2008 BMW M3 Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2008 BMW M3 WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. EVER SINCE BMW INSTALLED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX A SIMILAR NHTSA ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, MY CAR SUFFERS FROM A SUDDEN POWER LOSS WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS LEADS TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND TRAFFIC AROUND ME CONTINUES TO MOVE. *TR

UPON SLOWING DOWN, THEN ATTEMPTING TO RESUME POWER, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LAGS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS . WHEN TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC, THIS LAG LEAVES THE VEHICLE IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS SLOWED. *TR

MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE "DCT" TRANSMISSION. AT LOWER SPEEDS, THERE IS A DELAY OF 1+ SECONDS IN THROTTLE RESPONSE IN "D MODE" (SIMILAR TO AN AUTOMATIC MODE). THIS HAS LEFT ME IN LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS SEVERAL TIMES IN INTERSECTIONS WITH NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ONCOMING CARS. I FEEL I CANNOT TRUST THE VEHICLE TO MOVE WHEN I NEED IT TO. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY FOR THIS ISSUE AND AM ONLY REFERRED TO BMW SI B 28 07 08 AS AN EXPLANATION, WHICH IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

ISSUE WITH THROTTLE NOT RESPONDING WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION CAR (2008 BMW M3). THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT RENDERS THE CAR UNRESPONSIVE TO THROTTLE INPUT AND THEREFORE INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TIME DELAY IN SHIFTING OR LAG WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. *TR

WHENEVER THE CAR IS MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THERE IS A LAG BETWEEN THE MOMENT THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND THE TIME THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS ACCELERATING. THUS, DURING THIS LAG, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE CAR! THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

I HAVE A 08 BMW M3 WITH DCT TRANSMISSION. IT RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE MONTHS AGO TO FIX A TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PATTERN. IT DID SOLVE THAT ISSUE BUT IT CREATED A MUCH WORSE ONE. THE CAR NOW, WHEN DECELERATING FROM NORMAL SPEEDS AND REACHES A SPEED WHERE IT SHOULD BE ENGAGING INTO 2ND GEAR, IT DOES NOT FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE IS WHEN I SLOW DOWN AT AN INTERSECTION, COME OUT OF STREET AND MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, TRY TO MAKE A U-TURN, TURN INTO A BUSINESS ETC. THIS CREATES A SCENARIO THAT IF YOU ARE AT A BUSY ROAD AND LETS SAY DOING 45 MPH AND YOU SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN TO A SLOW SPEED THAT YOU CAR SHOULD ENGAGE 2 OR 3RD GEAR AND IT SITS THERE FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND IT SEEMS TO BE "LOOKING" FOR A GEAR TO CHOOSE AND IT SIMPLY DOES NOT RESPOND. TO TRY TO COMPENSATE, THE NATURAL REACTION IS TO STEP ON THE GAS A BIT MORE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR THEN, WHEN IT DECIDES TO ENGAGE 2ND GEAR, LURCHES FORWARDS IN A VERY ABRUPT MANNER. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO SINCE THAT PAUSE IS A GREAT DEAL OF DISTANCE TRAVELED BY THE CAR BEHIND YOU AND IT KEEPS GOING. THE LAG IN THE TRANSMISSION CREATES DRASTIC VOID IN POWER AND THERE YOU SIT LIKE A FISH IN A BARREL HOPING A CAR OR AN 18-WHEELER DOES NOT HIT YOU FROM BEHIND. I HAVE HAD 3 VERY CLOSE TIMES MAKING A U-TURN IN A BUSY STREET THAT MY CAR WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT! ONCE IT CREATED ROAD RAGE WITH THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THAT ALMOST HIT ME AND THE OTHER PERSON ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN AS TO NOT HIT ME. BMW HAS CHOSEN TO BE NON-COMMUNICATIVE WITH ITS CUSTOMERS AND EVEN STATING THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR A DCT TRANSMISSION WHICH IS NOT. THIS DID NOT EXIST BEFORE THE LAST SOFTWARE UPDATE 31.2. IT IS VERY CONCERNING THAT BMW HAS TAKING THIS STANCE. I 'M AN AVID AUTO ENTHUSIAST & AN ER DOC AND TRUST ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT IF THEY DO NOT FIX THIS SOON PLEASE HELP! *TR

THE CAR HAS A DANGEROUS THROTTLE LAG AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO FASTER TRAFFIC, IT CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR UP TO 2 SECONDS. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A COUPLE TIMES. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION, I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN A RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR. BMW CURRENTLY IS NOT OFFERING A SOLUTION AND CALLING THE PROBLEM NORMAL. *TR

2008 BMW M3 W/DCT - I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND HAD SLOWED TO MAYBE 5MPH WHEN TRAFFIC ON THE OTHER SIDE HAD OPENED ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN, I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DID NOTHING BUT CONTINUE TO ROLL AT ABOUT 5MPH TOWARDS THE DRIVEWAY IN THE ON-COMING LANES, WHERE THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE QUICKLY APPROACHING. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS OF HESITATION THE GEAR ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND NARROWLY AVOID BEING BROADSIDED BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC. HAD THE HESITATION BEEN FOR ANY LONGER, TRAFFIC BEEN MOVING ANY FASTER, OR THERE BEING ANY LESS OF A GAP IN TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE EITHER OF BEEN HIT, OR CAUSED THE ON-COMING DRIVERS TO HAVE LOCKED UP THEIR BRAKES POSSIBLY CAUSING THEM TO BE REAR-ENDED. THIS TRANSMISSION HESITATION IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND IS ALWAYS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN IF MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER DRIVES THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT I REGRET NOT GETTING A STANDARD MANUAL WHERE I AM AT LEAST IN FULL CONTROL OF WHEN/IF THE CLUTCH ENGAGES AND AM IN MY SELECTED GEAR AS QUICKLY AS MY ARM CAN MOVE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS HESITATION, THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT ISSUE SINCE THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE, I BELIEVE I HAVE SOFTWARE VERSION 31.2. *TR

MY 2008 BMW M3 E92 RAPIDLY SLOWS WHEN THE DCT TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING. THE CAR LAGS AND HAS ALMOST STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH. BMW NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE FOR ALL OF THESE VIN PRODUCTION CARS. ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. *TR THANKS BRAD LARKIN

I HAVE A 2008 BMW M3 WITH A DCT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY HAS A LAG WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM ROLLING STOPS AND WHEN MERGING. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AT THE WHEELS, ESP. IN HIGH SPEED SITUATIONS, IE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO BUSY HIGHWAYS. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 BMW M3 WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF HAS MANY ERRORS IN SECOND GEAR. IF YOU SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP AND PUT YOUR FOOT BACK ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN INTERSECTIONS WHILE TURNING LEFT BEFORE. WHEN YOU'VE GOT CARS COMING AT YOU AT HIGH SPEED AND YOU'VE GOT NO POWER, IT WILL DEFINITELY GET YOUR HEART BEATING A LITTLE FASTER FOR A MINUTE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT REALLY IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT ANY DCT DRIVER CAN REPLICATE EASILY. BMW NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A VIABLE SOLUTION EVEN IF IT MEANS HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS, AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON. FOR AS MUCH AS THE UPGRADE COSTS, IT SHOULD WORK THE WAY THEY ADVERTISE. *TR

WHILE DECELERATING IN 2ND OR 1ST GEAR UNDER LIGHT BRAKING THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER FOR TWO TO THREE SECONDS. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THIS HAPPENED MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE. HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEEN CLOSER WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT MID SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BMW REPORTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR OF THIS TRANSMISSION HOWEVER I FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

AFTER SLOWING FOR A YIELD SIGN, PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE, FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION. BUMPED TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME DURING THE SURGE. CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REARENDED ME WHEN MY CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 BMW M3 EQUIPPED WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION AND MY ISSUE IS THE LAG WITH 2-3 GEARS, THIS IS MY DAILY COMMUTER CAR AND FOR SOME ONE WHO IS STUCK IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND 45 MILES EACH WAY I CANT NOT DRIVE MY CAR ANY MORE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I'VE BECOME REALLY FRUSTRATED BY THIS BEHAVIOR. IT'S NOT AT ALL INTERMITTENT -- IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR DROPS INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN SLOWING (AND NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING). DECELERATING TO TURN CORNERS IS AN EXERCISE IN FRUSTRATION (ESPECIALLY WITH PASSENGERS IN THE CAR) BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER RIGHT AWAY... AND IF IT DOES, IT DOES SO RAPIDLY, THROWING EVERYONE'S HEADS INTO THE HEADRESTS. I'VE TRIED UPSHIFTING TO THIRD GEAR, BUT THERE'S A LAG IN THAT AS WELL IF I'VE ALREADY GIVEN THE CAR SOME GAS. I'VE HAD THE FIRST SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED WHICH HAS NOT DONE MUCH. *TR

DURING A ROLLING STOP SITUATION WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY ANY ACCELERATION (SUCH AS A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN), THERE IS A THROTTLE DELAY AND THE VEHICLE HAS THE FEELING OF AN "ENGINE STALL" AND LOSSES ALL POWER FOR 1-2 SECONDS WHILE IT SEARCHES FOR A GEAR. THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND CAN BE RECREATED AT ANYTIME. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS BECAUSE YOU ARE UNABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING VEHICLES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ON THE INTERNET AND CONFIRMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE TRANSMISSION. (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SB SI B 28 07 08) HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THEIR VEHICLE UNDERWENT A RECENT RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPDATES. VEHICLE 2008 BMW M3 WITH M DCT TRANSMISSION. *TR

I AM EXTREMELY TROUBLED BY ONE PARTICULAR PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED FROM THE OUTSET: THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 1 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP (5KM/HR OR LESS) THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE (RESIDENTIAL 30-40KM/HR, CITY ROADS 50-70KM/HR, OR HIGHWAY 90KM/HR+). THE PROBLEM IS ACUTE IN 'D' MODE, BUT OCCURS IN 'S' MODE AS WELL. *TR

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE M-DCT TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED ON MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS BROUGHT TO A NEAR STOP SUCH AS AT AN INTERSECTION, AND THEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR TO TRY AND PULL AWAY QUICKLY. IN THIS CASE THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, POTENTIALLY LEAVING THE CAR UNRESPONSIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE COASTING SLOWLY INTO THE INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THIS BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT SAFE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS EXACERBATED BY A PRIOR SOFTWARE UPDATE WHOSE INTENTION WAS TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS OF THE TRANSMISSION. SO THE BEHAVIOR IS CLEARLY NOT GERMANE TO THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF, IT IS INSTEAD THE RESULT OF GLITCHY SOFTWARE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RIGHTLY BE OBLIGATED TO FIX. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF THE OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE AND SINCERELY HOPE IT CAN BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

2008 BMW M3 DCT THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON OCTOBER 2008. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS A SEVERE LAG ISSUE UPON BRAKING THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE THROTTLE DOES NOT RESPOND FOR A 1-2 SECONDS. *TR

I HAVE A BMW M3 WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. SINCE GETTING A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX ANOTHER NHTSA ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, MY CAR WILL HAVE NO POWER AT ALL FOR A COUPLE SECONDS WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 10MPH, AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS LEADS TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN CARS ARE COMING AT ME AND THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THIS OCCURS MAINLY WHEN THE DCT IS SET TO THE AUTOMATIC MODE. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS OCCURS PRETTY MUCH EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 10-15MPH FROM 40MPH OR MORE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOLD THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THIS IS NORMAL!! BMW IS AWARE OF THIS AND TOLD THE DEALERS IT'S NORMAL. MANY MORE COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.M3POST.COM/FORUMS. *TR

I HAVE NOTICED SINCE THE SAFETY RECALL ON THE M-DCT GEARBOX: THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 2 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS RESULTS IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO JUST "COAST". THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE . THE PROBLEM IS ACUTE IN "D" MODE, BUT OCCURS IN "S" MODE AS WELL IN 2ND GEAR. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND RATHER THAN INCREASE YOUR ACCELERATION NORMALLY, THE CAR WILL JUST COAST WITH NO POWER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH A CHANCE OF A CAR REAR ENDING ME BECAUSE THE GEARBOX IS FUNCTIONING LIKE THIS. *TR

I HAVE THE DCT TRANSMISSION WITH MY 2008 BMW M3 AND THE LAG IS VERY UNSAFE. DEALER SAYING NO FIX AND PROBLEM NOT UNSAFE. *TR

I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKING AN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT BMWNA IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR" FOR MY CAR/TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT, BUT THEY WERE TOLD BY BMW THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR." THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN- LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ONSET OF POWER- UP TO 2-3 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER IS USUALLY REALLY DIGGING INTO THE THROTTLE. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD, SOMETIMES INVOKING THE ANTI-SKIP CONTROL. THE DANGER IN THIS BEHAVIOR OCCURS WHEN MAKING A TURN INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 10-15 MPH. AFTER THE TURN, THE CAR IS POSITIONED IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, BUT YOU HAVE NO POWER TO ACCELERATE INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE ONCOMING CARS ARE NOW CLOSING IN ON YOUR CAR AT A FAST RATE, AND YOU'RE BASICALLY STUCK. THIS SITUATION IS MOST PRONOUNCED IN THE "AUTO" MODE OF THE DCT TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO OCCURS TO A LESSER DEGREE WHILE IN THE MANUAL MODE WHEN YOU SELECT SECOND GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR THE TURN. IT IS ALSO VERY REPEATABLE IN BOTH MODES. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AFTER A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD STALL UNDER HARD BRAKING OR NOT SHIFT UNDER HARD BRAKING. THE RECALL FIXED THAT PROBLEM, BUT INTRODUCED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WHEREAS THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED DURING A SPECIFIC SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS DANGEROUS MATTER. *TR

M3 WITH DCT AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN AT LOWER SPEEDS GOING AROUND CORNERS. THERE IS A LONG DELAY BEFORE IT SHIFTS SO ITS DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAS PERFORMED THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASED AND MULTIPLE SOFTWARE REPROGRAMMING HAS NOT REMEDIED. WHEN TURNING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 1200 MILES AND CONTINUES AT 5000 MILES. THE DEALER PUT FLUID IN TO REMEDY AND SAID TO WAIT 300-500 MILES FOR IT TO GO AWAY. THAT WAS OVER 1500 MILES AGO................. *TR

THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE M-DCT AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN THE E92 BMW M3. IT IS A RECURRING ISSUE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, SAY WHEN COASTING AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN IT'S D MODE (AUTOMATIC LIKE MODE), WHEN YOU QUICKLY TRANSITION FROM LIGHT BRAKING TO MEDIUM THROTTLE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE BECOMES COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PEDAL INPUT AND OFFERS NO ACCELERATION. AFTER A DELAY OF A SECOND OR SO THE CAR WILL REV A BIT, SLIP THE CLUTCH AND ACCELERATE STRONGLY. THIS OCCURRENCE IS NOT UNIVERSAL BUT IS COMMON. ANY TIME YOU MAKE SUCH A TRANSITION AND REQUIRE THE VEHICLE TO "OBEY" AND ACCELERATE AS PER YOUR USE OF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLES MARKED LACK OF ACCELERATION CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE. SUCH OBVIOUS CASES INCLUDE LANE CHANGES, INTERSECTIONS WITH A YIELD OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER A TURN. THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS FOR OWNERS OF THIS CAR. *TR

ON SATURDAY, JULY 26TH, I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY HOME (AFTER A LONG CRANKING START) AND THE CAR SEEMED DRIVE NORMALLY UNTIL I TURNED TO ENTER A SHOPPING CENTER(FORTUNATELY, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY HOME, AS IT TURNS OUT). WHILE DRIVING INTO THE SHOPPING CENTER ENTRANCE (10 OR 15 MILES PER HOUR) I FELT A JOLT AND THE CAR SLOWED DRAMATICALLY. I CHECKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO SEE IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, BUT HAD NOT. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, PUT IN THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE CAR BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE ENGINE 'TURNED OVER' BUT WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. AT THIS POINT, I USED BMW ASSIST TO GET HELP SINCE I WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKING A BUSY INTERSECTION WITHIN THE SHOPPING CENTER. A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER MY CALL TO BMW ASSIST. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER POINTED OUT A LEAK AND PUDDLE/STAIN ON THE ASPHALT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE STAIN WAS ABOUT 2 BY 3 FEET. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF GASOLINE. WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO NOTICED GAS STILL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND DRIPPING ON THE GROUND. A LOANER CAR AND I WAS ON MY WAY. ON MONDAY, JULY 28TH I CALLED THE SA TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE CAR AT ABOUT 3:00 PM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND A CONNECTING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND SHOULD BE ON HAND BY WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 TO BE INSTALLED. I ASKED ABOUT THE HOSE, AND THE RESULTING GASOLINE LEAK AND HE COMMENTED ABOUT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS THAT HAD BEEN SPRAYED OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE. THERE EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FIRE DUE TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE GASOLINE LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPAIR THE PUMP AND HOSE UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IS A BMW 335I. *TR

CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTS MISFIRING AND LOSES POWER. AFTERWARD THE ENGINE IS RUNNING ROUGH AND CONTINUES IN "ENGINE FAILURE" MODE WITH REDUCED POWER. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. FUEL PUMP REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND KEEPS FAILING WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE IS 2008 BMW 335I. *TR

FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER 188 MILES. CAR ALREADY SHOWED SYMPTOM 1 DAY AFTER DELIVERY. HESITATED TO START. DEALER DIAGNOSED DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT. IMPORTANT NOTE TO CAR. IT IS A 335I, MODEL TYPE E93. YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T LIST IT, SO I USED M3. *TR

CAR HAD LONGER AND LONGER CRANK TIMES AT STARTUP. OVER THE SPAN OF A WEEK THE STARTUP TIME BEFORE IGNITION TOOK UP TO 5 SECONDS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN, AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. REPLACED BY DEALER FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

MY WINDSHIELD EASILY GETS ROCK CHIPS AND DENTS. IT APPEARS THAT ANY ROCKS/PEBBLES THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD RESULT IN A DENT. I ONLY HAVE 1,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALREADY HAVE ABOUT 4 CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD IT EASILY BECOMES TARNISHED. *TR

CAR = BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE WITH COMFORT ACCESS OPTION YEAR = 2008 AND 2007 (HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE REQUIRED OPTION = COMFORT ACCESS FOR REMOTE ROOF OPEN/CLOSE 1) WHILE EVERYONE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR WITH THE ROOF OPEN THE SALESMAN DEMONSTRATED THE REMOTE ACCESS OPTION CLOSING THE ROOF. 2) THE ROOF CLOSED. 3) I REACHED INTO THE REAR WINDOW TO TOUCH SOMETHING IN THE BACK SEAT AREA 4) THE WINDOWS RAISED UP CATCHING MY ARM BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE HARD-TOP ROOF. 5) MY ARM WAS CAUGHT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS THE SALESMAN TRIED TO COMMAND EITHER THE WINDOW TO LOWER OR THE ROOF OPERATION TO REVERSE. 6) THE REMOTE ACCESS ROOF CLOSURE PROGRAM RELENTLESSLY TRIED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW EVEN THOUGH MY ARM WAS NOW FULLY CAUGHT AND MY WIFE (IN TEARS) NOR THE SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER STAFF AT THE LARGE DEALERSHIP COULD HELP ME. 7) I FINALLY PULLED MY ELBOW PAST THE WINDOW SUFFERING MINOR SCRAPES AND SOME FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT NERVE DAMAGE. 8) I AM GLAD THAT IT WASN'T MY NECK OR THE APPENDAGE OF A CHILD. I NOTIFIED BMW AG AND BMW USA OF THIS EVENT. IT IS LIKELY THEY WILL TAKE NO AUTONOMOUS ACTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION THE REAR WINDOWS NEED PINCH PROTECTION CIRCUITRY AND THE REMOTE ACCESS CLOSING PROGRAM NEEDS A TIME-OUT FUNCTION RATHER THAN THE RELENTLESS "MUST CLOSE WINDOWS" PROGRAM THAT IS CURRENTLY A THREAT TO ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO GET CAUGHT DURING THIS OPERATION. *TR

BMW M3 EXPERIENCING SOS FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SOS FAILURE WARNING AND RADIO DID NOT WORK. SHE STATES THAT IT WAS UNINTELLIGIBLE WHEN SHE PRESSED THE SOS BUTTON. DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE OK. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY HIS NON BMW CELL PHONE WHICH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE TCU, WHICH CAUSED IT TO LOCKED UP AND SHUT DOWN DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE. *JB