[Gator335i]

When I am driving my car at very slow speeds like in parking lots or along the streets in my neighborhood, the transmission shifts very oddly. It's like it can't make up its mind what gear it wants to be in and the shifting is very jerky--for lack of a better word.

Has anyone ever experienced this before or know of a solution to this problem? It's quite irritating.

It only really happens when I'm in the low gears and at low speeds. My car has 72k on the clock. I'm hoping it might just need a software update or some other easy fix.

Surely, the transmission doesn't have enough miles to be crapping out on me, does it?

[Chriztofor]

Try changing the fluid and/or reset adaptations? Both topics are on here, do a search.

[Iceman777]

Mine does the same. Motorplan has changed the oil and mechatronics. It was much better but it is creeping back again after 2000km

[mAdTYzz]

I'm not sure ,hope i'm not talking stupid but i think it does so unitl the trans oil warms up. Mine does the same in the morning especially, i drive like 200meters and it feels better. I also been planing to change the filter and oil allthough in my service book it's stamped that it's changed but you never know. Isn't there some additive that you mix the oil with that cleans the valves and stuff, something like for the fuel system?

[earossi]

Same types of issues with my 2011 335xi. Under light throttle, the car starts off in 1st, but then immediately shifts to 2nd which bogs the car down. And, when coming to a stop, the tranny often appears to not downshift into 1st. When I start out, there is a hesitation and the tranny then appears to drop into 1st with a "clunk". Under hard throttle, the tranny seems to shift out ok.

[bumere90]

update the software

[07lilredwagon]

I agree with these guys.....

It could be the software.....but more likely you need at least a fluid flush and new filter in the tranny....it is DIYable but not all that easy....you must top off the fluid while the car is running and do everything from under the car. (at least on my 07 its that way)

You have either a Z type of tranny or on some older models, a GM tranny.

there are posts here dealing with this...what it comes down to in some cases is that the tranny fluid looses its friction charactaristics....or in other words gets worn out and dirty....Change the fluid first after you try the simple software reset. (See DIY)

The torque converter in the tranny is getting confused...and is not sure when to "lock up" or engage the motor fully....the lockup clutch inside the torque converter is just that...a clutch...it needs the fluid to be in good shape in order for it to do what it is supposed to...that is, smoothly lock against the spinning motor.

If you catch it soon enough, you may not need a new torque converter....but get right on it if you can...waiting only wears the parts more...

JP

[335okc]

Originally Posted by bumere90

update the software

do you have experience where updating the software works? i got the same problem. basically it shift crappy when cold, good when warmed up. I've changed my atf and it's better but still not solved. I've reset adaptations, no help. only thing i haven't done is updating the software but this cost.

[miatawnt2b]

Has anyone had luck addressing this under CPO warranty? My E93 SULEV is very eratic shifting at low speed, especially when cold. I've mentioned it to the dealer but of course "road tested, no trouble found"

[sammy_0559]

my trans blew at 87k miles and i serviced it 3 times. if you drive it like you stole it don't be surprised. i wasn't haha

[alex2364]

I've noticed the same thing but I only have 36k miles. And it almost always happens when the engine is cold. After a few minutes of driving, it goes away. Something I should get it looked since I'm still under warranty?

[Wires]

There is nothing wrong with it. When the engine is cold, it's idling higher, and the fluids tend to be at higher pressures (since they are thick).

Once the tranny warms up, and the engine revs drop, it will shift fine again.

[135Pats]

If its a cold start the car will be sluggish until fluids warm up a bit, if youre still bogging after a few blocks then it could be time for a service. And +1 to what sammy said, if youre hammering down torque and launching it everywhere things are gunna break..

[bman5150]

Originally Posted by alex2364

I've noticed the same thing but I only have 36k miles. And it almost always happens when the engine is cold. After a few minutes of driving, it goes away. Something I should get it looked since I'm still under warranty?

This....at least for me.

No worries...all auto trans act like this until they warm up.

[asdflkijd]

AT or MT? If AT try resetting your transmission computer.. Theres a sequence where you hold down the brake pedal, etc while the car is off that'll reset it to factory settings. The AT transmission adapts to how you drive and if you've been driving poorly it may cause it to shift roughly. Let me know if that doesn't make sense... I almost confused myself writing this lol.

Or it could be just a plain ol software fix.

[Diablo335]

Originally Posted by bman5150

No worries...all auto trans act like this until they warm up.

Uh...no they don't. I got in our honda pilot tonight to take the family out for pizza. My singular first impression was how buttery smooth that car was on starting out -- compared to my bucking bronco 335

[bman5150]

Originally Posted by Diablo335

Uh...no they don't. I got in our honda pilot tonight to take the family out for pizza. My singular first impression was how buttery smooth that car was on starting out -- compared to my bucking bronco 335

Uh, yeah they do. And my first and current Honda pilot both did/do this.

I'm not saying there isn't any variance but bottom line the trans isn't going to shift at its best until the fluid is up to normal operating temps. And I'm not sure what your temps are like where you live, but when I am referring to cold temps I'm talking under 20 degrees when my car is sitting outside overnight.

[kfrazie1]

Originally Posted by Diablo335

Uh...no they don't. I got in our honda pilot tonight to take the family out for pizza. My singular first impression was how buttery smooth that car was on starting out -- compared to my bucking bronco 335

Most trannies act a little odd until they reach operating temp.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by Diablo335

Uh...no they don't. I got in our honda pilot tonight to take the family out for pizza. My singular first impression was how buttery smooth that car was on starting out -- compared to my bucking bronco 335

It also shifts sloppy and slow, and you feel really disconnected from the drivetrain. Just like the BMW rides like a tank compared to the Honda.

If you have the automatic 335, it "feels" like a manual at low speed once it locks up the drivetrain. At low speeds you even get that "chug" like a manual would.

It's the trade off for an auto that can compete directly with the manual for performance, vs one that's all about comfort.

[335dFan]

The 2011 E90 335d I have is slow to shift on cold mornings until I have gone about 1/2 mile, then it acts normally afterward. So I just drive it like the grandpa I am during that warm-up period.

[bumere90]

there is a TSB for 335's
ask your dealer

[Amini77]

Do you warm it up before driving?