[njt07]

Hello everyone! I keep coming back to the X5 45e cause I really want to buy it. The main thing that put me off is the lack of a manual neutral button/capability within easy access for the driver in case the X5 needs to be towed but wont go into neutral.

I’m a plan for the worst kind of person, and requiring special tools, having to get under the vehicle to access the transmission to remove an access panel to put the vehicle in neutral seems like a critical oversight.

Am I overblowing this issue? I like to take my family on daytrips a lot, many times to isolated locations that probably dont have the tow/flatbed capability that a city would. Do most of you that chose the X5 in spite of this stay mostly in the city?

Is the special tool something that anyone keeps in their X5? Is it difficult to buy for this purpose?

[Pro55]

Ive only heard of this happening to one owner and there must be thousands on this forum. You are getting a super reliable engine, excellent gearbox and the latest technology. Most of the early electrical issues are sorted, and it seems as though the recall has sorted the battery issues. I wouldn’t let the neutral issue put you off. Got to be a million to one it actually affects you one day.

[biterror]

Is there a way to release the electronic parking brake if the system fails? I've had that on my F11 (and now G05) for a long time and never worried about it. Not worrying about the transmission, either.

[pho]

I found the following procedure in the driver's guide

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Pro55

Ive only heard of this happening to one owner and there must be thousands on this forum. You are getting a super reliable engine, excellent gearbox and the latest technology. Most of the early electrical issues are sorted, and it seems as though the recall has sorted the battery issues. I wouldn't let the neutral issue put you off. Got to be a million to one it actually affects you one day.

There has been more than 1 reported in the forum between G05, G06, G07 (at least 3 reported on the forum in 2020, IIRC). Considering the volume of vehicles produced, I'd put the odds closer to 1-2 per 100,000 per year; no idea if probability will go up with aging or down with software maturity, so let's call that a draw for the next couple of years.

While I am personally livid about this issue, life is risk and otherwise, with a little coding, this is a rather great platform to justify avoiding just on this basis. Risk is mitigated by care and the OP is plenty careful.

The tool is possible to acquire, but it's the getting under the car and removing 18 shield bolts that is also an issue in the field. Most of us will not fit under the car, so it requires being raised for that. And then, if the car wheels are accidentally not well chocked, it is also quite dangerous. It is best to assume the owner will not want to do any of this in the field themselves for safety.

To other posters so far, you have not kept up on this issue — don't make assumptions based on previous platforms. BMW messed this up real bad on this model generation. Full review of the latest detailed discussion on this will mostly catch you up: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1770076

[Paladin1]

And just to clarify, it's not just BMW but some other vehicles with a ZF 8 HP transmission....

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

And just to clarify, it's not just BMW but any vehicle with a ZF 8 HP transmission....

Yes, but it seems not every manufacturer chose to leave the release inaccessible. I haven't done a full investigation, but someone implied/stated that with an example in the other thread.

[Spencer518]

The 45e owners manual shows that the vehicle should only be transported on a flat bed. Tow trucks are not to be used.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by Spencer518

The 45e owners manual shows that the vehicle should only be transported on a flat bed. Tow trucks are not to be used

Getting it onto a flatbed in one particular case was the issue...OTA bricked the car and it wouldn't start (good battery) - so left with the unpleasant or difficult prospect of dragging a car with a locked transmission onto a truck. As an aside and a general observation, other than the "bricked car" scenario (which I expect would be fairly rare), if it's a simple dead battery it would seem just a jump start or a new battery would enable you to shift into neutral without the whole "under the car" scenario.

[LexxM3]

One mitigation over time that may render this much less of an issue is that the towing industry will figure out they need to deal with this and carry 4 wheel lift dollies in more and more tow vehicles. Perhaps, in a couple of years, as long as you get a flatbed out, it would be rare to not have those available. There is positive reinforcement to this: a) they don't get paid if they fail to tow, and b) they get financially penalized (sued) if they damage when towing inappropriately.

[SmartSaves]

OP, don't let this manageable potential issue to hinder enjoyment of this amazing vehicle. Here are a few things I would do:

TURN OFF AUTOMATIC UPDATE TO AVOID BRICKING THE CAR. Only do it manually, by yourself or from dealer. This OTA process is still a learning curve for BMW, over time it'll get better.

Have a spare tire.

Carry one battery jump pack whenever you visit remote area.

Have a battery tenderizer at home to top-up the battery about once a month - especially in cold season.

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

And just to clarify, it's not just BMW but any vehicle with a ZF 8 HP transmission....

Not true, my Cayenne has the ZF 8 speed and you can release to neutral without having to crawl under the vehicle. Not sure why BMW didn't implement something similar in the G05.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

Not true, my Cayenne has the ZF 8 speed and you can release to neutral without having to crawl under the vehicle. Not sure why BMW didn't implement something similar in the G05.

Correct - and corrected! But just a partial list of cars with this transmission - I believe Porsche uses the 8DT (dual-clutch variant):

Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alpina D3 (F30)
Alpina D4
Alpina B3 (F30)
Alpina B4
Alpina XD3
Alpina D5 (G30/G31)
Alpina B5 (G30/G31)
Alpina B6
Alpina B
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Vantage (2018)
Aston Martin DB11
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Audi S4 North American version
Audi S5 North American version
Audi A4 2011+ North American B8/8.5 Quattro Versions
Audi A5 2011+ North American B8/8.5 Quattro Versions
Audi RS6
Audi RS7
Audi A8
Audi Q5 8 AT version
Audi Q7
Bentley Mulsanne (2010)
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Flying Spur (2013)
BMW 1 Series
BMW 2 Series
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 GT
BMW 6 Series
BMW 7 series
BMW 8 Series
BMW X1 (First Generation)
BMW X3
BMW X4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW X7
BMW Z4
Chrysler 300 V6 (2012+ MY), V8 (2015+ MY) 3.6 (845RE) 5.7 (8HP70)
Dodge Challenger (2015+ MY ) 3.6 (845RE)5.7, 6.4 (8HP70) 6.2 (8HP90)
Dodge Charger 3.6, 2012+ MY, 845REV8 (2015+ MY; 5.7, 6.4 8HP70; 6.2 8HP90)
Dodge Durango (2014 MY+) 3.6 (845RE 2014-2017, 850RE 2018-) 5.7 (8HP70)
Iveco Daily 2014-on
Jaguar F-Type, F-Pace XEXF (2012-), XFR (2012-), X
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (2014 MY+) 3.6 (845RE 2014-2016, 850RE 2017-) 3.0, 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70) 6.2 Supercharged (8HP95)
Jeep Wrangler/Unlimited (JL) (2018 MY+) 2.0, 3.6 (850RE) 3.0 (8HP75 2020-)
Jeep Gladiator (JT) (2020 MY+) 3.6 (850RE)
Lamborghini Urus
Lancia Thema V6
Land Rover Discovery 4/LR4
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Evoque PHEV
RR Velar
RR Defender
Maserati Ghibli III
Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Levante
Ram 1500 3.6 L V6 (2013 MY+)
Ram 1500 3.0 L V6 (2014 MY+)
Ram 1500 5.7L V8 (2013 MY+)
Ram 2500/3500 6.4L V8 (2019 MY+)
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Rolls-Royce Phantom VII
Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013)
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Toyota Supra 5th generation
VinFast LUX A2.0
VinFast LUX SA2.0
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE (2017+) (longitudinally mounted engine only)
Volkswagen Touareg (2nd and 3rd generation)

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Correct - and corrected! But just a partial list of cars with this transmission:

Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alpina D3 (F30)
Alpina D4
Alpina B3 (F30)
Alpina B4
Alpina XD3
Alpina D5 (G30/G31)
Alpina B5 (G30/G31)
Alpina B6
Alpina B
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Vantage (2018)
Aston Martin DB11
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Audi S4 North American version
Audi S5 North American version
Audi A4 2011+ North American B8/8.5 Quattro Versions
Audi A5 2011+ North American B8/8.5 Quattro Versions
Audi RS6
Audi RS7
Audi A8
Audi Q5 8 AT version
Audi Q7
Bentley Mulsanne (2010)
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Flying Spur (2013)
BMW 1 Series
BMW 2 Series
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 GT
BMW 6 Series
BMW 7 series
BMW 8 Series
BMW X1 (First Generation)
BMW X3
BMW X4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW X7
BMW Z4
Chrysler 300 V6 (2012+ MY), V8 (2015+ MY)3.6 (845RE)5.7 (8HP70)
Dodge Challenger (2015+ MY)3.6 (845RE)5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)6.2 (8HP90)
Dodge Charger3.6, 2012+ MY,[30] 845REV8 (2015+ MY; 5.7, 6.4 8HP70; 6.2 8HP90)
Dodge Durango [31][32](2014 MY+)3.6 (845RE 2014-2017, 850RE 2018-)5.7 (8HP70)
Iveco Daily 2014-on
Jaguar F-Type, F-Pace XEXF (2012-)XFR (2012-)X
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (2014 MY+)3.6 (845RE 2014-2016, 850RE 2017-)3.0, 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)6.2 Supercharged (8HP95)
Jeep Wrangler/Unlimited (JL) (2018 MY+)2.0, 3.6 (850RE)3.0 (8HP75 2020-)
Jeep Gladiator (JT) (2020 MY+)3.6 (850RE)
Lamborghini Urus
Lancia Thema V6
Land Rover Discovery 4/LR4
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Evoque PHEV
RR Velar
RR Defender
Maserati Ghibli III
Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Levante
Ram 1500 3.6 L V6 (2013 MY+)
Ram 1500 3.0 L V6 (2014 MY+)
Ram 1500 5.7L V8[35][36][37] (2013 MY+)
Ram 2500/3500 6.4L V8 (2019 MY+)
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Rolls-Royce Phantom VII
Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013)
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Toyota Supra 5th generation
VinFast LUX A2.0
VinFast LUX SA2.0
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE (2017+) (longitudinally mounted engine only)
Volkswagen Touareg (2nd and 3rd generation)

That is way too long of a list to have this problem. I wonder if all the VW brands have a release similar to Porsche? Regardless, it is a brain dead design on any make that has the manual release to neutral under the vehicle. My guess is it saves $5 per car to do it that way, and economies of scale make that a huge amount of cost savings. Edit to add: the 9Y0 Cayenne doesn't use the dual clutch PDK, it is a standard torque converter auto.

[hyde]

Originally Posted by pho

I found the following procedure in the driver's guide

Thank you for this, so basically press hold ignition and push lever past N and hold there until released.

I still wish there was mechanical release from inside the vehicle (i don't understand why other makers would make the release outside the vehicle) Mall tow truck lobby? Does the mechanical release also release it from parking brake? Because if there is no power, parking brake will probably remain engaged?

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by hyde

Thank you for this, so basically press hold ignition and push lever past N and hold there until released.

I still wish there was mechanical release from inside the vehicle (i don't understand why other makers would make the release outside the vehicle) Mall tow truck lobby? Does the mechanical release also release it from parking brake? Because if there is no power, parking brake will probably remain engaged?

This does NOT work with the G05/G06. The shift lock override must be engaged under the car with a release lever on the side of the transmission, after removing the cover plate(s). Hence the comments.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

This does NOT work with the G05/G06. The shift lock override must be engaged under the car with a release lever on the side of the transmission, after removing the cover plate(s). Hence the comments.

You can only get the vehicle into neutral if the computers are running, but the procedure is not exactly the same as was listed for other models above.

Basically, you go into ready state, release auto hold and the emergency brake if activated, go into neutral while pressing the brake and hit the start stop button. It will stay in neutral for 35-minutes, then automatically switch itself to park unless you manually do it yourself.

The OP's computers were bricked during an OTA update, so this procedure won't work. The solution is to either go underneath and manually release the parking pawl, or use dollies under the wheels to move the vehicle. A manual release of that pawl might be nice, but in my over 50-years of driving, hasn't been needed. There could always be a first time, but not having a manual override wouldn't/didn't prevent me from buying the vehicle.