DCT Question

[BobsM3Coupe]

When I put the shift lever to the right, it always selects S1. I then have to push the lever to the right again to put it in D1.

I read somewhere that the lever will go to D1 first and then to select S1, the lever needs to move to the right once again. If this is true, then mine is backwards.

So which is it?

[Crazy Bimmer]

Yours is exactly like mine.

[AZ-BMW]

Originally Posted by Jesal@Project 808

Yours is exactly like mine.

+1
Mine also

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

When I put the shift lever to the right, it always selects S1. I then have to push the lever to the right again to put it in D1.

I read somewhere that the lever will go to D1 first and then to select S1, the lever needs to move to the right once again. If this is true, then mine is backwards.

So which is it?

yes...because your car is a manual so the S mode is the default setting. the D is the automated mode which requires an additional step to activate the alternative mode.

[Montoya]

In the UK the default is D modes, in the US it is S3. So it depends on the country..

Not sure when you say you push it to the right, if you are in the default position or are you pushing it all the way to the spring loaded right position which toggles the mode from S to D?

In any case fully covered in the manual, nothing unusual from your post other than not being familiar with the operation and it sounds correct for a US car like yours.

[BobsM3Coupe]

OK, thanks for the replys.

[BCA]

Differs by country...no way to change.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354368

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343824

[Jerktown]

The lamest thing is that it's not even internally consistent, since the 'default' is S, but it only remembers the setting for D. That is, if I chose D5, the next time I start the car, and put it into D, it'll go back to D5, but every time I start the car and go into S, it goes into S3 and I have to reselect S5.

[M3V8Driver]

Hmmm, mine remembers the S setting as well. I thought this setting was selectable in the iDrive menu somewhere. I'll have to consult the manual.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Hmmm, mine remembers the S setting as well.

If it's true you were somehow blessed by the BMW gods.

Sadly though, I am pretty sure you are mistaken.

[JustABreathAway]

Interestingly, before I had my car in for the DCT software update and 1200 mile service last week, the default shift program was S3. Now, it defaults to the D setting with whatever shift program I last had set for it, in my case D4. I like this new option for the wifey ever driving the car.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

If it's true you were somehow blessed by the BMW gods.

Sadly though, I am pretty sure you are mistaken.

I find this slightly irritating and have to agree with you that default is S3 (certainly the S default anyway) and the car DOES NOT "remember" your last S mode. It's also spelled out that way in the M supplement manual.

To the poster above that noted the iDrive option, that's not the case either. Of course, you can program the S mode for the M button, but nothing else.

I'm still in the break-in period so haven't been punching the M button. I'm actually wondering from a usage viewpoint if it might not make more sense to program the M button for how you like to drive the car daily and then manually set it for "M" style driving.

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

Interestingly, before I had my car in for the DCT software update and 1200 mile service last week, the default shift program was S3. Now, it defaults to the D setting with whatever shift program I last had set for it, in my case D4. I like this new option for the wifey ever driving the car.

Maybe this is the answer to the remember/does not remember discussions - maybe the new software programming changes this behavior. Do you know by any chance in your software was updated during the service?

[Jerktown]

Originally Posted by MaxL

Maybe this is the answer to the remember/does not remember discussions - maybe the new software programming changes this behavior. Do you know by any chance in your software was updated during the service?

I just had my software updated a couple weeks ago. It still defaults to S3.

[jeff4598]

This is why I think BMW made the right choices: The difference between D3 and D5 is significant in many ways-it's the brain behind the auto transmission mode-how quick to downshift, how long to hold lower gear etc. It makes a BIG difference-if you like D5 you won't love D3. The difference between S3 and S5 is a minute fraction of a second in shift time-hey it ALWAYS shifts when YOU tell it to- the difference is not easily discerned on the street in my experience.

I make my M setting S5 and use D5 so if I'm in D5 two quick taps on the M button and I'm in S5. Not perfect but better than trying to find the damn tiny mode change buttons!

[M3Bliss]

Originally Posted by Jerktown

I just had my software updated a couple weeks ago. It still defaults to S3.

Mine does the same. In any event it always goes to the S mode on the first tap and the D mode is the 2nd tap. Note: I do have the latest software.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by M3Bliss

Mine does the same. In any event it always goes to the S mode on the first tap and the D mode is the 2nd tap. Note: I do have the latest software.

Very interesting. I unfortunately don't know the name of the software update they did on my MDCT with the 1200 mile service, but I can absolutely tell you that the car remembers whether I had it in D or S the last time I used it. If it was in D, it will go into the D mode I left it in (usually D4) upon one right tap. If it was in S, it will default to the S3 position upon 1 tap to the right. Again, sorry I don't have the exact software upgrade name to give you, but I can verify with certainty that this is what I'm getting out of my car right now.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

I can absolutely tell you that the car remembers whether I had it in D or S the last time I used it. If it was in D, it will go into the D mode I left it in (usually D4) upon one right tap. If it was in S, it will default to the S3 position upon 1 tap to the right.

That's great if true, but the fact that it does not go to your last S mode setting at startup if you leave it in S when you turn it off means that this update would do nothing for me. I never use D mode.

[M3V8Driver]

Since somebody called me on it, I carefully observed the settings between yesterday and today. Sure enough, it USUALLY defaults to S3, but sometimes it went to my last setting, which was either S2 or S5. Never defaulted to any D mode. I just need to figure what the circumstances were when it did resort to my S2 or S5 setting. Until I can figure this out, I'll consider it to be inconsistent. BTW, I never use the key in the slot... always have it on me. I bought my car in Oct. '08 and have only had one software update since then (to remediate the unwillingness to obey downshift commands during spirited driving). I believe there may be another software update since then, but I'm reluctant to get it because of how well it is performing now.

[saildoc]

I have my M dynamic set up to put it in D5 when i push the M button.

[MonteCarloM3]

makes no sense why bmw would not allow you to set a default program when the car starts up. would be fantastic to do that, AND then have multiple M button programs you can toggle by hitting the button again. easily done by a little programming and forethought

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Sure enough, it USUALLY defaults to S3, but sometimes it went to my last setting, which was either S2 or S5. Never defaulted to any D mode. I just need to figure what the circumstances were when it did resort to my S2 or S5 setting. Until I can figure this out, I'll consider it to be inconsistent.

How long is the car off when it remembers the setting? I recall people in the past reporting that certain settings that aren't normally remembered across a shutdown/restart will sometimes be but if the car is only off for a short period. I don't believe DCT settings were spoken about in these conversations but perhaps they do indeed fall into that category. I should add that this is only the context of I-Drive equipped cars (which mine isn't).