DCT equipped car jerks when downshifting from 2nd to 1st

[dsballin]

Does anyone else's car have a hardcore transmission jerking problem when downshifting from 2nd gear down to 1st gear and accelerating? I have taken it to service multiple times and even showed them the problem and they continue to claim that it is functioning as designed.

[mercedesc63]

Every car is different but this DCT bucks and jerks a lot more than my used e93. I think it's because this car has so much more horses and power.

My car is so jerky just accelerating in 1st sometimes and frequently when downshifting automatically from 2nd to 1st.

[hanafimahmoud]

Originally Posted by dsballin

Does anyone else's M4 have a hardcore transmission jerking probably when downshifting from 2nd gear down to 1st gear and accelerating? I have taken it to service multiple times and even showed them the problem and they continue to claim that it is functioning as designed.

I have the same thing when the car downshifts in D. i did ask couple of M4 owners here in Dubai, and it seems to be normal behavior. but it does feel sometimes something is wrong.

[adel335i]

Originally Posted by dsballin

Does anyone else's M4 have a hardcore transmission jerking probably when downshifting from 2nd gear down to 1st gear and accelerating? I have taken it to service multiple times and even showed them the problem and they continue to claim that it is functioning as designed.

I noticed the same issue with my 3 days old car! I was beginning to worry but it seems normal with many owners experiencing the same.

[FC4]

Who the hell downshifts to 1st?

[OutlawX3M]

Originally Posted by FC4

Who the hell downshifts to 1st?

The DCT will do it on it's own as you slow to a red light....then just as it's about to stall, it's slips to like neutral or something. I hate that last part!



As for bucking/jerking -- I've noticed when I accelerate from a stop and the road is uneven or broken up some (NY streets with pothole repairs), the car will jerk mostly because I'm bouncing from the uneven pavement. If I slightly lift off, it goes away. I've not noticed any bucking/jerking in another situation though....

[FirstF80InSpace]

Originally Posted by FC4

Who the hell downshifts to 1st?

That's why I was about to say. I would never downshift to first. Every manual car will give you the same response when downshifting from 2nd to 1st.

[nosonyxm4]

Mine biggest bucking or jerking is when slowing down for a red light or traffic.

But I did buy an M4 and its expected. My 550i was smooth but it was boring. When I get in this M4 my faces perks up as I press start and here the cold start. So I'll deal with the bucking and jerking.

[cprx7]

shifting down to first gear seems unnecessary unless you wanna make some noise. You are supposed to shift to first only when car has fully stopped

[KnightedBMW]

Originally Posted by nosonyxm4

Mine biggest bucking or jerking is when slowing down for a red light or traffic.

But I did buy an M4 and its expected. My 550i was smooth but it was boring. When I get in this M4 my faces perks up as I press start and here the cold start. So I'll deal with the bucking and jerking.

Same...approaching a red light is the worst part.

[Blksnowflake]

Completely normal, DCT is a pervert, it's likes to jerk.
I let mine shift itself into first and it's smoother, my problem is 1st to 2nd...wild bronco unless I go for it. If it's in sport/sport+ you can't confuse the DCT, go means go, not kinda go.

[Bluex]

This is as designed. Transmission will jerk. In terms of downshifting it's best to allow the car to do it itself when you get from 3rd down to 2nd (and eventually 1).

As far as other jerkiness, that is also a "feature" ( ) of the car. Latest software revisions make this jerky acceleration in 1st less than it used to be, but still requires a bit of throttle modulation. Take your time and get used to it, and make sure you have your seat at the correct distance from the pedal.

Even in Sport+, S3 I rarely if ever have issues with jerky acceleration.

[boss2k]

Doesnt happen in MT as i always downshift to 1st below 5mph in stop and go traffic and its very smooth.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by cprx7

shifting down to first gear seems unnecessary unless you wanna make some noise. You are supposed to shift to first only when car has fully stopped

+1, I always manually shift the DCT and only use 1st gear about 50% of the time. Most times I"ll start the car in 2nd and in traffic I almost never use 1st.

I guess this is why I never use DCT auto mode ... it's a software engineer's decision tree of when to shift and I NEVER agree with those people.

[Bluex]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

I guess this is why I never use DCT auto mode ... it's a software engineer's decision tree of when to shift and I NEVER agree with those people.

I hear ya, and agree completely....but just once, give it a go: D3, sport+ all around. It's actually a bit scary how good their shift points are!

Not enough to get me to use it more than .01% of the time, but still....really good.

[CreoUCLA]

I also experienced jerky downshifts with the DCT when slowing down for a stop light/sign, and it was one of my gripes daily driving this car.

I had Alex@Alpine install the GTS DCT flash about a week ago, and it really smoothed this out for me.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by dsballin

have a hardcore transmission jerking problem

[BMV///M3]

Same here, bucks when slowing for a light/stop. I noticed it today actually. Prob just normal DCT behavior. I kinda like it, like it's ready pounce

[SHPM4TE]

So my car bucks when I am starting out in D3/S3 and Sport+ with half throttle. It feels when you are teaching someone to drive stick and they cant get the car started moving smoothly so it bucks all over... A similar thing happened in my buddies 06 M3. He assumed his car was jacked up but mine is doing it and it has almost no miles...

Once I let off and the car shifts to second its never an issue...

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by danniexi

[Coloradom3]

You have to be very soft and smooth with the gas. Every f8x Iv been in with DCT has that jerk. It's all about that gas peddle man.

[Jbook]

The key part of this is "downshifting to first and then accelerating"... Why would you do this? With the amount of low end torque, there is no reason to downshift to first from second. I always drive my DCT in S mode and will downshift as far as second, but never all the way to first... The car will do that on it's own when coming to a complete stop.