[aohus]

Hello.

I recently picked up a '19 X3 M40i and noticed some considerable delayed throttle response. Around the 2k rpm range when I step on the pedal theres a hesitation for a bit then instantly jumps to 3.5k+ rpm range.

Is there a reason for this? I tried in both Sport Standard and Sport+ and issue still occurs. Shouldn't I be getting instant torque response when accelerating?

Is this a known issue? Will be going to get it serviced to find root cause. Maybe I have to break in the car? Otherwise I'm loving the car.

[Louda0801]

You should be breaking it in regardless of if that's the cause of the lag

[Louda0801]

You should be breaking it in regardless of if that's the cause of the lag

[supersebbo]

I get this too. It's the down-shift that does it. I don't think it's really that the engine lags too much (albeit all turbo engines will have some lag) just that the down-shift really emphasizes the 'lurch' forward.

Try it in manual gear shift mode, the acceleration will be slightly slower but more 'consistent'.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

I get this too. It's the down-shift that does it. I don't think it's really that the engine lags too much (albeit all turbo engines will have some lag) just that the down-shift really emphasizes the 'lurch' forward.

Try it in manual gear shift mode, the acceleration will be slightly slower but more 'consistent'.

Agree that it's probably the transmission. Experiment manual shift and stay at M1 or M2 to test the throttle response. Bear in mind, it's still not a Tesla so no instant torque like a hybrid or electric car.

[skier219]

I never noticed any throttle response issues, but what you're describing is a downshift, something totally different.

[FreeMarcal]

Funny you should mention this -- I was about to post something this morning on the same topic. I was in Comfort mode and needed to accelerate quickly from a roll to merge into traffic on my commute this morning. The turbo lag was so bad I literally looked down to make sure I was not in neutral. I've been using Adaptive or Sport for the most part and did not notice it being so bad before -- I've got ~1,200 miles. This is actually my first AUTOMATIC turbo car so maybe I just need to get used to it ...

[Dr.Mark]

I really notice this too. I do think it is the transmission downshift. It does not happen in manual mode with rpms 2000 or greater.

[Douggie]

Gosh, I can't believe bmw still has not figured out the throttle hesitation issue? It was a pretty common issue in the F10. It is not turbo lag.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455949

[deladude]

This bothered me for a while too. The software is not great at making the transition from casual to spirited driving. In my experience it is too hesitant to get sporty and then when it does it can be quite abrupt and more than anticipated.

Two things I've found that really helped make the car drive more responsively in normal situations for me:
- Using sport individual with engine in sport and everything else in comfort as the default drive mode. The extra power helps get off the line while having the trans in comfort keeps the rpms and burbles from being too obnoxious around town.
- Kick the shifter into m/s in anticipation for acceleration. This gets that downshift out of the way, or bumps the rpms up before you attempt to accelerate. I've gotten in the habit of kicking the trans in and out of m/s quite often and the driving experience is a lot more to my liking this way because it feels like I can more directly control the transition from casual to spirited driving.

I am also using full manual mode more often because the engine feels soooo much better when I control the rpms directly. Although this is my first automatic so maybe I just really miss my manuals

[tastes jigga]

I do not have proof, but I suspect it is the xDrive transfer case causing the delay. If you put the car into Sport Plus, DSC off and manual shifting mode, and mash the throttle at low speeds you can literally feel the power transfer to the front wheels through the steering wheel.

[skier219]

Originally Posted by deladude

This bothered me for a while too. The software is not great at making the transition from casual to spirited driving. In my experience it is too hesitant to get sporty and then when it does it can be quite abrupt and more than anticipated.

Two things I've found that really helped make the car drive more responsively in normal situations for me:
- Using sport individual with engine in sport and everything else in comfort as the default drive mode. The extra power helps get off the line while having the trans in comfort keeps the rpms and burbles from being too obnoxious around town.
- Kick the shifter into m/s in anticipation for acceleration. This gets that downshift out of the way, or bumps the rpms up before you attempt to accelerate. I've gotten in the habit of kicking the trans in and out of m/s quite often and the driving experience is a lot more to my liking this way because it feels like I can more directly control the transition from casual to spirited driving.

I am also using full manual mode more often because the engine feels soooo much better when I control the rpms directly. Although this is my first automatic so maybe I just really miss my manuals

These are all good suggestions. I also have set sport individual to use the throttle setting from sport but all other settings (steering, transmission, suspension) from comfort. That is my default driving mode. I just don't like how lazy the throttle can be in comfort mode, plus it will adapt to driving habits and gradually get tamer until it needs a reset.

If you do set up sport individual this way, or drive in default comfort mode, a tap of the sport button will lead to an instantaneous downshift and the car will pretty much "tense up" for rapid acceleration. If I am in a situation where I need to get up and go, that is my procedure.

[supersebbo]

I think it's by design... when you're cruising at 2000rpm and then mash the accelerator out of the blue the response from the ECU seems to be to spool the turbos up then drop a gear, which takes a couple of seconds, then you get a huge surge of power. It's never given me problems over-taking, but the first few times it does seem odd, you just have to get used to it.

As others have noted, if you want the smoother instant response, you can pull the down-shift lever before pressing the throttle, and you'll get a more traditional big engine response.

[Cliches00]

This isn't turbo lag and it's not kick down. It's just poor sensor-software design.

I always drive in paddle mode and mix between comfort, sport, sport+ and adaptive. Throttle response is a bit better in sport/sport+, but it's still very inconsistent.

Trying to quickly pull out in to traffic at junctions/roundabouts it is hard to get the throttle right. There's a sweet spot between the car taking off with a lurch like a scalded cat and just limping out in to traffic. When you hit the sweet spot the car pulls hard and smoothly - it's impressive and nice. The same throttle response problems occur when driving along, they are just easier to overcome by dropping a cog or two on the box.

Given the car can take off very quickly from a standing start proves it's not turbo lag (nor is it kick down). Also, the B58 is a lightly boosted engine so it doesn't have significant lag. It's the sensor-software design that modulates throttle input to responsiveness from the engine.

I wasn't expecting throttle response like my old M2 (or M235i, M135i, either). I assumed it's just an SUV thing where BMW aren't going to make the car respond like a more driver focussed car. I'm relieved to hear that others are irritated by it too!

[tonyb15re]

I had an M140i and whilst not as slow on the uptake it was very similar, the X3 feels slower but it obviously isnt that much slower for something almost twice its weight.

This is what you get when you let the machines take over and let them try to second guess what you want and are asking for

not like the bad old days where you had a wire going from your pedal to the Carbs, no lag then

[Cliches00]

Maybe it's a B58 thing, then. Which would be a shame after the N55.

Thinking about it, I wouldn't be surprised if the poor throttle response is to do with the new EU emissions standards.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by Arcanum-UK

Maybe it's a B58 thing, then. Which would be a shame after the N55.

Thinking about it, I wouldn't be surprised if the poor throttle response is to do with the new EU emissions standards.

I don't think the engine is the problem. Rather, I think the root of the issues is the electronics that controls gear shifting response timing and how to translate gas pedal position to real throttle opening.

[aohus]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I don't think the engine is the problem. Rather, I think the root of the issues is the electronics that controls gear shifting response timing and how to translate gas pedal position to real throttle opening.

in essence this isnt an actual engine/ brake issue but inherent in all b58 engines or electrical brake system? not a fan coming from an N54

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I don't think the engine is the problem. Rather, I think the root of the issues is the electronics that controls gear shifting response timing and how to translate gas pedal position to real throttle opening.

That's my thinking from user descriptions, it's both pedal position and/or speed of accelerator application.

The determined accelerator pedal value is compared with stored threshold values. How we apply the throttle can help reduce/eliminate the hesitation.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by aohus

in essence this isnt an actual engine/ brake issue but inherent in all b58 engines or electrical brake system? not a fan coming from an N54

I would not characterize this as something inherent to the B58 engine (on the contrary, it's not). It's how BMW makes it to maximize mpg and comfort. For example, the transmission shifting is a leisurely paced event in Comfort or EcoPro. It makes the shift buttery smooth in exchange for what some of us perceived as 'lack of throttle response'. If you don't like this, there are many ways we can do to improve that, including some mentioned here in this post (e.g. manual shifting, Sport shifting).

[AnOldBiker]

I've read of this poor response from pedal actuation to engine response. Seems this is a designed response in the computer. It's a protection.

There is a product that you can buy the connects between the pedal and the wire to the computer. It stops the design lag from happening.

For the life of me, I can't remember the manufactures name. But is a aftermarket item.

[chicagofan00]

I've experienced it as well and to be honest I feel like this has been the case on all my sport orientated cars, albeit the M40i seems to be at the peak of the experience. My MB C400 had a pretty similar experience in Sport/Sport+ modes.