Z4 smg is jerky in first gear

Ttyy21

Member
 Las vegas
I don't see any other threads discussing this problem but my smg is very jerky in first gear. Instead of easing the clutch out it kinda feels like it just dumps it at times, is this normal?
 
I've never had any issues with mine so can't offer much advice. How long have you had the car ? Do you drive it with the Sport button switched on ? Do you 'make progress' or drive it more sedately ? I believe you can recalibrate the clutch bite point but don't know the procedure. Somebody else may come along with some advice about this.
I have had a very minor juddery clutch uptake on a couple of occasions when the car has been parked for a few days in cold, damp winter weather. I drove the car gently until it was warmed up and then gave it a good old fashioned 'Italian Tune-up' and the car was then fine. :thumbsup:
 
That is for the reply! I've only had it about a month now, but it hasn't gotten any better. Just simply pulling from a red light makes it react really badly. I try to drive it with a light foot but it will still just dump the clutch and jump forward. It's pretty nerveing because I know how expensive the smg parts are. Theirs not much info on these things so I have no clue what to try or replace... again thanks for the reply, I was starting to feel alone out here :D oh and I drive with both sport and non but I don't really see a difference
 
As the zed smg is the system used in the e36 have you tried searching for info on them specifically?

I would have thought there is/was a lot more e36 smg cars out there than the e85 so its possibly a way of getting more info on faults etc
 
MACK said:
As the zed smg is the system used in the e36 have you tried searching for info on them specifically?

I would have thought there is/was a lot more e36 smg cars out there than the e85 so its possibly a way of getting more info on faults etc

I thought the SMG in the Zed was different to the E36 system?

Anyway OP - Sounds like the clutch bite point may need recalibrating, common as the clutch wears - How many miles is on the car?

Easy to do if you have the kit, where are you?

Mike
 
Ducklakeview said:
MACK said:
As the zed smg is the system used in the e36 have you tried searching for info on them specifically?

I would have thought there is/was a lot more e36 smg cars out there than the e85 so its possibly a way of getting more info on faults etc

I thought the SMG in the Zed was different to the E36 system?

Anyway OP - Sounds like the clutch bite point may need recalibrating, common as the clutch wears - How many miles is on the car?

Easy to do if you have the kit, where are you?

Mike

If memory serves e85s it's the smg1 system used in the e36 but not the layer smg2 used in the e46. Seeing as the zed shares a lot of it's DNA with the e46 Im not sure why they would chose to use the earlier system. They must have had their reasons but smg isnt something I'm well up on so maybe someone else can answer that
 
Ducklakeview said:
I thought the zed had a traditional shift pattern box, whereas the 3 series has a proper sequential box?

Mike

Its a sequential box that's a Frankenstein hybrid of e36 smg1 tech mated to the zeds 6 speed manual .
https://www.flickr.com/photos/47682693@N08/5894099363
 
I was under the impression that the z4 smg was not the same as in the e46 M3 and was a smg 1. Mine is sometimes a bit jerky in first but I generally put that down to throttle control as it feels as if its not pulling away so you tend to press the throttle a bit more then it takes off faster than anticipated causing a jerky takeoff hope that makes sense
As someone else has stated I think there is a way of setting the clutch biting point perhaps have a chat with a decent independent garage
 
jabber said:
I was under the impression that the z4 smg was not the same as in the e46 M3 and was a smg 2. Mine is sometimes a bit jerky in first but I generally put that down to throttle control as it feels as if its not pulling away so you tend to press the throttle a bit more then it takes off faster than anticipated causing a jerky takeoff hope that makes sense
As someone else has stated I think there is a way of setting the clutch biting point perhaps have a chat with a decent independent garage

Your right its not, the SMG 2 used in the E46 M3. Its more akin to the SMG 1 used in the E36 but its not the same box as that uses.
Like I said as a generalization its the tech of an SMG 1 system mated to a zed 6 speed manual box to give a sequential box.
This system was also used in the E46 for a few years up to the E46's facelift, but only in the 325/330, never in an M.
 
OP if your able then go and see Mike (Ducklakeview) and get him to reset your clutch bite point. Then drive it in Sport...all the time ! It's so much better in Sport, even in town. Then when you get out on the twisty bits keeping your foot flat down on the up-changes is just...oh wow ! :evil:
 
patriot66 said:
OP if your able then go and see Mike (Ducklakeview) and get him to reset your clutch bite point. Then drive it in Sport...all the time ! It's so much better in Sport, even in town. Then when you get out on the twisty bits keeping your foot flat down on the up-changes is just...oh wow ! :evil:

I remember there is a way of doing at least a soft version of this yourself, well there was on E46 M3 SMG2 cars anyway. Never had to do it myself but it was something to do with pulling on both paddles above a certain speed I think.
Might be worth a "google" for the procedure and a try first OP, you never know and its free.
 
patriot66 said:
OP if your able then go and see Mike (Ducklakeview) and get him to reset your clutch bite point. Then drive it in Sport...all the time ! It's so much better in Sport, even in town. Then when you get out on the twisty bits keeping your foot flat down on the up-changes is just...oh wow ! :evil:

Yup, I can reset that for you, hence my asking location - 2 mins job.

MIke
 
Sorry for the late reply but I live in Vegas. I could probably get it done my self if I need to, you make it seem pretty easy so I'll probably check out YouTube or something if you're not near me :D
 
Ducklakeview said:
Yup, I can reset that for you, hence my asking location - 2 mins job.

MIke

Sorry for the late reply but I live in Vegas. I could probably get it done my self if I need to, you make it seem pretty easy so I'll probably check out YouTube or something if you're not near me :D the car has around 100k miles, can you link the tool?
 
According to BMW's description of the Z4 SMG system the clutch self learns. See note at the bottom -

"Working on Hydraulic System
Note: Prior to any work on the hydraulic system, the system pressure must be reduced with
the service function "Before working on hydraulic system" in the DISplus/GT1.

• The hydraulic pump relay must be removed to prevent the hydraulic pump from activat-
ing. The relay must not be reconnected for the entire duration of the repair work.

• The service function "After working on hydraulic system" must be implemented with the
DISplus/GT1 (to vent the hydraulic system).
• The service function "Teach gearbox" must be implemented with the DISplus/GT1. The
hydraulic pump must not run when dry!
• After work is completed on the hydraulic system, the hydraulic fluid level must be
checked and topped up if necessary. The hydraulic pump relay can be reinstalled. The
hydraulic fluid level must be checked again.
Teaching Gearbox
The service function "Teaching gearbox" must be implemented with the DISplus/GT1 when
the following components are replaced:
• SMG Control Module
• SMG Transmission
• Clutch
• Clutch sensor

Note: The SMG control system learns the clutching characteristic during the drive off oper-
ation. There may be impaired comfort during the initial gearshift operations.
"
 
MACK said:
I remember there is a way of doing at least a soft version of this yourself, well there was on E46 M3 SMG2 cars anyway. Never had to do it myself but it was something to do with pulling on both paddles above a certain speed I think.
Might be worth a "google" for the procedure and a try first OP, you never know and its free.

The old google search method didn't yield much information, that method of driving and pulling the paddles after throwing it in neutral unfortunately does not work on the z4 as that was the first thing that I tried after I picked up the car. Thanks for the reply though!
 
i get a judder in first, the first time i pull away if its been cold and damp overnight but its only the initial pull away.. I have had it kangeroo when in sport and i have pulled away then had to brake and then gone back on the go pedal. in town driving everything is smoother if not in sport. Just thinking if i could get it past Mrs F that i need to go out to Las Vegas to help a fellow zedder :D :rofl: :thumbsup:
 
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