Having endless problems with the drive of my new car which is a 620d GT M-Sport 69 plate. In garage now for the 2nd time. This time it has been with them 2 weeks and now they are saying there is nothing wrong with the car and the problems that are happening are due to the 'SAILING' function on the vehicle. I have my limited knowledge and experience on this but would like comments from anyone on here as to what 'SAILING' means on a new BMW and what one should expect it to do. (problems I am having: (1) automatic gear changes in the lower range very jerky i.e. when approaching roundabouts, junctions and then accelerating away, (2) rpm's when driving at 1,500-2,000 suddenly for no reason will jump up to 3,000-4,000 rpms with an increased engine noise for about 10-15 seconds and then settles back, and (3) drive of car at speed on a motorway doesn't feel 'grounded' like when overtaking a lorry/coach and you have to hold steering wheel) makes for a very tiring journey!
I wonder if they're referring to the 'Coasting' function but that's only active in ECO PRO driving mode? https://discover.bmw.co.uk/technology/efficientdynamics/energy-management
That is what I was thinking. I never drive my car in Eco Pro mode only ever Comfort or Sport so their excuses this time are again lame.
Perhaps check the i-Drive to see if there's a setting that allows you to turn the Coasting function off completely?
The garage are telling you it is a 'problem', associated with the sailing/coasting feature? If so, are they advising changing the driving technique to reduce/eliminate the problem? BTW, have you tried different pedal inputs (brake and throttle) to see if it changes the characteristics. For example, is the increase in revs, simply engine braking, due to brake application? If you brake heavily (or suddenly jab the brakes), it possibly changes down several gears to give maximum engine braking. I see no other reason an engine will be forced to rev, has to be due to an input to the gearbox control. As to being 'planted', is it something simple like tyre pressures? What wheel size are you running? That could have an influence. Peter
My auto box is a 1st generation ZF unit which doesn't have the coasting function. I have been in my mates f31 which does have that function though, it never revved high when coasting although we were going along a flat section of road. I don't know what the coasting function would do when going down hill. I would presume it would be disabled to allow the car to use engine braking to prevent the vehicle's speed from creeping upwards. As Peter says the engine shouldn't rev for no reason. For jerkiness at junctions and roundabouts I have experienced this in my car. It's usually worse on a cold engine, I've learned to anticipate this with careful use of the throttle which seems to be enough to minimise the jerkiness.
Now bishbosh has made me think, in my previous F30 320ed 2012 auto I would have high revs for no reason when coasting down hills, kind of annoying but was always there in the 2 yrs of ownership. Nothing like it in my 2014 F34 330d xdrive a much better drive perhaps its something accustome to the 2lt 4 pot only?
@Catwoman Hi and welcome aboard. I'm surprised the Dealership hasn't suggested someone accompanying you on a test drive in the car to observe your driving style and offer their thoughts on a) the car's behaviour, and b) any adjustments you might be able to introduce in your inputs to match what the software/settings are doing? Just a thought - it might be worth suggesting that to them?
That is what BMW say about the coasting function so if you are not using Eco Pro you should not be experiencing coasting. and the increase in revs should not be happening as suggested above can try a different dealers to see what they have to say
If you Are using Eco Pro for your everyday driving the fuel saving is minimal ,Comfort is much and such the same fuel consumption . As others have said, try another Dealer . Welcome to the Land
I tend to use Eco Pro in heavy traffic, simply because the gears change up earlier in the rev range. The fuel consumption is also better by a few Mpg, although that's irrelevant. It's just a more relaxed drive when it's not possible to use the full performance. The coasting function is possibly the main reason for the better fuel consumption, but it's barely noticeable when it happens - no sudden change to the gearing, but the car does run on a long way on the over run. The drive re-engages seamlessly as soon as the throttle is pressed.
