[geordie]

Well, I'm about ready to throw in the towel and trade this thing in

My 2011 35i has 23,000kms on it and BMW still can't solve the jerky throttle from a stop (or lurching or whatever we call this issue at the moment.)

I've got all of the latest software updates (after several patches at the dealer), a "PUMA" case filed for 3 months with BMW Germany to see if they can figure out what's causing it, and no way out other than a trade.

Seeing as the local dealer has given up and filed this hail-mary 'PUMA' request with Germany, BMW Canada says I just need to wait it out. But now that it's been three months, nothing is obviously going to get fixed.

I know from reading this forum that the software updates fixed the jerking/lurching, whereas for others it didn't fix it. Mine is worst when the vehicle is cold, so it's really bad in the winter, my passengers get whiplash when I take off from a stop.

What should I do here? Wait it out and pray for a fix to drop out of the sky from Germany one day or dump it?

I absolutely LOVE the vehicle otherwise, it's still perfect for my needs which is what kills me: if it wasn't for this issue I'd be in heaven.

Quite frankly I'm shocked at BMW Canada's "Wait for the Germans" line, even from a customer satisfaction perspective I would have expected them to offer me some kind of swap option or something(?) I'm not expecting a new x3, but an option to swap somehow would have been nice. Do they ever do that?

[Teemo Panda]

sorry to hear bro, i am sure that they will exchange it will a new car,
and there the car will have more gadgets for you to enjoy

[truths2k05]

Originally Posted by geordie

Well, I'm about ready to throw in the towel and trade this thing in

My 2011 35i has 23,000kms on it and BMW still can't solve the jerky throttle from a stop (or lurching or whatever we call this issue at the moment.)

I've got all of the latest software updates (after several patches at the dealer), a "PUMA" case filed for 3 months with BMW Germany to see if they can figure out what's causing it, and no way out other than a trade.

Seeing as the local dealer has given up and filed this hail-mary 'PUMA' request with Germany, BMW Canada says I just need to wait it out. But now that it's been three months, nothing is obviously going to get fixed.

I know from reading this forum that the software updates fixed the jerking/lurching, whereas for others it didn't fix it. Mine is worst when the vehicle is cold, so it's really bad in the winter, my passengers get whiplash when I take off from a stop.

What should I do here? Wait it out and pray for a fix to drop out of the sky from Germany one day or dump it?

I absolutely LOVE the vehicle otherwise, it's still perfect for my needs which is what kills me: if it wasn't for this issue I'd be in heaven.

Quite frankly I'm shocked at BMW Canada's "Wait for the Germans" line, even from a customer satisfaction perspective I would have expected them to offer me some kind of swap option or something(?) I'm not expecting a new x3, but an option to swap somehow would have been nice. Do they ever do that?

I don't know about Canada but in the u.s. they do buy backs. Consult an attorney. I had to do this with my car. Don't give up, it is a problem that only gets worse with time.

[lbjgh]

This suggestion may be way out there but have you tried driving the car using the other key fob using a different profile?

[cohwang]

Mine was fixed too but the shop foreman told me there was an update on this issue. They not only updated the software but also replaced the ignition coil. I think you can give a last chance to your car.

[geordie]

Originally Posted by truths2k05

I don't know about Canada but in the u.s. they do buy backs. Consult an attorney. I had to do this with my car. Don't give up, it is a problem that only gets worse with time.

How did BMW handle the buy back in your case?

[geordie]

Originally Posted by cohwang

Mine was fixed too but the shop foreman told me there was an update on this issue. They not only updated the software but also replaced the ignition coil. I think you can give a last chance to your car.

Did that fix it?

[geordie]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

This suggestion may be way out there but have you tried driving the car using the other key fob using a different profile?

Yup, no dice

[n55x3]

When people ask us how we like our X3 we say it's the worst suv we've ever driven between speeds of 0-2 mph and the absolute best suv we've ever owned between speeds of 3- up mph.

Ours is extremely jerky, especially when cold just like you described. I've found that I am able to play with the throttle input to make it a little smoother. Like press down maybe 10% and just wait until it finally decides to get rolling. I've done what felt like neutral drops on several occasions too. We've put 30k miles on the X3 and it has never had a single problem but I'm scared of possible tranny issues down the road, out of warranty.

With all that being said we like the vehicle so much we just learn to accept this one, and quite possibly, only flaw. It's darn near perfect for our needs. Super quick and agile yet I've seen 29+ mpg on various drives. Pretty impressive.

We like it so much that we actually bought a 2013 335i RWD. I'll say that of the 335is I drove none of them had jerky starts from a stop. They share many similar drivetrain components too. I kinda wonder if the jerky start is related to Xdrive but I have a hard time convincing myself that could be possible. Who knows...

[The X Men]

Have you guys try the transmission reset procedure:

1) Press the Start button once to turn on power. Do not press the brake pedal and do not start the engine.
2) Press the accelerator down to the floor for 20 seconds.
3) Press the Start button again to turn the power off.
4) Now remove your foot from the accelerator.
5) Wait TWO minutes and start up the vehicle like normal

[n55x3]

Yup, even have a sticky note in the car with those directions. Doesn't make any difference.

About a year ago there was a service bulletin for a SW update. That made a HUGE difference for maybe 2 weeks then it went back to horrible again. Haven't mentioned it to the dealer since.

[BMWZ4]

You could try this --> sprintboostersales dotcom

My neighbour, like you, was fed up with his jerky starts (unlike me, who managed to get it addressed via the SW update about 10 months ago) and decided to give this device a try. Again, like you he absolutely loves his X3 and wasn't prepared to abandon it, so he tried this. I've driven it and was really amazing, consequently I was VERY tempted to install it as well, but decided mine was fine. It was a DIY job in his driveway; said it took him about 4 or 5 minutes.

In any case, worth a try if you really want to keep the car.
Dave

[geordie]

That sprint booster fixed the jerkiness?

[lbjgh]

I researched that product before taking delivery of my car.

I loved the test drive (with the exception of the throttle delay software fault) and was fully prepared to buy the sprint booster for my brand new car.

Fortunately my '13 had the updated software the throttle is smooth from zero km/h on.

I'd suggest you try a different dealership and request that they apply the software update again (I say again because who knows if the dealership you deal with just didn't say they did the update when in fact they hadn't.)

Here is a link to my earlier post: http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...3&postcount=23

Originally Posted by geordie

That sprint booster fixed the jerkiness?

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by geordie

That sprint booster fixed the jerkiness?

Yep. In fact, I think they offer a money back guarantee. So if it doesn't resolve your issue, just return it. Nothing to lose really. Although I think taking the vehicle to another dealer might be a good idea as well....never know what your dealer did or didn't do. Out of curiosity, when you had the SW updated, does it actually say that on your work order? If not, unlikely they did anything.

Dave

[TreeSkier]

I also have a 2011 35i and am fed up with the difficulty accelerating smoothly from a stop. I found several work arounds but they are not always practical, like starting in S2, or auto-s mode. Of course, this is rediculous to have to do this on any car, never mind an expensive BMW. There is a new thread on the other F25 board "software update for 2012 X3" discussing a new update that was released to fix the acceleration issue.

[noka]

I don't understand why they cannot fix it, assuming it's a s/w problem and not h/w. My '13 x35i accelerates very smoothly from a stop.

[cblandin]

Assuming you've seen this one too:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=685270