[Bmwbb]

When starting from rest, even after good engine warm up, the first gear always feel very laggy and jerky if you know what I mean. Once it gets into second/third gear the car behave much better. Anyone experiencing this? Or there is some issues with my transmission?

[ying, chung]

I think I know what you're talking about. I didn't think of it as a "problem", just a quirk. What I do to work around it is not lift at first. I clutch in and then lift the gas. Second gear and up are fine, I don't have to do that, just first gear.

[ried]

Are you simply letting the clutch out too quickly, perhaps?

[Bmwbb]

Still under break in period. Will try to step on the throttle harder to see if things improve.

[fanshu]

I agree if in a traffic jam for the 1st gear, hope it improve after breaking-in.

[PackPride85]

DCT or 6 speed? BMW DCT known to be jerky in 1st gear.

[jtfields]

I find 1st gear a little jerky too but this is my first MT in over 10 years so I've just assumed it's driver error. The only way I get a smooth start is to let off the brake and slowly release the clutch without giving it any gas until it starts moving forward on its own and then slowly applying gas. If I try to be quick with engaging the clutch it will jerk.

[Whatup]

Originally Posted by jtfields

I find 1st gear a little jerky too but this is my first MT in over 10 years so I've just assumed it's driver error. The only way I get a smooth start is to let off the brake and slowly release the clutch without giving it any gas until it starts moving forward on its own and then slowly applying gas. If I try to be quick with engaging the clutch it will jerk.

This. Starting to think maybe it is a quirk of the car after reading other people having similar experiences.

[Bmwbb]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

DCT or 6 speed? BMW DCT known to be jerky in 1st gear.

Dct.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Bmwbb

Dct.

Look at the gear ratios for the transmission and you will find your answer.

gearbox 6-speed manual transmission

Manual gear ratios I / II / III / IV / V / VI
Manual gear ratios 4.11 / 2.32 / 1.54/ 1.18 / 1.00 / 0.85


gearbox- 7 speed M Double Clutch

Automatic gear ratios I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII
Automatic gear ratios 4.81 / 2.59 / 1.70 1.28 / 1.00 / 0.84 / 0.67

That first gear in the DCT is a doozy... The shorter the gear ratio (numerically higher) the quicker you will run out of rpm. Winding the transmission out very far with a short gear and not shifting up smoothly/easing back out of the the throttle and slowing will result in a rubber band effect on the chassis via engine braking.

I'm very curious as to the Gearing decisions made for this 7 speed DCT box compared to the six speed manual. It doesn't seem to make sense to have an extra cog and have an unusually short first gear .. and at the same time also have an usually tall seventh gear (mega overdrive ) ... while really not taking advantage of spacing the ratios in the middle better ?

[pruettfan]

In crawling type situations when the car is cold the DCT is trying to find the bite point for the clutch. It is possible this is what your experiencing. You will likely find this to be less of an issue once the car is broken in. I have been pleasantly surprised at how smooth my DCT has been at slow speeds.

[Bmwbb]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

In crawling type situations when the car is cold the DCT is trying to find the bite point for the clutch. It is possible this is what your experiencing. You will likely find this to be less of an issue once the car is broken in. I have been pleasantly surprised at how smooth my DCT has been at slow speeds.

Yes correct. This situation is worse when car is cold and at slow speed.

[Caduceus]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Look at the gear ratios for the transmission and you will find your answer.

gearbox 6-speed manual transmission

Manual gear ratios I / II / III / IV / V / VI
Manual gear ratios 4.11 / 2.32 / 1.54/ 1.18 / 1.00 / 0.85


gearbox- 7 speed M Double Clutch

Automatic gear ratios I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII
Automatic gear ratios 4.81 / 2.59 / 1.70 1.28 / 1.00 / 0.84 / 0.67

That first gear in the DCT is a doozy... The shorter the gear ratio (numerically higher) the quicker you will run out of rpm. Winding the transmission out very far with a short gear and not shifting up smoothly/easing back out of the the throttle and slowing will result in a rubber band effect on the chassis via engine braking.

I'm very curious as to the Gearing decisions made for this 7 speed DCT box compared to the six speed manual. It doesn't seem to make sense to a extra cog and have an unusually short first gear .. and at the same time also have an usually tall seventh gear ... and really not take advantage of spacing the ratios better ?

Are the diff ratios the same?

[SeanWRT]

Use your right hand a little bit please, manually shift into 2nd when you know when.

It's going to be as smooth as any auto out there can get.

[jtfields]

Originally Posted by Bmwbb

Dct.

My bad, I assumed you had a MT. Odd that an automatic is jerky in first.

[mmmpassion]

Short first gear makes sence to spool up booster as quick as possible and to avoid the feeling of lag. Short gearing with DCT in lower gears is the reason why DCT feels faster than manual.

[jc9elfer]

Originally Posted by Bmwbb

When starting from rest, even after good engine warm up, the first gear always feel very laggy and jerky if you know what I mean. Once it gets into second/third gear the car behave much better. Anyone experiencing this? Or there is some issues with my transmission?

I have the BSM w/DCT. I feel like is has to do with the fact that the transmission doesn't "feel" like it is engaged so when you are simply shifting into gear from park or reverse you don't have the "immediate engagement" of the transmission when you hit the gas to pull away. I always feel like the car is still in neutral of an extra second....

[eugegall]

I have DCT and have exactly this issue. Glad others do.

It's called kangarooing. It jumps in first gear then smooths out as soon in second.

[bim2er]

Originally Posted by jc9elfer

I have the BSM w/DCT. I feel like is has to do with the fact that the transmission doesn't "feel" like it is engaged so when you are simply shifting into gear from park or reverse you don't have the "immediate engagement" of the transmission when you hit the gas to pull away. I always feel like the car is still in neutral of an extra second....

Think of a DCT as a manual transmission with computer actuated clutches rather than a clutch pedal. That is why it feals like it's in neutral. It's in gear with the clutch not engaged until you press the accelerator. It does not behave like an an automatic with a torque converter because it is not.

[EnzoBow]

It's normal.. I have a same M2 DCT here in Vietnam and still in break-in. Traffic here is terrible, most of the time I drive in 1st 2nd.
I suggest you push the throttle little bit hard to get 1800 to 2000rpm then gently let off the pedal and shift to 2nd.
Or you can shift to 2nd from stand still. Don't shift to 2nd when moving and rpm under about 1500.

[Bmwbb]

I think stepping abit harder on the throttle does help with the problem

[pruettfan]

Originally Posted by Bmwbb

I think stepping abit harder on the throttle does help with the problem

Sure does, by stepping on the throttle it tells the transmission to engage fully so that resolves the bite point issue. The manual even speaks of crawling as something to avoid because DCT's clutch systems struggle a bit in those conditions. For that reason its best to allow some space between you and the car in front of you so you can get a full engagement of the system. Of course this is not easy in some traffic conditions because some will use any inch of space to try and squeeze in. I believe the manual speaks to the issue of crawling.