Clunky starting in reverse - DCT

[Venere]

Just wondering if it's normal for DCT to be pretty clunky when first moving in reverse. I get pretty smooth starts in drive, even with the paddles, but when starting out in reverse it is very jerky. If I give it a little gas it doesn't move at all, then when I give it more throttle it takes off with a jerk. Normal? Is there a better technique? I tried the "Low Speed Assistant" described in the owner's manual where you tap the gas briefly to start creeping, but that doesn't seem to work either. Suggestions?

[AtlantisF80]

my 2017 F80 runs fine when starting it and reversing out of the garage. i am unsure why it is jerky for you. i just stick with the initial settings (comfort, sport suspension, sport steering, drivelogic 1).

i tap or double tap the accelerator and the car slowly and smoothly reverses.

[Venere]

Originally Posted by Eloo818

my 2017 F80 runs fine when starting it and reversing out of the garage. i am unsure why it is jerky for you. i just stick with the initial settings (comfort, sport suspension, sport steering, drivelogic 1).

I am leaving it in the default start-up setting as you described. Hmm..I guess I will wait and see if it improves, and if not I will mention it at the 1200 mile break-in service/inspection.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Venere

Just wondering if it's normal for DCT to be pretty clunky when first moving in reverse. I get pretty smooth starts in drive, even with the paddles, but when starting out in reverse it is very jerky. If I give it a little gas it doesn't move at all, then when I give it more throttle it takes off with a jerk. Normal? Is there a better technique? I tried the "Low Speed Assistant" described in the owner's manual where you tap the gas briefly to start creeping, but that doesn't seem to work either. Suggestions?

Normal - if the car isn't warm the clutch dumps weird, but can still do it even in when warm.

It's actually a feature if you have an M button that sets all dials to 11:

(1.) Jump in, buckle up, get ready!

(2.) Hit start, and hit M2 or whichever is the badass button

(3.) Immediately throw reverse and liberally apply throttle

(4.) File accident report

[Venere]

Thanks for the info (and the future insurance claim strategy) GrussGott. I shan't worry about it further. BTW...this car is a blast to drive. Enjoying it every single day.

[Ferg]

I have same thing with my DCT, would say it's normal.

[Foxyy]

+1

[RickFLM4]

I have never noticed anything unusual when backing out of the garage.

[sandjam]

I just quick tap the throttle and the low speed asst backs it out of the garage nice and smooth. No need to apply throttle. I would have it checked if the low speed assist does not work.

[ChuMpion3]

One tap, wait and then clunky surge. Normal for me.

[MRV99]

Cold manuals = clunky. All DCT's I have owned (e90 was a bit worse) always is a bit clunky till you get a mile or two in it. I hate to admit this but I use D mode for a few min before switching to manual mode. Seems to help out

[MN2///M]

Mine does it to, seems to be a little harsher when really cold. BMW is just waiting for enough of us to complain about it and a lawsuit (Gruss' file accident report) before it will be yet the next recall on the F8X.

[LukeM15]

I would say is normal mines behaves the same. You'll learn to master the DCT with time

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by sandjam

I just quick tap the throttle and the low speed asst backs it out of the garage nice and smooth. No need to apply throttle. I would have it checked if the low speed assist does not work.

What are you talking about

[Venere]

Originally Posted by paliknight

What are you talking about

See owner's manual or tap your throttle when at standstill to see this at work. It's BMWs solution to the fact that the DCT doesn't allow a smooth low-speed "creep" like a traditional automatic does.

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Venere

See owner's manual or tap your throttle when at standstill to see this at work. It's BMWs solution to the fact that the DCT doesn't allow a smooth low-speed "creep" like a traditional automatic does.

I know about the "creep" when you tap the throttle, but you said it happens without any throttle application.

[Venere]

Originally Posted by paliknight

I know about the "creep" when you tap the throttle, but you said it happens without any throttle application.

It wasn't me who said it, I was just trying to explain. I think what Sandjam meant was that after you tap the throttle and it starts to creep there is no need to apply additional throttle. In any event, I was the OP and mine works fine now most of the time unless very cold, which I understand is pretty normal.

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Venere

It wasn't me who said it, I was just trying to explain. I think what Sandjam meant was that after you tap the throttle and it starts to creep there is no need to apply additional throttle. In any event, I was the OP and mine works fine now most of the time unless very cold, which I understand is pretty normal.

Oh sorry lol. But yeah it sounds like everything is normal now.

[NewM3driver]

Thank God I have the 6 speed manual. After reading this thread I could never live with the dual clutch.... the car would be on the front steps of the dealership in about a week. I'm not at all kidding.

[Venere]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Thank God I have the 6 speed manual. After reading this thread I could never live with the dual clutch.... the car would be on the front steps of the dealership in about a week. I'm not at all kidding.

I totally understand the appeal of the MT, my best friend's M2 has one and driving that car is what prompted me to buy an M4 (I simply like the M4 better for various reasons, but Good Lord the M2 is a great car), but I love the DCT. Yes, it took me a few days and a few posts to learn it's little tricks, but now I am used to it and loving it. I commute 60+ miles per day, and on the freeway or in stop and go driving it's great. But...when called on for performance duty it does not disappoint. Yesterday, I was running thru the gears on a quiet frontage road. Pushed the M1 button (programmed to the middle "sport" setting in every channel) and manually ripped through 2nd thru 5th gears with the paddles from about 30mph to over 100mph in only a few seconds. Didn't have to worry about timing my shifts, matching revs, or being smooth (all of which I am perfectly capable of doing with a MT) but it freed me up to really focus on the road, the steering, and the speed. Sure, it's not all me doing the driving, but damn it's effective and fun. To me, it's the best of all worlds and is the right tool for the job.

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by Venere

I totally understand the appeal of the MT, my best friend's M2 has one and driving that car is what prompted me to buy an M4 (I simply like the M4 better for various reasons, but Good Lord the M2 is a great car), but I love the DCT. Yes, it took me a few days and a few posts to learn it's little tricks, but now I am used to it and loving it. I commute 60+ miles per day, and on the freeway or in stop and go driving it's great. But...when called on for performance duty it does not disappoint. Yesterday, I was running thru the gears on a quiet frontage road. Pushed the M1 button (programmed to the middle "sport" setting in every channel) and manually ripped through 2nd thru 5th gears with the paddles from about 30mph to over 100mph in only a few seconds. Didn't have to worry about timing my shifts, matching revs, or being smooth (all of which I am perfectly capable of doing with a MT) but it freed me up to really focus on the road, the steering, and the speed. Sure, it's not all me doing the driving, but damn it's effective and fun. To me, it's the best of all worlds and is the right tool for the job.

Honestly I don't "worry" about timing my shifts. You become one with the car.... the shift points become automatic and you can always be in just the right place at just the right time. If you know what you are doing the car achieves perfect harmony.

Honestly I can drive miles and miles and not consciously make one shift

[Venere]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Honestly I don't "worry" about timing my shifts. You become one with the car.... the shift points become automatic and you can always be in just the right place at just the right time. If you know what you are doing the car achieves perfect harmony.

Honestly I can drive miles and miles and not consciously make one shift

Worry might not be the right word, and I've driven sticks for close to 40 years now (although you might indeed be a much better driver than I am), but there is a certain thought process involved with selecting the proper time, revs, and clutch/shifter motions of a manual that is simply "easier" and probably less error-prone with the DCT, especially when getting close to the maximum performance of the car. Sure, when just casually cruising around town shifting a manual is totally second nature and subconscious, even for me. But when pushing hard I find the DCT in paddle-shift mode to be far more efficient and fool-proof, allowing me to focus on other parts of the driving experience. Never having to worry (there that word is again...sorry) about missing a shift and damaging the engine/gearbox is a pretty wonderful thing. Just my opinion.