Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Pap5,
My original dealership tried the accelerator pedal fix as well, and in the case if my car, IF it helped, it didn’t help much.
My car was manufactured (if I remember correctly) during the first half of March 2002, and during the nine days that I drove it in Europe, it ran perfectly. When I picked it up in May (24-May-2002 to be exact), it ran like crap. At the time, I assumed that maybe the quality of the gas put in it (I delivered the car to E.H. Harms with less than a quarter of a tank of gas) either at the VPC or the Dealership was to blame. After a couple of weeks, either I got better at anticipating how the car would balk, or the “Adaptive” part of the software learned my driving style, or maybe a little of both, because, while still annoying, the problem seemed to be a little better. By October, I was still annoyed, but not much more than that, so it was almost in passing that I mentioned it to the service manager at Tully.
During the test drive, the technician told me that my car’s throttle response felt typical for a 5-Series, and that he didn’t think that there was anything wrong. That said, when I told him that my car ran perfectly in Europe and only started this problem once here in the States, he decided to investigate further. He then hooked my car up to the shop diagnostic system, and he was able to confirm that my software had in fact been changed since the car came out of the factory. As soon as he saw that, and realized that there was a later release available, he installed it in my car. He did warn me that my car would take a couple of weeks to “Re-Learn” my driving style, so I was to reserve my judgment until then. I didn’t have to, my car was instantly better.
Regarding your car: When was it built? When did you take delivery of it here in the states? Do you know if your dealership (or the VPC for that matter) upgraded the software once the car arrived here in the States?
It sounds like you have a copy of the same “Mark II” code that I used to have.
Ask your dealership, I would be curious to know if my situation was an isolated incident, or if this is a common problem.
Regarding "Being in 540 territory", nothing, really, however I do have a theory. More on that later.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Is there another trick?
Thanks for your help.
From day one, I always have had trouble with smooth shifts from 1-2. I always thought I was spoiled from my previous car's clutch operation. It has taken me awhile, but I have now taught myself how to shift smoother in most situations. But after reading shipo's posts, maybe I'm not entirely at fault. Do you have any additional information about the software that would be helpful in describing it to the dealer service writer?
In my experience with this problem, there is absolutely no question (in my mind at least) that the clutch is not involved (hence the CDV is not the issue), and that the problem rests entirely with the throttle software. How can I be so sure? Simple, the problem manifests itself in situations where the clutch is not being used. Here is a snippet from my previous post:
“ when transitioning from little/no throttle (as in negotiating a down-hill freeway ramp with a mean kink in the middle) to say 50% throttle (same ramp, same kink, but the hill bottoms out half way through the kink).”
In this example, as you squeeze the throttle (without changing gears and without touching the clutch), the car would (sometimes) momentarily balk (say for a quarter to a half of a second). Said balk could be barely noticeable (except by the driver), or it could be severe enough to cause all the passengers to rock forward until the power came back on.
I will call Tully and see if they can bring up my records and tell me what version of software they used. I will let y’all know.
Best Regards,
Shipo
As for the CDV's presence, I'm fairly certain it's the M5 that doesn't have one, but the rest of the 5-series (manual) line does. I'd have to comb through the near-worthless Roadfly search functionality to be sure, but I'm 95% certain that 530's and 525's have them.
Both then told me that every time they got a new car, they would drive around in second gear (back in the day of the “Turbo Hydromatic” and the “Torque Flight” three speed automatic transmissions) for as much as a thousand miles. Both of them swore that this made their cars faster than other similarly equipped cars. Hmmm, here we are 30 years later and I am still having a problem choking that one down.
Nevertheless, here we are (or were) in 2002, and there I was driving in my 530i with a BMW technician from Tully, and he was telling me that my car “Felt like it was in 540 territory.” So, how does this potentially BS story from the 1970s relate to my 530i? As many of you will remember, I picked my car up in Munich last April, and promptly drove it to Paris and back over the next seven days. During that period of time, I spent much of it driving on the Autobahn, and while I did observe the recommended RPM and Top Speed restrictions for proper engine break-in (for the most part anyway ;-)), as soon as I hit 1,200 miles, I planted the accelerator pedal. For the next 400 miles or so, I drove just shy of the point where the Speed Limiter would engage to slow things down (which on my car is 132.5 indicated).
So, while I did vary my speed, and while I did not (often) exceed the break-in limits, I did spend most of the time with the engine well into the upper half of its RPM range. Could it be that those engineers back in Detroit were on to something? All I know is that my (former) 328i was supposed to be a tick faster than my 530i, however, according to my “Butt-Dyno”, it ain’t even close, the 530 is significantly faster.
Hmmm, this should generate some interesting comments. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Hope this helps....JL
Thanks folks for correcting me. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
I must be odd. The CDV doesn't bother me. I love my '98 540i6. But I didn't buy her to do smokey burnouts or blast away from stopsigns. I enjoy the top end power. Does the CDV have much impact on shifting at higher speeds in 3-4-5-6th gears?
Hope this helps...JL
My 530i was built in 6/01, and delivered stateside the last week of August. I'm not aware of any modifications made by the VPC or the delivering (out of state) dealer. It may have felt better in Europe, but then again it developed two defects during the first year of ownership that greatly affected drivetrain feel and function: A bad AT valve body resulting in torque loss under load, and the sticky pedal. Both were fixed under warranty and the car now drives better, but still suffers from problems like the balkiness you document above and I have described previously. I thought the Steptronic might be the culprit, but here you are experiencing the same thing with a stick! I definitely will have my local dealer assess the engine management software.
I just called Tully BMW, and while they were not able to give me any kind of code release level, he told me that the date of my service call was 22-Oct-2002, and I specifically remember the technician saying that the dealership "Just got the code in two days before." Given that the 22nd was a Tuesday, I am guessing that the previous Friday (18-Oct) was the actual distribution date. The individual I just spoke with said, "Yeah, all he needs to do is have his dealership drop the latest new code into the DME." At least, I think that he said "DME".
Interesting side note; to me, DME means "Distance Measuring Equipment", which is used for calculating the "Slant" distance to a marker beacon for a pilot. Said Slant distance, when coupled with current altitude and the current radial to the beacon will yield a fairly precise location fix without triangulation.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Me like, me Want.
Spyderred,
The editors rave about the E320's style and elegance, and I'd have to agree that it's gorgeous, even to the point of making the E39 feel a bit antiquated. But: "The steering effort goes up at times...brake response is nonlinear...no braking feedback...throttle response is soggy." The 530i: "...has the kind of trusty, predictable control responses we like." And the Merc wins?
I'm not following how sales affects prestige or prestige affects sales.???
1. The level of respect at which one is regarded by others; standing.
2. A person's high standing among others; honor or esteem.
3. Widely recognized prominence, distinction, or importance: a position of prestige in diplomatic circles.
This definition from dictionary.com has little to do with sales numbers. I submit BMW, as in definition 3, has achieved a "widely recognized prominence".
To wit, a competitor the G35, who has not sold nearly as many, with your definition would be prestigious, but the dictionary definition would not. (Of course, some defenders might say otherwise, however).
Contrast this definition for a Pinto with the exploding gas tank and you see that it fits definition number 3 nicely. As the Pinto has attained "widely recognized prominence, distinction", but has failed to achieve importance (except in how not to design a car), thus the Pinto cannot be viewed as prestigious.
Mercedes has sold an untold amount of cars, yet they still remain a prestigious brand.
That's why IMO the dictionary is a good place to start when debating these loosy-goosy parts of life.
I was not trying to debate here, because I have not learned to debate or learned the points in good debate. Argue, I an do that but it does not solve anything.
We have different frames of references. I grew up as working class in England. This would mean that if I stilled lived there, I might have not gone to college and drive a BMW. Where I grew up, even a 4-cyl BMW is not common. I presently work in a pretty nice neighborhood. On my ten mile drive, I see an abundance of 3er and 5er. This would lead my small mind to believe that there are a lot of BMW and that a lot of Houstonians could own one, to the point of making BMWs common. This is probably not true but a perception based on a narrow scope. My original post was somewhat written in that same vein. I really pray that my previous post did not offend anyone. If i did, I am truly sorry. But considering the prices of some cars, they are not far from the price of a 3er. Realistically, a 3er and even a 5er could become more common.
Debate is good and debate can be fun. And it certainly reflects on point of view. If you go into a swanky place in So. Cal. and there is a parking lot full of Porsches and 1 Honda. Is the Honda prestigious? Are the Porsches common? Are the Porsches prestigous? Well I think if you lived in So. Cal. you may not find Porsches prestigious, or you may feel you belong to a very special prestigious club.
Best Regards,
Shipo
1. the price range caters, or will cater many levels,
2. there are a ton of configuration choices,
3. there is an association of performance (not undeserved) with buying BMWs,
4. there is an association of brand name with reputation and quality.
Rarity and prestige has little to do with the fact that riezs' 540i is a joy to drive. Anyway onward and upward.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Now then, anyone know how often (and how reliable) the data is on the BMW Owner's circle web site? (for cars in production) I have come to the conclusion that it is not updated anything close to real-time.
HiC
To get the (real) status of a car in production, call BMW NA at 800-831-1117, select option 3 (I think), and give them your VIN or production number. They're usually able to give estimates on delivery as well.
HiC
Best Regards,
Shipo
I live about 6 miles from the US factory as the crow flies. BMWs are REALLY popular here.
It's interesting to see how the marketing dept. deals with a prestigious brand going downmarket (3 Series compact, C Class, etc.) to attract lower-end buyers. Quite a balancing act.
Shipo -- I never got very far into DME, VOR, etc. I've mainly done informal right seat/back seat training courtesy of a buddy with a license keeping up his hours. Mainly local VFR day and clear night work, with occasional cross-country jaunts to Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay or the NC Outer Banks. He belonged to a flying club based at MCAS Quantico. The club had a couple of old Marine-surplus T-34s, which were a blast to fly compared to the Cessna 172s. Alas, he has since retired and moved back home to NC.
Best Regards,
Shipo
A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
Owning BMWs for the right reason or wrong reasons, or even the buyers reasons.
demographic: (def)
a statistic characterizing human populations.
Who is my customer as defined by the marketing department?
The two of these are totally different and stereotypes and generalizations do not help the marketing department sell cars.
We don't need to get tangled up in stereotypes, generalizations, nor do we need to debate the definitions of same.
Let it go, please.
Thanks.
Encouraged by multiplechoice's experience getting two infant seats and a booster in his 540i, I attempted to get our three PegPerego infant seats in several E39s. To my surprise, they fit, probably only because the middle seat sits at a somewhat higher (and slightly forward) position. In addition, our folded Triple stroller and all three stroller seats were able to fit in the trunk, albeit only after several attempts at arranging the parts appropriately. Since our primarly baby mover will become our MDX, the E39 needed to serve as a capable (if not ideal) form of transport for the babies. Clearly, our '93 Integra GS-R would no longer do!
I'm thrilled with the car, and we got a good deal (more than 4K under TMV for a CPO car). The dealer let me drive it >100 miles on Tuesday to show the car to my wife at home, and it handled like a dream. I'm very excited about joining the ranks of E39 owners, and will look to further discussions on this board with interest.