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BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration

232 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2011 at 6:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 24

#2 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by drjcool1

Mar 05, 2007 (4:28 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 05, 2007 11:09 am)
I have had my 2007 X3 since December, 2006. Although I am generally very happy with this vehicle, you should be aware that the hesitation that occurs with acceleration is frequent and recurring. While is true that it is exacerbated when cold, it can and does happen at any time. With regard to the reliability rating, that is exaclty why I would only lease and never buy a BMW or Mercedes. I only purchase Lexus and Acura. The X3 handles quite well, however, and it is a joy to drive. Good luck with your purchase!

#3 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [drjcool1] by cincyart

Mar 06, 2007 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: drjcool1 (Mar 05, 2007 4:28 pm)
I'll test drive it before I take delivery, as I recall it didn't seem to be real bothersome,
but a brand new BMW should be flawless. IMO, thats why they get the big bucks.

#4 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by x3driver

Mar 06, 2007 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 06, 2007 5:37 pm)
I put another post in another part on this. You can look at it there if you want. But I also wanted to point you to another site where this topic has been beaten to death. I can't because this one won't allow it. Anyway, here is one of the postings on the topic, and there are PLENTY MORE!
 
It's not my words.....
 
 I've had my '05 X3 for about 18 months now and I know how it works. He's had his even longer.
 
Listen up here folks, here's the deal:
In DRIVE mode the trans software is programed to start off in second gear as an economy measure to help save gas. BMW did that on purpose. If you're fairly light on the throttle it will stay in Second, accelerate, and eventually shift into Third, Fourth and Fifth. Try it out and count the shifts. (You may need to watch the tach to notice the shifts, this trans can be really smooth at very light throttle and the higher gear shifts may only vary a few hundred rpm)
 
But if you put a little more foot into the throttle on take-off (i.e.: from a dead stop) the trans will shift down from Second to First to give you better acceleration. This is what it is suposed to do. It happens in an instant but you can still feel the car start to move, then "hesitate" from the shift, and then take off. If you have a light enough foot it may never even happen to you. If your foot is rather heavy you may notice it more at first but it will "teach" your trans really quick that you want a fast start most of the time.
 
Now in SPORT mode the trans ALWAYS starts in first, thus no "hesitation". The drawback to always using SPORT mode to avoid the "hesitation" (gear change) is that it almost NEVER shifts into Fifth gear in city driving. The vehicle has to reach a certain speed before it will upshift to Fifth. That can really hurt your mileage in town if you never get over 35-45 mph. AND your trans never gets a chance to "adapt" to your style in DRIVE mode.
 
The software that controls the transmission does "learn" your driving habits after some time. That's why they call it "Adaptive Transmission Control". The computer uses throttle position and vehicle speed to determine what gear to be in. It WILL adapt to your particular driving style but it takes a while. Maybe as long as 3-4 months depending on how much you drive it. I noticed that "hesitation" (trans shift to first) for quite a while in my X3. These days it never seems to happen. My trans has adapted
 
So guys and gals, give it some time. It will smooth out the more you drive your fantastic X3s as you and the X become ONE

#5 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [x3driver] by cincyart

Mar 06, 2007 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: x3driver (Mar 06, 2007 7:13 pm)
THANKS x3driver !
Now I'm ready to take delivery of my X3 without any "hesitation" )
This board is terrific ! I hope to return the favor after I have been an owner for awhile.

#6 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by cincyart

Mar 11, 2007 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 06, 2007 8:03 pm)
Fantastic ......... I took delivery of my 07 X3 last Thursday !
It is living up to the BMW standard of driving for me in every way .... except for
the adaptive trany issue. Not only do I have the hesitation from standing stop, I am also experiencing it while ascending just about any grade of 25 degrees or more !
I can only describe it as though the car were out of tune or running out of gas.
I am noticing this more often as the days go by. This has to be something other than the adaptive transmission issue, can anyone relate to this ?
I plan I taking it to the dealership tomorrow.

#7 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by x3driver

Mar 11, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 11, 2007 5:51 pm)
Congrats!
 
I would be prepared to explain to the dealer if it does that in SD" mode, and/or if it depends on how deep into the gas you are. It sounds worse than ours, ours is only under really light throttle, and only barely noticable......

#8 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [x3driver] by cincyart

Mar 23, 2007 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: x3driver (Mar 11, 2007 6:52 pm)
Yes...in SD "sport" my X3 behaves like I would prefer. This is really two vehicles in one!
In regular D mode it is very deliberate and refined so to speak, in SD mode it becomes
a real tiger, almost like driving a BMW 3 series coupe. So far, my average mpg is about the same as using D, around 19.5 mpg in suburban driving.

#9 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by trr1

Apr 09, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 23, 2007 2:17 pm)
I brought my Wife's new 2007 X3 in for service today for this issue - not realizing there were many complaints about this. We experience up to 3 seconds of delay from a dead stop. BMW service just called me and said there is a software release pending that will resolve this issue. They said 3-4 weeks away. Keeping my fingers crossed.

#10 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [trr1] by cincyart

Apr 12, 2007 (8:36 am)

Replying to: trr1 (Apr 09, 2007 1:11 pm)
I spoke to the service dept. at my dealer, he has no knowledge of any such thing.

#11 of 232 Re: BMW X3 hesitation on acceleration [cincyart] by yoscott

Apr 18, 2007 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: cincyart (Mar 05, 2007 11:09 am)
Well, unfortunately we did not check out this web site before we purchased a new X3. We had it for one week and on Monday we brought it back to the dealer because of the MAJOR Hesitation when starting out. I found that the dealer was aware of this issue and never told us about it. We test drove another X3 and that did not have a problem. But like a silly buyer they had to go to another dealer to find our color and we did not test drive. MISTAKE.
Anyway the dealer still has our X3 and we have a nice loaner that we will not be returning until they fix our vehicle. We were told today that by the end of the month (april)BMW should have new software that will (hopefully)fix the problem. I would highly recommend that if you have this same hesitiation issue, you should return to your dealer. Good Luck YoScott

Messages Page 2 of 24

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