2012 X5 35d with 8 spd trans...true?

[jacb1301]

My dealer just told me that the delay on X5d is because the new year model brings the 8 spd trans. Anyone else getting the same info?

[Clockwatcher]

You are definitely missing out on this transmission in the US if you don't get it. It is without question one of the best autos I have ever used. Smooth, very quick in auto and semi auto modes and improves the economy. I would not be without it.

CW

[kugasman]

That would make me mad as I just picked up a 2011!

[jacb1301]

Personally I am glad to see an 8 speed coming.

[ilia]

[QUOTE=woodnphilosfr;10383455]

Originally Posted by jacb1301

Personally I am glad to see an 8 speed coming.

Me too.

[cb4]

I think the 6 speed is pretty good on our 11. Good to see the 8 sp coming. Progress is always good.

[richard in NC]

I had the 6 speed auto in a 550i M Sport. Its biggest flaw was a harsh 2-1 downshift at a light. Fortunately for the 550i, in D it started in 2nd, not needing to drop into 1st but in sport mode, it was a big clunk.

With the 8 speed auto in the X5 50i, it's the best auto I've owned and darn close to the DCT in the Z4. It is smooth, fast shifting, and almost always does the right thing. If any possible complaint is a desire for it to get into 8th gear at a low RPM in D. It can be slightly reluctant to downshift in that situation but a light throttle allows good MPG. Plus the 4.4TT has plently of torque to loaf at 1300 RPMs. Or simply switch to DS (sport mode) for very responsive shifting (without being the slightest bit harsh).

PS: What "most reviews"? I think I've seen only one review on a X5 35i since the LCI. That was a Motor Trend COTY contest and I recall they really likeed it.

[kugasman]

After driving the new d for a couple weeks, I have to say while the new tranny would be nice, the 6 speed seems to be fine. I'm with atlanta about preferring a manual transmission, but cruising up a fairly steep hill at 1200 rpm without any downshift is pretty cool. If any of the X5 models don't need the 8 speed it would be the diesel.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by atlanta2004m3

Did reading comprehension go down a couple of notches out here? While I am glad to see new transmissions offered since progess is generally a good thing (potentially, as this is entirely speculation at this point for the X5d), just said that I wasn't going to lose any sleep over missing out on it with our '11 and being happy with what we have.

Also I read reviews that gave it sluggish response from idle due to 2nd gear start, hunting for gears on occasion, stuff like that, same deal with 8 speeds from other auto makers (the tranny manufacturers are relatively few in numbers).

Plus, I have a preference for tried and true transmissions over relatively new ones, since I have no idea how they will respond longevity-wise, maintenance issues, etc. Just a personal preference so for those that disagree....that would be your perference then.

PS Hey Dick, try reading a bit and watching less Top Gear LOL.....reviews in Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road and Track, Roundel, MSN Auto, Edmunds, etc, so certainly more than one review out there. Thumbs down might have been a misnomer, but they weren't electrified by it, so again, not really something I'll be getting my panties in a bunch over not having in ours, despite the 1-2 mpg improvement it MIGHT offer, I prefer a manual transmission, so any amount of auto gears isn't going to float my boat.

Excuse me????? I must have struck a nerve somewhere....
I certainly do read plenty of auto magazines and other reviews. If any of them have an issue with the 8 speed auto, I sure don't. And just for your benefit, it doesn't start in 2nd, and it definitely provides an MPG bump, if also the 4.4 TT over the 4.8 and 6 speed auto. And hunting gears is simply switching to the right gear for the situation and unlike most transmissions switching gears, the only thing noticed is the RPM change and the right power/RPM for the situation.

I would like it to have paddles like the X6 and the X ///Ms offer and then it would be the perfect transmission for the X5.

[skalberti]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I had the 6 speed auto in a 550i M Sport. Its biggest flaw was a harsh 2-1 downshift at a light. Fortunately for the 550i, in D it started in 2nd, not needing to drop into 1st but in sport mode, it was a big clunk.

With the 8 speed auto in the X5 50i, it's the best auto I've owned and darn close to the DCT in the Z4. It is smooth, fast shifting, and almost always does the right thing. If any possible complaint is a desire for it to get into 8th gear at a low RPM in D. It can be slightly reluctant to downshift in that situation but a light throttle allows good MPG. Plus the 4.4TT has plently of torque to loaf at 1300 RPMs. Or simply switch to DS (sport mode) for very responsive shifting (without being the slightest bit harsh).

PS: What "most reviews"? I think I've seen only one review on a X5 35i since the LCI. That was a Motor Trend COTY contest and I recall they really likeed it.

I hate the 6 SPD in my 335. I leave it in sport all the time to avoid the lag as u roll up to a stop sign and then hit the gas. The car just sits there confused. DS mode avoids that. Now our new X5 with the 8spd tranny can be summed up in 3 words. Fast, smooth, precise. No wondering for gears here. I lug around town at 1200 rpm without being sluggish. Rolling at 80 mph tachin 1800 it's whisper quiet.

[jacb1301]

That's what I am looking forward to is the long trips on the hwy pushing 80 and staying under 2000 rpm. Should be a very nice ride.

[OBX_Vacation]

The ZF 6-speed (ZF 6HP26) is one of the best in the industry... nearly bulletproof. In fact, the new '12 Maserati GranSport MC uses it just for that reason.

That said, an 8-speed promises better acceleration, improved fuel economy and less noise.

I've heard the '12 has an 8-speed automatic (one reason why I am holding out for the '12 after cancelling my '11).

[cb4]

Originally Posted by atlanta2004m3

you're excused, no nerves struck here actually, that's why I finished that statement with a capitalized LOL. Oh well.

Second gear start noted in multiple reviews, so others are saying it is the case when in D.....

I guess I need to improve my reading comprehension. Since when does lol mean just kidding? And that second paragraph is not comprehensible. LOL.

[Barbja]

I had the 6-speed in an '11 X5 35d. I didn't like it so much. I believe that the xmission in my 2003 X5 E53 was 5-speed. I ran it in sport all the time and I liked it a whole lot better than the one in my 35d. The 35d just didn't seem to have very good shift transition points in either sport or regular mode. I think if my 35d had had an 8-speed xmission, perhaps I would have like how it drove better and I would have kept it more than one year (by contrast, I kept my E53 7 years).

I have a '12 X6 35i now and I think that the xmission is a LOT better. Its SOOOO smooth. Although I have my adaptive drive in sport all the time, I usually run my transmission in regular. Probably because most of my driving is slow (up and down a stretch of 35 mph road). I only go into sport mode when I want to do something 'stupid' so I can take off faster.

[richard in NC]

Atl..M3,
Just for the H of it, I did a search for X5 50i reviews. Only a few found and NONE were a major mag. There were a few 35i reviews. NONE mentioned a 2nd gear start or issues with the 8sp auto. ALL had high praise for it.

I guess we agree to disagree. But let me know what you think if you ever own one with the 8spd.

[14bmws]

The 8 speed tranny is infinitely better than the six. It will NOT be offered as a 12 in the US. Sorry folks. That's accurate info coming right out of SC. I talked directly to the factory on it one month ago.

[jacb1301]

So then why such a gap between gas and diesel X5 releases for 2012?

Originally Posted by 14bmws

The 8 speed tranny is infinitely better than the six. It will NOT be offered as a 12 in the US. Sorry folks. That's accurate info coming right out of SC. I talked directly to the factory on it one month ago.

[Jobu]

The current VW Toureg diesel has an 8speed. Perhaps if we compare fuel economy of the previous transmission to that current 8 speed, we may be able to infer what the improved economy might be.

BTW the only thing I don't like about my new X5d is the lag in "D" mode. DS minimizes the lag, but I don't know why. Could be 2nd gear vs 1st gear starts as some have stated...

[e90diesel]

Originally Posted by Jobu

The current VW Toureg diesel has an 8speed. Perhaps if we compare fuel economy of the previous transmission to that current 8 speed, we may be able to infer what the improved economy might be.

BTW the only thing I don't like about my new X5d is the lag in "D" mode. DS minimizes the lag, but I don't know why. Could be 2nd gear vs 1st gear starts as some have stated...

I purchased a 2011 Touareg TDI. It is very fuel efficient, the Aisin 8 speed is programed perfectly for the tdi, even in suburban traffic it is easy to cruise around at 1500 rpm.

The 2011 also has a more efficient center diff which accounts accounts for a portion of the 15% increase in mpg over the previous model,it is also about 450 lbs lighter. #s can be found at FUELLY.COM

I really wish BMW would introduce the X3 35d to the US market!

Don't think that will happen until the x5 35d gets the 8 speed.

[jacb1301]

I am in total agreement. I would jump on a X3 diesel right away once it hits the states. Allowing the X5 for family and the X3 for me. Bring it on ASAP!

Originally Posted by e90diesel

I really wish BMW would introduce the X3 35d to the US market!

Don't think that will happen until the x5 35d gets the 8 speed.

[Clockwatcher]

I am not sure why it is not available in the US. I know that software versions and petrol/diesel engines can make a big difference to how auto gearboxes operate.

I have driven a 2010 pre LCI 6 speed auto 3.0 diesel and I have a 4.0Xd 8 speed auto, I have also driven both boxes in 5 series 3.0 diesels, E60 6 speed and F10 8 speed. Smoother, quieter, quicker changes, better economy and where you have a manual or auto version, the auto is just as fast in acceleration. It does lose out on economy and performance in smaller engines, i.e. 2 litre diesels in the new F25 X3. My wife has driven the 2 litre version of this, but I will have to ask her if it was auto or manual, I cannot remember! (I have been reliably informed it was manual)

I cannot fault it in either full auto or semi auto modes. From my exposure to it, I definitely prefer the new 8 speed box.

CW

[jacb1301]

It should be available in the US. On that note, every single engine/trans that BMW makes should be available in the US. Especially since the X's are built in the States.