X5d loss of power uphill

[Lual]

I have a very similar problem with my E70, 3.0 SD, with 200.000km,in very good shape (except this) and always on regular services at BMW dealers.
On mountain roads, when pushing down the pedal, the car does not rev up. Only when pushing down hard (kick down pedal) it revs a lot as reduces at keast a couple of gears and gains power again (normally too much, especially if there is a car ahead).

I asked in a dealer and they suggested it may be a problem with one of the turbos (a malfunction with the one supposed to operate at low revs).

Problem does not always happen. But seems to be frequent with heavy load / steep roads.

[Weebl]

Lual,
Are you experiencing a total loss of power? Even if I stomp it to the floor, it will not kick down and speed decreases.
Today my writer called and said BMW told them to replace the main computer as a fail there would not throw any codes.

So yours is a different problem. Kind of sounds like a boost leak but it all depends on what kind of codes or engine lights come on. My issue leaves very little trace of it happening.

[Lual]

Originally Posted by Weebl

Lual,
Are you experiencing a total loss of power? Even if I stomp it to the floor, it will not kick down and speed decreases.
Today my writer called and said BMW told them to replace the main computer as a fail there would not throw any codes.

So yours is a different problem. Kind of sounds like a boost leak but it all depends on what kind of codes or engine lights come on. My issue leaves very little trace of it happening.

Yes, seems a different problem. And is not always happening. Mine revs up if pushing hard. No message appears anywhere (no lights etc).
Will bring car to dealer. I only hope this is not costing a fortune...

[Weebl]

If there are no codes stored it could be like mine where they need to replace the main computer as there is no codes thrown if it acts up.
Puma case it sounds like.
Yes, it would be costly they have had mine for 7 working days and the one before was about 30 working days

[Weebl]

Got it back after a couple of weeks.
They replaced the DDE computer as they were getting irregular readings from the injectors which were replaced the last time. The DDE if malfunctioning will not leave any trace that it is acting up.
DDE= Digital Diesel Electronics. A quick look tells me this controls the firing of the injectors.
I wish Audi would break out a Q7 tdi... I don't need a SQ7

[335dsleeper]

Did the new DDE fix your problem?

Originally Posted by Weebl

Got it back after a couple of weeks.
They replaced the DDE computer as they were getting irregular readings from the injectors which were replaced the last time. The DDE if malfunctioning will not leave any trace that it is acting up.
DDE= Digital Diesel Electronics. A quick look tells me this controls the firing of the injectors.
I wish Audi would break out a Q7 tdi... I don't need a SQ7

[Weebl]

I have to beat the bitch for a few months. It is a very irregular issue and leaves very little trace that it happened.
They guessed it was the DDE because after resetting values, it would store odd values and give out of spec injector pulses. The injectors were replaced last time

[Weebl]

Episode 5 the Phantom Menace

So, since I rarely travel great distances and even rarer when it is hot the X5 has been running fine till.
She took the car to LA and once again up the Grapevine in 100 degree weather, the power cut out on her and she had to pull over without getting hit on the freeway at 25mph.
Car was out of any warranty in April so supposedly since I contacted BMWNA and they have never isolated nor solved the problem, it will be on their dime.

So far they:
Drove 550 miles
69 calendar days
56 work days in 4 visits

I was going over all the numbers for the next step. I noticed in all occurrences they noted code 42E2 always pops up immediately even after a fix. Other than that, 90 degree+ temps and a minimum of 1 hour run time set it off. Normally 3-4 hours of run time will set it off.

They need to solve it this time, period.
Since VW/Porsche/Audi got out of the diesel business, my life sucks.

[Weebl]

It's done.
64k miles
100+ days in the shop
The last stay in the shop was from Halloween to Jan 21 when buyback was completed.
Concord BMW kept me in loaners the whole gig over the 3 years this has been happening and my service adviser the whole time helped me considerably.
BMW never did find the issue that caused the power loss and wouldn't let me talk to the engineer to convince me to keep it. The last thing I wanted to do was to turn in the vehicle as it was a very fully loaded and pristine car. There were multiple PUMA cases opened and the engineer looked at it along with others but couldn't find anything.
They gave me back 97% of what I paid into the car and will also pay off BMW financial for the remainder of the loan.
So for a vehicle which had a MSRP of ~$70k after I took possession of it CPO they had to put in a additional >$74k to get me out of it including all the warranty work to find the problem. The above total does not include any labor, just parts and payout.

They still don't know what the problem is and I feel that this hasn't happened to anyone else possibly. The buyback process took ~45 days and Nancy McDonald of BMW NA gave me the standard answers by the book.

My 2008 335 is getting along in years and will be my last BMW. I feel since ~2012 BMW has lost their way in driving dynamics and feel. The 4 cylinder turbo is crap and I can't stand the constant buzzing from it. I compared the X3 and Q5 loaners I've had and the Audi wins over the BMW. I've had many different types of BMW loaners with that engine and they all have that 4 cyl buzz. My wifes A3 does not.
Audi is a softer feeling car than BMW but still has the handling traits and feels good on the road. Not perfect like older BMW's but very nice.

The replacement we got is a SQ5 which is much smaller but with the sport package/sports differential and dynamic steering it turns in very quickly and hard. The regular Q5 handles just like a BMW would.
The end of the road for L669284 or 5UXZW0C59CL669284

[domoarigato]

I'm so glad you documented this car.

It recently popped up at a used car lot in Atlanta (atlantabestusedcars). Called the dealership to ask what they wanted for it as it was optioned out very well and they couldnt even tell me what the asking price was. Found that kind of fishy.

Googled the VIN and this thread came up. Dodged a bullet with this one, thanks Weebl.

[Weebl]

Originally Posted by domoarigato

I'm so glad you documented this car.

It recently popped up at a used car lot in Atlanta (atlantabestusedcars). Called the dealership to ask what they wanted for it as it was optioned out very well and they couldnt even tell me what the asking price was. Found that kind of fishy.

Googled the VIN and this thread came up. Dodged a bullet with this one, thanks Weebl.

Who knows, they could have fixed it in time. I just didn't want to die finding out.

IF, you drive this car in town and on short trips it will be a fantastic car.

[shootermcgav1n]

i too looked at this car and called about it over a week ago. they were 1) supposed to call me back with a price and 2) email me the Carfax, neither of which occurred. glad i saved the trip out to see it.

[Weebl]

Originally Posted by shootermcgav1n

i too looked at this car and called about it over a week ago. they were 1) supposed to call me back with a price and 2) email me the Carfax, neither of which occurred. glad i saved the trip out to see it.

It is in excellent condition, a couple of 1/2" dings and runs strong. Very few options it does not have and there are only a few in the US just like it.