Detailed explanation of the Sliptronic defect!

[Kirby]

I ran my car today at an SCCA Autocross. While I was there I talked to a guy driving a Dealer sponsored Z4. It turns out that he is a technician for the dealership (AND one HELL of a driver! I think he may have had the fastest time of the day in all classes.)

I asked him if he was familiar with the Steptronic problem, and he was very familiar with it. He gave me the most detailed explanation I have ever heard. He said that (as we already know) there is a tolerance problem with a seal in one of the clutch packs that causes fluid to drain out. But the apparent reason this didn't show up in design testing & prove in is that in Europe they use regular ATF, while in the US they use Redline SYNTHETIC ATF. He said that the problem only showed up when they started shipping cars to the US with the SYNTHETIC installed. He also said that when this was discovered, some dealers, on their own, decided to replace the Redline with regular ATF. BMW Engineering did not approve of this solution.

He continued to say that there indeed was a shortage of transmissions and that depending upon the severity of the problem, customer attitude, location, etc. in some cases BMW NA (not dealer) was doing a clutch pack replacement, but at this time, as far as HE knows, the generally recommended solution will be a new transmission. He said he currently has something like 10 transmissions in stock for scheduled specific customer swaps, and that the problem IS fixed.

I anticipate that a few members here might think I am making excuses for BMW, but I suspect the majority will be interested in this information.

 

[LarryE]

I ran my car today at an SCCA Autocross. While I was there I talked to a guy driving a Dealer sponsored Z4. It turns out that he is a technician for the dealership (AND one HELL of a driver! I think he may have had the fastest time of the day in all classes.)

I asked him if he was familiar with the Steptronic problem, and he was very familiar with it. He gave me the most detailed explanation I have ever heard. He said that (as we already know) there is a tolerance problem with a seal in one of the clutch packs that causes fluid to drain out. But the apparent reason this didn't show up in design testing & prove in is that in Europe they use regular ATF, while in the US they use Redline SYNTHETIC ATF. He said that the problem only showed up when they started shipping cars to the US with the SYNTHETIC installed. He also said that when this was discovered, some dealers, on their own, decided to replace the Redline with regular ATF. BMW Engineering did not approve of this solution.

He continued to say that there indeed was a shortage of transmissions and that depending upon the severity of the problem, customer attitude, location, etc. in some cases BMW NA (not dealer) was doing a clutch pack replacement, but at this time, as far as HE knows, the generally recommended solution will be a new transmission. He said he currently has something like 10 transmissions in stock for scheduled specific customer swaps, and that the problem IS fixed.

I anticipate that a few members here might think I am making excuses for BMW, but I suspect the majority will be interested in this information.

Hi Kirby,

Thanks so much for this. Yes ... I do agree that a few will find a way to "disapprove" of this, however, I must say that I would have been curious as to his answer to the question "Why doesn't BMW release this info to the affected customers"? It would have been interesting. I suspect (although I'm sure I'm opening myself up to bashing by saying this) that the answer is that they don't want to do this until they have the supply shortage problem addressed. This, of course, will not justify BMW's "official" silence to our friends. But ... I wonder whether there isn't another reason as to why official notice hasn't been given?

 

[Kirby]

By the way, my new transmission is not showing any hints of any problems at all. It is definitely more responsive than the other two were and performed better than I ever expected on the track.

 

[Kirby]

Re: Re: Detailed explanation of the Sliptronic defect!

Hi Kirby,

Thanks so much for this. Yes ... I do agree that a few will find a way to "disapprove" of this, however, I must say that I would have been curious as to his answer to the question "Why doesn't BMW release this info to the affected customers"? It would have been interesting. I suspect (although I'm sure I'm opening myself up to bashing by saying this) that the answer is that they don't want to do this until they have the supply shortage problem addressed. This, of course, will not justify BMW's "official" silence to our friends. But ... I wonder whether there isn't another reason as to why official notice hasn't been given?

I didn't think to ask him if he had any info on the "political" side of the issue, I wish I would have. I may see him again in a few weeks. If so I will ask.

 

[MyHarley]

Kirby, how did you do on the track??

 

[Kirby]

It was my first time running in SCCA competition. My goals were humble: Make all my runs without hitting cones (2 sec. penalty each), not miss any gates, no spinouts, not finish last in my class, and improve my time each run. I was thrilled that I did all of these. I finished somewhere around the middle in my class.

My best time was faster than most of the experienced V8 Mustangs and Camaros. Not bragging at all about my driving skills, it just shows that the Bimmers kick a$$ when it comes to handling vs. horsepower. Even on the edge, the car was predictable. Instead of spinning out or pushing, it wanted to go into a 4 wheel drift which is much easier to correct. There were 4 bimmers out of about 50 cars - me, 1995 M3, 2004 Z4 and an E30 M3. I can't imagine what driving the Z4 must be like! It was a BLAST and as Arnold says "I'll be back".

 

[MyHarley]

quite an accomplishment for your first time...........sounds fun and cool................

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Great info Kirby, never knew it was just a little oil... But what did he mean by customer attitude?

Overall I guess as soon as BMW gets the new tranny production up to date the issue will be solved and done.

 

[Chakueem]

What is SCCA? What kinds of races do you compete in? Sounds like there was a slolam course from your goal of not hitting any cones.

 

[cdotger]

Good info Kirby... Nice to know that many of us were on the right track from the beginning.

 

[Kirby]

Great info Kirby, never knew it was just a little oil... But what did he mean by customer attitude?

Overall I guess as soon as BMW gets the new tranny production up to date the issue will be solved and done.

The attitude thing was basically that if the customer was insistent on an immediate fix and no replacement transmissions were available, then the clutch pack was a valid option. If the customer was willing to wait, the transmission replacement was recommended.

 

[Kirby]

What is SCCA? What kinds of races do you compete in? Sounds like there was a slolam course from your goal of not hitting any cones.

SCCA = Sports Car Club of America . There are local chapters in many areas. This was know as Solo II Autocross. It's a course laid out on a parking lot with straight runs, hairpins, slolam, switchbacks, etc. The goal is to have the best time in your class. Hitting a cone = 2 sec. penalty. Missing a gate (basically going off course) is a DNF (Did not Finish). Depending on layout, the speeds can hit 40 - 50 miles an hour.

More info - http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/

They have other types of races, such as Hill climbs, club racing, etc. These require more commitment, roll cages, and racing licenses.