Count down (up) to M-DCT Software Upgrade

[dawgdog]

I wonder if the mention of the downshifting issue in this month's Car and Driver will motivate BMW to fix the downshifting issue. The CTS-V had a better time than the BMW, but the speculation was that if the software glitch in the DCT were fixed this might not be the case.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I wonder if the mention of the downshifting issue in this month's Car and Driver will motivate BMW to fix the downshifting issue. The CTS-V had a better time than the BMW, but the speculation was that if the software glitch in the DCT were fixed this might not be the case.

+1

BMW needs to get off there ass and resolve this. Major magazines are repeating the problem and it is an embrassement that the problem first exists, and even worse hasn't been taken care of yet.

[GT3 Tim]

Yeah...my car has been sitting at the dealer for nearly 3 weeks now to resolve a few DCT related issues. 1 more week and I may just have them buy it back as it is ridiculous that I paid 70K for a car that I cannot drive safely.

[MarksM]

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

Yeah...my car has been sitting at the dealer for nearly 3 weeks now to resolve a few DCT related issues. 1 more week and I may just have them buy it back as it is ridiculous that I paid 70K for a car that I cannot drive safely.

You should be at the buyback count by now. Ask.

[newtom3]

what is this 'buyback count' .... can someone briefly explain? thx.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by ruff

Tiring subject and overly pessimistic.

WTF???

This is not at all tiring or pessimistic for those of us who own DCT cars with one or more of these glitches.

[MarksM]

Originally Posted by swamp2

WTF???

This is not at all tiring or pessimistic for those of us who own DCT cars with one or more of these glitches.

The bike seat must be cutting off circulation to certain key areas of ruff's anatomy.

[valeram]

Originally Posted by newtom3

what is this 'buyback count' .... can someone briefly explain? thx.

Lemon law, more than 30 days in the shop for the first year of service.

[valeram]

At least it is a well known problem that (I hope) BMW is aware of.

[Daas87]

Just to add to the list of issues. Launch Control at times will not upshift after second gear. Ive had that issue about 5 times now. I know others have complained of other Launch Control issues as well.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Daas87

Just to add to the list of issues. Launch Control at times will not upshift after second gear. Ive had that issue about 5 times now. I know others have complained of other Launch Control issues as well.

Some of the issues with LC seem to be people accidentally lifting their feet from the accelerator. Of course, I am not saying that there are not also real problems though and I am sure you've eliminated that possibility from your own attempts at reproducing the issue. I have yet to try it myself but plan to give it an exhaustive test once my car is broken in.

[BMWMB]

With almost 4000 miles on the counter, i've not yet tried LC. The acceleration with instant kickdown is more than fast enough for me...

[watrob]

Hi All,

In the Australian thread its been stated that the new DCT firmware is available and one person has had the M3 upgraded in Melbourne already and another one is booked in for it.

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by valeram

Lemon law, more than 30 days in the shop for the first year of service.

Yep....30 calendar days in the shop.

Also,

2 failed attempts if it is a serious safety issue that could result in death, etc. OR

4 failed attempts on other items.

I, personally, think the stalling IS a serious safety issue. That is why I am not driving the car until it is resolved. It stalled a few times in intersections with uncontrolled cross-traffic (no stop lights or signs for them). Had it been at night or foggy, my daughter and I could have been killed, no doubt. This is a serious safety issue for me. Furthermore, the "loss of power" issue has also left me hanging out in traffic a few times too. Very scary stuff...definately could have been injured or killed had the other drivers not been alert and conditions good.

Believe me, it pains me greatly to not be able to drive a car I spent over 70K on. I also invested in a full clear bra and other things such as a BMW alarm system, etc, etc. I have outlayed a lot of cash for this car, and for my enjoyment of the car and am not getting any. In fact, I am getting pretty stressed out about this whole thing. I have my letter ready to go off to BMW NA (requirement of the Lemon Law statue in California) and will send it today. If, for some reason, I get my car back soon. I will be video tapping EVERY TIME I go out for a drive. When these problems happen, I will have proof of such. From what I read, the update does not address the stalling and power loss issues I have been having. I hope it does....but I am prepared to demonstrate if it does not.

As always, I will keep you posted, unless I have to sign a gag order to settle this.

[ihyln]

I feel for you Tim, both of our cars were completed at the same time and we waited in earnest. If this were to happen to me I'd be put off by BMW forever (well maybe not forever but at least a couple of years). I hope BMWNA makes it up to you.

[newtom3]

reading some of this, I wonder why I placed an order for a 2009 M3.... maybe I won't take delivery.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by watrob

Hi All,

In the Australian thread its been stated that the new DCT firmware is available and one person has had the M3 upgraded in Melbourne already and another one is booked in for it.

Here's the thread and post for anyone who's curious:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...96#post3428796

As far as I can tell thought, the guy who's car got the update has only had it back for about a day, and his issues were sporadic to begin with. So I don't think it can be said for sure that his issues have been fixed. Also, there were no details posted about what this update should address.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

As always, I will keep you posted, unless I have to sign a gag order to settle this.

Thank you Tim. I sure hope they don't force you to sign a gag order. This problem is clearly serious and needs to be brought to everyone's attention. If you sign off, we'll keep the thread alive. Everyone has the right to know the potential problems with this transmission.

That said I remain confident that BMW will step up the plate, fix these issues and make everything right. I haven't experienced any problems yet myself, but if I do I will definitely be persistent with them until it is fixed.

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Thank you Tim. I sure hope they don't force you to sign a gag order. This problem is clearly serious and needs to be brought to everyone's attention. If you sign off, we'll keep the thread alive. Everyone has the right to know the potential problems with this transmission.

That said I remain confident that BMW will step up the plate, fix these issues and make everything right. I haven't experienced any problems yet myself, but if I do I will definitely be persistent with them until it is fixed.

I fully expect them to correct the situation too. If they can fix the car, great. If not, I am sure they will handle it to my satisfaction.

This is my 3rd M3, and I love the cars.....I think my issues are pretty isolated and do not think my issues reflect poorly on the company. When you build something with a mass of hardware, controllers, and software....things can get scrwed up! lol. I understand this, and simply want it handled.

How they end up resolving these matters will paint the truer picture of the company though.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

I fully expect them to correct the situation too. If they can fix the car, great. If not, I am sure they will handle it to my satisfaction.

This is my 3rd M3, and I love the cars.....I think my issues are pretty isolated and do not think my issues reflect poorly on the company. When you build something with a mass of hardware, controllers, and software....things can get scrwed up! lol. I understand this, and simply want it handled.

How they end up resolving these matters will paint the truer picture of the company though.

If it makes you feel any better I was one of the first 335s in the country, and thus was one of the first HPFP failures. The collateral exchange/trade assist that I got from my dealer / BMW was handled flawlessly. The car itself was fine, just took 40 days to get the part in, yet they still realized the lemon law would take affect and offered me the solution without me having to ask. Funny part was, as long as I had a loaner, I would have taken my original car back with no compensation, so they really impressed me.

This is why I have no fears with ordering an M3, and had my business gone a little better a little faster I would already have one in the garage, regardless of the various issues that some have reported with the car and more specifically the MDCT.

If I were you, I would not worry at all....

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

If it makes you feel any better I was one of the first 335s in the country, and thus was one of the first HPFP failure. The collateral exchange/trade assist that I got from my dealer / BMW was handled flawlessly. The car itself was fine, just took 40 days to get the part in, yet they still realized the lemon law would take affect and offered me the solution without me having to ask. Funny part was, as long as I had a loaner, I would have taken my original car back with no compensation, so they really impressed me.

This is why I have no fears with ordering an M3, and had my business gone a little better a little faster I would already have one in the garage, regardless of the various issues that some have reported with the car and more specifically the MDCT.

If I were you, I would not worry at all....

Thanks for your comment and insight. I too am confident they will handle this to my satisfaction. I have heard good things about BMW taking care of their customers and expect that to hold true. I also own a Lexus. If BMW is even half as good as they have been, I will be pretty happy.

Nonetheless, I must send that letter to BMW NA simply to cover my butt. It is a statutory requirement in California if one wishes to go down the Lemon Law path. Thus, I have to send the letter, just in case.

[Androo]

Hey,

I'm the one that posted over in the aussie section regarding DCT upgrade. Yes you are correct, car has only been back for a day everything seems fine. Now looking at his receipt I'm not sure if this is the new version they downloaded or not this is what was printed on his receipt. Maybe you guys know what the code means.

M-DCT PROGRAM 284008 (001)
Inspection using diagnosis and information systems.
Performing battery "power reset"

I know its pretty vague and i'm not up with all the technical stuff like you guys. My car is going in next Tuesday and i'll try and grab as much info as I can and post the outcome.

Cheers.