07 335i Auto - Lack of Low End Power After Fuel Injector Replaced

[budman1]

Hello All,

I have an 07 335i auto that has had it's share of issues. The latest go around had the vehicle running rough and eventually going into 'limp' mode. It felt a lot like when the fuel pump went out. In this case, a plugged/faulty fuel injector was the problem. So, we get the car back and it's acceleration is notably slower from a standing start. The best way to describe it is a loss of low end power.

Has anyone had this happen in their 335i?

One thought I had was a software update. I am not sure if our software was updated on the visit. If memory serves, there was a software update that reduced the off-the-line surge many people were experiencing. Man, if that is the case, I'll take the surging over a slower car.

I am on the road travelling for business now. The wife is going to call the service dept tomorrow. Just wanted to see if anyone had any insights.

Thanks!

[~vo328~]

I'll bet the dealer put the Progman 29.2... Google this.

[ibimmer346]

Yep, the newer programming can have this effect.

[budman1]

Thanks for the help! I will google program 29.2.

Out of curiousity, can you request the service department to revert to a previous software version?

[budman1]

Forgive the noob questions here. I did some searching and I now know my 335i has been upgraded to program 29.2. Wow, the lack of low end power (versus how it used to be) is very disapointing. Having an auto only makes it worse.

So, I see there are some programmers out there (JB1, JB2, etc.) that can boost the 335's power. Would one of these restore the low end power of my 335i? For the record, I have an early production 07 335i with an auto tranny.

Thanks

[mryakan]

Thanks for the help! I will google program 29.2.

Out of curiousity, can you request the service department to revert to a previous software version?
I would guess they won't honor such requests.

[mryakan]

Forgive the noob questions here. I did some searching and I now know my 335i has been upgraded to program 29.2. Wow, the lack of low end power (versus how it used to be) is very disapointing. Having an auto only makes it worse.

So, I see there are some programmers out there (JB1, JB2, etc.) that can boost the 335's power. Would one of these restore the low end power of my 335i? For the record, I have an early production 07 335i with an auto tranny.

Thanks
All those guys can do it trick the DME by modifying/faking its inputs. Not sure if that is enough to override any of your observed behavior with the new DME software.

Did you bring this up with the dealer (the power issue not programming/piggyback)? Just curious what their response would be.

[135idave]

Forgive the noob questions here. I did some searching and I now know my 335i has been upgraded to program 29.2. Wow, the lack of low end power (versus how it used to be) is very disapointing. Having an auto only makes it worse.

So, I see there are some programmers out there (JB1, JB2, etc.) that can boost the 335's power. Would one of these restore the low end power of my 335i? For the record, I have an early production 07 335i with an auto tranny.

Thanks

Someone on the 135i forum complained about the same problem and a newer file was uploaded from bmw that solved the problem. Apparently, the dealer had to get it from bmw since it wasn't released yet. I would try that.

[budman1]

Thanks for all the info!

[Beer Goggles]

I don't really think that the power loss is there, after getting mine update I felt a change, but since they technically "reset" the car after a while I don't notice a difference. Maybe a slight increase in lag, but nothing where I'd say it was slower.

Maybe they messed something up.

[acmaui]

I'm not sure what your describing, and it's probably been talked about before, but I do notice on my 08 335 that there is a definite lag between hitting the throttle and the car launching. I notice this constantly because I drive my company car most of the time and when I jump in the 35 the lag is very noticeable.

[budman1]

I don't really think that the power loss is there, after getting mine update I felt a change, but since they technically "reset" the car after a while I don't notice a difference. Maybe a slight increase in lag, but nothing where I'd say it was slower.

Maybe they messed something up.

I probably did not do a good job of descibing the lack of low end power after my 335i was in for service. Previously, when I pressed on the gas there was (according to seat of the pants) much more torque available from an standing start (and lower rpms). After my vehicle was serviced, the torque (again, from seat of the pants feel), seems to be much less from a standing start and lower rpms. If you press down hard on the pedal, the power rush arrives 'later' than it previously did. As many have commented, the vehicle now exhibits more of the characteristics of a turbocharged engine. It takes a while for the boost to build.

I have no doubt the vehicle still makes the same peak horsepower and torque. What I do doubt is that the power, specifically significant torque, is not present at lower rpms (and it was before the service).

Let me also say the driving characteristics of the vehicle have changed quite a bit. I'll be honest, I would have been much less inclined to purchase/lease the vehicle if it would have been this way when we test drove it. BMW advertised and delivered a vehicle/engine combination that provided amazing low end torque and seamless power delivery. Many magazines and myself often commented that turbo lag was non-existent in the 335i. Now, after the fix, I have a lag.

Hopefully, BMW recognizes the situation and will send a fix soon enough. I do plan on getting documentation from my BMW service center and contact BMW NA to inform them of my concerns. If enough 335 and 135 owners do, I figure they may help us out.

These cars are very complex nowadays. I realize the amount of systems & mechanical integration is mindboggling. Sometimes, fixing one issue does create another. I bet BMW or a tuner (Vishnu) will come up with a fix that satisfies us all.

I have had issues with my 335i (fuel pump, etc.) but I love the darned thing. I just want it back the way it was :)

[TommyV]

In the most recent issue (January 09) of Roundel (BMWCCA Mag), they posted 7 letters complaining about this lag issue after N54 ECU's were updated to v29.2. The letters were under the heading "BMW NA Agrees To Fix 335i Turbo Program". This is what Roundel printed as BMW NA's official statement on the turbo-lag issue:

"In an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. The updated software causes a small amount of increased "turbocharger lag" under certain circumstances and, while not substantial, the lag may be perceptible to the most sensitive BMW drivers. X6, 135i, and 3 Series/5 Series vehicles from March 2008 production onward are not affected. Release of the new software to restore the original turbocharger response is planned for January 2009, and it will be available for vehicles produced from September 2007 through March 2008 when they are brought to an authorized BMW center for a repair which requires a programming update. Clients with vehicles produced from June 2006 through September 2007 may request installation of the January 2009 software update. Clients who get this update should understand that there is a possibility of slightly increased engine noise levels under certain circumstances. Thomas J. Plucinsky, BMW NA"


I'm considering a 335i for my next purchase and figured people here would want to know.

Tom

[mryakan]

In the most recent issue (January 09) of Roundel (BMWCCA Mag), they posted 7 letters complaining about this lag issue after N54 ECU's were updated to v29.2. The letters were under the heading "BMW NA Agrees To Fix 335i Turbo Program". This is what Roundel printed as BMW NA's official statement on the turbo-lag issue:

"In an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. The updated software causes a small amount of increased "turbocharger lag" under certain circumstances and, while not substantial, the lag may be perceptible to the most sensitive BMW drivers. X6, 135i, and 3 Series/5 Series vehicles from March 2008 production onward are not affected. Release of the new software to restore the original turbocharger response is planned for January 2009, and it will be available for vehicles produced from September 2007 through March 2008 when they are brought to an authorized BMW center for a repair which requires a programming update. Clients with vehicles produced from June 2006 through September 2007 may request installation of the January 2009 software update. Clients who get this update should understand that there is a possibility of slightly increased engine noise levels under certain circumstances. Thomas J. Plucinsky, BMW NA"


I'm considering a 335i for my next purchase and figured people here would want to know.

Tom
Thanks for the info. I guess people can pick and choose what to complain about, either noise or lag, but not both. Sounds fair to me.