[335driver07]

I tried to do as much research as I could but didn't find an answer to my situation. I drive a 2007 335i AT with about 80,000 miles completely stock. When accelerating under light-moderate throttle, the upshifts from 1-2, 2-3 seem a little rough during the 2000-3500 RPM range. The best way for me to describe this rough feeling is it feels similar to driving a manual transmission car and shifting up but letting go of the clutch a little quick. The upshifts are not harsh like some people on the forums describe but I can definitely feel the transmission changing gears. This feeling is less noticeable under harder acceleration.

I've come to think maybe this is normal behavior with the 335i ZF transmission. I've been to the dealer about this before and had a foreman ride with me and he said he couldn't really feel anything. I also mentioned it to my SA and he said that it seems pretty normal.

I've done the throttle body adaptation reset with the key in the ignition, press the start, foot on the gas pedal (5 seconds, 25 seconds, and 30 seconds), press the start, release the gas, and wait 2 minutes. However I don't seem to notice any difference. I've been wanting to either go to the dealer for an transmission adaption reset or doing it myself with a BT tool (which I still need to purchase). However, I don't know if I want to spend the money having the dealer reset the adaptations or on the BT tool. I've also read that after the throttle body reset and transmission adaptation reset that the symptoms usually come back because everything in the ECU/transmission is adaptive. I've read that software updates can help but would hate to have to spend $400 on the update.

So my question is, should I really be concerned about the slight roughness in upshifts during light-moderate acceleration and is the feeling that I feel during light-moderate acceleration normal for the 335i. Also, is it worth resetting the transmission adaptations via the dealer or BT tool.

[jer335]

I'm experiencing similar symptoms to what you describe and just been dealing with it.

[Junior508]

Same here

[jer335]

Originally Posted by Junior508

Same here

How long you been experiencing this problem?

[BMWCOUPE]

335i autos have had a lot of transmission problems that result in re builds. There's some faulty part on the transmission that breaks and BMW refuses to acknowledge as a seriious issue. More research will show you lots of people are experiencing transmission blowouts with BMW's and they are refusing to do anything about it.

[Epic404]

I have over 100k on my 07 335i AT and was experiencing some hard and odd shifts. They had been increasing in frequency since about 50k miles. All the problems were driving me crazy and I figured my transmission was likely shit, on it's last legs, and needing a major rebuild/replacement. That was not case. After many frustrating days of troubleshooting I now have nice smooth shifts. This is what I'd recommend:

1. Thorough shifter assembly wire repair. Surprisingly, I think this was the #1 culprit in my transmission problems. This is a very simple repair. Follow the DIY link below. Cut off all existing electrical tape (it's gets sticky so I used latex gloves) and solder every broken wire and repair every little crack/problem/missing insulation in the wires. Disconnect and reattach plugs firmly.

2. Test drive car.

3. Change transmission fluid and transmission filter/pan kit. I used Castrol instead of the crazy expensive transmission oil. You can get a pan kit for $65 on Ebay.

4. Test drive car.

5. Transmission adaptation.

[gtaccord]

+1 on the trans fluid change.

[nb335i]

Mine does the same thing, did it on my e46 as well. Its almost like it hits 3k drops down to 2500 and does this 3 times before it finally shifts. Only does it on very light acceleration. Hard throttle its shifts fine..

[335driver07]

Originally Posted by Epic404

I have over 100k on my 07 335i AT and was experiencing some hard and odd shifts. They had been increasing in frequency since about 50k miles. All the problems were driving me crazy and I figured my transmission was likely shit, on it's last legs, and needing a major rebuild/replacement. That was not case. After many frustrating days of troubleshooting I now have nice smooth shifts. This is what I'd recommend:

1. Thorough shifter assembly wire repair. Surprisingly, I think this was the #1 culprit in my transmission problems. This is a very simple repair. Follow the DIY link below. Cut off all existing electrical tape (it's gets sticky so I used latex gloves) and solder every broken wire and repair every little crack/problem/missing insulation in the wires. Disconnect and reattach plugs firmly.

2. Test drive car.

3. Change transmission fluid and transmission filter/pan kit. I used Castrol instead of the crazy expensive transmission oil. You can get a pan kit for $65 on Ebay.

4. Test drive car.

5. Transmission adaptation.

I've done a drain and fill at around 72,000 with a new transmission pan/filter. I will try the shifter wire fix. I don't know how that relates to the rough shifts but it's worth a try! Also, when you say reset transmission adaptions are you talking about the reset via BT cable, INPA, or dealer or the key in ignition, foot on gas for 25 seconds method.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

Not sure what the problem is with your transmission, but you can't go wrong getting a BT cable and/or a OBDII Bluetooth device and Torque Pro app.

[jer335]

Originally Posted by GB-335xiCoupe

Not sure what the problem is with your transmission, but you can't go wrong getting a BT cable and/or a OBDII Bluetooth device and Torque Pro app.

I've had it scanned by a snap-on solus pro scanner and no codes showed up. Would the BT cable be able to read more codes ?

[BMWho]

From my experience with my previous car, the easy solution was that this is normal behavior (every car has its quirks), and a nice tune will take care of that. I had several transmission tunes until it was exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, with these cars, it doesn't seem to be as cut and dry as just getting a trans. tune, which is frustrating, because we had guys that specifically focused on tuning every aspect of the G8. My e90 also feels like it switches gears like a manual with light throttle, but I can't say it is related to any mechanical failure. It is smooth, and I have no complaints.

[ThatRWD]

Do they also seem sluggish when your driver slowly? In bumper to bumper traffic ? Mine feels like its lightly grinding up against something for a few seconds then finally shifts.

[Epic404]

Originally Posted by 335driver07

I've done a drain and fill at around 72,000 with a new transmission pan/filter. I will try the shifter wire fix. I don't know how that relates to the rough shifts but it's worth a try! Also, when you say reset transmission adaptions are you talking about the reset via BT cable, INPA, or dealer or the key in ignition, foot on gas for 25 seconds method.

I know, you wouldn't think it would but it surely sometimes does. Definitely was in my case. Maybe it's the computer getting confused by the shorted wires or something.

I rest mine via BT cable.

[XM_Rocks]

I have 80k miles on my ZF and 3 weeks ago I did a pan/filter and fluid change.

That cleared all of the rough shifts and clunking.

It's like I have a new trans!

[335driver07]

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

Do they also seem sluggish when your driver slowly? In bumper to bumper traffic ? Mine feels like its lightly grinding up against something for a few seconds then finally shifts.

Yes in traffic or parking lots the trans is sluggish. Under harder acceleration the transmission shifts smoother.

[335driver07]

Originally Posted by Epic404

I know, you wouldn't think it would but it surely sometimes does. Definitely was in my case. Maybe it's the computer getting confused by the shorted wires or something.

I rest mine via BT cable.

I looked at the shifter wiring earlier and didn't see any shorts/cuts. However, I didn't take the shifter all the way out. Just took off the leather boot.

[ThatRWD]

How long have you had the car? When did the rough shifting problem start ? I can deal with the problem I just hope it doesn't harm the tranmsission gradually, I'd like to car to last atleast 150k if not 200k.

[335driver07]

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

How long have you had the car? When did the rough shifting problem start ? I can deal with the problem I just hope it doesn't harm the tranmsission gradually, I'd like to car to last atleast 150k if not 200k.

I purchased the car at 70,000 and had a prepurchase inspection done by BMW. No errors on the EGS. The transmission was always not the smoothest but lately it seems to be more jerky that usual. I read many posts about the transmissions not being so smooth even on the 7 series so I figured maybe the transmission is just like this by design. How long have you had yours and has it been like that since you've owned it?

[Briancanadiano]

I'm also having a transmission issue, from 2nd to 3rd, only under heavy acceleration it feels like it delays big time. Def not good. In regular driving/light throttle the car shifts fine.
Already got a tranny flash and reset adaptations and changed the tranny oil but still really delays hard in 2nd to 3rd.

[924er]

why don't u try flashing to the alpina transmission software. once i did that it cured all my jerky shifts.

[ThatRWD]

Originally Posted by 335driver07

I purchased the car at 70,000 and had a prepurchase inspection done by BMW. No errors on the EGS. The transmission was always not the smoothest but lately it seems to be more jerky that usual. I read many posts about the transmissions not being so smooth even on the 7 series so I figured maybe the transmission is just like this by design. How long have you had yours and has it been like that since you've owned it?

Purchased at 31k, currently at 41k been like this since I got it back in February. Put at JB4 on it, didn't change the transmission behavior (not that its suppose to).

The JB4 allows you to reset adaptions, I guess I'll try that. Although I did try the foot start button method.

Originally Posted by 924er

why don't u try flashing to the alpina transmission software. once i did that it cured all my jerky shifts.

Explain please.