[David916]

Brand new to Bimmers and just bought one the other day and absolutely love it.

Problem is, I barely press on the gas and the car takes off. Has anyone else experienced this? I get it has 300hp and 300 pounds of torque and a bi-turbo, but driving this in a parking lot is a bit challenging. It idles at 600rpm and a barely touching the accelerator petal will bring it up to 1.5k and 2k. I'd just like to be able to drive it slow so it doesn't scare people walking in a crowded parking lot. It doesn't jerk too bad or anything like that, but I find it hard driving it consistently at like 1k rpm.

My main concern is if something is wrong with the transmission? It has 86k miles on it and looks very clean. Bough it from a tiny dealership who didn't even detail it and gave it to me with an eight of a tank of gas and broken sunglasses on the rear passenger floor, so i know they don't care much. As long as the transmission isn't bad or anything major, then I'll keep it. Tomorrow is the last day to bring it back as the 72 hour cool off period is up.

Any advice or opinions would be highly appreciated.

Dave

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by David916

Brand new to Bimmers and just bought one the other day and absolutely love it.

Problem is, I barely press on the gas and the car takes off. Has anyone else experienced this?

Are you in Sport mode with the more sensitive accelerator pedal? Check the settings. Most users find Eco Pro will do exactly what you want, even too slow to respond.

Being a used vehicle, there is the outside chance a pedal box is fitted, which makes throttle response even more sensitive than BMW's software.

[mwat]

Somethings up because usually people complain of the opposite. (Lag in response when starting off)

Could it be that the car you had before this had quite a bit of pedal travel comparatively?

Also, why would you want to consistently drive the car at 1k rpm?

[slowblackx3f25]

I had the transmission software updated on my 17' x3 (N20) and it does accelerate faster but I usually don't touch the gas pedal if I'm in a parking lot... I let it roll by letting off the brake pedal... barely touch the gas pedal unless I have too.

I drive a 6speed GTI so I appreciate the two pedal setup (sometimes) lol.

[David916]

@ HighlandPete I checked and the car is not in sport mode. My 2011 x3 doesn't have eco mode

@ mwat My previous car had an excessive amount of petal travel and you are right to think that Im not used to the difference. Thing is, my neighbor also thinks it's a bit too responsive. Don't want to constantly drive at 1k, just don't want it to jump from 600 to 1.5k instantly.

slowblackx3f25 The car does travel at a safe speed without pressing on the gas petal while driving in parking lots. My only issue is if I wanted to go 3-5mph faster, it doesn't gradually speed up but does so instantaneously.

[gav1ndica]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Are you in Sport mode with the more sensitive accelerator pedal? Check the settings. Most users find Eco Pro will do exactly what you want, even too slow to respond.

Being a used vehicle, there is the outside chance a pedal box is fitted, which makes throttle response even more sensitive than BMW's software.

I agree, possibly might be a Sprint Booster installed under the pedal assembly.

[David916]

So I went to a different used car dealer and drove the same year and make and it drove the Exact Same Way.

False alarm. I'm used to a super sluggish suv and can't believe how zippy this car is, and the fact that there are cars out there that are MUCH faster, terrifies the hell out of me.

Appreciate you guys entertaining my initial concern. Thanks

PS, I put 91 octane in it. I read somewhere that the least it can do is 89. Would I see a small reduction in performance (I'd prefer it) and would the difference be "bad" for the vehicle long term, or would it be ok?

[pokerface]

Would recommend just taking it easy until your brain-foot connection remaps and adapts to the throttle on the X3.

What was your previous vehicle?

Welcome to the boards!

[David916]

Good idea.

Also just leaned I can reset the transmission ecu to learn my driving style and will do that today.

I had a 2002 tahoe. Same torque as this Bimmer, but weights 1,500 pounds more and SUPER sluggish.

You think instad of 91 octane, 89 octane will be ok to lower the performance a bit?

[n55david]

Originally Posted by David916

Good idea.

Also just leaned I can reset the transmission ecu to learn my driving style and will do that today.

I had a 2002 tahoe. Same torque as this Bimmer, but weights 1,500 pounds more and SUPER sluggish.

You think instad of 91 octane, 89 octane will be ok to lower the performance a bit?

It won't really and nothing you're gonna notice. You're better off running 91 anyway.

[littleob]

Dave welcome to the ultimate driving machine. Also welcome to the site. There are a lot of good people here.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by David916

Also just leaned I can reset the transmission ecu to learn my driving style and will do that today.

I think you are misunderstanding adaptive transmission management. Part of the transmission function is adapting to your driving style, not learning any particular style. Drive hard today it will adapt on the fly, drive easy, will adapt to that as well within seconds. Driver influenced adaptation starts anew with each drive.

There's a throttle reset some try, but doesn't always do anything. If it does, it is often only a temporary change.

[FloridaNative]

This is a funny thread! I’ve found that in Comfort mode, the throttle response is annoyingly sluggish. Sport mode has acceptable response but introduces other undesired changes for everyday driving. C’est la vie.

-Mike

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by David916

@ HighlandPete I checked and the car is not in sport mode. My 2011 x3 doesn't have eco mode

@ mwat My previous car had an excessive amount of petal travel and you are right to think that Im not used to the difference. Thing is, my neighbor also thinks it's a bit too responsive. Don't want to constantly drive at 1k, just don't want it to jump from 600 to 1.5k instantly.

slowblackx3f25 The car does travel at a safe speed without pressing on the gas petal while driving in parking lots. My only issue is if I wanted to go 3-5mph faster, it doesn't gradually speed up but does so instantaneously.

I guess I should rename my user name to FASTblackx3f25

[mwat]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

I guess I should rename my user name to FASTblackx3f25

It's all relative you know?

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

It's all relative you know?

I absolutely agree with you... the reason I created an account with the username as 'slowblackx3f25' is because I've driven X5's, M3's, M4's. These are fast lol and I'm accustomed to faster cars, so the N20 x3 (stock) is slow to me, but for my dad he thinks it's quick... it certainly is after the transmission software update.

We are all related in some way... all of the BMW problems we experience or at some point will experience... reason why it's good to share the problem and the solution you found to fix it.

I am a firm believer in the law of attraction (cause and effect).
Each human being on this planet is connected to this world, the universe.

Sorry if I am going off topic... but this must be mentioned and made aware.

Applied knowledge is Power. M Power baby

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by David916

I'm used to a super sluggish suv and can't believe how zippy this car is, and the fact that there are cars out there that are MUCH faster, terrifies the hell out of me.

I had a '15 X1 and zippy does not begin to describe it!

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by David916

can't believe how zippy this car is, and the fact that there are cars out there that are MUCH faster, terrifies the hell out of me.

You're in for a treat if you try other vehicles that are more zippy than the F25 X3. X3 M40i is a beast...major upgrade over the F25. Tesla Model 3 AWD acceleration is a whole new level of awesome. Audi SQ5 feels more zippy than the F25. Only warning is once you try any of the above, the F25 will feel slow...lol.