Help please... Jerking/stalling when I accelerate

[Ender's Game]

I have about 2500 miles on my 2011 e90 M3 DCT and I have noticed several times that with hard acceleration my car jerks while in first gear. It doesn't matter if the car is warm or cold. Typically it only happens with hard acceleration in first gear. Spoke to the dealer mechanic and he said it may be the "ethanol content of the gas." Anyone have this problem?

[jmflukeiii]

Everyone has this problem, but I think it has to do with the foot, not the car. It seems to feel almost like the clutch slips a little bit as you first step on the gas and then when it fully engages, the car kind of "takes off" and you pull back on your foot, but along with this, the car slows rapidly (being in first) and your bodyweight shifts forward, pushing the pedal again, causing acceleration, and you respond by lightening up on the pedal, thus repeating the process.

I may be wrong and I guess I should ask, if you just step on the pedal in first gear, all the way to the floor, like you're just taking off and make sure you're holding it there, does the car jerk or lurch? If it does, then it is something with the car and not the aforementioned "foot jerk problem".

[Ender's Game]

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

Everyone has this problem, but I think it has to do with the foot, not the car. It seems to feel almost like the clutch slips a little bit as you first step on the gas and then when it fully engages, the car kind of "takes off" and you pull back on your foot, but along with this, the car slows rapidly (being in first) and your bodyweight shifts forward, pushing the pedal again, causing acceleration, and you respond by lightening up on the pedal, thus repeating the process.

I may be wrong and I guess I should ask, if you just step on the pedal in first gear, all the way to the floor, like you're just taking off and make sure you're holding it there, does the car jerk or lurch? If it does, then it is something with the car and not the aforementioned "foot jerk problem".

Thanks. I talked to someone who owns a 911 PDK and he said the same thing happens to him. What you explain seems to be what is happening to me. Thanks.

[///M Ryder]

It's normal...I think we all have experienced this or will..............Phil

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by Ender's Game

Thanks. I talked to someone who owns a 911 PDK and he said the same thing happens to him. What you explain seems to be what is happening to me. Thanks.

You're welcome, its annoying when it happens so when I'm driving with my wife or just not really pushing the car, I generally just start off in second gear.

[Hollywood Hogan]

Happens to me every now and then. Also happened to me in my e46 SMG m3. I believe its called the bucking bronco. It is quite embarrassing.

[KIS]

And I thought I was the only one that looked like I was hanging on for dear life as I go bucking down the street.........

[buymenow00]

Definitely has happened to me...my wife said the expression on my face was hilarious as she could tell that I just wanted to die from embarassment!

My solution has been to roll onto the throttle in first as smoothly as possible, works much better than simply dropping the hammer.

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by buymenow00

Definitely has happened to me...my wife said the expression on my face was hilarious as she could tell that I just wanted to die from embarassment!

My solution has been to roll onto the throttle in first as smoothly as possible, works much better than simply dropping the hammer.

Agreed. In another post I suggested resting your knee against the center console to have a more sturdy and static position from which to control your foot. Or like I said above, 2nd works better. Or when the jerking starts, shift immediately.

I find that if I know I want to just take off I can just hit the gas and be fine. Its when I hesitate and realize that I'm jumping off the line too quickly and try to pull back on the throttle, causing the start of the whole jerking sequence.

[sameh]

Use MDM, it makes it better. Also keep a steady pressure on the throttle and don't lift off quickly. Turn the power button off..

[mkoesel]

OP - please try using "Normal" mode for the "Power" setting. The "Power" setting actually has nothing to do with the engine's output, it is a misnomer. Instead it controls throttle response. In "Sport" and "Sport Plus" modes, it is indeed very easy to get the car to behave like a coked-up bronco if you are not very gentle with the throttle. Using "Normal" mode helps give you more margin for error in this regard. Try it. And good luck.

[M3maniac20]

I have the same thing. Was worried at first but just realized it's all about how you step on the pedal. You either have to put lots of weight and hold it there if you plan on gunning it from a stop or lightly step on it until the clutch engages then hit it. I found it to be more on M mode because of how sensitive the throttle is. So now if I'm only driving a few miles I just turn the power button on and Thats it.

People don't understand when driving this car is a science. It's very picky and different from other cars. When I first got it a friend asked to drive it- I said not yet because I'm still learning how to drive and they gave me a hard time-"stick the key in, put it in drive and go" ohhh you think it's that easy.

But I enjoy how finicky the car is. Really makes for a connection between man and machine.

[Ender's Game]

Thanks to all!

[MonteCarloM3]

i wish my car jerked me :P

[henryyxyu]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

i wish my car jerked me :P

Yeah I think its just a characteristic of dual clutched transmissions in general, I wouldn't worry about it too much. slowly easing off the throttle usually helps too if your accelerating then decide to let off the throttle.

[IL8Apex]

It may be the driver's seating/driving position.

Not saying the OP does this, but I see way too many M3 drivers in the homeboy driving position. Seated way too low, too far from steering wheel and probably the pedals. No way to control throttle properly at that position.



An M3 a performance vehicle, not an El Camino or Fleetwood.

See

http://yel.pca.org/tech_driving_position.php

This would in turn improve safety as well.

[Mthrice]

Sorry, just the thought of DCT owners bucking down the street is making me laugh. I totally respect the shifting and launch capabilities of the DCT, but bucking it down the steet like a 15 yr old who snuck dads manual out for the night, thats just embarassing! I smell a DCT vs. 6MT battle brewing

[OC3]

*perk* somebody mention DCT vs. 6MT??

[endofanera7]

^

[bobbyd1961]

make sure you get the software upgrade

[w00tw00t]

Originally Posted by OC3

*perk* somebody mention DCT vs. 6MT??

LOL!!

[Totti]

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

It may be the driver's seating/driving position.

Not saying the OP does this, but I see way too many M3 drivers in the homeboy driving position. Seated way too low, too far from steering wheel and probably the pedals. No way to control throttle properly at that position.



An M3 a performance vehicle, not an El Camino or Fleetwood.

See

http://yel.pca.org/tech_driving_position.php

This would in turn improve safety as well.

LOL. As if you don't get an M3 without the requisite 'Gangster Lean' driving style!