It's Baaaack!! '04 330cic Steptronic slipping AGAIN

[donmbmw]

I got a voice mail saying that my "part" was in and I should make an appointment and that I will need a loaner because they will have the car for the day. I called back and made the appointment but the girl who scheduled me had no idea what the "part" was and the person who could give me that information was out to lunch. I didn't get a chance to call back. I got the impression when I brought the car in that they were ordering a fix, not a new or rebuilt tranny. I'll post what they intend to put in as soon as I can find out. I'm not partial to one method over another. The car is a lease and so long as it doesn't slip I'll be happy.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

so they gave me a clutch pack fix? and told me it was a new tranny isn't that illegal?

 

[LarryE]

Re: Is this normal? Anyone else experiencing this

The new transmission seems to have a power issue in 1st and 2nd. It seems more like a muffled "weak-slow-unfun-to-drive" car now. People often said the 325i was a slow underpowered car, it NEVER felt like that to me, now it does. It feels as if the engine can rev real high, but sound lower and not deliver as much power as it used to, it just feels that for the engine speed its not delivering enough power to the wheels....

You think that's the result of not being hooked up right? Just trying to paint a clearer picture, also in the engine cover there are 4 circular shaped openings now that weren't there..... never knew they had to pull out the engine to replace the trans; would have lived with the sliptronic had i known that....

Also the replacement trans job was $2650 but covered by warranty, and it said RMFD.

When you say it has a power issue in 1st and 2nd, is this even after the car is warmed up?

And if you feel that the job wasn't done properly, have you made an appt. to take it back in? I'd be interested to hear what the service dept has to say about this.

Mine (as far as I know) isn't like this. My replacement seems fine when the car is warm. Still not entirely sure on coldstart. But two different people at dealer have test driven it and say it's fine. It certainly doesn't demonstrate any of the kind of major slippage that others have had where they can go to 5000 rpm with no forward movement at all. Not even close.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Larry I had a big lemon loaner that I had towed back in and a problem with the SA and "head" of the service department, they even surface scratched the car with their rags when washing it. If I take the car in again and it doesn't work out, theres a very good chance I'll end up doing something stupid. Im still debating what to do about this, right now I wanna drive it through the showroom window.....

*Btw, the invoice says:

564 w948 0.04 Interrogating fault memory in diagnosing system.

2400548 installing exchange transmission 563 w948 0.52

1 24-00-7-527-935 RMFD. TRANS.
core charge W
FC: 2400256600

5689 replaced automatic tran as per bul 24 07 03 check fluid level test drive shifting fine


And the cost was approximately $2650 as I remember, covered by warranty. I was told by someone on here that it was about $3600 something???? Maybe it got cheaper.

 

[cdotger]

I will double check tomorrow... My buddy works at the dealership and I will ask about pulling the engine.

 

[LarryE]

Larry I had a big lemon loaner that I had towed back in and a problem with the SA and "head" of the service department, they even surface scratched the car with their rags when washing it. If I take the car in again and it doesn't work out, theres a very good chance I'll end up doing something stupid. Im still debating what to do about this, right now I wanna drive it through the showroom window.....

*Btw, the invoice says:

564 w948 0.04 Interrogating fault memory in diagnosing system.

2400548 installing exchange transmission 563 w948 0.52

1 24-00-7-527-935 RMFD. TRANS.
core charge W
FC: 2400256600

5689 replaced automatic tran as per bul 24 07 03 check fluid level test drive shifting fine


And the cost was approximately $2650 as I remember, covered by warranty. I was told by someone on here that it was about $3600 something???? Maybe it got cheaper.

Which dealer did you use? Why not take it into a different dealer?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

BMW of Manhattan, I wanna take it to a different dealer, thing is they are the ones who messed it up, shouldn't they fix it?

* Also noticed when putting it in R it reverses real sluggish. Something doesn't seem right.

 

[flagman5]

I have a 02 325ci, unlike u guys all are 03 and 04

i was only able to go through about 12 of these threads, i cant read anymore

I also have this problem, i never really bother to check into it, cuz i thought thats just the way it is...but i also dont have a problem as severe as u guys, the lag i experience is only around 1-2 seconds, i didnt pay attention to how high it revs before kicking in gear, i will try tomorrow.

most of the time, after i hit into drive, there that little delay (very fast) and then i hear a thunk and then i go, i have always assumed the thunk is from me going into drive too fast? or maybe cuz wheels are turned all the way and when it goes straight something happens? i dont know i am a noob about trannys

should i be worried? again this is 02, i dont konw if this is the same problem, or is even a problem

btw, anyone asked their dealership if they coulda swapped a new 5spd tranny rather than another step? (maybe its been addressed, if so i didnt get to read it or read past it unknowingly cuz too much reading .....)

thanks

 

[flagman5]

hey guys

I tried this morning

the temperature when starting the car which was in a garage overnight was 47F, outside temperature was around 45F

when i reverse slowly and then shift into drive and step on the gas, theres that 1-2 second lag, and i am able to rev up to 1500 at the most and then its all smooth from there. I was only able to produce this lag 2 times, the 3rd time there was no problems

I read some posts that ppl were reving up to 5000, and a 3-7 second delay which is pretty serious and noticable. I am not having as a severe problem as them, but would it get worse?

please, any input is appreciated.

thanks

 

[LarryE]

hey guys

I tried this morning

the temperature when starting the car which was in a garage overnight was 47F, outside temperature was around 45F

when i reverse slowly and then shift into drive and step on the gas, theres that 1-2 second lag, and i am able to rev up to 1500 at the most and then its all smooth from there. I was only able to produce this lag 2 times, the 3rd time there was no problems

I read some posts that ppl were reving up to 5000, and a 3-7 second delay which is pretty serious and noticable. I am not having as a severe problem as them, but would it get worse?

please, any input is appreciated.

thanks

The problem (as far as I know) has only been reported on 2003 and 2004 3-series. However, what you are experiencing is the exact same thing that I experience after having the tranny replaced. I have been led to believe that this may be normal behavior for a GM steptronic tranny especially in colder weather. But who knows.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I dont think thats normal, mine has no lag, but it seems that it randomly slips for a second in reverse and makes a "wind-blowing-whistle" sound when driving accelerating and letting the speed bleed off, most noticeable from the backseat. The Service Manager is on vacation again till WED, and the dealership operator acted ignorant and gave me some switchboard that hangs up on me, and now BMWNA customer relations is supposedly looking into the issue. I really miss my Sliptronic, it was merely a 10 second morning issue, now its beyond that.

 

[flagman5]

The problem (as far as I know) has only been reported on 2003 and 2004 3-series. However, what you are experiencing is the exact same thing that I experience after having the tranny replaced. I have been led to believe that this may be normal behavior for a GM steptronic tranny especially in colder weather. But who knows.

so do u think I should just ignore this and keep on driving? or should I go to dealer to look into this?
If this is as u say a normal operation of a steptronic, then I wouldnt want to go in and waste my time and having the guy come out saying there is nothing wrong. ( my dealership always takes a long time for everything, last time a oil change and mount and balance tires took 3 hours, i had appointment also....)

this lag isnt as severe, I dont know if they will take this seriously

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I would bring the issue up since the car is under warranty keep in mind drive train is 3/36k I believe and you're probably better off bringing it in, infact come armed with information from this thread.

BTW what is your build date?

 

[LarryE]

so do u think I should just ignore this and keep on driving? or should I go to dealer to look into this?
If this is as u say a normal operation of a steptronic, then I wouldnt want to go in and waste my time and having the guy come out saying there is nothing wrong. ( my dealership always takes a long time for everything, last time a oil change and mount and balance tires took 3 hours, i had appointment also....)

this lag isnt as severe, I dont know if they will take this seriously

I would definitely bring it in. Make sure that you leave it overnight with strict instructions for them to leave it outside.

 

[flagman5]

......

dont know the build date off hand....i bought mine off the lot, its prob in one of those papers.

btw, this is a long shot, but anyone able to replace the tranny with a 5spd, rather than another step? is that even allowed?.

 

[LarryE]

......

dont know the build date off hand....i bought mine off the lot, its prob in one of those papers.

btw, this is a long shot, but anyone able to replace the tranny with a 5spd, rather than another step? is that even allowed?.

Build date is supposed to be on the inside of the driver's side door.

 

[LarryE]

I dont think thats normal, mine has no lag, but it seems that it randomly slips for a second in reverse and makes a "wind-blowing-whistle" sound when driving accelerating and letting the speed bleed off, most noticeable from the backseat. The Service Manager is on vacation again till WED, and the dealership operator acted ignorant and gave me some switchboard that hangs up on me, and now BMWNA customer relations is supposedly looking into the issue. I really miss my Sliptronic, it was merely a 10 second morning issue, now its beyond that.

OK ... let me clarify this. I'm not sure it's a "lag". The car demonstrates forward motion as soon as it's shifted into "D" (but very slow mph) at about 800rpms. When I bring the rpms up to 900/1000/1100rpms, the forward motion continues at the same rate of speed. It takes bringing the rpms up to 1200rpms or better to get a FURTHER increase in forward motion. Two mechanics at the dealer (including the shop foreman) claim this is normal. I suppose with everything that's gone on, it's possible they are wrong.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Is it up a hill? Otherwise it doesn't seem completely normal, did you try another dealership or even a private second opinion, or if necessary a dealership 325xi test drive?

 

[LarryE]

Is it up a hill? Otherwise it doesn't seem completely normal, did you try another dealership or even a private second opinion, or if necessary a dealership 325xi test drive?

Problem is it only happens on a coldstart. But these are good thoughts.

 

[KEITH]

HELLO, I took in the 330Cic with slipping tranny on Wednesday. Picked her up on Thursday. The new tranny was tight and smooth, the engine was NOT TILTED, and... NO SLIP ON FRIDAY MORNING. By George, I think they've got it...

I hope everyone's repair is done or very close by now. Best regards to all, and THANKS for all the information.

Keith