[andrewbmw]

Picked up the 28i last week and I liked almost everything about this great car but with one exception.

After a few days' driving, I noticed there is quite a hesitation when accelerating from a full stop. Once the car is in motion, then the acceleration feels pretty responsive and handling is really nice.

It's our first BMW and I drive a 2011 Sienna AWD for most of time. It was quite surprising to me that even Sienna seems to be noticeably faster and smoother when starting from a full stop, considering the weight and size of a minivan.

In one situation I actually felt unsafe due to the hesitation. The car didn't move for about a second or two when I try to make a left turn in an intersection. There were cars heading towards me but the initial distance was quite comfortable for my usual driving with Sienna. And with the hesitation of X3, I was actually in a little panic and step really hard on the gas pedal to avoid a potential collision. And since then I was step on the gas pedal much harder and it often ends up with a less smooth start.

I understand that I am still new to the car and very likely not stepping the gas pedal in the right way. But it still surprises me a lot as I really expect a easy and fast start with a car built by BMW without much need to relearn how to step on the gas pedal.

So my fellow 28i owners, do you ever think it's an issue for you? And if you thought it was but not anymore, could you share some tips or thoughts here?

Thank you!

[Razel]

Gradual push vs. instant floorboard?

[warmtoes]

I find the same thing when I drive a loaner that uses the N52 engine. Especially coming from a car that has the N54 or N55 engine that has a boatload of torque down low it seems to hesitate quite a bit to get going from a dead stop. I always thought it was just the combination of the transmission and the fact that the N52 doesn't generate that much torque down low.

I find it reacts much better when in DS mode though. Maybe the remapping of the throttle response makes it better.

[Cactus]

It's the transmission programing. If you shift into sport mode there is no hesitation. I usually leave it in sport mode around town to eliminate the hesitation and provide quicker response for lane changes etc.

[flash3]

How do I turn on Sport Mode? I've noticed the hesitation too.

[andrewbmw]

Thanks for the comments on DS mode and I will give it a try tomorrow.

Meanwhile, any down side or the things we should know about this mode? how much mpg it will lose?

Also, is it a good idea to switch back to D after the car is in good speed?

[andrewbmw]

According to manual, push left from D will be DS.

Originally Posted by flash3

How do I turn on Sport Mode? I've noticed the hesitation too.

[Harplayr]

I haven’t noticed this problem. I get good starts 100% of the time so far.
Note: I don’t have any of the sport options, so there is no DS on my 28i.
Maybe the programming is different.

[Nahoa]

Push the pedal with your foot until it goes. If it doesn't go soon enough, push faster. If that desn't work, your expectations are too high. Find a better car? Buy it.

[Boy_with_Joy]

I observed the same with my 2010 328xi. I found out later that it is a common issue with BMW non-turbo all-wheel -drive vehicles (Google "328xi unpredictable"). This was definite joy killing for me. I took the hit in depreciation and traded it for a 2011 X3 x35i. The lag is almost negligible in the BMW AWD turbo cars (335xi, x35i etc).

[flash3]

Originally Posted by andrewbmw

According to manual, push left from D will be DS.

So I would just shift into S instead of D and it's safe (for the car's health) to drive like this?

http://image.motortrend.com/f/2011_b.../gearshift.jpg

[Beyu]

Originally Posted by flash3

So I would just shift into S instead of D and it's safe (for the car's health) to drive like this?

http://image.motortrend.com/f/2011_b.../gearshift.jpg

It's perfectly fine to drive in DS or sport mode. However you'll probably get less mpg, not necessarily because the setting eats up that much gas but the fact that you'll probably be driving the car harder.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by andrewbmw

Picked up the 28i last week and I liked almost everything about this great car but with one exception.

After a few days' driving, I noticed there is quite a hesitation when accelerating from a full stop. Once the car is in motion, then the acceleration feels pretty responsive and handling is really nice.

It's our first BMW and I drive a 2011 Sienna AWD for most of time. It was quite surprising to me that even Sienna seems to be noticeably faster and smoother when starting from a full stop, considering the weight and size of a minivan.

In one situation I actually felt unsafe due to the hesitation. The car didn't move for about a second or two when I try to make a left turn in an intersection. There were cars heading towards me but the initial distance was quite comfortable for my usual driving with Sienna. And with the hesitation of X3, I was actually in a little panic and step really hard on the gas pedal to avoid a potential collision. And since then I was step on the gas pedal much harder and it often ends up with a less smooth start.

I understand that I am still new to the car and very likely not stepping the gas pedal in the right way. But it still surprises me a lot as I really expect a easy and fast start with a car built by BMW without much need to relearn how to step on the gas pedal.

So my fellow 28i owners, do you ever think it's an issue for you? And if you thought it was but not anymore, could you share some tips or thoughts here?

Thank you!

in my E60 depending on how you floor it will cause hesitation acceleration especially if its too sudden, never tried in on DS mode to compare

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

I haven’t noticed this problem. I get good starts 100% of the time so far.
Note: I don’t have any of the sport options, so there is no DS on my 28i.
Maybe the programming is different.

I think all of the autos have DS. Just nudge the shift lever to the left and you'll see the D change to DS on the dash

[Harplayr]

Originally Posted by sfax

I think all of the autos have DS. Just nudge the shift lever to the left and you'll see the D change to DS on the dash

You are correct. I've been having so much fun witht he car I didn't even notice the DS mode.

[mtlcruisin]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

You are correct. I've been having so much fun witht he car I didn't even notice the DS mode.

I started a whole new topic just on DS mode, because some people have the same problem even with the X35i engine also. But don't worry, it's normal apparantly

[Lucky13]

This was a major problem with the previous generation X3. I thought the difference was that DS mode starts the car out in first gear and D actually starts the car in 2nd gear to save gas.

[Itchywasabi]

I also have this with my 28i... Im really pissed now, Im buying me self new M3.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

This was a major problem with the previous generation X3. I thought the difference was that DS mode starts the car out in first gear and D actually starts the car in 2nd gear to save gas.

I'll say. Just look at the "sticky" at the top of the page. Over 1,500 + replies. The new X better not have this issue.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=65

[Lucky13]

I had my 2007 X3 reprogrammed and it lasted about one week and went back to having the problem. This was the main reason I did not get another one, I actually thought I was going to get killed a couple times. I think the DS mode forces a start in first but its a real pain to have to switch back and forth. I can't believe that have this problem again but then they have not fixed the HPFP problem in over 3 years of major problems so I'm not suprized.

[andrewbmw]

That's exactly what I felt the other day when the car paused for a second or two. For the record, I was driving with another 3 adults at the time so the extra weight might also contribute to that particular life threatening experience.

Still can't believe that a company like BMW will allow this to happen and it's actually quite disappointing in this regard compared with my other cheaper Japanese cars.

Originally Posted by Lucky13

I actually thought I was going to get killed a couple times. ... .

[flash3]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

You are correct. I've been having so much fun witht he car I didn't even notice the DS mode.

Can you shift to D and DS (and back and forth) WHILE driving or is that not recommended?