New '04 X-5 3.0i, throttle problem?

[Grumpy1]

Hi,
New owner of an 04 X-5 3.0i for a few days now. Picked it up in Germany but had to wait for it to be built in and shipped from the states! Anyway, I can't believe the ergonomics of the throttle. It feels VERY unnatural. It travels about an inch with no response then pours on the gas with a surge. Not a smooth (or safe) design, if this is in fact a design (flaw?). Is this the same for others? I almost hit the back of my (tiny German) garage the first time I backed it in. The German dealer says, (of course in typical German fashion) "this is normal for BMW - you must get used to it."
Also, I was only allowed to test drive the 3.0d (diesel). The one I drove seemed to have plenty of power. I was told, (and assumed) the 3.0i that I would buy had at least as much power as the diesel, but I am somewhat disappointed in the performance. Any opinions on this? My impression is that most people in the states are getting the bigger engine.
Overall, it handles great, and looks great, but I'm not as impressed with the BMW engineers as I thought I would be. (Don't get me started on the fact that they can only provide a tape player with the navigation system!)

[scoobyfung]

and i thought i was hallucinating! i'm new owner after just one week. i live in hong kong and have experienced the same problem. i have driven many bmws before and this one really does not top the list.

problems i have found so far:

1. during temp of 50C rainy condition, my headlight casing fogged up from the inside. i have seen this problem on mercedes before. it's a defect for sure.

2. delayed acceleration. bmws i have driven before are ultra responsive. you touch the gas pedal and off it goes. i have same problem as you and it takes more than an inch before it goes "zoom!" i am now trying to get used to this but it's taking time.

3. rear parking distance control does not shut off even after i change gear back to Park!!!! this really sux! i have never seen a worse design flaw than this. even cheap ass after market sensors i have installed in my other car works better. scenario: i back up, i stop, i change to Park, i stay in the car for another minute to gather my belongings, and the damn thing is still beeping.

...and of course, the hong kong dealer says that this is completely normal. normal my ass! anyways, i doubt there is anything we can do at this point besides gathering more of the same comments and email it back to bmw in germany, but my experience is that they will pass the email back to the local level....ie hong kong and have the dealer talk to me.

any suggestions?

scooby

[Grumpy1]

Finally, an answer! I was beginning to think this forum was not worth much!
I also have the same problem with the park distance control. I put it in park the other day and walked around back and it beeped at me. I couldn't believe it! Why would it still work in park? And yes the dealer says these things are "normal" meaning they are all that way. But they will not admit that they made a mistake with the DESIGN.
Overall I am very disatisfied. It makes me appreciate my Durango much more. I have 30% more power with the same gas mileage. I have a heck of a lot more cargo/passenger space, it drives almost as nice and it cost me a heck of a lot less money. If it wasn't for my wife, who likes the X-5 (and technically it's hers) I'd take it back to the dealer and say give me my money back (which I could do in the states, but I don't think so in Germany).

Grumpy1

[Grumpy1]

scoobyfung,
I did find out that you can shut off the park distance control with the "PDC" button on the dash. Though that helps, I still think it should shut off by itself when you put it in park.

Grumpy1

[scoobyfung]

hi grumpyl.

yeah, i don't think i can return the car here either. i love the exterior of the car, but just the inside and the way it drives does not feel exactly like a refined bmw. the X5 is definitely not the ultimate driving machine. for the PDC, i have had to manually shut it off everytime i park, but that's very annoying. also, sometimes i manually turn it on when i approach a wall or something in the front of the car. when i stop the car, the beeping goes off....but then like you said, it comes back for no reason again! and then the beeping goes off...and comes back again!!!???

for mercedes, if you car is travelling forward and you press the breaks, the front sensor activates until it senses something close then it beeps. when the brake is off, the sensor goes off. and when you back up, like any other PDC, it shuts off when you are not in reverse anymore! anyways, i am going to compile a list after a few more weeks and send it to bmw germany. hopefully they can do something about it.

anyways, i just found a very informative site for X5 owners. you might find it interesting...

http://www.x5world.net/

cheers,

scooby

[iwpb2001]

Throttle on this thing kills me. Just got my Dad's 2004 X5 3.0 and I am not happy with it at all. The throttle on this thing is awful...I wish he would have got the 4.4. The first couple inches downwards on the accelerator do nothing and then it it gives you a wicked bolt. There is nothing smooth about this car. Its been 2 weeks and I still havent got used to it. Since dealers won't take the car back b/c its not technically a "defect", but rather shitty design that should have been noticed at test drive...but...that sbeyond the issue. This throttle thing really bugs the hell out of me.

1. Is there ANYTHING we can do for this? mechanically at the shop or something?

2. Anyone know the address I can send my complaint to (I guess it would be BMW USA for me)??


I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I feel after spending 50K, you shouldn't have to get "used" to anything. I just hope someone on here can tell me this can be fixed by something or somebody.

-Jason

[scoobyfung]

my audi A6 had a similar problem: slow throttle response. however, when the power did come, it did not come with a 'boom'. it was very gradual. the fix to that was to enlarge the throttle body, but it might void warranty. i am not sure if the same should be done, but hopefully more people with this problem will post on this thread and we'll find some kind of solution. i'm going to try to write to the people who manage the http://www.x5world.net/ and see if they have any idea.

scooby

[scoobyfung]

another little annoyance: i like to sit very high up, but i cannot adjust the steering wheel high enough to see the dashboard. the top of the steering wheel is in the way. i always sit up high on every car i drive including rental cars and friends' cars. audi/mercedes/other bmw's do not have this problem. i am starting to think that the person who designed the 2004 X5 overlooked many little details...

[scoobyfung]

i'm adding a few key words so that more people can find this thread on google.

bmw
x5
2004
3.0
3.0i
3.0d
4.4
4.4i
4.8
4.8i
4.8is
suv

[Grumpy1]

I didn't "notice" the throttle problem on my test drive because they gave me the diesel version to test drive. It was not the same at all despite their assurances. Wouldn't go to the trouble of finding a 3.0i or the 4.whatever. As a matter of fact, they were "surprised" that I felt that I needed to test drive it at all! This is the ultimate driving machine, why would you need to test drive it?
I told them today that I want my money back, not really expecting them to do it. We will take it in tomorrow to have them "look" at the throttle, but I know they will say there is nothing wrong.
Scooby, we must be brothers. I also have trouble seeing the top of the dash instruments and that bugged me as well!

Grumpy1

[BMW_4.4i]

The 4.4i (2004 model w/315hp) doesn't do this at all. The only thing that it does is hold the gear a bit longer than most cars even when not in "sport mode." I know this is normal.

[scoobyfung]

alright, i have compiled a list of problems and sent it to 4 different places:

1. bmw international
2. bmw group
3. bmw investor relations
4. bmw usa spartanburg plant (right to the source!!!)

let's keep our fingers crossed...

if anyone would like to 'meet the parents' and see where our babies came from, here's the link:

http://www.bmwusfactory.com/

for other bmw owners:

http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/0_0_www_bm...3_1_auto.shtml

[scoobyfung]

more info on X5:

i have always known that with anything, when there is a change in process, something goes wrong in the begging. all new models have flaws during the first few months of production. it's too bad that when i ordered the X5, the new model just came out. and of course i did not think of this problem when i ordered. i was just getting too excited about getting a new car! after checking out the bmw usa factory, i realize that the new X5 has 2100 new parts including the xDrive system. with so many variables, something is bound to go wrong. anyways, enough blah blah blah...

http://www.bmwusfactory.com/media_ce...ReleaseNum=121

Production of the new BMW X5 begins tomorrow

Spartanburg, S.C. (9/25/2003) — At 6 a.m. tomorrow, associates at BMW Manufacturing Corp. will begin building the new X5 sports activity vehicle that will have more than 2,100 new parts, three new engines and four new colors....

[scoobyfung]

hi Grumpy1,

it's good to hear that i am not alone with all the problems i find on the x5!! and it's great to share thoughts with people from all over the world!

scooby

[iwpb2001]

Originally Posted by scoobyfung

alright, i have compiled a list of problems and sent it to 4 different places:

1. bmw international
2. bmw group
3. bmw investor relations
4. bmw usa spartanburg plant (right to the source!!!)

Hey scooby...did you write those by letter or email. If
email...could you post them as it would save me time looking for them myself. I feel I should tell them my problem as well. Thanks in advance.