The Sliptronic bug is now biting me!!!

bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#1
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#1
I was wondering when this would happen and this morning it did. I have now officially joined the BMW Sliptronic Club of North America (BMWSCNA). Temperature is about 55 outside, 67 inside the garage. I back out of the garage, slip it into D and the thing slips for about a second before grabbing. Then works fine after that. Sound familiar??? It seems temperature related as it coincided with cooler weather, occurs with a cold start, and goes away totally after the tranny warms up a little.

I wonder if you just let the car sit and warm up for a minute if the problem goes away? Anyone try this?

I hate to start another thread on this nightmare but oh well.

I am no mechanic, but if the clutch plate seals shrink enough when cold, fluid will leak until they warm up and expand to make a good seal. I wonder........

Reading about this in other threads, it sounds as if there is no fix for this. Programming and new trannys haven't helped, at least not permanently.

I will wait till it gets worse and more repeatable and then shove it down BMWs throat (or more correctly, shove it up their ass).

Does anyone have anything positive to say about this?

[:(] [?|] [8] [bigcry] [bigcry] [bigcry]
 
A

Ambien

New Member
#4
Messages
7
Likes
0
Location
Maryland
#4
...me too. I really never noticed it that much because I didn't think a second or two really mattered. In fact, I just thought that I was putting it in drive a little too fast and it was just taking a second to switch into gear. But since I have seen the posts here, it does bother me. Although, I have seen some people where it takes like 10 seconds to go into gear. Mine isn't that bad, although it is annoying.
 
E

epj3

Senior Member
#5
Messages
7,370
Likes
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
#5
Does the steptronic have a clutch? I thought the steptronic was basically an automatic transmission with a torque converter, not a clutch?

I know SMG has a clutch, but that's a different system.


This problem seems to be pretty big, and it will probably cost you or bmw a lot of money to fix it.
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

2
#7
Messages
1,831
Likes
0
Location
Winston Salem, NC
#7
PuShAkOv said:
Can't BMW give you a new car since they cannot fix the problem?
Click to expand...
Well, no, because it has become blindingly apparent that even if they were to give out new cars, that also would not fix the problem.

I'm very sorry to hear that this ridiculous fiasco caught up with you too, bmwrocks. It certainly seems like this is a universal problem with all the steptronics to me. You would figure that a problem this obvious would have been rectified during the testing of the design prior to production, especially when the climate in Germany is much colder than in a large part of the US. I just don't understand it, and it's definitely disappointing (and I'm not even affected by it).
 
Last edited:
A

Ambien

New Member
#8
Messages
7
Likes
0
Location
Maryland
#8
...maybe they can give us new 6-speeds! I wish I would have got the 6-speed manual anyways. The only reason I got the steptronic was that the Baltimore Beltway is always backed up 22 out of 24 hours per day and I figured I didn;t want to get a manual because of that. Oh well, giving out a new 6-speed would be nice.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#9
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#9
epj3 said:
Does the steptronic have a clutch? I thought the steptronic was basically an automatic transmission with a torque converter, not a clutch?

I know SMG has a clutch, but that's a different system.


This problem seems to be pretty big, and it will probably cost you or bmw a lot of money to fix it.
Click to expand...
All automatic transmissions have internal clutches (plural) although they don't operate the way a manual tranny clutch does. They move with hydraulic pressure and there are seals and plates involved.

The only reason I even mention the clutches is because someone brought up in another thread that he was told by a dealer that the clutch plates were to blame. And it kinda makes sense.

Maybe if this happens to all the newer sliptronics and they can't or won't fix them right, BMW will be faced with a lot of lemon law claims. I for one would not hesitate after the third try to at least threaten them with the lemon law. Maybe they would buy back the cars first. Who knows.
 
lpquick

lpquick

2
#10
Messages
191
Likes
0
Location
Prattville, AL
#10
I guess I've been spared, 2003 235i with steptronic and absolutely NO problems! I have added some performance upgrades, Dinan electronic transmission software upgrade. No one says how many miles before the problems show up. I'm only at approx 2,100 miles. It's cold here in Colorado, below freezing every night now. Maybe this isn't effecting all steptronics, just a few? What is the year and month your car was assembled? I would like to do some research and post my findings here!
 
MyHarley

MyHarley

2
#12
Messages
1,165
Likes
2
Location
Houston, Texas
#12
Maybe I'm not making the connection here.........but most of the problems on this board seem to address the 2004 model steptronic............what changed from the 2003 model steptronic.......if the 2003 model worked.............what am I missing.........

Also, when this happens on the 2004, does your traction light come on even for a second if the car does not engage?

My car has had what I call a traction problem for only three weeks..........they thought it was the GPS system, wire harness or battery or computer or who knows..........it happened twice today after the car has been fixed, the new dealership says I am taking off to fast........I laughed and said you've got to be kidding me........
 
Last edited:
V

vettenuts

New Member
#13
Messages
4
Likes
0
Location
Rhode Island
#13
I purchased an 03 325i that was delivered late and presumably manufactured late in the model year. The transmission is made in France. Unfortunately, I have the same problem. I find it most noticable after the weekend. I pull the car in the back yard for it's weekly bath and wax. When started cold, I need to back up and then pull forward to get out, needless to say it slips when pulling forward very noticably. I just joined this board since I read about this on Roadfly and was searching for others who have the same problem.

One of the dealers has suggested to someone else that they warm the transmission before moving the car until such time as BMW comes up with a fix. It is suggested to do this in Neutral so the pump is running. Has anyone tried this, and if so, does it help?
 
lpquick

lpquick

2
#14
Messages
191
Likes
0
Location
Prattville, AL
#14
I bought the car about two months ago, after the first week I was getting erroneous eng, brake and traction lights. The dealer immediately replaced the eng wiring harness, which fixed the problem. He said he thought the dealership had replaced all the old harness's for all the 3 series 2003 models in the lot, but obviously missed one. Since then it hasn't been anything put pure pleasure. I want to look into this slipping problem, but I need everyones input as to the year, month, their BMW was made, where it was assembled if known and model 3 series they drive, including all OEM options they have. Separately a single voice has limited range, together all our voices combined have unlimited range and the ability to make a change.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#15
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#15
My vehicle stats:
Model: 330Ci
Month/Year Built: 07/03
Assembled: Regensberg, Germany
Engine: Germany
Transmission: Germany
Factory Options: Premium, Sport, Xenon, Automatic Transmission, Navigation System

Month/Year taken from the door plate. All other info from the window sticker.
 
donmbmw

donmbmw

Member
#16
Messages
304
Likes
0
Location
Long Island - NY
#16
I too have noticed some slippage in my '04 330i, buts its nothing I can't live with. If it doesn't get any worse that is. I mean who cares if I have to sit for a second or two before the tranny locks in? After that it is fine and I use it hard. I love the steptronic. I switch from full auto to sport mode and manual all the time. Often I will downshift two gears with just two "pops" forward. The response time is great and the car flies.
So like I said, if it doesn't get any worse I'm not going to make an issue out of it. Certainly not to ask BMW to buy my car back.... Why, so I can buy a Honda??
Feel sorry for those of you with severe problems like a 10 second delay, which is truly unacceptable.
 
B

Bryan330i

2
#18
Messages
1,617
Likes
0
Location
Dallas TX, Kennesaw, GA
#18
MyHarley said:
Maybe I'm not making the connection here.........but most of the problems on this board seem to address the 2004 model steptronic............what changed from the 2003 model steptronic.......if the 2003 model worked.............what am I missing.........

Also, when this happens on the 2004, does your traction light come on even for a second if the car does not engage?

My car has had what I call a traction problem for only three weeks..........they thought it was the GPS system, wire harness or battery or computer or who knows..........it happened twice today after the car has been fixed, the new dealership says I am taking off to fast........I laughed and said you've got to be kidding me........
Click to expand...
I think some of the problems must be related to the changes make earlier in the year. This seems to be the only connection. I guess some may have an 03 that is fine and others may have an 03 or 04 after the changes and are having problems. It would be interesting to see what may have changed, I was thinking the drive system was the same, I guess not.
 
C

collins8

New Member
#19
Messages
5
Likes
0
Location
Athens, TN
#19
I just bought a 2002 330I with 5K miles and I have following tranny problem. When I am coming to a stop the tranny will downshift right before you come to a complete stop. This downshift is very harsh and it will jerk your neck. Sometimes it will not do it, but 2/3 of the time it will. Has anyone else had this problem?? Should I take it back to the dealer and how will they repair this problem??

Rob
 
Kirby

Kirby

2
#20
Messages
4,917
Likes
18
Location
Reading,PA
#20
MyHarley said:
Maybe I'm not making the connection here.........but most of the problems on this board seem to address the 2004 model steptronic............what changed from the 2003 model steptronic.......if the 2003 model worked.............what am I missing.........

Also, when this happens on the 2004, does your traction light come on even for a second if the car does not engage?
Click to expand...
I posted this in another thread, but I'll repost it here. It seems as though there were moderate to major changes made in the engine and transmission in the 2004s. Here is the link to an article: http://peachtreebmwcca.org/BMWPress...amp;fldAuto=267

In part it says:
What makes the digital ramp-up so exciting is the fact that the 2003 model year BMW 3 Series is quite comparable to the start of a new model, involving a wide range of modifications and improvements for the new model year. With the 2004 BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible, for example, both the front and the rear end have been redesigned and the engine as well as the transmission have been modified in technical terms, not to mention the wider range of standard features now offered to the customer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top