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

donmbmw · Dec 11, 2003

Mine started at less than 1000 miles. I really don't think the mileage is the issue, its the temperature. It only happens to me when its cold outside, say below 40 degrees. I also noticed that being parked on an incline makes a difference too. But the main factor seems to be cold. My service dept. never responded to my email regarding the sliptronic, but I have an appointment already scheduled for the 29th and will give them the "good news" at that time.
Will keep you posted.

Average Jae · Dec 11, 2003

at times like these i'm glad i row my own gears [:p]

but honestly, i hope we can all put this issue behind us. i shoudl go back and check on this, but do you know if this is an issue in the new 6 speed autos found in the x5s?

LarryE · Dec 11, 2003

Average Jae said:

I read somewhere that the same tranny is used in the X5, but I can't tell you if that's the only tranny used in the X5s.

outpost22 · Dec 11, 2003

Mine started at 30 miles [:(!]

I did a test this a.m.
Try this on your cars. Instead of putting your car in reverse first (to back out of a garage, etc.) put it into drive for about 2 seconds, then go to reverse and back out normally, then to "drive". My tranny does not slip when this is done (2 days in a row).

One thing that concerns me is are we getting "new" or rebuilds for replacement? With a car with only 400 miles on it, I don't want a 15,000 mile "rebuild" going in its place [eek]

[fake]

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

outpost22 said:

Outpost22: That is a big issue on my part also. I have 2000 miles and noticed it at about 1500 (only because that's when the weather got cold enough). My dealership is claiming that they go to parts and order a replacement tranny under one part # and most of the time, they receive rebuilts. They claim they cannot request a new one. However, there are a couple of people over on roadfly that claim that they have been guaranteed new ones. What does your dealer say? I am almost inclined to feel that keeping a tranny that has 2000 miles on it and having them simply replace the clutch pack with a new one might be better than a rebuilt.

By the way, the temporary "remedy" that is recommended by BMW is apparently to let the car warm up in park ... in fact, they told me to rev the engine to about 1500 rpm for 15-30 secs in park ... then shift into drive. They say that if you do not do this, you can damage the car.

bmwrocks · Dec 12, 2003

outpost22 said:

I have tried this and got the same result, no slippage.

I too do not want a rebuilt tranny. Although I wonder where they are getting so many rebuilts. Maybe a "rebuilt" is just a new one with the clutch pack fix?

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

bmwrocks said:

First of all, you are probably right ... they are probably taking the "old" ones out and fixing them. Also, I don't think you can expect BMW to come up with 20,000 brand new GM trannys at once (and that's only for BMW ... this tranny is used in other cars also).

I'd love to find out how to get them to guarantee a new one.

cdotger · Dec 12, 2003

LarryE,

The actual better workaround that I have found is to take off in manual mode, this bypasses the clutch pack that is having the problem and locks the gear. Try it out.

As a side note, All still looks ok with the clutch pack install.... no slipping yet.

cdotger · Dec 12, 2003

bmwrocks,

I would push your dealer to see if they will do the clutch pack replacement... That way you keep your orig tranny. Mine is working fine since the replacement.

bmwrocks · Dec 12, 2003

cdotger said:

I will take that under advisement. However don't you think they will pull the "we know more about our cars than you do" card?

Let it be known that I will not let them control this repair without my intimate involvement!!!!

Is there a "flexing muscles" smiley????

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

bmwrocks said:

Actually ... that's not they way my dealer put it at all. They told me that either fix would correct the problem. They told me that the clutch assembly parts were more readily available, so it would be faster. And they basically gave me the option, but told me that whatever I decided, it must be approved by BMWNA in order for them to move forward. I told them I think I deserve a new tranny with 2K miles, but I'm afraid that I'll end up with a rebuilt one. Perhaps a 2K tranny with a new clutch assembly would be better. I dunno.

bmwrocks · Dec 12, 2003

I went to the Regensberg Plant website a long time ago when I ordered my car http://www.bmw-plant-regensburg.com/ and it says that they spent a lot of money on an automated process for mating transmissions with engines. A process that was supposed to improve the process.

So I am wondering, do you guys know if the clutch pack install is done without removing the tranny?

If so, then I would definitely want that as not to F with the overall factory process.

What do you think?

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

cdotger said:

But the recommendation of BMW is to do the warmup.

Bmw 325i 7803 · Dec 12, 2003

Doesnt the manual say to start and get going slowly....... I thought warming it up in park was bad?????

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

Bmw 325i 7803 said:

Under normal circumstances, yes ... you are absolutely correct. However, those that have this tranny problem have been advised by BMW to allow a brief warmup ... revving at 1500rpm for about 15-30secs ... or else risk damage. It has something to do with building up pressure that should be there without a warmup.

cdotger · Dec 12, 2003

LarryE,

Try my way, bet it works. I have done with no special warmup and worked everytime
try it out and let us know

LarryE · Dec 12, 2003

cdotger said:

I appreciate it ... I'm not questioning whether it works or not. I am saying that the official recommended procedure by BMW is to do the warmup. Believe it or not ... they told me that they would not replace the tranny unless I did this.

donmbmw · Dec 13, 2003

LarryE said:

What "official" said this. This is a huge load of Crap (is there a steaming bullshit smiley?)
I don't know of anyone who has received a notice from BMWNA on this. I know I haven't. I can't even get my dealership to acknowledge my email telling them of the problem.
LarryE...don't let them intimidate you into thinking that this is somehow YOUR problem. How dare they suggest that they will not replace THEIR defective part. Let them know LOUD AND CLEAR that they WILL fix the problem or you will sue under the terms of the warranty. And oh yes the handbook CLEARLY states NOT to warm up the car.
Go get 'em tiger!!!! [mad]

LarryE · Dec 13, 2003

donmbmw said:

Donmbmw: The "warmup" circumvention was an instruction that was provided directly to me by my SA. They offered me a replacement of the clutch assembly, but I insisted on a new transmission. In view of the fact that a clutch assembly could have been made available to me within days ... and I will have to wait weeks/ months for a new tranny ... and this is MY choice ... they don't want me to be driving the car with the defect every day because it can damage the car ... no two ways about it. There IS a recommendation to do this "warmup" (not anything else like using manual mode) in order to mitigate or eliminate any damage that can be done. This comes from BMWNA ... check Roadfly and bimmerfest.com ... and you will find many others who have been directed to do the same thing by their dealers.

There is no notice because rumor has it that they are in the process of implementing a recall and it hasn't been officially made yet. There are supposedly 20,000 cars affected and they are starting the "corrective work" in the northern states where the problem is most noticeable. Believe me ... this is a real legit problem ... just because you haven't gotten a letter yet doesn't mean anything. Also, you may not have the "problem" tranny ... there are actually two trannys used in 3-series BMWs: GM and ZF.

My dealer thus far has been very accommodating. I have no problems with the way they are handling it ... only that they don't seem to be able to tell me whether the tranny will be new or rebuilt.

wallace · Dec 13, 2003

They tried to tell me the same bs about warming up my car. I don't think they read the back of our November bills.(if you financed through BMW) The tech tip says don't warm your car up.
Anyways, car will be in the shop for 2 weeks. My second transmission is so bad that you can be driving then stop, go again and it will slip. Going for my third. Talked to a lawyer abou the lemon law, he said that I might have a case. Also, I made the mistake of leaving my cell phone in my car when they came to pick t up. I went back the other day to get my phone and just went to the back were my car was. I asked if i could get into my car and they started to look for my keys. The guy asked were the keys were to the "330 recall". I asked the GM later that day and he told me it wasn't recalled yet. I wanted to see if the guy was full of s#!**. They are offering to pay one of my car payments, I think they know they may have an issue with me. Once I take that payment option I think I won't be able to catch the lemon law.
I also told them to put a smg into it. they thought i was joking!!!!

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

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