[RayLivingston]

I have an '07 335i with the execrable GM 6-speed automatic. I also have an '01 325i with the wonderful 5-speed ZF automatic. On the ZF, it normally starts out in 2nd gear, unless on a hill, or the pedal is really stomped. Is there a setting on the GM that can be changed to make it do the same? First gear is way too high a ratio, which makes getting off the line smoothly in normal driving very difficult. Manually starting in 2nd works reasonably nicely. I'd actually be happy even if 1st could be completely blocked out, as I don't see why such a high ratio is ever needed on this car.

Regards,
Ray L.

[ryan stewart]

Mine seems just fine. Are you up on maintenance on it? Using GMs recommendations instead of BMW BS that is.

[nsjames]

I didnt think any 335 came with the GM transmission, as its only rated to 330lb ft of input torque.

but if you put it in DS it will start in 2nd.

[catcher22]

Install a Back End Flash

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

I have an '07 335i with the execrable GM 6-speed automatic. [Everything I have ever read suggests GM GA6L45R was ONLY used in the 328i/xi, and ZF is used in 335i/xi as the turbo torque capability exceeds the design spec of the GM6] I also have an '01 325i with the wonderful 5-speed ZF automatic. On the ZF, it normally starts out in 2nd gear, unless on a hill, or the pedal is really stomped. [If you have GM6, you can select DS if the transmission has "Steptronic" and it will start in 1st with smooth upshifts, at higher RPM shiftpoints than if D selected] Is there a setting on the GM that can be changed to make it do the same? [On my 328xi GM6, if I select D (NOT left-gate), it starts in 2nd UNLESS I push throttle too much, and then it kicks down to 1st, often with hesitation. So if you want to "make a grand exit" from a light, select left-gate (DS). If you keep it in D, and then suddenly want to smoke the rice-burner next to you after starting in 2nd, your transmission may embarrass you. It is my understanding that the ZF Steptronic works similarly] First gear is way too high a ratio, [I assume you mean too LOW a ratio]...

On my GM6, the hesitation in kickdown to 1st (which occurs at anything more than sedate throttle movement) is annoying, but as stated above, "D" is NOT for Drag-racing, so if in doubt, select DS.

The GM transmission as used in my 2007 328xi has a label on the bottom of the pan that identifies it as GM (vs. ZF) and identifies the fluid used (Dexron VI). The ZF uses DIFFERENT Fluid, and I believe I read somewhere the filter is integral to the pan in the ZF? I would encourage you to:
1) remove the rear splash shield and look for such a label;
2) scan codes in all modules, particularly the EGS (Transmission Module), looking for an Oil Wear Fault, 578E;
3) if you find such a fault, or if your vehicle has >100,000 miles, OR since it is now 12 years old, even if it has LESS than 100,000 miles, change the fluid & filter (NOT a simple process due to complicated refill procedure since no dipstick).
4) even for experienced "car guys" it actually helps to read the Owner's Manual to learn such things as how Steptronic and DS (left-gate) are intended to work.

The short answer is your transmission, whether a GM or ZF, SHOULD be able to do what you are talking about, and if it won't (when you have the shift lever in the proper position, with the proper Gear Selected appearing on the Instrument Cluster & indicator on the console), then you should scan for codes in the EGS or consult a tranny shop.

George

[RayLivingston]

Well, now I am questioning what transmission I actually have. I somehow thought all E90s had GMs. I do know whatever I have sucks compared to the ZF 5HP19 I have in the E46. In "DS", it shift like cr@p about 30% of the time - VERY abrupt, and the shift points are unpredictable. In "D" it is tolerable, not great, but starting in 1st gear is awful, because as soon as it starts moving, it shift into 2nd, often harshly, which gives the whole car a jerk.

I will crawl underneath in the next few days and look at the nameplate. The belly pans are off, so everything is visible.

Regards,
Ray L.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Sounds like you need a TCU flash like xHP.

[mecheng77]

I have the GM trans and for its time it is a great trans. Reliable, quick shifts in sport and pretty smooth. I like that is has a metal pan unlike the ZF. And it’s decently reliable.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

Well, now I am questioning what transmission I actually have. I somehow thought all E90s had GMs. I do know whatever I have sucks compared to the ZF 5HP19 I have in the E46. In "DS", it shift like cr@p about 30% of the time - VERY abrupt, and the shift points are unpredictable. In "D" it is tolerable, not great, but starting in 1st gear is awful, because as soon as it starts moving, it shift into 2nd, often harshly, which gives the whole car a jerk.

I will crawl underneath in the next few days and look at the nameplate. The belly pans are off, so everything is visible.

Regards,
Ray L.

Sounds like adaptation or maintenance might help. I was getting jerky downshifts and I replaced the seals while doing the fluid and filter and it was much better. I think cold it was letting fluid sneak by causing awkward shifts.

[S65Hunter]

While we are on the topic....this is the only sticker I have seen when looking at the transmission. Does this identify which trans i have?

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by AlpineE93

While we are on the topic....this is the only sticker I have seen when looking at the transmission. Does this identify which trans i have?

That is a GM trans, ZF has a black plastic pan

[S65Hunter]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

That is a GM trans, ZF has a black plastic pan

Gotchya. Idk why people hate on it so much. Sure it's not super responsive while in D but in sport mode or manual mode its pretty good. Maybe I'm just so much happier since my previous car had a 4spd auto that was utter shit...

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by AlpineE93

While we are on the topic....this is the only sticker I have seen when looking at the transmission. Does this identify which trans i have?

It ONLY identifies the BMW Part# for the fluid that is to be used in the transmission, 83220397114. However if you enter that Part# into RealOEM, you get the following which identifies it as Dexron VI which is used in the GM6:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=83220397114

The ZF box uses Shell M-1375.4 fluid per Bentley 240-6.

According to Bentley, 200-3, the GM6 has a metal tag on the Left Side of the transmission case, at the rear, just above the pan, and behind the shift/ selector cable.

Sorry I "misremembered" in my earlier post. The photo I took of my label looks exactly like yours.

George

[asiflicious]

A. If you have a 335i, you have a ZF transmission, NOT a GM

B. It sounds like you have an XHP or Alpina transmission tune

C. Use DS or manual mode

[ziddak]

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-transmissions/mya/

[feuer]

I suggeste you go find and drive another 335i as your transmission might be on its way out. Being 2007 might not be able to flash it. Servicing it might make it even worse...

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by feuer

I suggeste you go find and drive another 335i as your transmission might be on its way out. Being 2007 might not be able to flash it. Servicing it might make it even worse...

Feuer...can you elaborate on why you think servicing will make it worse?

[CTinline-six]

The GM trans is probably my least favorite part about my 328i, but with that said it's not horrible. It shifts like.. well.. a GM trans. They are all a bit clunky with seemingly strange shift points, usually for MPG reasons.

In DS, the transmission isn't that bad on twisty back roads, it holds gears better than I expected it would. Regular "D" mode is for efficiency. It works fine if you are light on the throttle, but I've noticed that if you press the pedal harder as you start going the transmission gets confused and tries to downshift to first gear briefly, causing a hesitation.

The ZF in my 325xi doesn't really do this, but it has harder shifts, likely due to the mileage. I'm not thrilled with either transmission, but they aren't terrible compared to some really annoying ones I have driven in other cars.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Feuer...can you elaborate on why you think servicing will make it worse?

Is like when old men will take blue pill to have sex and get heart attack during... I'm just kidding... I don't have any scientific evidence but often working older high mileage AT goes bad immediately after the first service. Chance of this happening increase exponentially when servicing the transmission is expected to fix existing problem as might be with this AT which is shifting hard, and guys says whole car jerks. Who knows for how long it has been acting up? Why service it now?

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by feuer

Is like when old men will take blue pill to have sex and get heart attack during... I'm just kidding... I don't have any scientific evidence but often working older high mileage AT goes bad immediately after the first service. Chance of this happening increase exponentially when servicing the transmission is expected to fix existing problem as might be with this AT which is shifting hard, and guys says whole car jerks. Who knows for how long it has been acting up? Why service it now?

That's an old wives tale (maybe not on the blue pill though).

Doing a simple drain and fill of the transmission with the correct fluid and making sure it is at the proper level will not harm it. Those who do a "power flush" offered by many quick lube places on an aging automatic transmission are the ones who run into issues, since the power flush often pushes crud into the valve body.

[S65Hunter]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

That's an old wives tale (maybe not on the blue pill though).

Doing a simple drain and fill of the transmission with the correct fluid and making sure it is at the proper level will not harm it. Those who do a "power flush" offered by many quick lube places on an aging automatic transmission are the ones who run into issues, since the power flush often pushes crud into the valve body.

Agreed. A drain and fill should be fine. Just no flushing of any kind.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

That's an old wives tale (maybe not on the blue pill though).

Doing a simple drain and fill of the transmission with the correct fluid and making sure it is at the proper level will not harm it. Those who do a "power flush" offered by many quick lube places on an aging automatic transmission are the ones who run into issues, since the power flush often pushes crud into the valve body.

Originally Posted by AlpineE93

Agreed. A drain and fill should be fine. Just no flushing of any kind.

Well, I'm glad that you guys explained the reason, don't flush, just drin and refill, although I have seen AT go bad after simple drain and refill. I work part time in a shop and that is pretty much all I do with AT and I had quite few guys have issue with the square block looking like seal inside the AT after service. This part: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...7-588-724-M103 Let me tell you: very tough to explain a layman customer that you didn't break the AT with the service.