2005 530i, 95k miles, nav, auto with slap-stick manual trans (or whatever BMW calls it).

So I'm running close to empty on gas, in Florida, so I stop and fill up with 93. Right after, I begin getting a stutter around 40mph cruise at 1500-1800 RPM like I'm lightly tapping the brake every 3-5 seconds, not violent, smooth. I begin thinking about all the normal things, water in the tank, dirt in the fuel filter, cleaning injectors, bad plugs, bad gas, etc. I wait a week and fill up with another tank of gas, 89 this time, hesitation still there after 50 miles of new gas. I start shifting with the slap stick and realize I only get the stutter in 5th gear, and only really notice it between 1500-2000 RPM. Cruise in 4th gear is fine, cruise in 6th is fine, cruise in 5th causes stutter when the engine is pulling. In my mind, that rules out everything I thought it could be. I did the 30 sec trans 'reset trick' posted here, but no difference.

Anyone have any ideas?

TIA,
Darrell

 

I had this 3 wks ago and it gradually got better but still gets a little annoying around 42 mph. I took it to the dealer and they acknowledged the problem, kept the car for 2 days to later tell me that everything checked out ok(gearbox, lines etc.)They said this was a known problem with these engines BUT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING to solve the problem!!!! This is definitely unacceptable and I plan to keep talking to whomever I need to talk to until this is resolved. I love this car mostly because of the way it drives and this problem absolutely affects that.

 

Eww, I don't like the sound of that. Anyone else have any experience with this? I too feel my otherwise perfect car is tainted. Ha!