Steptronic Issue Summary

[Bimmin' in BC]

As there are many seperate threads on the slipping issue with the Steptronic, it can be difficult to wade through them all to get the critical details for those of us trying to determine if our cars could be affected even if we are not experiencing any slipping (yet).
Therefore if someone who has the info listed below would be kind enough to respond with a summary of all we would need to make the determination, it would be extremely helpful!

1. Year and model affected;
2. VIN range;
3. Service Bulletin Number (apparently issued in Dec)
4. Where to look on vehicle to determine where tranny was built; and
5. Any other info you deem useful or necessary.

Your efforts and patience are greatly appreciated!!

 

[jarelj]

Here's the basics...

Just dropped my 330xi off at the dealer this morning to have them verify the problem and resolve it. I handed a copy of the TIS to the service advisor so there would be no misunderstandings. You can get the actual TIS if you register at www.BMWTIS.com (it'll cost you $25). The TIS number is SI B 24 07 03 dated February 2004 (replaces the original dated December 2003). Models affected include:
E46 with GM5: 325iA, 325xiA, 325xiTA, 330xiA from 09/02 up to 12/03
E46 with GM5: 325CiA, 325CicA, 330iA, 330CiA, 330CicA, 325iTA, from 03/03 up to 12/03
E53 X5 3.0iA with GM5 from 09/02 up to 12/03
E83 X3 3.0iA with GM5 from introduction up to 12/03

You can tell where your transmission was made by looking at your window sticker. If the parts source for the transmission says France, then you could be affected depending upon your build date.

My thought was that if I have the TIS in hand when I walk in to the service department, there's little chance that I'll get an argument about it being a valid defect. We'll see when they get back to me tomorrow.......

Luckily they gave me a sweet 530i loaner, so I don't really care how long it takes to fix!

P.S. - And yes, my car does exhibit the symptoms prominently, I'm not getting it fixed just because I've read about it on the internet and want in on the fun!

 

[jarelj]

UPDATE: Heard back from the SA this afternoon. He stated that they will order a new transmission and it will be here in about 5 days. I don't know if they even verified the problem, since they didn't keep it overnight. Anyway, that was incredibly easy. Don't know if I just have an exceptionally good service department, or if I was just lucky, or what...... but FWIW I thought I'd share at least one easy resolution experience with you all. I've got to believe walking in the door armed with the TIS and stating a clear knowledge of the problem, I was able to bypass any runaround that may have happened if I just went in with the typical "there's something wrong with my car...".

That still doesn't mean that I'm not upset at having this type of problem on a brand new $40k+ car, but I guess as long as it's resolved this quickly and easily, I'm not going to be too fried about it....

One curious note, the SA told me that mine is the first 3-series they've had come back with the problem. Previously it had been all X5's that had come in with it, and quite a few of them from the sounds of it.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experience with this issue on this board, it helped me out tremendously!

 

[Bimmin' in BC]

Thanks for the info! Which window sticker are you referring to?

 

[jarelj]

You know, the main window sticker that is in all new cars. It has a section on it where it lists the country of origin for the major parts (Engine, Transmission..). They gave me a copy of the window sticker with my manuals when I took delivery.

 

[Bimmin' in BC]

Crap! I don't have that! Oh well, thanks for your replies anyway!

 

[jarelj]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you have a problem transmission, you'll know it. The slipping is not something that is subtle that you may or may not notice, it's very pronounced (at least it was on mine).

 

[MyHarley]

Crap! I don't have that! Oh well, thanks for your replies anyway!

It's usually folded up and placed in the glove box.......so that you have a list of all your options and sticker price.

 

[donmbmw]

The sliptronic problem does comes in varying degrees. Mine for example is not nearly as bad as some, but I agree. You will know it if it's there. If you think you feel a slippage and want a sure fire test then try this. Pick a chilly night and park your car on an incline facing uphill. In the morning start the car and put it into reverse. Back up 10 feet or more and put into drive. If your car continues rolling backwards down the hill, congratulations! You have a sliptronic. [fake]

 

[Trading_up_2_330Ci]

The sliptronic problem does comes in varying degrees. Mine for example is not nearly as bad as some, but I agree. You will know it if it's there. If you think you feel a slippage and want a sure fire test then try this. Pick a chilly night and park your car on an incline facing uphill. In the morning start the car and put it into reverse. Back up 10 feet or more and put into drive. If your car continues rolling backwards down the hill, congratulations! You have a sliptronic. [fake]

I read on these boards that BMW knows which cars are affected. Go to your dealer and demand to know if your car has the defect.[???1]

 

[ajy1013]

hey guys. i own a 2002 330ci and have noticed the transimission slipping when going from R to D. i looked on the window sticker and the sticker says that the transmission's country of origin is germany. am i not coming to a complete stop before shifting from R to D or what? as soon as i stop when in R, i'll shift my car into D and as i accelerate, the steptronic seems like it hasnt completely looked into D (this will go on for about 1-2 sec). i am getting so worried about my baby...

 

[LarryE]

I thought this problem was only specific to 2003 and 2004 3-series.

 

[cdotger]

To my knowledge... You are correct larry.

 

[jarelj]

Nope, the text in my post is directly copied from the TIS. It's the GM5 transmission on the 325 and 330. Again, the SA told me they had several X5's already with the tranny swap, mine is the first 3-series they've had in.

Here they are again:

E46 with GM5: 325iA, 325xiA, 325xiTA, 330xiA from 09/02 up to 12/03
E46 with GM5: 325CiA, 325CicA, 330iA, 330CiA, 330CicA, 325iTA, from 03/03 up to 12/03
E53 X5 3.0iA with GM5 from 09/02 up to 12/03
E83 X3 3.0iA with GM5 from introduction up to 12/03

 

[LarryE]

Nope, the text in my post is directly copied from the TIS. It's the GM5 transmission on the 325 and 330. Again, the SA told me they had several X5's already with the tranny swap, mine is the first 3-series they've had in.

Here they are again:

E46 with GM5: 325iA, 325xiA, 325xiTA, 330xiA from 09/02 up to 12/03
E46 with GM5: 325CiA, 325CicA, 330iA, 330CiA, 330CicA, 325iTA, from 03/03 up to 12/03
E53 X5 3.0iA with GM5 from 09/02 up to 12/03
E83 X3 3.0iA with GM5 from introduction up to 12/03

These are BUILD DATES. 9/02 to 12/03 have to be build dates for '03 and '04 cars. for "03/03 up to 12/03", I'm not sure. But I know that they start building '04 330 models in the spring of 03.

 

[Kirby]

These are BUILD DATES. 9/02 to 12/03 have to be build dates for '03 and '04 cars. for "03/03 up to 12/03", I'm not sure. But I know that they start building '04 330 models in the spring of 03.

Great point of clarification Larry.

FWIW, Model Year 2004 Regensburg coupes and convertibles started production in early March '03. Mine was built in the second week of March. My understanding is that sedans were later in May or June, although I'm not sure exactly when.

 

[jarelj]

Sorry LarryE, I misinterpreted your post to mean that it was only the 3-series affected, and not the other models. I see what you meant now.

 

[LarryE]

Sorry LarryE, I misinterpreted your post to mean that it was only the 3-series affected, and not the other models. I see what you meant now.

Sorry if I mis-stated something. I did know that some of the X5s use the same trannys (and I think the same engine if I'm not mistaken) as the 3s. My apologies.