How do you know that BMW continues to sell cars with the problem? Apparently, the problem itself did not surface until fairly recently. And then ... it took some time for it to be isolated and for a definite fix to be identified. Various fixes (software, etc.) were tried initially. I believe that the "final" fix has just been identified within the past few weeks (design change in the clutch assembly). I'm sure that all new cars being produced after this was identified will incorporate those changes. It would be foolish to do otherwise. Think of the cost to BMW to continue to put new cars on the road knowing that they will need new clutch assemblies or replacement trannys. Don't you think that will cut into their profit margin, and don't you think they know that?
It's Baaaack!! '04 330cic Steptronic slipping AGAIN
- Thread starter Kirby
- Start date
I see. My frame of reference is a little different. I had to order my car and wait 3 months for it (AWD in heavy demand here in the northeast + not many manufactured). I was kinda thinking that with the problem having been seen in volume only when the cold weather set in and with the problem identified (as some issue with pressures in the clutch assembly) ... that BMW would now be manufactuing cars with the fix in them. But ... who knows.
I dropped my car off yesterday at BMW to have a tranny tech from BMWNA look at my tranny. I picked it up about a half hour ago and they installed a new clutch pack. ![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
FINALLY! I really hope this takes care of the problem. Just wondering if anyone who has already had the clutch pack replacment had any reoccurring problems?
FINALLY! I really hope this takes care of the problem. Just wondering if anyone who has already had the clutch pack replacment had any reoccurring problems?I bought my 04 330c on 12/6, experienced the sliptronic at 300 miles, then figured out that this is a very serious problem and decided to take it back to the dealer on 12/22. I traded it in for a manual 330c. Cost me 2k, but now I have a manual tranny (which i should have gotten in the first place!!!). IF i would of kept the orginal 330, I figured that resale value of these inflicted vehicles would be diminished. The future integrity of the transmission is forever compromised for the life of the vehicle. Who knows if the clutch pack is the true fix? (I hope it is!!) AND if I chose NOT to fix it then who knows when it would break down. What else would it destroy besides the tranny? PLUS all of the hassle and emotional strife associated with this problem...especially when you spend 40k on a beautiful vehicle stricken with a bad case of sliptronic!
2k = Peace of mind!
That is what i did!
2k = Peace of mind!
That is what i did!
I've had my car back a week now and I'm happy to report that all is well so far. The dealer was extremely good at doing what they said, I dropped the car off one day and it was ready the next. I can tell an overall difference in the performance of this transmission over the old one. As far as the concern goes if it's a new or rebuilt transmission I don't care, it will be under warranty for a long while, more than likely longer than I will own the car.
Bringing mine in on Monday. Had made the appointment for some minor irritants then the sliptronic happened. Will let you know what the dealer says. I'm supposed to be getting a loaner. Not sure how that works exactly. Do they give you a selection, or you just take what they give you. Also, is there a mileage limit on the loaner?
thanks
thanks
OK, here's the latest. The SA states that he could not duplicate the problem (no surprise) but that he called BMW and they are aware of the issue. He says there is a service bulletin on it and that they are putting together a "repair kit" that he has ordered. He was not clear on the details of parts and I didn't press him. No ETA on the kit. Other items of interest.. the problem with my passenger side rear view mirror not dropping in reverse is due to a short in the system. He was able to get it so it could be adjusted from the inside but is getting me a new motor and will install it when the tranny repair kit arrives. Last but not least, my loaner was a '03 530i with steptronic and sport package. I enjoyed driving the 530. The sport seats are great, and the ride is a little softer, but I tell you, it lacks the "fun factor" of my 330i. I like the tauter suspension, and the nimble handling better than the 530. But on a long trip, I think the 530 would be my first choice. Also viewed the new X3 - Gorgeous! the photo's do not do it justice. This is a must see vehicle. Sticker on the 330 X3 was just shy of 42K -caio
Just called BMW NA; they're aware of that issue and their engineers are working on that to find a fix. However, they don't know when they will have a solution on that. I also called some local dealerships. It appears that replacing the transmission is just a temp. solution and the solution to the problem is yet to be found.
My 330 xi Tranny Situation
Background: About 12 days ago purchased '04 330 xi with steptronic. Read about sliptronic stuff on board, then sure enough a week ago in the AM (no warm up, cold outside) backed 50 ft or so out of driveway, put in drive and felt the engine rev but no forward movement for a brief moment. Subtle, but clearly a slipping/non-engaged tranny issue. WTF. Immediately called my dealer in NE PA and BMWNA and went berserk (e.g. how could they sell these cars knowing of the problem [yes, the service people know/knew], without testing their inventory for such, etc.), and demanded a NEW, not a rebuilt transmission.
Update: Service manager promises a "transmission taken off the assembly line, i.e. a new one, that has been fixed." We went on for a while debating the definition of rebuilt versus new, etc. I told him that I want one with zero miles, not even a tranny case with miles on it. He had to call me back, had to verify this with regional rep. Manager calls me back, promises immediate shipment of a tranny that has been fixed, and is essentially "brand new." I am still not satisfied, so I called BMWNA today, and I am awaiting further word. Finally, I told all that after the work is done the car is going to a transmission shop and I am going to verify the age/model of the transmission. This seemed to annoy the BMWNA person.
Question for you BMW gurus: Could somebody please tell me which markings/castings on the side of the steptronic transmissions (for '04 model cars preferably) I should look for? Will there be any identification possible, i.e any way to determine if this (yes, the case of course) is brand new, or at least for a '04 model?? Many, many thanks.
Background: About 12 days ago purchased '04 330 xi with steptronic. Read about sliptronic stuff on board, then sure enough a week ago in the AM (no warm up, cold outside) backed 50 ft or so out of driveway, put in drive and felt the engine rev but no forward movement for a brief moment. Subtle, but clearly a slipping/non-engaged tranny issue. WTF. Immediately called my dealer in NE PA and BMWNA and went berserk (e.g. how could they sell these cars knowing of the problem [yes, the service people know/knew], without testing their inventory for such, etc.), and demanded a NEW, not a rebuilt transmission.
Update: Service manager promises a "transmission taken off the assembly line, i.e. a new one, that has been fixed." We went on for a while debating the definition of rebuilt versus new, etc. I told him that I want one with zero miles, not even a tranny case with miles on it. He had to call me back, had to verify this with regional rep. Manager calls me back, promises immediate shipment of a tranny that has been fixed, and is essentially "brand new." I am still not satisfied, so I called BMWNA today, and I am awaiting further word. Finally, I told all that after the work is done the car is going to a transmission shop and I am going to verify the age/model of the transmission. This seemed to annoy the BMWNA person.
Question for you BMW gurus: Could somebody please tell me which markings/castings on the side of the steptronic transmissions (for '04 model cars preferably) I should look for? Will there be any identification possible, i.e any way to determine if this (yes, the case of course) is brand new, or at least for a '04 model?? Many, many thanks.
Funny ... I got the same story. My Service Advisor told me that the regional sales rep authorized a new tranny for me ... everything brand new ... since the problem was discovered with less than 2K on my car. I also am not sure I believe them ... I believe that most replacement trannys in almost all cars are rebuilt. I am scheduled for the work in mid-January.
What worries me is the prior comment by Sieben that a replacement tranny won't fix the problem.
Also ... BMWNA is useless. I'm surprised that you got as far as you did. Did you just call the 800 number? Did you have to ask for anyone special ... or did you get a normal phone rep? Their usual comeback is "this needs to be resolved by the dealer" and that is exactly what they told me.
How much do you think a tranny shop would charge to tell the age of the tranny?
I would also be interested in any way to discern the age by markings.
What worries me is the prior comment by Sieben that a replacement tranny won't fix the problem.
Also ... BMWNA is useless. I'm surprised that you got as far as you did. Did you just call the 800 number? Did you have to ask for anyone special ... or did you get a normal phone rep? Their usual comeback is "this needs to be resolved by the dealer" and that is exactly what they told me.
How much do you think a tranny shop would charge to tell the age of the tranny?
I would also be interested in any way to discern the age by markings.
Tranny slips worse now, it used to just rev and stay still or maybe move a bit forward at a high rev for a second or so and then catch, usually when cold, now it actually ROLLS BACKWARDS! and I called the dealership and the lady on the phone told me "Ofcourse, if its cold then its completely normal" ![[mad]](/images/smilies/mad.png "Mad [mad]")
I cant believe it!!!!, but I am going to call them up on Monday to schedule an appointment about the out of whack auto headlights and the wipers which dont clear the windshield....
I cant believe it!!!!, but I am going to call them up on Monday to schedule an appointment about the out of whack auto headlights and the wipers which dont clear the windshield....
Bmw 325i 7803 said:
Tranny slips worse now, it used to just rev and stay still or maybe move a bit forward at a high rev for a second or so and then catch, usually when cold, now it actually ROLLS BACKWARDS! and I called the dealership and the lady on the phone told me "Ofcourse, if its cold then its completely normal" I cant believe it!!!!, but I am going to call them up on Monday to schedule an appointment about the out of whack auto headlights and the wipers which dont clear the windshield....
I cant believe it!!!!, but I am going to call them up on Monday to schedule an appointment about the out of whack auto headlights and the wipers which dont clear the windshield....
P. Eden,
I sympathize with you. My car has only 300 miles on it when I first noticed the problem. Ask your dealer about the Clutch pack fix. They can do this fix without replacing the tranny. All that they replace is the faulty clutch pack. My buddy works at the dealership and explained the operation to me. Of course you still have to be ok with them cracking your existing tranny.
I had this fix done about 3-4 weeks ago and car has not had the problem since.
See some of my past posts for more info. If you have any questions let me know...
-Carl
I sympathize with you. My car has only 300 miles on it when I first noticed the problem. Ask your dealer about the Clutch pack fix. They can do this fix without replacing the tranny. All that they replace is the faulty clutch pack. My buddy works at the dealership and explained the operation to me. Of course you still have to be ok with them cracking your existing tranny.
I had this fix done about 3-4 weeks ago and car has not had the problem since.
See some of my past posts for more info. If you have any questions let me know...
-Carl
Add me to the list, and I can vouch that temperature is not a "deciding factor". The car here has NOT seen temps below 60 degrees F. The tranny slips after backing up in the a.m. then go to drive and accelerate. Delay is only a few seconds, about 3 for engagement, then you can tell you don't have "full" engagement until about 15 seconds. Wish there was a dealer on this island, guess I'll have to wait to July when we return back to the states. HEY, mabey they will have a tech bulletin/recall by then.
JK
JK
Continued...
Yes, I am trying to maintain a controlled rage i.e. not go so over the top that they don't want to deal with me, but I am threatening legal action and contact with local TV stations re. this unpardonable situation (selling me a car without testing for a know flaw). As of today, I am waiting to hear from the service manager re. the "guarantee" that the replacement tranny is new.
Re. clutch pack fix in original tranny vs. full replacement, methinks that perhaps BMW believes that the majority of dealers will be able to swap trannies faster than individual surgery (?) hence this recent stance?
I mostly feel angry because I talked my wife out of an Infiniti FX35 and into this 330 xi, only to have this happen. Also, I HATE having any dealer work on my cars; it seems that invariably something negative happens, from a new rattle, to a door ding or whatever.
Will let you all know what I hear next, and whether or not I get this done, as planned, next week.
However, still waiting for somebody on this board to tell me of the transmission case markings....
Yes, I am trying to maintain a controlled rage i.e. not go so over the top that they don't want to deal with me, but I am threatening legal action and contact with local TV stations re. this unpardonable situation (selling me a car without testing for a know flaw). As of today, I am waiting to hear from the service manager re. the "guarantee" that the replacement tranny is new.
Re. clutch pack fix in original tranny vs. full replacement, methinks that perhaps BMW believes that the majority of dealers will be able to swap trannies faster than individual surgery (?) hence this recent stance?
I mostly feel angry because I talked my wife out of an Infiniti FX35 and into this 330 xi, only to have this happen. Also, I HATE having any dealer work on my cars; it seems that invariably something negative happens, from a new rattle, to a door ding or whatever.
Will let you all know what I hear next, and whether or not I get this done, as planned, next week.
However, still waiting for somebody on this board to tell me of the transmission case markings....
Krafty - you have it too?!?!!?? You just got your car!?!! That means that as of November (that's when you did ED I think, and ED cars are usually built about 4 weeks before delivery) the FACTORY was still shipping bad trannys?
In the past 2 weeks my 2nd transmission from October has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse. It now does it after sitting for just 4 or 5 hours - no overnight wait required.
I'm calling the dealer today. I was waiting to see how the "clutch pack fix" that some of you got was working out, but it's now worse than the original transmission ever was.
In the past 2 weeks my 2nd transmission from October has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse. It now does it after sitting for just 4 or 5 hours - no overnight wait required.
I'm calling the dealer today. I was waiting to see how the "clutch pack fix" that some of you got was working out, but it's now worse than the original transmission ever was.
Re: Continued...
You are absolutely correct. Replacement of the clutch pack not only takes longer (more labor = higher cost to dealer and to BMW), but a GM technician must be present during the entire operation. Much easier to replace tranny. What kind of "certification" are you expecting from your service manager? The SA has given me a verbal assurance that what I am getting is brand new from casing to guts. I somehow don't think they'd put it in writing, and frankly, I'm not so sure that it would do any good.
Please let me know what you find out (if anything) about the case markings.
You are absolutely correct. Replacement of the clutch pack not only takes longer (more labor = higher cost to dealer and to BMW), but a GM technician must be present during the entire operation. Much easier to replace tranny. What kind of "certification" are you expecting from your service manager? The SA has given me a verbal assurance that what I am getting is brand new from casing to guts. I somehow don't think they'd put it in writing, and frankly, I'm not so sure that it would do any good.
Please let me know what you find out (if anything) about the case markings.