E 93 automatic Gear box issue?

[vince76]

Hi

I finally got an E93 2011 few month ago.
I'm wondering if some of you have seen this problem:

using Automatic Gear box:
Driving on the highway going to 50 Mph, it goes to 7 Gear.

If I want to have a real acceleration to pass another car, I press the acceleration paddle between half/max, but it stay on 7 and accelerate but it's quiet slow. (7 gear from 3000 rpm...)
It doesn't shift down 1 or 2 gear to have a real acceleration. If I push the acceleration paddle to the max it start to shift down the gear...
I have this behavior even with M3 button enable with sport or sport + mode.

My previous car was a 335i and it shift down the gear everytime I was pushing the paddle at half/max to get a real acceleration.

Not sure if it's a setting in the car, or a problem?

Thanks

[STooK]

I don't have DCT but are you in manual mode? If you choose to be in 7th gear then it's not going to downshift unless you do it yourself. I'm sure someone with DCT will chime in soon...

[m3ray]

Yeah those Automatics can be tricky.

[vince76]

Thanks for reply, I'm using manual mode If I want to have a real acceleration, but I thought with DCT it good handle it better by itself...
Still love the car

[mjposner]

Vince, this is not an automatic, and does not behave like one. Also, I do not believe there is a half/max. If you are in d7, simply pulling the left paddle back will switch to manual 6 immediately, and if you need more power/gearing, pull back to 5.

If you really need to accelerate, you need to simultaneously pull back on the left paddle and press the gas pedal past the kick down (about 3/4ths) and the car will downshift as low as safely possible (usually 2). be prepared to rocket forward.

[MRV99]

What do you have your shift settings at? In D1 the trans is very fast on the up shift and very lazy on the down shift. You may want to mess with the various shift speeds to get the desired results.

[schoy]

What Drivelogic setting are you in? I noticed that in D1-3, the kick point is quite low (meaning you have to mash the pedal more to engage the downshift point) as compared to D4-5. Or you can just downshift yourself with the left paddle (which will put you in S mode).

Edit: didn't see above post. Basically saying the same thing.

[AUTiger13]

If you were using automatic mode, try using either the D3 or D4 setting. D3 (default D setting) setting will find 7th gear faster than D4, but will still hold gears moderately well. D4 is a little better if you drive in the city with little to no highway IMO.

I rarely drive in D mode, but when I do, I figured out quite early that it takes quite a bit of throttle input to make the car shift down, especially in D3. If you need to downshift to accelerate, I suggest doing the following: 1) if you really need to get on it to merge, get out of the way, etc., push on the throttle until it depresses the "button" and keep it depressed - this is essentially the same as pulling back on the downshift paddle in S mode, or 2) if you just need to pick up moderate speed, instead of gradually applying throttle, sharply depress the throttle then let off - it seems this lets the car (mine at least) know it needs to kick down a gear or two.

Try those two options out and report back. Enjoy the 'vert! Its storming today here and I just filled it up the tank with 5 gallons of 105 race fuel and I am itching to go drive mine.

[FashionablyFast]

You choose how aggressive you want it to behave.....if you're in D1 or D2, it's not going to downshift aggressively. As long as it's dry/safe out, I just leave it in D3 or D4 - it'll downshift to the appropriate gear every time.

Yes, DCT can be tricky to get used to but once you learn it, it can be rewarding and oh those lightning fast shifts

[AUTiger13]

If your daily driving, I have found S4 to be the best all-around DCT setting. Quick upshifts and downshifts are not as aggressive as S5 (obviously) and will still rev-match on aggressive downshifts, unlike S3.

[vince76]

Hi

Thanks for replies

I drive most of the time on the highway.
My setting is everytime on D5, M3 button enable
I tried again but this behavior only happen on gear 7, only the kickdown (Paddle in max) will shift down the gear.
In gear lower than 7, I don't have any problem it shift down the gear(S) even if I push the paddle to the middle.

Will try more settings.

Thanks

[OneMmmm]

Originally Posted by AUTiger13

If your daily driving, I have found S4 to be the best all-around DCT setting. Quick upshifts and downshifts are not as aggressive as S5 (obviously) and will still rev-match on aggressive downshifts, unlike S3.

Agreed. I used to stick with S3 for normal driving, but recently changed to S4 just for the pleasure of the occasional rev-matching.

I also don't get the shudder from the transmission in lower speeds in 2nd (as found in S5).

[SunnyD]

This is where I'd recommend getting a car with a traditional auto (ISF, C63), if your preference is driving around in auto mode all the time.