Rough first to second gear in low RPM N55

mousefarmer · 11-24-2020, 11:07 AM

2012 BMW 335i F30 with ZF 8 speed transmission

The transmission jumps a bit when at low RPMs going from 1st to 2nd. I've seen this reported by others. New transmission fluid and filter does not resolve. The only thing that resolves is driving at a faster RPM.

Does anyone know of a way of resolving this issue at low RPMs? I haven't seen much servicing information for the ZF 8 speed like with the ZF 6 speed which has sleeves to replace. The car has about 60,000 miles.

juliomadara7 · 11-29-2020, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

2012 BMW 335i F30 with ZF 8 speed transmission

The transmission jumps a bit when at low RPMs going from 1st to 2nd. I've seen this reported by others. New transmission fluid and filter does not resolve. The only thing that resolves is driving at a faster RPM.

Does anyone know of a way of resolving this issue at low RPMs? I haven't seen much servicing information for the ZF 8 speed like with the ZF 6 speed which has sleeves to replace. The car has about 60,000 miles.

Are you driving more in a sporty manner when it's happening?

jmack · 11-30-2020, 01:00 PM

You can try resetting the driving adaptations, but that behavior is pretty normal with a cold transmission.

* Press the start button once to turn on power (Don't start the engine)
* Press the accelerator down to the floor for 30 seconds
* Hit start button once to turn off power
* Remove foot from accelerator
* Wait for 1-2 minutes
* Start the engine and drive

psyki · 12-01-2020, 04:21 AM

Mine does it too under certain circumstances, in my case I start my car in front of my house and drive down a long gradually downward sloping driveway that after 100m or so there's a steep upward curve to the left. I'm giving it light throttle the whole way down the driveway right after starting my car and at the bottom of the hill I give it some gas, it shifts into second right as it's grunting a bit on the hill, and right during the shift there's this weird transition period between the firm 1st and 2nd gears lasting about a second and a half where there is still forward drive but not 100%, like a slipping clutch that after a second or so syncs up and is fully in gear.

It only does it that one time under those circumstances on the first start of each day, more so on a cold morning. Otherwise the transmission feels and behaves completely as expected, by all measures it's in great shape. 2014 435i with 37k miles.

tardboi · 12-01-2020, 12:15 PM

Mine jumps, especially in sport mode, when in stop and go highway traffic. Might be transfer case if everyone here is xdrive

SMFD21 · 12-02-2020, 12:53 AM

The ZF8 in my A4 did this and it does this in my 335 too, I'd say it's pretty normal.

TK335iMSPT · 12-02-2020, 01:26 AM

Car:2014 335i xdrive with 60k miles. Symptoms behave around 30k.

This has been one of few complaints I have with this specific drivetrain. It's brilliant when driving in a sporty manner but horrible when at low speed situations like traffic and parking lots. I believe the transfer case in the xdrives are a major culprit but not the only problem. I've been to BMW so many times and they say it's all normal. I'll be driving and watch the gear shift with a split second delay in drivetrain engagement. Example: Shift, pause, engage(car bucks). Only does this in lower gears like 1-3 and sometimes 4. I've never felt this behavior in any rear wheel drive model with the same drivetrain. Drives me absolutely mad when it does it. It is a lot worse when the motor is cold too but still does it when fully warm. I have XHP and it's helped but it still does it which makes me believe it's the transfer case. I want to try Xdelete to see if the symptoms go away.

mousefarmer · 12-02-2020, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK335iMSPT

Car:2014 335i xdrive with 60k miles. Symptoms behave around 30k.

This has been one of few complaints I have with this specific drivetrain. It's brilliant when driving in a sporty manner but horrible when at low speed situations like traffic and parking lots. I believe the transfer case in the xdrives are a major culprit but not the only problem. I've been to BMW so many times and they say it's all normal. I'll be driving and watch the gear shift with a split second delay in drivetrain engagement. Example: Shift, pause, engage(car bucks). Only does this in lower gears like 1-3 and sometimes 4. I've never felt this behavior in any rear wheel drive model with the same drivetrain. Drives me absolutely mad when it does it. It is a lot worse when the motor is cold too but still does it when fully warm. I have XHP and it's helped but it still does it which makes me believe it's the transfer case. I want to try Xdelete to see if the symptoms go away.

Yes, it is annoying at times and I've changed the tranny fluid several times without it changing it. The old E90 model ZF and GM 6 speed automatics are much smoother 1st to 2nd compared to this 2012 ZF 8 speed.

I guess will just live with it or drive faster.

TK335iMSPT · 12-02-2020, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK335iMSPT

Car:2014 335i xdrive with 60k miles. Symptoms behave around 30k.

This has been one of few complaints I have with this specific drivetrain. It's brilliant when driving in a sporty manner but horrible when at low speed situations like traffic and parking lots. I believe the transfer case in the xdrives are a major culprit but not the only problem. I've been to BMW so many times and they say it's all normal. I'll be driving and watch the gear shift with a split second delay in drivetrain engagement. Example: Shift, pause, engage(car bucks). Only does this in lower gears like 1-3 and sometimes 4. I've never felt this behavior in any rear wheel drive model with the same drivetrain. Drives me absolutely mad when it does it. It is a lot worse when the motor is cold too but still does it when fully warm. I have XHP and it's helped but it still does it which makes me believe it's the transfer case. I want to try Xdelete to see if the symptoms go away.

Yes, it is annoying at times and I've changed the tranny fluid several times without it changing it. The old E90 model ZF and GM 6 speed automatics are much smoother 1st to 2nd compared to this 2012 ZF 8 speed.

I guess will just live with it or drive faster.

I agree, my buddy's old e92 328i 6speed was worlds smoother. I guess that's the price you pay for the performance side of it.

Xradeon · 08-30-2023, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

2012 BMW 335i F30 with ZF 8 speed transmission

The transmission jumps a bit when at low RPMs going from 1st to 2nd. I've seen this reported by others. New transmission fluid and filter does not resolve. The only thing that resolves is driving at a faster RPM.

Does anyone know of a way of resolving this issue at low RPMs? I haven't seen much servicing information for the ZF 8 speed like with the ZF 6 speed which has sleeves to replace. The car has about 60,000 miles.

My ‘14 435i does the same thing most of the time. It’s seems random and only happens from 1st to 2nd gear, and when RPMs are low. Change is smooth if going fast or driving in sports mode.

thejeremyman9 · 08-30-2023, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xradeon

My ‘14 435i does the same thing most of the time. It’s seems random and only happens from 1st to 2nd gear, and when RPMs are low. Change is smooth if going fast or driving in sports mode.

Basically this is normal if you are talking about the cold 1-2 shift. Just google ZF8 lurch or similar. If it always happens or continues after the car is warm etc you might have a underlying problem.

11-24-2020, 11:07 AM	#1
mousefarmer First Lieutenant 133 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2007 328i, 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	Rough first to second gear in low RPM N55 2012 BMW 335i F30 with ZF 8 speed transmission The transmission jumps a bit when at low RPMs going from 1st to 2nd. I've seen this reported by others. New transmission fluid and filter does not resolve. The only thing that resolves is driving at a faster RPM. Does anyone know of a way of resolving this issue at low RPMs? I haven't seen much servicing information for the ZF 8 speed like with the ZF 6 speed which has sleeves to replace. The car has about 60,000 miles.
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11-30-2020, 01:00 PM	#3
jmack First Lieutenant 549 Rep 384 Posts Drives: OG M2, E70 X5M Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	You can try resetting the driving adaptations, but that behavior is pretty normal with a cold transmission. * Press the start button once to turn on power (Don't start the engine) * Press the accelerator down to the floor for 30 seconds * Hit start button once to turn off power * Remove foot from accelerator * Wait for 1-2 minutes * Start the engine and drive
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12-01-2020, 04:21 AM	#4
psyki E36fiend 285 Rep 637 Posts Drives: 2014 435i xDrive Join Date: May 2019 Location: Sammamish, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 435i xDrive [0.00] 2014 X5 [0.00]	Mine does it too under certain circumstances, in my case I start my car in front of my house and drive down a long gradually downward sloping driveway that after 100m or so there's a steep upward curve to the left. I'm giving it light throttle the whole way down the driveway right after starting my car and at the bottom of the hill I give it some gas, it shifts into second right as it's grunting a bit on the hill, and right during the shift there's this weird transition period between the firm 1st and 2nd gears lasting about a second and a half where there is still forward drive but not 100%, like a slipping clutch that after a second or so syncs up and is fully in gear. It only does it that one time under those circumstances on the first start of each day, more so on a cold morning. Otherwise the transmission feels and behaves completely as expected, by all measures it's in great shape. 2014 435i with 37k miles.
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12-01-2020, 12:15 PM	#5
tardboi First Lieutenant 83 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 335i xDrive MSport Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	Mine jumps, especially in sport mode, when in stop and go highway traffic. Might be transfer case if everyone here is xdrive
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12-02-2020, 12:53 AM	#6
SMFD21 Private 9 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2015 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	The ZF8 in my A4 did this and it does this in my 335 too, I'd say it's pretty normal.
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12-02-2020, 01:26 AM	#7
TK335iMSPT Lieutenant 299 Rep 479 Posts Drives: F30 335ixdrive M Sport Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (3)	Car:2014 335i xdrive with 60k miles. Symptoms behave around 30k. This has been one of few complaints I have with this specific drivetrain. It's brilliant when driving in a sporty manner but horrible when at low speed situations like traffic and parking lots. I believe the transfer case in the xdrives are a major culprit but not the only problem. I've been to BMW so many times and they say it's all normal. I'll be driving and watch the gear shift with a split second delay in drivetrain engagement. Example: Shift, pause, engage(car bucks). Only does this in lower gears like 1-3 and sometimes 4. I've never felt this behavior in any rear wheel drive model with the same drivetrain. Drives me absolutely mad when it does it. It is a lot worse when the motor is cold too but still does it when fully warm. I have XHP and it's helped but it still does it which makes me believe it's the transfer case. I want to try Xdelete to see if the symptoms go away.
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