The highway entrance ramp when I leave work has a slight curve and is about 1/2 mile long. When I'm getting up to speed and shift from 2nd to 3rd my M3 gives me a big swaying motion mostly in the back end as 3rd engages. The tires never actually slip but the car sways heavily. I would swear that the power is engaging unevenly or the suspension is 'relaxing' right when 3rd engages but this doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The swaying cooresponds to the amount of power but is obvious even when I shift out of 2nd at 3500 rpm, so fairly low levels.

Other than this my car stays hooked up nicely in corners. I have my SMGII set on the 5th setting (one down from the fastest clutch setting).

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions on how to fix this or if I just expect too much...
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2003 M3 Silver / Imola Red SMGII

Aside from the obvious weight transfer issue from changing gears in the corner...

Check the alignment and rear toe bushings... if the rear toe bushings are significantly worn, the toe is changing causing the car to steer from the rear. Also check your tire pressure to make sure it is even and at the recommended PSI.

I think a driving school would fix that problem right up.

I think a driving school would fix that problem right up.

:-)
Within this very narrow context, I don't think it's me.

However, part of the reason I posted my question was I've checked the local prices for track time and this little issue really got to bugging me.

Thanks.

Oh, I forgot to mention... It could be the weight transfer issue and the DSC stepping in momentarily. I guess it would depend on how hard you are trying to accelearte and how tight the corner is in comparison.

Sounds more like a worn/cracked/split bushing causing alignment settings to change durning load transfers. I dont know why it would only be noticeable during an up-shift however.

check rear shock mounts and trailing arm bushings (toe bushings) as others have said...

sounds like the usual description of what happens when they are worn.

Sounds like what happens when you execute a shift in a middle of a turn. That's why they always tell you in driver's training NOT to shift in a middle of a turn. :dunno

Sounds like what happens when you execute a shift in a middle of a turn. That's why they always tell you in driver's training NOT to shift in a middle of a turn. :dunno
What he said, and maybe DSC?

Id say go to that ramp again and take the turn without shifting... stay in ur gear thru out the turn and see if it'll still do what its doing.


Zane...