4/5th gear nudging/hesitation near WOT

[anon1000]

2014 X5 about 42k miles, 50i, have this hesitation/nudging in powertrain above 60mph, around 3750-5k rpms (max power/torque range).

It is quite noticeable interruption of power delivery, jerkiness/nudging is the best way to describe it. Accelerating from 60 to 80mph so it does not kickdown to a lower gear.

Don't notice it on lower gears, happens regardless of the traction control system position.

Ideas?

[Katsumoto]

Are you stock or tuned. Mine started after i flashed the DME's with Bpc tune. Before there was no hesitation , but now it is. And it is big notice when ac is on. Doing this between 100-130MPH , 3-4.5 Rpm. Waiting on Bob from Bpc to send me new tune so i hope that will go away

[Silververtu]

Was check engine light on?
When was the last time you change spark plugs and/or coil?

[anon1000]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Was check engine light on?
When was the last time you change spark plugs and/or coil?

Not tuned, stock car. It does not feel like a misfire, feel more like tranny/diff issue.

I am at 42k miles, didn't think I would need new coils or plugs yet.

Will scan for the codes tonight, the Carista app gave me all kinds of weird codes, which might be due to coding, but cleared those and see if they re-appear today.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by anon1000

Not tuned, stock car. It does not feel like a misfire, feel more like tranny/diff issue.

I am at 42k miles, didn't think I would need new coils or plugs yet.

Will scan for the codes tonight, the Carista app gave me all kinds of weird codes, which might be due to coding, but cleared those and see if they re-appear today.

Same thing experienced by couple 50i owners. After changing plugs it went away. For the record you can check Maverick's thread about DIY plug replacement on 50i and his plugs were in badly shape already at less than 30k miles. He had same jerkiness at WOT that went away. Many are mistaking it for transmission issues - but there are no tranny issues that behave like that in rpm range under WOT.
Yes, there's always exceptions and it may be something else - but my bet is it's plugs.

[anon1000]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Same thing experienced by couple 50i owners. After changing plugs it went away. For the record you can check Maverick's thread about DIY plug replacement on 50i and his plugs were in badly shape already at less than 30k miles. He had same jerkiness at WOT that went away. Many are mistaking it for transmission issues - but there are no tranny issues that behave like that in rpm range under WOT.
Yes, there's always exceptions and it may be something else - but my bet is it's plugs.

Good to know, I read those, thanks.

It would make sense to have misfires in that situation if one is to happen. I read some oil issues fouling plugs, so might be worth checking them anyway.

Do you know if they got misfire codes? I also read a few posts on transfer case issues with similar symptoms.

[turboawd]

I posted recently about this. I thought I had a Trans issue. Turns out it was the plugs and a misfire.

[Silververtu]

It's funny that my 2015 X5 50i with 41k miles are due for spark plugs change. I scheduled for an oil change but the service advisor said the car was also due for spark plug change. I was surprised he brought it up as spark plugs change should be at around 60k miles. I let him do so since it's covered under free maintenance.

[anon1000]

Originally Posted by turboawd

I posted recently about this. I thought I had a Trans issue. Turns out it was the plugs and a misfire.

Did you have CEL or codes present?

Just ordered the plugs, might as well do them.

[Katsumoto]

Hmm , my car has 15k miles so far.... do i have to replace the spark plugs ?!? I thought they are good till about 30-40k miles. Do anyone think that might be my problem because of my flash. Dush , have you notice anything after your flash. Bob told me that he has never ever had any problems before

[Florida-X3]

What does the maintenance manual say for plug change interval? I'm taking our X5 in tomorrow for this very thing, it's still under CPO warranty and if it's plugs, wondering if I'll be out of pocket for replacements. Most cars today are at around 100k miles for plug replacement.

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by Florida-X5

What does the maintenance manual say for plug change interval? I'm taking our X5 in tomorrow for this very thing, it's still under CPO warranty and if it's plugs, wondering if I'll be out of pocket for replacements. Most cars today are at around 100k miles for plug replacement.

Manual says spark plugs change at 60k interval.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Manual says spark plugs change at 60k interval.

Most all cars will say this too. It's a factor of the boost pressure and compression. FI engines need plugs more often while NA generally don't have this issue. Raise the boost with a tune and u only exacerbate the issue.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Vlado

Hmm , my car has 15k miles so far.... do i have to replace the spark plugs ?!? I thought they are good till about 30-40k miles. Do anyone think that might be my problem because of my flash. Dush , have you notice anything after your flash. Bob told me that he has never ever had any problems before

It was fine after flash, but I noticed it recently, like month ago. I'm at 30k miles right now. I think I need plugs too. This is on my DIY list, but right now I'm dealing with my instrument cluster panel that I bricked while coding lol.
Vlado your 15k miles is not much, but it's not only about mileage - stock plug gap is too big imho for a tuned 50i. Maverick gapped it down and he got rid of this jerkiness under WOT. I don't remember what gap he went with, but BM3 also has recommendations to change stock plugs to NGK ones for both gap and 1 step colder plugs.

X5M is cheaper and it's platinum, NGK is more expensive but it's Irridium - hence a bit more effective. That's what I'm going to go with as soon as I fix my instrument cluster issue.
I recently opened the hood and plastic engine cover pops up in 2 sec very easily (you just grab it and pull up) and there you can see all 8 coils right away. Taking airbox is still needed for better access, but it's a easy DIY. Just need all tools handy.

[anon1000]

Just scanned it after driving it for 30 mins, with several occurences of the issue.

No faults/codes whatsoever.

It happens right at max torque, regardless of the gear, reproducible from 3rd to 6th, it starts small and then amplifies, mixture of hesitation and jumpiness.

Feels like tranny/transfercase issue.

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by anon1000

Just scanned it after driving it for 30 mins, with several occurences of the issue.

No faults/codes whatsoever.

It happens right at max torque, regardless of the gear, reproducible from 3rd to 6th, it starts small and then amplifies, mixture of hesitation and jumpiness.

Feels like tranny/transfercase issue.

Mine did this today and I am tuned. It did it stock at 34k miles. It was the plugs and I got them replaced under warranty. Now my tune might be too much for my new stock plugs or it could be a coil. I let off before it could throw a code but the "About to misfire and go into limp mode" is unmistakable.

Mine is also a 14 50i. It might feel like the tranny but I am almost 100% positive its the plugs based on you getting the same surging in the same rpm range. I didn't see if you said your plugs were original factory. If they are, mine went out at 35k miles so you are 41k are right there. Don't believe BMW when they say they will last to 60k. That is under the most optimum driving conditions and in most cases, can't be replicated.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Manual says spark plugs change at 60k interval.

Thanks!

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by AZTWW

Don't believe BMW when they say they will last to 60k. That is under the most optimum driving conditions and in most cases, can't be replicated.

Agree! Even when BMW says 60k miles interval, my service advisor said I needed spark plugs change when my car was at 41k miles.

[anon1000]

Originally Posted by AZTWW

Mine did this today and I am tuned. It did it stock at 34k miles. It was the plugs and I got them replaced under warranty. Now my tune might be too much for my new stock plugs or it could be a coil. I let off before it could throw a code but the "About to misfire and go into limp mode" is unmistakable.

Mine is also a 14 50i. It might feel like the tranny but I am almost 100% positive its the plugs based on you getting the same surging in the same rpm range. I didn't see if you said your plugs were original factory. If they are, mine went out at 35k miles so you are 41k are right there. Don't believe BMW when they say they will last to 60k. That is under the most optimum driving conditions and in most cases, can't be replicated.

I would expect to get a code though, as it is so noticeable, I did it probably 20-30 times, always at close to max torque where it sputters/jerks/nudges, No codes.

I did order new plugs, they are originals and I do drive hard at times. Will try that, but I would be really surprised if my butt feedback is so off, but great if I am wrong.

Thanks for all the comments.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by anon1000

I would expect to get a code though, as it is so noticeable, I did it probably 20-30 times, always at close to max torque where it sputters/jerks/nudges, No codes.

I did order new plugs, they are originals and I do drive hard at times. Will try that, but I would be really surprised if my butt feedback is so off, but great if I am wrong.

Thanks for all the comments.

Hey man it's your car, your choice, but I would go with X5M or NGK plugs. Stock originals are already failing on stock 50i. I mean wouldn't you want to get something a bit better?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by anon1000

Did you have CEL or codes present?

Just ordered the plugs, might as well do them.

No codes at all.

[perry8912]

Agreed with Dush.
You can imagine if stock plugs are failing around 30k-40k miles, the system are pushing a lot of stress on ignition coils as well. And that explains why there are some 50i owners have coil failure on low mileage. So by using one step colder plugs with closer gap(0.22”) even on stock engine, will help coils work a lot easier.