Hey guys,
Other forums are complaining about M3 DCT "lag" issues.
Some about the paddle to shift lag,
But I am referring to the "lag" in shifting they experience after heavy braking.
THEY CLAIM...that the car after braking or turning a corner, does not properly downshift and leaves them with the feeling of almost being in neutral, so in turn they press the gas harder and after about 1-2 seconds of no throttle response it then kicks in violently. Can some fellow 6 speeders set this issue straight. After reading that it sort of ruined the experience for me to go and buy one. I owned an M3 SMG and I know this is miles ahead. I am looking for a safer fun car for the family, that I can also enjoy alone, so I thought M3 Sedan. Please let me know some professional opinions.
Supposedly there was a software update that made it worse?
Please let me know,
Thanks in advance.
Dave

 

The latest update resolves that issue. It would never happen if you had the car in manual mode, it only was a problem while driving in drive, slowing down then accelerating. The trans would search as to what gear to use. There have been like 6 updates the latest seems to have resolved the problem.

 

My M3 is a June 09 build and doesnt have those issues- why dont you drive one (if not done so already).

 

thanks guys!
I decided to move forward with it.
I will post some pics after I get it.
D

 

That's not entirely true. It would still delay in Manual mode, but it was not as bad as in Auto mode.
The update is much better, but there's still a hint of delay in Auto mode. Some people feel the delay has been getting worse after the update, but mine's fine. I would say it's about 80% fixed.

For the OP, there have been two DCT updates. The first one was a NHTSA recall because the engine would stall if you stabbed on the brakes or it wouldn't down shift under hard braking. In that fix, they also greatly reduced the lag time from the time the paddle was pulled to the time the shift occurs. It's very fast now.
The second update was for the lag after braking and then getting on the gas again. BMW ABSOLUTELY DENIED there was a problem and even sent letters to the dealers saying it was normal and to do nothing. BMW must have seen the thread on another forum asking owners to report this dangerous situation to the NHTSA. Soon afterwards, BMW came out with a fix, but still denied there was a problems since the wording was something like, "for a select few owners who are not happy with this delay, we have an update." Again, denying there was a problem, but fixing it.

 

thanks aus.
I appreciate the information.
I called my favorite BMW service advisor and she said that she knows all about the issue although only some of the dct owners have even come in to complain, so I suppose some experience it and some dont? Although she said BMW should be dealing with it if issues continue. She reassured me not to worry about it. I guess that is enough for me. Besides forums I read every single car mag and write up on the DCT online and it is commonly referred to as "Brilliant." So I am going to give it a shot. Thanks again for all the information.
D

 

Hmm, interesting. I track my cars quite a bit and have been thinking about moving up to M3 from my 335I. I guess the safest thing to do is to get a 6 speed.

 

It's pretty much fixed now with the most recent update, though some say they've seem to have the lag again. Most seem pretty happy now.

 

Every article I read is boasting about how great it is....the only bad news I have heard has been in a few forums when I searched for it.
It is definitely true to an extent, since my service advisor was aware of it, but I suppose you take some good with the bad. Nothing is perfect, but the articles I read seem to say it is pretty close. November's issue of european car had a whole page article on the m3 dct and why they chose it.
D

 

The DCT is a work of art. With any new technology there are bugs to be worked out. I have all the new updates and the problems are gone. This transmission is why I bought the M3. It is awesome. Keeps the car in the power band constantly. Shifts are incredibly fast and fun. Lets not forget about launch control!

 

Hmmm, sounds like fun. I'm going by my dealer this weekend to try one out. Only problem is the dealer just a pain to deal with!

 

I have a M3 with DCT, facelifted Nov 08 build. I had to get the DCT as the dealer refused to bring in a manual version, plus sometimes my family members drive the car and they mostly aren't enthusiastic drivers, so they were all in favour of the DCT.

After all the novelty and fanfare, what I can say is, in a test drive or on a track, the DCT is brilliant. It shifts very quickly and never misses a beat. Definitely better than a manual.

If you use it daily however, its slow to react when you try to shift more than 1 gear at a time, such as during a jam when you might need to change from 4th to 2nd. It also takes forever to shift between reverse and drive, and the stupid electronics 'bong' when I open the door and says that 'the system hasn't been put in P yet'. The whole setup is very annoying when you live with it on a day to day basis. Unless you have a need to post fast lap times, or another person driving the car can't drive a manual, you really shouldn't pay extra for a gearbox you'll complain about.

 

Valid points, but you're too much in a hurry if you can't adjust to what it want's, which is for you to step on the brake pedal when you put it into drive or reverse. It does take 2-3 seconds for the tranny to change from reverse to drive, which is slower than you can do it in a manual or auto.