealer will not offer us a trade assist. And if they say there is no mechanical problem, how can we enforce the Lemon Law? What's it going to take to get BMWNA to do the right thing-- a law suit or a fatality? And how do we know the latter has not happened already?

Originally Posted by awhitney07x3

We took our 09/06 2007 X3 in for the 6th time today, and an engineer from BMWNA drove it. Like others before us (above), we were told "that is the way this X3 is supposed to drive". What?!! So, given that there is no problem according to BMW, we are stuck with a dangerous vehicle. The dealer will not offer us a trade assist. And if they say there is no mechanical problem, how can we enforce the Lemon Law? What's it going to take to get BMWNA to do the right thing-- a law suit or a fatality? And how do we know the latter has not happened already?

If you haven't already. Send a certified return receipt requested to BMWNA corporate explaining your situation, and what you want in return. This way it will be on record that they have been notified and refused or accepted your request.

You don't---call a Lemon Lawyer. They can subpoena any relevant records if they take on your case.

If you haven't already. Send a certified return receipt requested to BMWNA corporate explaining your situation, and what you want in return. This way it will be on record that they have been notified and refused or accepted your request.

It seems to me from the stance that BMWNA is taking that they might as well admit there is a problem since they will not openly address it. In my opinion the are sending out the "Experts" to make sure they have testimony for the lawsuits they know are pending.

At this rate this will end up snow-balling into a "Class-Action" lawsuit if they don't cut their losses soon.

They are starting to think short term rather than the long term ramifications of lost sales. And in today's market and floundering car sales that is "Penny-wise and Pound-foolish".

My original purchase was to be an M class, but due to the reality of family life I got a more "practical" BMW.

This means that ten years down the road when I can get an M class, I'll end up getting a Porsche.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

[B]
At this rate this will end up snow-balling into a "Class-Action" lawsuit if they don't cut their losses soon.

Unfortunately, if this issue gets to that point, the only ones who will truly benefit from a Class- Action suit are the lawyers....

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Unfortunately, if this issue gets to that point, the only ones who will truly benefit from a Class- Action suit are the lawyers....

I absolutely agree.

Why not do what is ethically correct and business smart and make it right.

You can't put a price tag on good will and word of mouth.

This is crazy: the "Agent" that took back my car clearly said to me: the paperwork states the reason for the buyback is "transmission issues"... correct? I confirmed. Sadly, I did NOT receive a copy of that particular document.

Why are they denying it now? Especially with all the SIBs floating around out there that clearly show it's a problem. I'm curious, has any one checked the TSB BMW site recently to see if ANY of the SIBs are still listed? www.bmwtis.com.

Originally Posted by kjboyd

This is crazy: the "Agent" that took back my car clearly said to me: the paperwork states the reason for the buyback is "transmission issues"... correct? I confirmed. Sadly, I did NOT receive a copy of that particular document.

Why are they denying it now? Especially with all the SIBs floating around out there that clearly show it's a problem. I'm curious, has any one checked the TSB BMW site recently to see if ANY of the SIBs are still listed? www.bmwtis.com.

Thanks KJ for dropping by, like your Volvo? Now look, BMW is not really denying there is a problem, but on the other hand, because of legal reasons, they cannot admit there is a problem. For a simple reason, they don't have a fix yet. They want to pretend that this is only a non-safety issue, they want us to accept that shifting is just a bit rough. So it is uncomfortable because it is this or that. Only when they have to do a recall then they will have to say there is a problem.

Just today, I was going a bit fast because of over the freezing temperature. Put on SD in a curve. Then a big jolt came all the sudden as it bents to a slight up slope, my neck hurts, heart pounding, scare the xxxx out of me. Lesson learned, don't risk if you going on a curve, and leave a big margin if you have to start across moving traffic.

yes, BMW IS denying there is a problem. "They all do that", or "it was designed that way" is a denial.
for almost 2 years now SIBs have been coming out "with a software solution." Now, the customers are being told that is IS supposed to be that way. Why try to find a fix for two years and then say, oh, no, sorry, it IS supposed to do that?

and the Volvo is great. I should have done that in the first place after the 1st X3 was taken back.

Originally Posted by BMWx307

My 2007 x3 built at 08/06 with auto trans. I had same problems what you guy have, and did upgrade software, but problems were still there and was geting worse. After waited two weeks got new DME from Germany, replaced DME and adjusted torque. have 800 KM on it now, all problem gone, trans shift smooth and no heist problem any more even in conner turn. gas milleage in city is about 12.5L/100 (in canada). hope it realy fixed this time.

Dare I ask...Is your X3 still fine?! I hope so.
Is there a particular model number for the new DME?

My lease will exprie at the end of this month. The end of lease inspection was done two weeks ago. Everything but one tire happened to be fine. I was planing to sign a new lease for X3 2008. Guess what? Today my hubby crashed the car (bmw x3, 2005) - the black ice scenario. The car will require a serious body repair, no obvious mechanical damage. Our insurance co (military) will do an estimation in a few days. My question is: what is the most efficient mode of my actions? Should I repair the car and then return it to the dealer? Or should I return it as is and have the dealer repair it? Am I allowed to do the latter?
Thanks in advance
bitac

Originally Posted by bitac

My lease will exprie at the end of this month. The end of lease inspection was done two weeks ago. Everything but one tire happened to be fine. I was planing to sign a new lease for X3 2008. Guess what? Today my hubby crashed the car (bmw x3, 2005) - the black ice scenario. The car will require a serious body repair, no obvious mechanical damage. Our insurance co (military) will do an estimation in a few days. My question is: what is the most efficient mode of my actions? Should I repair the car and then return it to the dealer? Or should I return it as is and have the dealer repair it? Am I allowed to do the latter?
Thanks in advance
bitac

This is a tad off-topic, but I think you should repair the vehicle. I'm no expert on leases however. If it is truly serious, try to get the vehicle totalled.

I will say this: if you liked your '05 and given the damage is not too serious, I would consider keeping it. While the new X3s are more mature and faster, the transmission isn't as good as the old 5-speed automatic, even when it does work properly. Of course, if you're going for the 3-pedal, that statement won't apply.

thanks, never used this site before - that's why off-topic. Thanks anyway

I agree with the earlier post on taking a break from BMW and not going back. We have owned over twelve BMW''s over the past 20 years and the 2007 X3 is the worst BMW out of the lot. They clearly haven't figures our their all wheel drive implementation with the auto transmission. I buy BMW's to enjoy driving and this thing extremely disappoints me. Sports mode is very jerky and I have taken it in twice for the updates, but still it is poor. Regular Drive doen't have enough power and the engine is always at too low of RPM's. $40k for a vehicle you can't stand to drive is not good.

BMW should take these vehicles back and make customers whole. If not, I am done with them. All potential buyers of auto X3's need to re-think buying this vehicle, I would avoid it.

tx sums it up well for many of us.

Today, my '07 X3 did its herky-jerky movement through the lower gears the few times I drove it, pulling/accelerating dis-proportionally at the top end of 1st and 2nd - the complete antithesis of smooth, predictable throttle response. Yet all weekend the car drove almost perfectly. Also today, somewhere between 20 and 30 mph on a flat stretch turning into a slight incline the X3 once again began accelerating on its own - it's as if I pushed down a little more on the gas pedal (which I didn't) and the car accelerates accordingly, up a slight hill no less. Car is smarter than me???? What makes for a weird driving experience, I've now begun this last month to constantly think about and monitor throttle response - it's anything but something I take for granted in this car. And that sucks . . . .

I've considered discontinuing my viewing of this thread, as it only makes me sick in that it reminds me of my car's problem. To that end, I've also stopped driving my X3 unless absolutely necessary due to weather - today it snowed here, as predicted. It's back to my Z3 whenever I can drive it. Hopefully with the season change arriving soon I will be able to park the X3, as it just makes me angry to drive it these days.

Originally Posted by Terry J. Harris

tx sums it up well for many of us.

Today, my '07 X3 did its herky-jerky movement through the lower gears the few times I drove it, pulling/accelerating dis-proportionally at the top end of 1st and 2nd - the complete antithesis of smooth, predictable throttle response. Yet all weekend the car drove almost perfectly. Also today, somewhere between 20 and 30 mph on a flat stretch turning into a slight incline the X3 once again began accelerating on its own - it's as if I pushed down a little more on the gas pedal (which I didn't) and the car accelerates accordingly, up a slight hill no less. Car is smarter than me???? What makes for a weird driving experience, I've now begun this last month to constantly think about and monitor throttle response - it's anything but something I take for granted in this car. And that sucks . . . .

I've considered discontinuing my viewing of this thread, as it only makes me sick in that it reminds me of my car's problem. To that end, I've also stopped driving my X3 unless absolutely necessary due to weather - today it snowed here, as predicted. It's back to my Z3 whenever I can drive it. Hopefully with the season change arriving soon I will be able to park the X3, as it just makes me angry to drive it these days.

Terry (and others like this),

I don't think ignoring the problem will make it go away. Yes it makes me furious to read these posts, but it also validates what we all know. This vehicle is not a BMW. Buying a BMW is supposed to be an experience that you relish not regret.
I was looking forward to the "Fall" winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains, now I worry if the car is going to take off and rear end the driver in front of me or stall while merging onto the Beltway.

I make a good income, but I don't make enough to put a $40k+ vehicle on the back burner. If you are having a problem with the transmission send a certified return receipt letter to BMWNA and contact the Attorney Generals Office for Consumer Protection of your respective State (or New Jersey), NHTSA, BBB, etc...
BMWNA is trying to bury this. If enough owners put the pressure on they can't ignore it for ever (letters and documents can be subpoened to prove it's not an isolated incident).

"Vatkens" if your listening (tell your bosses) I won't give up until this is properly addressed.

Originally Posted by bimmertx

I agree with the earlier post on taking a break from BMW and not going back. We have owned over twelve BMW''s over the past 20 years and the 2007 X3 is the worst BMW out of the lot. They clearly haven't figures our their all wheel drive implementation with the auto transmission. I buy BMW's to enjoy driving and this thing extremely disappoints me. Sports mode is very jerky and I have taken it in twice for the updates, but still it is poor. Regular Drive doen't have enough power and the engine is always at too low of RPM's. $40k for a vehicle you can't stand to drive is not good.

BMW should take these vehicles back and make customers whole. If not, I am done with them. All potential buyers of auto X3's need to re-think buying this vehicle, I would avoid it.

If enough potential BMW buyers "take a break", then maybe the powers that be in Montvale will begin to take notice. It is pretty well known that the sales and marketing departments drive most corporations, and I believe that BMW is no different with respect to this. If ignoring the X3's transmission problems convinces enough buyers to look elsewhere, this should eventually get BMWUSA's attention.