2008 BMW M3: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jul 15, 2010 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · MD

I own a 2008 bmw m3 with dct transmission. When in auto mode and you slow down and then wish to accelerate the car hesitates and then lunges forward. This is going to cause a problem with losing control of the car or could crash into vehicle in front of you. Took it to the dealer and they said nothing is wrong. Their needs to be a recall on this. Vin number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Transmission · 6,503 miles · TX

Hesitation in the automatic mode when decreasing speed then trying to initiate a turn. For example going down the road at 50mph then braking to turn left, once braking occurs a significant hesitation will occur which may result in the oncoming traffic hitting you.

Filed Sep 19, 2009 · Transmission · 14,000 miles · OR

I have a 2008 bmw m3 sedan, built 2/08, which I bought new in july, 2008. It has a dual clutch transmission. The problem is as follows. There is a significant hesitation or delay between stepping on the gas, and getting the car to go, when I have slowed almost to a stop, then want to accelerate. This happens all the time. It is dangerous especially when merging into traffic. In wyoming in late june, 2009, for example, I was coming from a side road onto a main highway. There was no stop sign for me, just a right curve in the road I was on, then merge into oncoming traffic on the main highway. The transmission had shifted into second gear because I had slowed down for the curve. As I turned right and stepped on the gas, nothing, it seemed like for a second or two. Oncoming traffic was moving along at a fast speed, and I almost got rear-ended before the motor finally responded to throttle input. I think this is dangerous. When I step on the gas, the motor should respond immediately, without any significant lag time. It seems like some computer is trying to figure out what to do. Maybe there is a software fix. Whatever it is, it is a dangerous condition.

Filed Apr 2, 2009 · Transmission · 4,800 miles · CA

2008 bmw m3 w/dct - I was making a left hand turn and had slowed to maybe 5mph when traffic on the other side had opened enough to make the turn, I pressed on the gas and the car did nothing but continue to roll at about 5mph towards the driveway in the on-coming lanes, where there was another vehicle quickly approaching. After about 3-5 seconds of hesitation the gear engaged and I was able to accelerate into the driveway and narrowly avoid being broadsided by on-coming traffic. Had the hesitation been for any longer, traffic been moving any faster, or there being any less of a gap in traffic, I would have either of been hit, or caused the on-coming drivers to have locked up their brakes possibly causing them to be rear-ended. This transmission hesitation is incredibly unsafe and is always a cause for concern if my significant other drives the vehicle. At this point I regret not getting a standard manual where I am at least in full control of when/if the clutch engages and am in my selected gear as quickly as my arm can move. This is not the first time I have experienced this hesitation, this has been a constant issue since the original recall notice, I believe I have software version 31.2.

Filed Feb 16, 2009 · Transmission · VA

I am extremely troubled by one particular problem I have noticed from the outset: there is a significant lag or hesitation of at least 1 second between applying pressure to the accelerator and the clutch engaging and giving acceleration to the wheels. This does not happen from a stand-still, but occurs primarily when the car is in motion at virtually all ranges of speed, from rolling stop (5km/hr or less) through standard road speeds of any degree (residential 30-40km/hr, city roads 50-70km/hr, or highway 90km/hr+). The problem is acute in 'd' mode, but occurs in 's' mode as well.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Transmission · 1,400 miles · MI

There is an issue with the m-dct transmission equipped on my vehicle. The problem occurs when the car is brought to a near stop such as at an intersection, and then pressure is applied to the accelerator to try and pull away quickly. In this case the vehicle will hesitate for a long period of time, potentially leaving the car unresponsive for a few seconds while coasting slowly into the intersection with oncoming traffic bearing down. The manufacturer claims this behavior is normal for the transmission but it is certainly not safe. Additionally, the problem was exacerbated by a prior software update whose intention was to fix other problematic behaviors of the transmission. So the behavior is clearly not germane to the transmission itself, it is instead the result of glitchy software which the manufacturer should rightly be obligated to fix. I firmly believe that this problem could endanger the lives of the occupants of my vehicle and sincerely hope it can be rectified immediately.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · WA

I have noticed since the safety recall on the m-dct gearbox: there is a significant lag or hesitation of at least 2 second between applying pressure to the accelerator and the clutch engaging and giving acceleration to the wheels. This results in a complete loss of power and causes the car to just "coast". This does not happen from a stand-still, but occurs primarily when the car is in motion at virtually all ranges of speed, from rolling stop through standard road speeds of any degree . The problem is acute in "d" mode, but occurs in "s" mode as well in 2nd gear. The result of this is that you can pull out into traffic and rather than increase your acceleration normally, the car will just coast with no power. This is extremely dangerous and I have had several near misses with a chance of a car rear ending me because the gearbox is functioning like this.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Fuel system · 188 miles · AE

Fuel pump replaced after 188 miles. Car already showed symptom 1 day after delivery. Hesitated to start. Dealer diagnosed defective fuel pump and replaced it. Important note to car. It is a 335i, model type e93. Your system doesn't list it, so I used m3.