Tranny slips when you put into drive

[Zieg]

Not sure I have posted on this board in years. I recently purchased a 2004 330Ci convert with 64,000 miles. Car is in really nice condition. About a week ago I noticed in the morning when I put the car in drive the tranny slips for a few seconds before it goes into drive. This only happens when the car has sat overnight. No matter how many times I stop and start the car and put it in drive for the rest of the day it shifts normally.

After that first slip the tranny will shift into the rest of the gears perfectly. The Tranny will downshift and go into passing gear with no problem. Years ago (2006) I purchased 2004 CPO 330Ci coupe and I remember having a similar problem. I was told that it was a computer problem with the tranny and that it needed to be reprogrammed. After my visit to the dealer with that car the tranny shifted fine and I never had the problem again. I sold the car with 120K still running fine.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem? I am concerned about going to a dealer as this car is now 15 yrs. old and who knows how many tech's even are familiar with an E 46. I am concerned they will just say I need a new Transmission without even looking at the problem.

Any advise would be appreciated.

[swregister]

I have a similar problem, and was told (and have read) that the GM-sourced trannies in these E46s have "personality" and there's not much to be done about it, but it probably won't get much worse.

[dhurley34]

Its a known issue with the A5S360R and the A5S390R. There are out of spec tolerances in the #1 clutch pack that lets pressure bleed overnight.

BMW has a EGS remap to up the line pressure so it engages quicker in the morning, but that has had limited success.

The good thing is its not hurting anything. First thing in the morning hold your foot on the brake, put it in gear and sit there for 5 seconds. Then drive away.

[Zieg]

Thanks for the information. I am pleased to find out that I am not the only person to have this problem. Also I am guessing that the EGS remap is what was done to my prior 2004 330Ci.

[jclausen]

I know my trans responds better if I let I'd ldle a few mins in the first start of the day Before driving off. Think about it the trans oil has to go a lot of places