M3 bucking

[Slvr e39]

I have a 2003 M3 with SMG2. In "automatic" mode, occasionally when I come to a rolling stop at a stopsign or at a light, and start to accelerate just as the car downshifts from 2nd to 1st, it will buck off the line. It makes you look like you're learning to drive a stick-shift, which is embarassing. It basically won't stop until you let your foot off the accelerator and wait a second.

I have the shift timing adjustment set for the most aggressive mode. It actually does the same thing in manual shift mode, if you downshift from second to first and start accelerating just an instant after it shifts. It's as if there's a lag time for the computer to realize that the car's in first gear, and the ignition timing set set wrong by the computer.

Don't get me wrong, the SMG is a great transmission and I love the M3. This is the only problem that I've had, and you can learn to avoid it by forcing yourself to come to a complete stop. This is usually a good practice anyway, but sometimes the light legitimately turns green just as your coming to a stop.

I did talk to another 2003 M3 SMG owner who had the same issue, so I know I'm not crazy. I'm just wondering how many cars are affected and if there's any known solution (software upgrade, etc.) to fix it.

Thanks.

[2.link]

I drove a 2003 M3 SMG, and it felt like what you were describing....IMO, I really don't like the SMG on the M3, they say it shifts fast, and it does....but it lagged when I was using it...i unno.....i dun like them...:P

[the///man]

it shouldnt downshift to first until your going like 1mph or completely stopped.if it does downshift when you want to go again just let off the gas and alow it to get into that gear than press the gas and upshift at will

[roloson]

I have had the same problem. I just chaulked it up to the nature of this transmission. Kind of like if you run big cams your going to get a radical idle.

[Slvr e39]

Is there a software upgrade I can get?

[the///man]

theres always software upgrades available at the dealer but im not sure if that would solve your problem. it could though, so give that a try, but the reason could also be that you have to get adjusted to the smg still

[GreenDragon]

Sounds like it's dropping into the passing gear (1st gear in this case) because you may be smashingthe gas at the light. Try to accelerate more smoothly and see if the bucking stops ...