"Tip-In" and "Initial Acceleration" problems fixed

Tip-in fixed and better gas mileage... sounds like you finally had a good day with it. A sigh of relief!

Now if we can just get them to include the 528i in that TSB.

I am following the tip-in thread with much interest. Had the problem with my '08 550 and it DID have a manual transmission. Only happened in extremely hot weather or when the car was extremely hot — typically at the end of a 300+ mile trip when I would get off the highway. Had a software fix installed at the dealer and it pretty much solved the problem. A buddy still has the same car but with an automatic transmission and still has the problem. He says he will not get another BMW for this reason. My new ride (2011 535 with sport) has a very slight hesitation from a stop in normal and I have experienced that lag when I had to get out of a situation quickly while on the road. In sport mode, there is not hesitation from a stop or while moving. Instant acceleration. Can anyone tell me how to determine when my car was built? Picked it up on March 1, 2011. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Rscheflen

Can anyone tell me how to determine when my car was built? Picked it up on March 1, 2011. Thanks.

The build month and year are on the door placard.

Originally Posted by Rscheflen

I am following the tip-in thread with much interest. Had the problem with my '08 550 and it DID have a manual transmission. Only happened in extremely hot weather or when the car was extremely hot — typically at the end of a 300+ mile trip when I would get off the highway. Had a software fix installed at the dealer and it pretty much solved the problem. A buddy still has the same car but with an automatic transmission and still has the problem. He says he will not get another BMW for this reason. My new ride (2011 535 with sport) has a very slight hesitation from a stop in normal and I have experienced that lag when I had to get out of a situation quickly while on the road. In sport mode, there is not hesitation from a stop or while moving. Instant acceleration. Can anyone tell me how to determine when my car was built? Picked it up on March 1, 2011. Thanks.

so the replacing of the temp sensor on mine and the new software that just came out 2 weeks ago (AlBoston mentioned yesterday in his post as well) has completely fixed the issue for me and it is reacts and handles perfectly now!!!

They should issue a recall IMHO.

Thanks for the info.

Glad to see I am not the only person on this blog that went for Tasman Green. I am still totally in love with this color. How are you feeling about it?

I love the color. I just wish I had the premium stereo and cooling seats. Thought I hear the cooling seats don't work that well. No regrets on the color. I get a lot of compliments. The only two other colors I considered were the blue and very light silver.

I can report after some driving today (trip to costco) that I am pleased with the results. My 8 year old son loves the car.

I have the cooling seats and I like them. They are not strong but they do work. I used them on a trip from Seattle to Boise when it was 90 outside.

Originally Posted by MisterScott

I love the color. I just wish I had the premium stereo and cooling seats. Thought I hear the cooling seats don't work that well. No regrets on the color. I get a lot of compliments. The only two other colors I considered were the blue and very light silver.

My dad has a Tasman Green E60, and looks gorgeous when clean. I imagine that Tasman looks even better on an F10. Congrats on your choice of color, it is rather unique.

I have cooling seats on my 2011 Dodge Ram 3500 and I have to turn them off they get so cold. They are a great feature. I am glad to hear they work. When I get my 550 in a few years, and have more patience, I am sure I'll order them. I have been quite negative in my prior posts and I want to apologize to the forum for that. I do love the car, especially now. It is just that I work for a bunch of Germans and a Munich based bank and I had higher expectations for the car. I suspect the culprit can be traced to the US spec AC units. I bet the draw more pull/chain/crank power than the Euro spec models and the ECU was just not accommodating.

Now, where is the 100 horsepower (I'll take 100 newton/meters as well, right!) that I can load.....

I indicated earlier that I'm experiencing the exact same "tip-in" issue, and can also say every time I start the car it shakes as if it might stall out. It's a brand new (purch May 2011) 528i, and my dealer is telling me these issues are not related to this model, rather the 530 models only. Without reading through the entire thread, are there only folks on this thread who can attest to these issues in the new 528i models? Clearly I'm going to need to "prove" it to get them to do what's necessary. They've already requested I drive the car with them in it, as if to suggest I don't know how to drive the car properly. Just want resolution, and my brand new car to run as it should! Oddly, I never noticed this issue when I test drove it. Thanks!

Yes... there are NUMEROUS 528i owners with the same issue. There are threads about this on all the BMW forums. Please call BMW NA and file a complaint.

Maybe we need to start a new thread about this as it relates only to 528i models.

I will definitely call BMW NA and file a complaint. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mldbayern

I will definitely call BMW NA and file a complaint. Thanks!

so while i agree you need to file a formal complaint IN WRITING to BMWNA, you really need to make sure you file a complaint with the NTSB...they will document and follow everything that is reported and have to by law report to the mftr any complaints that are filed...

if the NTSB receives enough DOCUMENTED complaints, they will force BMW to do something about it..

the link to file a complaint is here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

my advice is to be as specific as possible and provide as many details as you can....

Will do UNC, excellent suggestion, however I just viewed the nhtsa site, and could only find one (1) complaint. That link should be posted in a way that encourages everyone on this thread to file a complaint, just not sure how best to do that. Thanks again for your earlier help. Very much appreciated!!!

I never thought about the NTSB... excellent advice. It will certainly get the attention of BMW.

Thanks for that link, UNCtarheels. I filed my complaint online today. Hope others having a problem with this issue, especially with the 528i, all do the same.

How did you write up the safety issues?

Originally Posted by Sonnie

How did you write up the safety issues?

I wish I would have cut and pasted it.
I scanned my copy. Don't know how legible it will be:

That's a pretty good safety concern explanation.

When I file, I might add that the same problem "acceleration delay" has been recognized by BMW on the 535i models, which has led them to issue a service bulletin with a new software update that has been applied to several 535i vehicles and fixed this same problem. However, there has been no service bulletin issued for the 528i.

Originally Posted by Sonnie

That's a pretty good safety concern explanation.

When I file, I might add that the same problem "acceleration delay" has been recognized by BMW on the 535i models, which has led them to issue a service bulletin with a new software update that has been applied to several 535i vehicles and fixed this same problem. However, there has been no service bulletin issued for the 528i.

I also contacted BMW NA and made a complaint with them as well. I did mention exactly that fact in that complaint that you pointed out. I also contacted my dealer's service department and told them I would not accept their explination of "vehicle is operating as designed". Unless you mean a POOR design, then it is spot-on. They are setting up an appointment for me the next time the regional BMW representative is in the area.
I also made sure I told the dealer and BMW NA about my vibration issue, which the dealer told me was a "normal running characteristic of the car". I also told them how my vibration issue miraculously disappeared after I took my car to a reputable tire shop that corrected the problem (in about 1/2 an hour) that they failed to rectify after having my car for a week. I think the service advisor was not very happy when I ended that phone call.

Originally Posted by romeofrosty

I also contacted BMW NA and made a complaint with them as well. I did mention exactly that fact in that complaint that you pointed out. I also contacted my dealer's service department and told them I would not accept their explination of "vehicle is operating as designed". Unless you mean a POOR design, then it is spot-on. They are setting up an appointment for me the next time the regional BMW representative is in the area.
I also made sure I told the dealer and BMW NA about my vibration issue, which the dealer told me was a "normal running characteristic of the car". I also told them how my vibration issue miraculously disappeared after I took my car to a reputable tire shop that corrected the problem (in about 1/2 an hour) that they failed to rectify after having my car for a week. I think the service advisor was not very happy when I ended that phone call.

i realize this may be a stretch but willing to help however i can...i dont know if BMWNA will do this, but i am willing to let anyone from BMWNA come and compare how my 535i drives now after the fix and compare it to any of the 528i that are having issues....to me, that is the only way that bmw will reconize the issue, they need to have a KNOWN good 528/535 there with them and compare against the "tip-in" issue...otherwise they will just hide behind the fact that "all 528 drive that way"...well yea, until you drive one that has been fixed!!! just a thought...