BMWSTL

My '08 550, which is a July 2007 build and has a Sport Automatic transmission, has developed a "rough downshift" problem. When I near a stop, the car will roughly jerk immediately prior to stopping (apparently shifting roughly into first gear). The service techs drove the car and found the same issue. According to my SA, BMW authorized a software upgrade, although my car predated the revision that had been authorized in a service bulletin for the upgrade. That had no effect, and the problem remains.

One of BMW's area reps was at the dealer today, drove the car, and verified the issue. BMW has thrown up its hands at this point, stating only that there may be an issue that they are working on. My dealer is suggesting that a new transmission may be in order. My car has been in the shop for a week now, and although I have a loaner, not having a solution or an end in sight is getting wearing.

Has anyone experienced the same issue, or have any suggestions I might pass along to my SA?

Thanks,

Lou

DRANGED

Lou there is an ongoing thread regarding this issue that a few members have chimed in with about the very same problem. I'll try to find it but i'm sure someone will beat me to it.

edit: found it.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry550174

I just read through your post again and realized this is not what you are talking about, sorry buddy.

Sounds like the old transmission slam issue. I hadn't heard of it in the LCI models though.

BMWSTL

Thanks for the search tip. It's not a "got hit in the rear end" transmission issue. Rather, it's what was described as a "2-1" issue. See http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...sion+slam\

There may some correlation to the engine revs and thrust with the A/C on. I don't recall having the issue until it got hot out and I started using the A/C with some regularity.

Interesting. I'll pass some of this along to my SA.

Lou

westcoast550

HMMMM , you may need to try the old "hold the accelerator down for 25 sec trick".............honestly, I'm not kidding I had a rough down shift on my 07 that went away with this rather bizarre "realignment" .........actually so did the car !!!!!!!!

BMWSTL

UPDATE:

I have the car back. BMW is "working on a fix" to this known issue (lucky me), but no ETA for the software fix.

Lou

flyingpuck

+1 Sounds like the typical case for the transmission reset! Try it and see!!

joojoobee

I have this exact issue. Drives me friggin crazy. I've been to the dealer three times for it. First time I got a software upgrade - no change. Second time they found a leak in some tranny pan seal - they replaced the seal - no change (though the SA thought that may be causing the 2 to 1 bump). Third time they just said; "Well, if it's not causing an error message on the computer, there's not much we can do".

Anyway, I will continue to bug them about it until I get some resolution. One thing I have noticed is this: when I slowing to a stop, and the sport tranny has auto shifted into 2nd, the MPG meter goes from idle 50+ or something, and slowly creeps to 12, then pops back to 50+ when it shifts into 1st. I'm sure this is just an artifact of the real problem, but I thought I'd throw it out there since you can gauge exactly when to feather your braking to reduce the "2-1" bump.

Driving in traffic (the stop and go kind, not the slow consistant kind) is painful, and almost nauseating .

-JJB

BMWSTL

The dealer tried that. It apparently worked for a mile or two, then reverted. I'll give it a shot as well.

Lou

BMWSTL

My SA just called. I'm getting a new transmission, which is coming in from Germany! Interesting development. BMW doesn't think it's a software issue.

BMW's RTE (regional technical engineer) was in visiting and drove the car. Based on his observations and discussions with BMW in Chicago, BMW is springing for a new tranny.

My SA advised that if you are having the same or similar issue, and the dealer can't fix it, ask them to get the RTE involved.

More to follow in a week or two (hopefully).

Lou

westcoast550

Great result !!! Congratulations !!