[wildwestm3]

Anyone know if there is a software upgrade for the transmission in my wife's 2014 328i M-Sport automatic. I'm not even sure which transmission is in there to be honest. We had a loaner the other day when it was in for an oil change and the transmission in it shifted so much smoother and faster. I know the newer ones have a bit more horsepower, but was not sure if they got a different transmission as well. Love her EB 328i, just would like it to shift better. Let me know your thoughts...

[Orion4]

There well may have been a software/firmware update. You will probably have to ask your service department to check your records/read your key to see what version is currently installed and if there is a more recent update that includes the transmission. Then the challenge commonly is to get them to perform an update. Most dealers will only do so if there is service related issue that calls for an update. Some serviced departments are more amenable.

[sspade]

Im in this same situation, Im due for my 40k service soon and want dealer to check for any and all software updates but not sure how to approach the issue with my dealer...

[rak299]

If you don't have problems, it isn't clear you should blindly ask for all updates. Sometimes, updates break things that are working. There is a thread about a recent update that screwed up rev-matching on cars with 6MT

[Patrick852]

There was an option on your ZF8AT to be purchased, which is called Sport Transmission if I remember correctly. When you buy the car if you didn't pick it you get the base software which shift much slower.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by wildwestm3

Anyone know if there is a software upgrade for the transmission in my wife's 2014 328i M-Sport automatic. I'm not even sure which transmission is in there to be honest. We had a loaner the other day when it was in for an oil change and the transmission in it shifted so much smoother and faster. I know the newer ones have a bit more horsepower, but was not sure if they got a different transmission as well. Love her EB 328i, just would like it to shift better. Let me know your thoughts...

The 330i have a different transmission and gearing with the 328i being a closer ratio. A dealer would only do a free software update if there was a problem with the car that the dealer thinks would be fixed with an update and under warranty. Otherwise it's a couple/few hundred charge - check with dealer

I thought there were some improvements made in the FY14 software

[sspade]

Interesting. What wife has a 2014 Grand Cherokee and has had more than one software update on engine/transmission already. No charge, obviously...

[wildwestm3]

Dealer says they will not do an update, even if there is one, unless there is a problem. I say it is shifting slow, so I have a problem. Apparently we are in disagreement.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by wildwestm3

Dealer says they will not do an update, even if there is one, unless there is a problem. I say it is shifting slow, so I have a problem. Apparently we are in disagreement.

Perhaps you want to try an adaptive transmission reset first? http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1182679

[jnecr]

Originally Posted by Patrick852

There was an option on your ZF8AT to be purchased, which is called Sport Transmission if I remember correctly. When you buy the car if you didn't pick it you get the base software which shift much slower.

But you can enable the Sport Transmission option via coding. Which is free if you're willing to do it yourself (I did, it's easy).

[uncleruckus]

I would probably venture a guess, the loaner had the Sport Auto Transmission (SAT) option, whereas your wife's car doesn't? Perhaps run her VIN number to see if this was an option for her vehicle.

The good news is that you can code in the SAT, I had this done for my car and it does feel like the shifts are bit quicker and less hesitant (as example, see this thread for coding: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1138452).

I believe the actual ZF8 transmission hardware was updated in 2014 (maybe 2015?), IIRC it added in additional cooling, which allows the "Coast" function.

[jnecr]

Originally Posted by uncleruckus

I believe the actual ZF8 transmission hardware was updated in 2014 (maybe 2015?), IIRC it added in additional cooling, which allows the "Coast" function.

From what I see on Wikipedia BMW switched ZF transmission models with the LCI facelift. The only likely significant difference is the uprated torque on the newer cars. Pre-LCI use ZF 8HP45 and Post-LCI use ZF 8HP50. I'd be very surprised if the gearing was changed much between these two models.

As for the extra cooling, that is also true, but I don't think the transmission changed at all, just added a tranny cooler. My 2014 has the "Coast" function and I think that may have been the first year for it.

[sspade]

Can you code the sport transmission via BimmerCode? Also, how do you know if you have the coast feature and or tranny cooler?

Mine is a 2014.

[dsc888]

Originally Posted by uncleruckus

I believe the actual ZF8 transmission hardware was updated in 2014 (maybe 2015?), IIRC it added in additional cooling, which allows the "Coast" function.

What exactly is the "coast" function? Is that where the transmission goes into Neutral when you let off on the accelerator in Eco Pro mode?

[jnecr]

Originally Posted by dsc888

What exactly is the "coast" function? Is that where the transmission goes into Neutral when you let off on the accelerator in Eco Pro mode?

Yes, this exactly.

[jnecr]

Originally Posted by sspade

Also, how do you know if you have the coast feature and or tranny cooler?

Mine is a 2014.

In the Eco Pro options menu will be an option to enable "Coasting." If you don't have that option then I assume your car doesn't have the transmission cooler.