94 530iA slow from a stop

[94530inh]

My 94 530i automatic is scaring me. Merging into traffic has become a chore because I dont get any real power until the high rpms. It feels like the car is skipping first gear and that i'm in second from a stop. Can someone tell me why it is like this. The engine is running perfectly and is brand new. I took it to the dragway and my best was an 18.3 @ 82mph

Are they all like this? The car cant even spin the tires from a stop when its wet. Someone please help.. No codes although I did get a trans program light a few weeks ago, but it went away. I think the car has been like this since it was bought but i'm not sure as it was my brothers. Tranny has 212k miles on it lol


thanks

[Alexlind123]

I can safely say that that is not normal, other than that, i havent got anyting.

[Eric Clark]

Mine brakes out when it is wet. One time when it torqued up the fan ate part of my upper radiator hose.

[mattyb]

sorry to hear it mate but mine felt the same a few weeks ago. had the box rebuilt! do a search as it might not be so drastic as what i would not want it to be. Best of luck

[infinity5]

I'm going to say that's the way they are. As an owner i can tell you that it's driven exactly how you say, like its starting in 2nd gear, for at least 10 years of its 12 year life. I hardly could blame the transmission.

I've never driven a car that's accelerated below 35mph this slow in my life, except for the shitty GMC sonoma we have at work.

I guess maybe the transmission could be broken.. somehow?

Don't worry, you'll get used to it :) Just put it in S4 or S3 and floor it, it moves, it just takes a second.

Its a 4000lb car with an automatic meant for relaxing driving. I don't think you could spin the wheels if you coated them in oil and drove the thing on glass.

[saj3n]

Hmm... I dunno about that... Mine accelerates pretty darn quick off of a stop. The only problem I have with merging is that I end up on the freeway faster than expected, leaving the other cars far behind. With ACS off, dumb yes but i've tried it, I can definitely spin the tires in a small pool of water. Yes, Sport mode does increase the acceleration, especially when floored. But as far as pulling off being slow or having the "2nd gear" feeling... I'm not having that problem at all.

[Eric Clark]

I have spun mine on a wet road with traction on. JT540i can confirm this one. I was on my way to his house when the fan nicked the hose.

[saj3n]

I have spun mine on a wet road with traction on. JT540i can confirm this one. I was on my way to his house when the fan nicked the hose.

Yea... A few times here as well, with the little ACS light popping on as the wheels redistribute speed. I've seen no power issues with mine in this regard.

[632 Regal]

real turds below 4000 rpms, Mark is working in a chip for us. his last beta chip caused mine to spin the tires fron a standstill but had a few issues with our transmissions. He sent me another chip that is much better than stock but will take a bit till we zero in a final version.

a new gear ratio of 3:64 helps immensly in city driving and acceleration.

[saj3n]

real turds below 4000 rpms, Mark is working in a chip for us. his last beta chip caused mine to spin the tires fron a standstill but had a few issues with our transmissions. He sent me another chip that is much better than stock but will take a bit till we zero in a final version.

a new gear ratio of 3:64 helps immensly in city driving and acceleration.

Sign me up for that chip with the final version is complete! What's the asking price? $250?

[632 Regal]

not sure but it will be a blessing in disguise.

[Eric Clark]

Damn I guess some deams come true even if they are a bit late for me.

[BillionPa]

low power output is related to deteriorating components in the ingition and intake system, replacing them does quite a bit to kick the power. the trick is finding which ones are the ones making you slow and replace them.

the rear diff gearing is more designed for fuel econ than acceleration, a 3.64 will make it feel quite a bit nicer, as regal said.

i like to make starts in S4 because it goes to 2nd about 1000rpms higher and that makes the car much faster in both gears, then put it back to D right after it shifts to 3rd, or about 3500rpms ( i do wanna save gas!)

other than that, HOPEFULLY i will get my dinan chip in the next year for the transmission (ordered it last month i think) and i will see how that makes the car behave once it goes from 1st to 2nd and beyond.

all that being said my car does NOT feel "slow" at all, but mines probably about 200 pounds lighter (3640lbs with me in it) than yours and has NO air conditioning (if its on your car will be a lot slower) and i do use modified gasoline that does give me extra power, so i dont expect it to feel slow in any condition.... except when its wet and i cant corner over 25mph.... i need new tires :/

im editing this post after rereading the trans prog thing.. not good, replace fluid now if you dont know when it was last done.

[splower]

Although only owning my 530 for a nearly a week now, I thought it was meant to start in 2nd if you've been sat in traffic? I've found that mine does that. I'm more than likely wrong though...

-Simon

[94530inh]

i didnt know the car had sport mode, how do I engage it?

[fkong777]

I was looking into the dinan tranny chip.. from what the tech said.. It will enable the transmission to go into first gear. So from what he said I assume the tranny by default starts the car in 2nd gear when it is on "D"

I think S4 will enable the 1st gear start.

[94530inh]

how do i put it in sport mode?

[632 Regal]

move the gear selector into a lower gear. each lower causes the trans to shift at higher and higher rpm's.

just raced a brand new grand prix, their pretty quick but I still pull on them. only to about 115 but it seemed like he let off the gas at that speed 3 difft times...who knows...I wanted to see where his shut off, maybe it is at 115 where the power drops.

[e34musician]

I'm going to say that's the way they are. As an owner i can tell you that it's driven exactly how you say, like its starting in 2nd gear, for at least 10 years of its 12 year life. I hardly could blame the transmission.

I've never driven a car that's accelerated below 35mph this slow in my life, except for the shitty GMC sonoma we have at work.

I guess maybe the transmission could be broken.. somehow?

Don't worry, you'll get used to it :) Just put it in S4 or S3 and floor it, it moves, it just takes a second.

Its a 4000lb car with an automatic meant for relaxing driving. I don't think you could spin the wheels if you coated them in oil and drove the thing on glass.

Owning the car for about a week now, I just noticed the same thing today (a/c off, windows down, so I hear the engine better, notice engined rev but the car moved slowly when taking off). I thought my trany slips to the 2nd gear. But it shifts just fine afterward. It did move if I floor it though. Will try sport mode tomorrow to see if there is any different. I'm so paranoid my new car. Someone tell me if this is normal?

[BillionPa]

i drove my car like a baby for 6 months... then started modding, getting better gas, better oil, new fluids, then found this forum.

i really can say im not very nice to my car now. i drive it like its on the track all the time (while staying at the speed limit)

[Alexlind123]

move the gear selector into a lower gear. each lower causes the trans to shift at higher and higher rpm's.

just raced a brand new grand prix, their pretty quick but I still pull on them. only to about 115 but it seemed like he let off the gas at that speed 3 difft times...who knows...I wanted to see where his shut off, maybe it is at 115 where the power drops.

115 might be where their limiter is. I was passed by a new Impala while in a Dodge Neon, bu we were able to pass the Impala at 120mph because the IMpala maxed out at 105 or so.

[SC David]

You guys need to drive an autotragic M20 that doesn't even have sports mode, and THEN talk.

[Thayne]

My car accelerates fine and so does my Dad's 94 530iA. But that problem is definitely not normal, don't have too much knowledge on the subject so I can't really help. :(