Found this while nozing around BMWTIS site...:

The following software errors were corrected with the release of CIP 17.01(Target data Status E060-05-06-500).

Vehicles equipped with 6HP26 up to 4/05, customer complains of harsh downshift. Refer to SI B24 03 05.

Here is the SIB240305 bulletin:

SUBJECT
Harsh 2-1 Downshift


MODEL
E60 (545i); E63/64 645(Ci/Cic) with 6HP26 up to 04/05


SITUATION
Customer may complain of the following:

An excessively harsh 2-1 downshift when decelerating to a stop, or

Transmission "bangs" into gear when accelerating from a full or a "rolling" stop (vehicle did not come to a complete stop).

CAUSE
EGS software.

CORRECTION
On a customer complaint basis only, reprogram/recode complete vehicle using SSS with CIP on-line update 17.01, or higher.

Important:

Transmission temperature must remain below 50 deg C and trans shifter must be placed in P position prior to the start of CIP programming.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

For the appropriate defect code and labor operation refer to the KSD system.

 

FANTASTIC!!!!! Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for.

 

Yes, this is excellent information. I recently got 16.3 installed in hopes of curing this. I haven't experienced a slamming since, but I obviously should go back again for 17.1 or later. BTW, 16.3 fixed all sorts of little things, so it was well worth the update anyway. Engine / transmission behavior is much better. The auto wipers are more sensitive, just right now. BT works great and Nav icons and perspective view are cool. And there's more.

Is there any more info. on what else is in 17.1?

 

As far as BMWTIS goes, no that is the only fix/update. I myself have not had this problem, but having read the forum A LOT lately, there seems to be a lot of people effected by this.

 

Ironically, I was unaware of any SLAM issue before reading this but mentioned it when I took car on for 12mth svc a few weeks ago.

They simply reset the learning on the transmission. (was only in shop 3 hours)
Combined with the fact that I also had an Eisenmann muffler installed day before service and I haven't had a single 2-1 slam since.

NOTE:- with the louder exhaust note at low rpm's if you have the windows open you can hear transmission downshifting more noticeably by the engine note when slowing down.

You can also hear it BLIP the throttle as it shifts from 2-1

 

It blips the throttle with Steptronic? I thought only SMG's did that.

 

There is no throttle blip in the Step. You only hear the revs increce from the down shift.

 

There is no throttle blip in the Step. You only hear the revs increce from the down shift.
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Actually, it does blip.

I hear it every day and (no offence) know the difference between downshifting and "blipping" (former BMW test driver and Audi/Porsche Asst Svc Mgr)

There is probably no way you would hear it on a stock exhaust but it is VERY noticeable on mine as low revs are much louder than stock.

 

How does one get access to the BMWTIS site?

 

I will have to pay more attention to my downshifts. They seem pretty smooth and that's probably the reason. I had previously wondered if it was possible to match rev's on the SMG, why not also do it for the Step. Thanks.