Hi! I've had my 04 M3 SMG for 7 weeks now (gawd, I LOVE THIS CAR!!!) and I have never driven another M3, so I have nothing to compare it to directly. I've never driven another similar tranny either, although I did get to try out paddle shifters once on my boss' 360 Modena.

The first time I drove the M3 SMG, I hated it. Well, hate is a strong word. It took some getting used to! I have been driving stick my whole life and thought myself somewhat of a purist, but when my dream car popped up for sale only a few states away but it was an SMG, it didn't stop me from going for it. Now I love it and have learned how it gives me more freedom; the opposite of what I was fearing fortunately.

Anyway, I can't help but notice when in auto shift mode and the car is down shifting, when it down shifts into 2nd gear the car jerks back a bit, like it's a rough transition/shifting to 2nd too soon. When in manual shift mode and I choose to down shift into 2nd at the right time, it's smooth. Is anyone else familiar with this jerking in auto mode? Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal or something I should have a dealership check out while it is still under warranty? I don't know how obvious it is to other drivers, but I suspect it looks like as I'm braking I slipped and stomped the brake by accident. Anyway, it is bothersome. The car had both inspections 1 and 2 done under warranty already (stop and go city miles I suspect triggered the inspections so early) and inspection 2 was done only 3k miles ago. So, any ideas from you masters out there?

Much appreciated,
Tracy

Yes I agree with you...we have an 05 and I noticed that as well...

It only happens when you're in auto mode, especially w/ drive logic on high, it down shifts well like c%$p...and it only happens going into 2nd gear..It down shift prematurely which causes excessive amount of engine braking... Also don't know if you notice this but it's very annoying when you're coming up to an intersection and roll through the turn and the transmission shifts out of gear the moment you need to give it gas... it's apparent that the software logic has a few quirks and bugs...at least for the e46's. The new M5 don't have this problem...they upshift/downshift great whether you are in auto or manual mode...

Just noticed you also have a Phoenix Yellow....boy I could go into a long discussion on how freaking difficult it was for us to get this car...granted the color went out of production a few months prior to us getting the car...but it was like pulling teeth to get this color....I was even offering to pay them extra to get it...apparently some dealerships that claim to have stroke with BMW don't really or didn't' want to deal with a special request....finally a dealership was able to get it for us...

Lessen the agressiveness of the SMG shift mode or drive with it in manual. The car is preparing for you to brake into a corner and mash it going out.

You can try doing and SMG reset to reset the clutch engagement point, but I don't think that will help that much.

Lessen the agressiveness of the SMG shift mode
This should solve the issue... move it down to the lowest while in "auto" mode. Yes, the delay between the shifts are long, but if you want smooth, that's the trade-off.
You'll get this harshness in manual mode (not as harsh as auto). To all but eliminate this, keep slight pressure on the gas and it will downshift very smoothly (due to the computer blipping the throttle).

The latest software update (listed as a voluntary "emissions recall" at the dealer) will help with some of the SMG shifting. It's much smoother and makes Sport Mode more manageable at lower speeds/gears.

The latest software update (listed as a voluntary "emissions recall" at the dealer) will help with some of the SMG shifting. It's much smoother and makes Sport Mode more manageable at lower speeds/gears.


I agree....it's a software control issue that should be corrected...because if this were the intended design...shame on BMW for that...with the premature shifts...there's an excessive amount of engine braking going on that I don't even need to brake...:) and coming out of the turn..when you would like to mash on the gas...you can't because the car is not in gear anymore and you'd flair the engine up...so you gotta coast like grandma till ol' bessy decides to get back into gear then you can continue with your Sunday drive...again this is only when the car is in auto mode....manual mode down shifts perfect even in the highest drive logic....you don't have the excessively hard down shift like that of the auto mode...

Yes dropping down the drive logic to a lower level does soften it up, or should I say mask it....since all its doing is delaying the clutch engagement to allow more slip to provide a softer shift, just like automatic transmissions do..while at the same time modifying the shift points...but this doesn't resolve the problem...That's just putting a band-aid on the boo-boo...

Do you happen to know when the update was released??

Info: SI B12 11 06 (i.e. it's been out not quite a year and a half)

Affects E46 M3 up to 8/27/04 production (according to the bulletin)

Chad- You're lucky to have an '05 in Phoenix Yellow. I sought out an '04 just to get this color. I was lucky to find the perfect one in Vegas, a 1 hour flight and a straight shot home (to CA) after 2 months of looking. I love it!!

I lowered the SMG mode a step and didn't care for it. I guess I'd rather put up with the down shift glitch for now until I can see about that software update. I've found if I wait longer before braking and break a bit harder (not crazy hard, just later and more firm than usual), it doesn't jolt so much. At least I know to prepare myself for the head bob now. lol

I don't know when the last software update was done (I doubt they do it automatically even if it was serviced for something else, right?). I'll make sure to take it in if only to see they do that before the warranty is up in the next few months. Hey, anyone buy a good extended maintenance coverage policy (not warranty, just maintenance)? Or should I just start a savings account for those inspections (and tires- I know no plan will cover those)?

Thanks for all the info!!