It's Baaaack!! '04 330cic Steptronic slipping AGAIN
- Thread starter Kirby
- Start date
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
After sitting for more than about 8 - 10 hours, usually overnight, I had the following problem, but only if done exactly as follows:
- Cold start the car
- Shift into reverse
- backup 30 - 40 feet or so
- shift into drive
- step on the gas and the transmission would not immediately engage. The engine would rev up to 2000 or so rpm, and after 3 - 7 seconds it would start to engage and the car would move. It's almost like letting the clutch out very slowly on a manual transmission.
Two software patches by a BMW NA technician did not fix it.
So far the new transmission is still OK.
- Cold start the car
- Shift into reverse
- backup 30 - 40 feet or so
- shift into drive
- step on the gas and the transmission would not immediately engage. The engine would rev up to 2000 or so rpm, and after 3 - 7 seconds it would start to engage and the car would move. It's almost like letting the clutch out very slowly on a manual transmission.
Two software patches by a BMW NA technician did not fix it.
So far the new transmission is still OK.
I'm now having the same problem!! My car is a month old with 1700 miles on it. A week ago I started noticing it when backing out of the garage in the morning, shift to drive and it revs before slowly engaging into gear. Feels like letting out a clutch slowly. It's starting to piss me off, then I come here and read this. Anyone else with this problem? I have a 2003 330 xi with Step.
I hate to say it, but I have the same problem on my car. ![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
Okay, heres another one for you. This has happened twice now. I unlock my trunk with the button on my key and when i go to shut it, it just bounces right back open. It seems to be hitting something (right where it is supossed to lock). The first time I thought maybe I accidently messed something up somehow, but I actually had to fiddle around with the lock/latch (on the upper part of the trunk) before it would properly close. The second time was this weekend, and I know I didn't do anything wrong. After I finally got the trunk to close, I came out to my car the following morning and on my dash the light was on saying that my trunk was open, but when I went to go to close it, it was locked...bizarre![[confused]](/images/smilies/confused.png "Confused [confused]")
I don't know whats going on. Anybody else ever have this problem?
Okay, heres another one for you. This has happened twice now. I unlock my trunk with the button on my key and when i go to shut it, it just bounces right back open. It seems to be hitting something (right where it is supossed to lock). The first time I thought maybe I accidently messed something up somehow, but I actually had to fiddle around with the lock/latch (on the upper part of the trunk) before it would properly close. The second time was this weekend, and I know I didn't do anything wrong. After I finally got the trunk to close, I came out to my car the following morning and on my dash the light was on saying that my trunk was open, but when I went to go to close it, it was locked...bizarre
I don't know whats going on. Anybody else ever have this problem?
Sorry to hear y'all are also having this problem. I hate to say it, but I don't think I have seen the last of it on my car. I think they've got a mechanical design problem, or a bad batch of parts that is affecting a bunch of cars. I think I have chatted with probably 7 or 8 people so far with this problem.
When were you cars built? It seems that most of them are late 2003/early 2004 model years built in March/April/May.
When were you cars built? It seems that most of them are late 2003/early 2004 model years built in March/April/May.
Tweet227 said:
I hate to say it, but I have the same problem on my car.
Okay, heres another one for you. This has happened twice now. I unlock my trunk with the button on my key and when i go to shut it, it just bounces right back open. It seems to be hitting something (right where it is supossed to lock). The first time I thought maybe I accidently messed something up somehow, but I actually had to fiddle around with the lock/latch (on the upper part of the trunk) before it would properly close. The second time was this weekend, and I know I didn't do anything wrong. After I finally got the trunk to close, I came out to my car the following morning and on my dash the light was on saying that my trunk was open, but when I went to go to close it, it was locked...bizarre I don't know whats going on. Anybody else ever have this problem?
Okay, heres another one for you. This has happened twice now. I unlock my trunk with the button on my key and when i go to shut it, it just bounces right back open. It seems to be hitting something (right where it is supossed to lock). The first time I thought maybe I accidently messed something up somehow, but I actually had to fiddle around with the lock/latch (on the upper part of the trunk) before it would properly close. The second time was this weekend, and I know I didn't do anything wrong. After I finally got the trunk to close, I came out to my car the following morning and on my dash the light was on saying that my trunk was open, but when I went to go to close it, it was locked...bizarre
I don't know whats going on. Anybody else ever have this problem?
My BMW has been in for service more than my previous 3 lease vehicles of 6 years combined.
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Kirby,
I hope it stays corrected.
Interestingly, on my 98 4-runner I have the same scenario and have since it was new ?, I figured it was supposed to grab gradually ? Perhaps in a 4X4 it is different than say a sports car ?
With the 4runner it has never proven a problem after 65k miles on her. But again, perhaps we have differing scenarios here. On a 4X4 the gradual grab may enhance traction in snow etc...what do you think ???[???1]
I hope it stays corrected.
Interestingly, on my 98 4-runner I have the same scenario and have since it was new ?, I figured it was supposed to grab gradually ? Perhaps in a 4X4 it is different than say a sports car ?
With the 4runner it has never proven a problem after 65k miles on her. But again, perhaps we have differing scenarios here. On a 4X4 the gradual grab may enhance traction in snow etc...what do you think ???[???1]
I just bought a 325i 2003, with 191 miles. But I immediately took it in to Dinan for the High performance software upgrades to both the engine and steptronic transmission. Mines fantastic, since the upgrades I'm at 1,350 miles. It used to lag a second or two after stepping on it, didn't matter if you stepped on it lightly or punched it! Now it's perfect.. I touch the gas and she responds immediately. Ordered the cold air high volume intake with the high volume throttle body and of course the free flow exhaust. Everything should be here by next week. Nicest thing is because BMW & Dinan are so close, the warranty for my new car stays intact. I highly recommend the Dinan performance upgrades. See autosportwerks.com, located here in Broomfield, CO. I will attach a photo as soon as I learn how, new to this site. Really enjoy all the excellent shop talk.
Return of the SLIPTRONIC
IT'S BACK ON THE BRAND NEW 4 WEEK OLD TRANSMISSION!!!!!
![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]")
This morning it reved up to 4K RPM, not once, but twice, before it slid into gear.
Software patch didn't fix it ..........
New transmission still does it......
I still think they have a bad design, or a bad batch of parts.
It is getting cold here - 22 this morning - but the car was in the attached, insulated garage all day Sunday and Sunday nite, probably about 55 degrees inside. What is it going to do if it sits outside for a few hours when it's 40?
I want to see what Tuesday morning brings, and then the Service Manager gets a call. Third try to fix it - time to use the 'L' word.
IT'S BACK ON THE BRAND NEW 4 WEEK OLD TRANSMISSION!!!!!
This morning it reved up to 4K RPM, not once, but twice, before it slid into gear.
Software patch didn't fix it ..........
New transmission still does it......
I still think they have a bad design, or a bad batch of parts.
It is getting cold here - 22 this morning - but the car was in the attached, insulated garage all day Sunday and Sunday nite, probably about 55 degrees inside. What is it going to do if it sits outside for a few hours when it's 40?
I want to see what Tuesday morning brings, and then the Service Manager gets a call. Third try to fix it - time to use the 'L' word.
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
tonight my temperamental car did this............
sitting at a redlight, light turns green, I press the gas, the engine revs but the car does not move, the traction light is on (that little triangle thing), then all of a sudden it releases me at a very fast jerk and the traction light goes out............jiminy cricket........all in all probably 6 to 7 seconds but since I had the engine revved, my take off across the intersection was just stupid..........and it hadnt even rained.......[???1]
sitting at a redlight, light turns green, I press the gas, the engine revs but the car does not move, the traction light is on (that little triangle thing), then all of a sudden it releases me at a very fast jerk and the traction light goes out............jiminy cricket........all in all probably 6 to 7 seconds but since I had the engine revved, my take off across the intersection was just stupid..........and it hadnt even rained.......[???1]
Kirby, I am relatively sure you now qualify for the lemon law. I am sure you have read it, are you gonna go for it?
I think a lemon BMW is rare, but you may be the lucky winner. Lord this must really suck for you.
What is up with your car dude? I think BMW owes you a brand new one.
Man I feel for you.
I think a lemon BMW is rare, but you may be the lucky winner. Lord this must really suck for you.
What is up with your car dude? I think BMW owes you a brand new one.
Man I feel for you.