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!)

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

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). :mad:

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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.

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_bmwgroup_com/9_produktion/9_2_agiles_netzwerk/9_2_3_wo/9_2_3_1_auto.shtml

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_center/releases/release.asp?intReleaseNum=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....

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

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.

OK, I took it to the dealer and told them about the throttle problem. A mechanic test drove and - surprise - said there was nothing wrong with it. He didn't come right out and say it, but pretty much insinuated that I don't know what I'm doing or talking about. Never mind the fact that I fly $20 million jets for a living, that I am a certified aircraft mechanic, and that I have taken masters courses about and written papers on the ergonomics of man-machine interfaces.
We also had them look at the rear side impact airbags which were SUPPOSED to come deactivated because of our two small children and which they assured us they were when it arrived. But,, we insisted that they check, and guess what - they were activated. Now we have to go back and have them de-activated. The problems never end.....

Hi Jason,

I actually emailed to a few more places. I want to make sure they get the message.

5. BMW Customer Service
6. BMW USA tech center
7. BMW USA somewhere else...

Some have email addresses, and some you can only write email on their web site. Here are 2 that have emails:

a. Investor Relations: ir@bmwgroup.com
b. Customer Service: bmwgroup.customerservice@bmwgroup.com

here are the problems i reported:

1. during temp of 50F in rainy condition, my headlight casing fogged up from the inside. i have seen this problem on my mercedes before and admitted to the problem. it's a defect for sure...but the bmw dealer says it normal?? come on... (see attached pictures)

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/147636IMAGE_00044.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/147636IMAGE_00047.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/147636IMAGE_00048.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/147636IMAGE_00049.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/147636IMAGE_00050.jpg



2. delayed acceleration/throttle response. bmws i have driven before are ultra responsive. you touch the gas pedal and off it goes. for the 2004 x5 3.0, i press on the gas pedal and nothing happens for the first few inches, and then BOOM and the power comes with a surge which pushes my head to the head rest everytime.

3. rear parking distance control does not shut off even after i change gear back to Park!!!! i have never seen a worse design flaw than this. even 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. i have had to manually shut the pdc off "everytime" i park, and 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!

4. i like to sit very high up and adjust my seat to a high position, but i cannot adjust the steering wheel high enough to see the dashboard. (i am 5'9" tall) 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...

5. the rear central passenger air conditioner is Very loud.

hope this is useful.

cheers,

scooby

hi Grumpy1,

i actually have not really spend too much time telling me dealer my problems because i know what the response will be and that there is really not much they can do about it. i was thinking the other day, there must be several thousand dealers all over the world and it will just take too long to go through them. therefore, i am assuming that my dealer will not be able to help me in the short term. i am going to focus on contacting bmw directly and then ask my dealer to help me make sure that if bmw admits to any of the problem, i get them fixed quickly and at no charge. anyways, i have a feeling that this might be a long process so we might have to wait and see for a while...

btw, you have a pretty cool job!!!

cheers,

scooby

as expected, bmw germany forwarded my email to my hk dealer, and they asked me to show them the problems next week...

to be continued...

Might have found a temp solution...but I havent tried it yet. Look at these discussions to learn about it, Evidently, the X5 comes with an Electronic Controled Throttle. So, unlike the brake pedel, which is mechanical, it varies by how you drive. The computer recognizes how you drive and adapts the throttle reposnse to it. So, if you drive slow, it will recognize that and try to save you gas by not giving the RPM's right away. From what I read...there are two ways to "reset" your throttle response.

1 Get a Dinan software patch for your computer and it should be fized.

2. Use your key and click it in the "2" position for 10 seconds and then back to the "off" position for 10 seconds and then start the car. It should be reset, thus, if you floor it a cople of times, it will recogzie that you are a faster driver and gives you more RPM's to work with.


I have no idea if this works as its almost 4:00 AM and I am not going to try it right now. Let me know if this works......cross-fingers..

Here are the discussion:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4559493-8.html

and theres another link in that discussion for more about it all.

Good luck guys and I'll report tomorrow what I find out!!!!

wow, this is very interesting... will try it tomorrow. i know that bmw test every car off the production line. can the delayed throttle response be caused by the driving style/procedure of the post production testing? i think they put on at least 10/20km of testing if not more.

Yes, this could have played a factor, especially if the testers drove the car hard. BMW's I-drive system quickly and constantly adapts to the way the driver is driving the car. How many miles/kilometers do you have on it now? By 500km at the longest, the I-Drive should have adapted to your particular driving style. Are you a fairly affressive/aggressive driver? It seems likely to me that the testers most likely would drive it harder when they take it off the production line, to prevent problems when the new owner drives it hard.

i have about 750km and have not been very aggressive yet since i am cautious during the break-in period. have not heard back from any bmw offices except for my local one...which is what i had expected. still have not gone into dealer yet since i've been busy. will update more after i talk to them.

I too have experienced the throttle response problem. I have also experience a strange "pause" when shifting into drive form park after the car has been sitting overnight. After reading these messages, I wonder if they could be related issues?

Anyway, I came across a service bulliten on http://bmwtechinfo.com

Bulliten number SI B 24 07 03 - Automatic Transmissions

"GM5 Delayed P to D Engagement on Cold Start"

Effects E46 and E53 w/GM5 transmission (x5 3.0iA, manufactured from 09/02 - 12/03)

The remedy is to replace the transmission - but "ON A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT BASIS ONLY"

So if you don't know this may be a problem, then I guess you are out of luck. I will be having mine replaced next week.

hi guys,

did anyone get any news about this problem? i have been traveling and have not had time to stop in the dealer. my problems still there. also, i just tried using the net and it's so user unfriendly? unlike the audi allroad, where all you have to do is pull the net up and lock it to the roof, the X5 net requires so much set up and effort! and it keeps falling out of the roof retainer...

sigh...

Someone compiled a good list of issues:

Transmission/throttle delay
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...ad.php?t=204656
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4818401-1.html <- throttle delay problem! Dangerous!
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4881713-1.html
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56003
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54548
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55703
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54748 <- This is for the X3!!!
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4843283-1.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4845410-1.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4829223-2.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4842227-2.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4840630-3.html <- a "known problem"!
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4819901-4.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4776168-4.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4807832-5.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4843862-1.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4883060-2.html
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4872225-2.html
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/foru...ad.php?t=190233
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...52&page=2&pp=15 <- plus info on shifting from P to D delays.

Leaky fuel injectors leading to potential engine fire!
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...ad.php?t=197252

Frontend control arm replacements!
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4884289-1.html

Brake pad low light did not came on
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4885267-1.html

Brake line
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/foru...ead.php?t=72258

Instrument Cluster
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4814609-4.html

SES light
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4850936-1.html

Airbag Indicator Light
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4854517-1.html

Interior Door Handles:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4829144-1.html

Poor Service:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4833214-3.html

Radio:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54147

Just bad overall:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e53/4872225-1.html
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...ad.php?t=173967

btw, the delayed throttle problem is not as evident when in manual shifting mode...so i suspect it is a software problem for the auto transmission.

Hi Everyone,
Im new and this is a awesome forum. Here is my story.
Went to BMW dealer on Wednesday, saw/liked X5 3.0 for my wife, Signed papers, picked it up on Friday. Wife followed me back in her new X5 while I drove other car. On Saturday as we were getting ready to head to Mohegan Sun in Conneticut from NJ. Wife did not want to drive her new X5 3.0. I didnt know why till she told me that it drove weird. SO I decided to drive it. OMG, what the heck was this? Major Throttle problem. It did not respond for the first inch or so and then a surge of power kicked in. Wife explained it almost caused 2 accidents while she drove back on Friday. It was at 4 way intersections with stop signs.
The car hesitated to move upon gassing so other cars went and all of the sudden the x5 zoomed ahead. Man, twice this happened while she was bringing the x5 back from the dealer. Anyway, I ended up driving back from mohegan sun in CT. Bought X5 to BMW dealer on Monday, they found that it needed a software upgrade right away as well as explained that there is no need to replace tranny cuz I have the new batch of x5 3.0 with the panoramic moonroof. I was still upset cuz when I got home from Mohegan sun, I did a searc on the search engines and found alot of info on this x5 throttle problem. Anyway, to make a long story short, they DID offer to give me FULL credit towards a X5 4.4.
In fact, they will take off $1,000 off the x5 4.4. They had originally taken $1,500 off the first x5 3.0 we bought which we had put 450 miles on.

Anyway, please help. SHould I take back the x5 3.0 or just upgrade to x5 4.4? It will basically cost me 10g more for the 4.4.

The x5 3.0 after the software fix actually drove like it was suppose to. There wasnt much delay response anymore. Ofcourse the 4.4 had more response cuz it was a bigger engine.

I must decide by tomorrow which is when I will be going back to BMW.
btw, Im STILL driving their 325i loaner car. Its been 5 days (C=
This is the best BMW dealer. I delt with the Vice President of this bmw dealer about the situation. HE was real cool and understanding.

PLEASE, post your thoughts and opinion about the switch to 4.4. SHould I or shouldnt I and why.

My main concern is what if the tranny does go bad and I lose the chance to upgrade to 4.4 which doesnt have this problem.
I just cannot justify spending another 10g for the same x5 with a more powerful engine and nothing else. My wife doesnt need the powerful engine. Its her car, not mines. She will be the one to drive it to and from work. I got my eyes on the new M5 (C= If the x5 was mines, I would probably go for the 4.8, but its not so I just want to make sure my wife is driving in a safe car/sav.

Thanks again,
Calvin

Hi everyone,

It looks like the last post on here was in February. Today is June 17th.

I picked up my new 3.0i X5 on Monday this week and OH SURPRISE I am experiencing the exact problem "y'all" are having.

If I may offer some hope. I read in a posting somewhere (I've read so much about this) that the throttle problem is caused by the xDrive system "learning" your driving habits during the first 500 miles.

I have (at least temporarily) solved the problem by driving my truck in S mode. Simply shift from D to S (move the stick to the left). DON'T do manual shifts. Just drive the care in S (I guess Sport?) mode. I think this mode has quicker response and the throttle seems to respond well when the pedal is first pressed.

Good luck to everyone!

Jose

Hi All,
Well, My problem has been resolved.
I brought 2004 X5 3.0 back to dealer after 400 miles and they told me right away it was a software problem. The had it fixed in a fewe days and we had a 3 series loaner for a few days. I was still worried the problem might come back and asked to be allowed to upgrade to 4.4. Luckly my loan app wasnt sent to bank yet so they were able to give me full credit for a new 4.4 even though we had put 400+ miles on it.

Anyway, I test drove the x5 3.0 after the software fix and it seemed better. Not as powerful as the 4.4, but it was still better then before the software fix. To make a long story short, we decided to just stick with the 3.0 (C= My wife doesnt need all that power.

Anyway, the BMW dealer we went to in NJ was the best. A++
Its at King BMW. Jim was his name. Awesome guy man.

I suggest you bring it in for service. Explain the problem. They have the fix.

Calvin

Hey Calvin,

I stopped by my dealer on Thursday (I'm in Ft. Lauderdale). The service advisor knew exactly what I was talking about. He said they could do the software update in 30 mins. I made an appointment for Monday at 9am.

Jose

Excellent (C=
Still not quite like 4.4, but alot better then before.
If I am worried at the intersection, i switch to sports mode.
btw, I think I got the same color as you. Its Greyish exterier, saddle color leather (Was not in the bmw site options, weird) and the panoramic moon roof, distance sensor, heated steering wheel and Nav.
Awesome car.
Calvin

Calvin,

So I take the truck to the dealer this morning. The service advisor says 1 hour to an hour and a half tops. They give me a loaner (rental).

At 3pm I called to see if the car was ready. The service advisor says, it's not but it will be ready by 5:00. I say, I'll see you at five.

Service advisor calls at 4pm... "Regarding your transmission problem, your car won't be ready until tomorrow afternoon. The update we need won't be here until tomorrow. Please come on over so I can switch you to a BMW loaner." I say OK while thinking to myself: Uh no! :nono: When did this become "a transmission problem" ???

I get there and now he says that its more likely day after tomorrow that the car will be ready. All I kept thinking was of you and your comment of "four days later..."

They better not be putting in a new transmission on the truck. It only has 400 miles on it!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not liking this AT ALL. I'll let you know what the service record says when I get the car back.

Jose

I got my car back yesterday (Wed). Problem solved! According to the work order, this is what they did:

1214710 Programming DME data status
WT Followed B1220404 and programmed DME with CD38

So, there you have it! :smile:

Jose

Just got my software update after 4 months... It took about 1 hour and it feels like a new car! Finally...

Hello All i am new here and wanted to say hi
I have a 2004 x5 6speed manual trans. I have done the update and it help but still has a dead spot in the acceleration. What can I do about this. The dealers said that as good as it gets. I now when they made the update for it they concetrated it for the automatics. Has any one have a manual trans that is having the same problem??

Thanks

I spoke too soon when I said my car was perfect after the first software update. A couple of days later the problem returned. I took the car back to the dealer and they redid the upgrade. Again, it took them 4 days...

I suggest you take your car back and have them do the upgrade again. As a friend of mine said, BMW should run perfect, no ands, ifs or buts. Don't settle for anything less!

Jose

Hello when i brought the car back they told me that was the way it was supose to be. I have contacted legal help and i guess i will just have to wait now to see what will happen. I aways thought BMW would have better customer service then that but i guess i will have to go back to mercedes.

Don't let them play games with you! When I took my truck back after the first re-program I was made to feel like an idiot (to put it mildly). The shop manager drove the car around the block and told me that there was nothing wrong with it. And, he sent me back home. I felt like such a fool driving home...

I don't know where you are but where I live there is a "Lemon Law" which protects you.

When I took the car back the second time I simply said to the service person why I was bringing the car again and that I expected them to drive the car for at least 50 miles (no going around the block). I also told him that if they felt that there was nothing wrong with the car, to put it in writing, that I was going to need the paperwork.

I never mentioned any lemon law or anything, but I think that me asking for written confirmation of their "nothing is wrong" statement got their attention.

On a side note...

I always wanted a Mercedes. It's always been my dream. I only got the X5 vs. the ML because there is a new M Class coming out in January and I didn't want to get stuck with the old model for three years.

I still sigh when I see those Benzes going down the street... :)

BMW issued a Service Measure bulletin for the Throttle response issue. For details log onto http://www.bmwtis.com and look up service measure B12 204 04. The DME software needs to be updated.

This forums rocks, thanks to everyone for the info in this thread!

seems like the problem still exist when switched to the sports mode!!! in normal mode, accelaration is now very smooth, but in sports mode, it's still a bit abrupt in the beginning! is anyone else having this problem after the software update?