Discussion
Ok so anyone like me with the DCT box in their M3 will know that for the most part its absolutely fabulous out on the open road. The throttle blipping on downshifts and overall speed is superb. I also really like the playfulness of the D6 mode too....
Anyway, for all the credit I give the DCT I've started to notice that it's not the smoothest or happiest while in traffic. It can be jumpy and i find myself having to change to D1 to get the most comfort. Has anyone also noticed that while maneuvering into a parking space or maybe negotiating a 3 point turn, the time taken for it to find reverse to drive is painfully slow?
I know the are software upgrades for this but how do I know if I have the latest? Mine is a Jan 2010 car.
Am I just moaning or have others noticed this?
Anyway, for all the credit I give the DCT I've started to notice that it's not the smoothest or happiest while in traffic. It can be jumpy and i find myself having to change to D1 to get the most comfort. Has anyone also noticed that while maneuvering into a parking space or maybe negotiating a 3 point turn, the time taken for it to find reverse to drive is painfully slow?
I know the are software upgrades for this but how do I know if I have the latest? Mine is a Jan 2010 car.
Am I just moaning or have others noticed this?
In my Z4 (it has the M3 DCT)
When I stop at traffic lights it drops into 1st and then (whilst you still have your foot on the brake) it picks up the drive again and if your not firmly on the footbrake there is a "judder" as the car tries to pull forward.
Also when reversing out of my drive it does take its time getting into first.
Rest of the time the box is excellent.
Smiffack993 said:
Ok so anyone like me with the DCT box in their M3 will know that for the most part its absolutely fabulous out on the open road. The throttle blipping on downshifts and overall speed is superb. I also really like the playfulness of the D6 mode too....
Anyway, for all the credit I give the DCT I've started to notice that it's not the smoothest or happiest while in traffic. It can be jumpy and i find myself having to change to D1 to get the most comfort. Has anyone also noticed that while maneuvering into a parking space or maybe negotiating a 3 point turn, the time taken for it to find reverse to drive is painfully slow?
I know the are software upgrades for this but how do I know if I have the latest? Mine is a Jan 2010 car.
Am I just moaning or have others noticed this?
My M3 DCT came in June 2008. I have had three software upgrades over the years. I fully agree that it is not always smooth or happy in traffic - some downchanges into 2nd or 1st are a bit rough, and occasionally it pulls away from rest with a thump. My dealer acknowledges this, but does not know what to do about it. I don't use D1 because that starts in 2nd gear rather than 1st; I use D2. Anyway, for all the credit I give the DCT I've started to notice that it's not the smoothest or happiest while in traffic. It can be jumpy and i find myself having to change to D1 to get the most comfort. Has anyone also noticed that while maneuvering into a parking space or maybe negotiating a 3 point turn, the time taken for it to find reverse to drive is painfully slow?
I know the are software upgrades for this but how do I know if I have the latest? Mine is a Jan 2010 car.
Am I just moaning or have others noticed this?
I am aware that you have to be very fully stopped with your foot on the brake to change between fwd and reverse gears, but I don't notice this as a nuisance.
On the open road I generally use S1; I prefer the ultra smooth upchanges you get (which are still instant, with the same acceleration times as S6) and have to sacrifice the blipping downchanges you get in the higher settings. I would really like S1 upchanges together with S5 downchanges. I often compensate for the lack of blip by using heel & toe (side of the foot on the accelerator while changing down).
I don't think that you can check what version of software your car has.
I drove a Z4 3.5 with DCT and found it superb; it had the same crisp changes as my M3 DCT with none of the rough edges. I asked the dealer whether newer M3 DCT's were now like that, and he said no; the M3 DCT has more rough edges than the ones on 6 cylinder cars. I have no idea why this is - ability to cope with very high revs might be a reason to use a different version of the transmission.
Like you, overall I am very happy with the DCT - this post is just focusing on the negative aspects. It is a world better than SMG.
waremark said:
My M3 DCT came in June 2008. I have had three software upgrades over the years. I fully agree that it is not always smooth or happy in traffic - some downchanges into 2nd or 1st are a bit rough, and occasionally it pulls away from rest with a thump. My dealer acknowledges this, but does not know what to do about it. I don't use D1 because that starts in 2nd gear rather than 1st; I use D2.
I am aware that you have to be very fully stopped with your foot on the brake to change between fwd and reverse gears, but I don't notice this as a nuisance.
On the open road I generally use S1; I prefer the ultra smooth upchanges you get (which are still instant, with the same acceleration times as S6) and have to sacrifice the blipping downchanges you get in the higher settings. I would really like S1 upchanges together with S5 downchanges. I often compensate for the lack of blip by using heel & toe (side of the foot on the accelerator while changing down).
I don't think that you can check what version of software your car has.
I drove a Z4 3.5 with DCT and found it superb; it had the same crisp changes as my M3 DCT with none of the rough edges. I asked the dealer whether newer M3 DCT's were now like that, and he said no; the M3 DCT has more rough edges than the ones on 6 cylinder cars. I have no idea why this is - ability to cope with very high revs might be a reason to use a different version of the transmission.
Like you, overall I am very happy with the DCT - this post is just focusing on the negative aspects. It is a world better than SMG.
With each upgrade did it improve as mine is in today for it's second one.After the first upgrade it was like a different car for a while but has gone back to how it was before.I know it is meant to learn your driving style but if that is the case then the upgrades are useless?I am aware that you have to be very fully stopped with your foot on the brake to change between fwd and reverse gears, but I don't notice this as a nuisance.
On the open road I generally use S1; I prefer the ultra smooth upchanges you get (which are still instant, with the same acceleration times as S6) and have to sacrifice the blipping downchanges you get in the higher settings. I would really like S1 upchanges together with S5 downchanges. I often compensate for the lack of blip by using heel & toe (side of the foot on the accelerator while changing down).
I don't think that you can check what version of software your car has.
I drove a Z4 3.5 with DCT and found it superb; it had the same crisp changes as my M3 DCT with none of the rough edges. I asked the dealer whether newer M3 DCT's were now like that, and he said no; the M3 DCT has more rough edges than the ones on 6 cylinder cars. I have no idea why this is - ability to cope with very high revs might be a reason to use a different version of the transmission.
Like you, overall I am very happy with the DCT - this post is just focusing on the negative aspects. It is a world better than SMG.
griff7 said:
With each upgrade did it improve as mine is in today for it's second one.After the first upgrade it was like a different car for a while but has gone back to how it was before.I know it is meant to learn your driving style but if that is the case then the upgrades are useless?
What issues have you been having?My only niggle (I only ever use S5 or S6) is when I manually downshift from 3rd to 2nd at low revs. I get a delay taking up drive when I get on the throttle.
MrOnTheRopes said:
What issues have you been having?
My only niggle (I only ever use S5 or S6) is when I manually downshift from 3rd to 2nd at low revs. I get a delay taking up drive when I get on the throttle.
Hi there,it is the 3rd to 2nd and 1st to 2nd change that is worse.It either holds 1st too long or does not change down to 2nd fast enough.If you see a gap when approacing a roundabout and put your foot down there is a massive delay while it decides which gear to select and then lurches forward.It is a known problem and has been talked about many times on the us sites.My only niggle (I only ever use S5 or S6) is when I manually downshift from 3rd to 2nd at low revs. I get a delay taking up drive when I get on the throttle.
Was talking about you the other day at the dealers as mine is in for a few bits to be sorted.
griff7 said:
Hi there,it is the 3rd to 2nd and 1st to 2nd change that is worse.It either holds 1st too long or does not change down to 2nd fast enough.If you see a gap when approacing a roundabout and put your foot down there is a massive delay while it decides which gear to select and then lurches forward.It is a known problem and has been talked about many times on the us sites.
Was talking about you the other day at the dealers as mine is in for a few bits to be sorted.
Right.. sounds like the same thing I mentioned. Strangely 3rd -> 2nd was similarly funny on the SMG cars like the CSL I had (and M3 before that).Was talking about you the other day at the dealers as mine is in for a few bits to be sorted.
Interested to hear if your updates help, although I suspect it won't.....
Do you go to BlueBottles in Crewe? Hope they were saying nice things about me
MrOnTheRopes said:
Right.. sounds like the same thing I mentioned. Strangely 3rd -> 2nd was similarly funny on the SMG cars like the CSL I had (and M3 before that).
Interested to hear if your updates help, although I suspect it won't.....
Do you go to BlueBottles in Crewe? Hope they were saying nice things about me
Yes bluebell as wont give knights the time of day.Yes only good things and we were talking brakes and suspension. Interested to hear if your updates help, although I suspect it won't.....
Do you go to BlueBottles in Crewe? Hope they were saying nice things about me
My first update dealt with an early problem that the DCT would not change down under heavy braking. The second update greatly improved the delay on changing down to second when you go back on the gas. As a negative it made downchanges to second slightly rougher, but it eliminated (permanently) the potentially dangerous delay. I don't think the third update made much difference.
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