[mainbearing]

@kakapo. You are talking a 6L45 in the 07 328xi? Lucky you.

I think many 07 GMs are in trash shape. I also think most of the problems were solved by 09 (as in my relative's 328i). AFAIK, 07-08 6L45s are not interchangeable with 09-13.

So to me, GM's 6L45 sucks, and has no place in a BMW.

@92William, yes I know the Hydramatic 6L is based on copying the 6HP (along with Ford's). It is a cheapened version and not a licensed exact reproduction, let along an enhancement. Otherwise GM would do what Chrysler does, just use ZFs.

[Leucosticte]

I don't blame you if that has been your experience with yours.

[E92William]

My car is a 12/07 2008. My 08/09 128i actually didn't shift as good as this one does. I guess it has to do more with the maintenance history of the unit. But maybe there's been software updates over time that changed stuff

[mainbearing]

Yeah, a real shame it was the first year E90 with a GM and I got it.

I take it that BMW has a much smaller engineering staff than either Audi (VW Group) or Mercedes?

@E90William - I had one software update from the dealer, and the maintenance was 2x that of our ZFs (GM at 30K intervals), which pisses me off more. I am not going to bother with getting that cable and reflash, just in case I brick it.

It's bearable for now before I drive some more and get rid of it for an Audi or Mercedes. BTW, the X1 loaner shifted fine, but I also enjoyed the Q3 loaner, both were 2.0 Turbo with 8-speeds I believe.

[Leucosticte]

yeah, the zf 8 speeds are great transmissions, truly in a league of their own. Also yes I believe that BMW has fewer engineering resources than Mercedes and definitely less than VW.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Valvoline Maxlife here. No problems (besides the always sh!tty shifting of the AFAIK 1st year E90 GM transmission).

@nsjames, how's the 08 shifting? A relative's 09 shifts so much better, but I wish BMW put in a ZF instead of going with a cheap junk.

+1 on more drains and refills plus the filter.

it shifts fine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vQ2hXn2u836dHjhQ8

these units are perfectly serviceable.

and no, they're not just shit copies of the ZF.

service the thing and it will last 200K+ miles.
It's not hard.

[dan4081]

Just wanted to chime in here.
I came across this thread last week by accident and was surprised it described the problem I have in my 09 328i.
I couldnt figure out what was causing the shudder in my car. I have 113000 on mine and had a trans fluid and filter done a couple of years ago as preventative maintenance but always had a shudder as I accelerate on an on ramp or if I let off the gas and then step on it again.

Read the posts about the additive and figured it couldnt hurt to give it a try so ordered 2 tubes off amazon.
Brought them to a local shop today and told them I wanted to replace 4oz of my trans fluid with 4oz of the additive.
No joke I could see the young mechanic showing the tubes to another mechanic in the bay and they kept looking over at me sitting in the waiting area. I could tell how skeptical they were.
1/2 hour later hey were done, the owner told me no charge...just tip the guy who did the work. I already had so out the door I went...really not sure what to expect.
Let me tell you...I can barely wipe my smile off. Drove for a few miles then hoped on the highway. Already could tell it was shifting smooth, no shudder. A couple miles at 70 mph, got off the highway, drove a little more then another highway trip and let me tell you its smooth as butter!!!!

Thank you thank you to everyone who suggested this!!!!!!!

[E92William]

Glad it solved your issue. First time I encountered this problem was on my 128i and not knowing about it being the torque converter I thought the engine was lugging itself with the automatic transmission since it wouldn't do it at higher rpm in manual mode

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by dan4081

Just wanted to chime in here.
I came across this thread last week by accident and was surprised it described the problem I have in my 09 328i.
I couldnt figure out what was causing the shudder in my car. I have 113000 on mine and had a trans fluid and filter done a couple of years ago as preventative maintenance but always had a shudder as I accelerate on an on ramp or if I let off the gas and then step on it again.

Read the posts about the additive and figured it couldnt hurt to give it a try so ordered 2 tubes off amazon.
Brought them to a local shop today and told them I wanted to replace 4oz of my trans fluid with 4oz of the additive.
No joke I could see the young mechanic showing the tubes to another mechanic in the bay and they kept looking over at me sitting in the waiting area. I could tell how skeptical they were.
1/2 hour later hey were done, the owner told me no charge...just tip the guy who did the work. I already had so out the door I went...really not sure what to expect.
Let me tell you...I can barely wipe my smile off. Drove for a few miles then hoped on the highway. Already could tell it was shifting smooth, no shudder. A couple miles at 70 mph, got off the highway, drove a little more then another highway trip and let me tell you its smooth as butter!!!!

Thank you thank you to everyone who suggested this!!!!!!!

F yeah! The more you know :-)