XBimmers X1   XBimmers X1
  XBimmers X1

Go Back   XBimmers | BMW X1 Forum > BMW X1 Forums > General BMW X1 (E84) Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-22-2014, 08:31 PM   #1
jm60011
New Member
1
Rep
13
Posts

Drives: X1 35i
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

35i transmission question

Hey guys,

Random question, I have about 3000km on the clock now and my only real disappointment with the car is the tranny. I had high hopes, from reading a lot of reviews, also liked the idea of the 6spd robustness over the 8spd. I came from a GTI with DSG and it was 100x better then what I am dealing with (quality of shifts and smoothness). Since the first week I have had really odd shifts especially in the lower gears, seems to be hunting for the best gear, lurching upon finally deciding what gear it wants. Doesn't give me the solid German feel that my dad's old 02 SL500 gives. Just over all feels very sloppy, especially for being German. I have driven all kinds if cars in my life, father owned a car wash for 15+ years of my life. Really I am just wondering if any other owners feel this, or is the something possibly amiss with my tranny? I also have flashed the Alpina software to try and make it smoother and shift better and i really like what the software does but it just doesn't eliminate the sloppiness of the tranny, and in some cases makes it lurch harder because the shifts are so much quicker.. Any insight would be much appreciated, also if it is normal I would like to know because I really don't want to hassle the dealer for no reason and I don't just want them changing things for no reason, in a lot of cases this makes things worse before better.

Thanks for looking
Jm
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2014, 09:09 PM   #2
Njerts
Lieutenant
Canada
125
Rep
545
Posts

Drives: x3 m40i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Vancouver,BC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by jm60011 View Post
I came from a GTI with DSG
I have the same problem coming from a DSG to the 8 speed, I think the 8 speed is a bit better than the average automatic, but it will never be a dual clutch.
Biggest problem form me though is when I kick down, out of all the gears it will pick the one 500 rpm away from red-line
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2014, 09:45 PM   #3
EdgeCrusher
Private First Class
44
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

I would suggest getting the Alpina mod done. Everyone that has done it says it cures this. I am going to try this before I give up on the car.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2014, 08:19 AM   #4
bosstones
Lieutenant Colonel
1144
Rep
1,532
Posts

Drives: o_0
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Suburbia

iTrader: (0)

I haven't noticed any lurching or searching for gears. Downshifts at lower speeds are sometimes not 100% smooth but I wouldn't call them rough either. It is usually when it goes to 1st (I think) at very low speed. It is nothing that bothers me, though. My only gripe is likely cured by the Alpina SW......coming from manual cars, the slowness of downshifts from when I want them annoys me. It is not as bad in DS compared to kickdown with the gas pedal but there is still a noticeable lag even with the shift paddles. Too bad we don't get the manual version in the US.
__________________

Last edited by bosstones; 05-23-2014 at 08:26 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2014, 11:57 AM   #5
cwickberg
Second Lieutenant
30
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: X1 35i MSport Ultimate,
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

I have the Alpina trans flash and it is like night and day... The flash transforms the transmission into a quick, smooth shifting transmission while getting a bit more mpg during normal driving. It is BMW software and it completely integrates into the car and is 100% reversible.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2014, 12:49 PM   #6
jm60011
New Member
1
Rep
13
Posts

Drives: X1 35i
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Yes I know, I have the flash .. It is definitely very good and does whats advertised, but still there is a lot of slop in the tranny.. The more I think about it I think it could have something to do with the TQ converter, driving at a linear but slow pace while accelerating it will hang the gear (1st 2nd or 3rd) while waiting for it to reach the desired shift point and then once it does it drops it into gear and the rpms drop but then immediately after the rpms shoot up a few hundred rpm causing nasty lurches/clunks.. Very weird and hard to explain
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2014, 01:14 PM   #7
Red Bread
Major General
United_States
4462
Rep
9,160
Posts

Drives: Smog machines
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Ours does the same thing. Our previous 135i was more composed, with the same transmission. I blame the awd.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2014, 01:16 PM   #8
jm60011
New Member
1
Rep
13
Posts

Drives: X1 35i
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

I wish the converter would just lock up once it is out of 1st... That would be the only way to clean up the sloppiness.
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2014, 12:13 PM   #9
flguy400
New Member
8
Rep
21
Posts

Drives: X1
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Oxford

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Njerts View Post
I have the same problem coming from a DSG to the 8 speed, I think the 8 speed is a bit better than the average automatic, but it will never be a dual clutch.
Biggest problem form me though is when I kick down, out of all the gears it will pick the one 500 rpm away from red-line
ill take the slightly slower shifting 8 speed zf tranny which will be very reliable and not so expensive to repair over the as of yet unproven DSG tranny which has to have the transmission fluid replaced every 40k miles and if it fails, your out $5000 to replace when your car only cost $20000.
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2014, 01:05 PM   #10
Njerts
Lieutenant
Canada
125
Rep
545
Posts

Drives: x3 m40i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Vancouver,BC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I agree, the 8 speed is definitely the best auto box I ever drove. Even driving it manually does not feel weird like in other cars.
I also like the direct feeling, as if there is no tourqe converter (I am sure it has one though)
The n55 engine with this transmission would be amazing.
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2014, 02:41 PM   #11
themishmosh
First Lieutenant
34
Rep
372
Posts

Drives: BMW X1 xDrive35i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

I've only had the car a couple of weeks but notice that the shifts are slow and it often does lurch into gear. Even when I give barely noticeable throttle and shift up into the next gear, the car will lurch forward. Hoping the Alpina flash will rectify some of the shifting woes but I want to read more about it before I do it. I will say that the paddle shifter make missing a manual a little less painful.
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2014, 05:58 PM   #12
cwickberg
Second Lieutenant
30
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: X1 35i MSport Ultimate,
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by themishmosh View Post
I've only had the car a couple of weeks but notice that the shifts are slow and it often does lurch into gear. Even when I give barely noticeable throttle and shift up into the next gear, the car will lurch forward. Hoping the Alpina flash will rectify some of the shifting woes but I want to read more about it before I do it. I will say that the paddle shifter make missing a manual a little less painful.
I recommend the Alpina Flash, had it since march. it is seamless, makes the transmission perform much better, is a BMW software and is 100% reversible.
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2014, 07:24 PM   #13
themishmosh
First Lieutenant
34
Rep
372
Posts

Drives: BMW X1 xDrive35i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cwickberg View Post
I recommend the Alpina Flash, had it since march. it is seamless, makes the transmission perform much better, is a BMW software and is 100% reversible.
Thanks. I noticed that you bought your own cable? Is it useful for something else in the future? Also, which one is the one to get? In one thread, there is a cable that is $99, and $39 for another one in a different thread. Plan to get cn555ci to do it remotely.
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2014, 08:07 PM   #14
danielj
Second Lieutenant
United_States
16
Rep
201
Posts

Drives: 2018 x2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Seattle, WA USA

iTrader: (0)

I had a 2010 GTI w/ DSG prior to this x1. I do love that DSG transmission and wish the 6 cylinder had the 8 speed trans over the old school 6 speed. IMO, its not the best performing transmission but not all that bad either. I have not downshift/hunting for gear complaints with mine. All in all it's pretty smooth. I just wish the shifts were a little more quick and swift.
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2014, 09:22 PM   #15
EdgeCrusher
Private First Class
44
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by danielj View Post
I had a 2010 GTI w/ DSG prior to this x1. I do love that DSG transmission and wish the 6 cylinder had the 8 speed trans over the old school 6 speed. IMO, its not the best performing transmission but not all that bad either. I have not downshift/hunting for gear complaints with mine. All in all it's pretty smooth. I just wish the shifts were a little more quick and swift.
Alpina Flash will fix that.... its very close to DSG/DCT you can get!
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2014, 10:05 PM   #16
danielj
Second Lieutenant
United_States
16
Rep
201
Posts

Drives: 2018 x2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Seattle, WA USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdgeCrusher View Post
Alpina Flash will fix that.... its very close to DSG/DCT you can get!
Not really worth it to fix something that isn't that bothersome - especially on a lease and that I only drive 4k miles /yr.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2014, 01:14 PM   #17
cwickberg
Second Lieutenant
30
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: X1 35i MSport Ultimate,
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by themishmosh View Post
Thanks. I noticed that you bought your own cable? Is it useful for something else in the future? Also, which one is the one to get? In one thread, there is a cable that is $99, and $39 for another one in a different thread. Plan to get cn555ci to do it remotely.
Got the $99 cable, although i bought it from a BMW enthusiast for less.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2014, 02:19 PM   #18
zeevette
Unllicensed
zeevette's Avatar
United_States
29
Rep
444
Posts

Drives: 2013 X1 35i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pasco, WA. USA

iTrader: (0)

Most modern "pure" autos are confused by sudden changes in throttle input. It probably because of their tuning for emissions. Mine only lurches slightly when I start to accelerate quickly, and then lift the throttle, and then start to accelerate again. Same thing in my wife's Edge, and our old Acura TLS.


BTW, I also came directly from a GTI ('13), but mine was a manual.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2014, 07:26 PM   #19
themishmosh
First Lieutenant
34
Rep
372
Posts

Drives: BMW X1 xDrive35i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Just got the Alpina flash and some coding done tonight by cn555ci (Steven) remotely. My car is a 2015 and only 3 weeks old. The Alpina flash went smoothly but he could not get NCS Expert to recognize my car initially to fix the paddle shifters not working. Finally, I think he transferred newer data files to my laptop to get it to work. With the work and expertise involved in flashing and coding, I definitely would not recommend you do this yourself--and I consider myself a "tech" guy.

Loving the quick shifts. Still a little slop like the OP mentions when in gear, especially with light/partial throttle or coasting, but such is life with a non DCT auto. Definitely recommended for people who enjoy a more sporting ride. Love the coding features too!
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2014, 10:54 PM   #20
lenwood
New Member
1
Rep
21
Posts

Drives: 2013 x135i msport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: norcal

iTrader: (0)

alpina flash

have a 2013 35i msport. did the trans flash a month ago . had it done locally here, night and day improvement espescially in manual sport mode. shifts are instantaneous and almost dsg like. highly recommended from a guy used to bmw manual slush boxes.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2014, 11:16 PM   #21
wantm135i
Lieutenant
wantm135i's Avatar
United_States
43
Rep
463
Posts

Drives: x1 35i m sport
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: va

iTrader: (0)

alpina flash is even better when you mod. thanks Steven.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2014, 09:17 PM   #22
aferguson7
New Member
4
Rep
27
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW X135i Xdrive MSport
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland, TX

iTrader: (0)

Would doing this flash possibly void the manufacturer's warranty?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST