F30 330d Sport Auto – Is that SMG-like kick normal?

[DRCraig]

Hi all

So I've owned a 320d F30 with the normal ZF8 before, and recently got a chance to drive a 2013 330d F30 with the sports auto. No record of gearbox service though.

Honestly, I was shocked at how different the gearbox felt.

In Eco or Comfort with light to moderate throttle, it was just as smooth as the normal ZF8, if not smoother, but noticeably quicker.

What really caught me off guard was driving in sport mode with the gearbox in manual mode. At around 60% to full throttle, every upshift from the lower gears right through to 8th had this proper kick/jerk to it. Almost SMG-like, but violenty quick. In my experience, much quicker than VAG DSG.

The revs weren't flaring or anything like the clutches were slipping. It was just a very firm, mechanical feeling shift. Almost felt like the gearbox was physically kicking the car forward with every gear change.

I know the 330d has a lot more torque than a 320d, but I didn't expect it to feel like that. My old F30 320d with the normal ZF8 shifted smoothly even at full throttle in manual mode. Even my tuned E90 320d with the older, slower ZF6 doesn't have that kind of shift shock.

So I'm curious:

1. Is this normal behaviour for the 330d Sport Auto under full throttle?
2. Would a 330d with the standard ZF8 behave similarly, or is this more of a Sport Auto thing?
3. Could the car I drove have a gearbox or drivetrain issue?

The shifts were seriously quick, but the kick felt a bit too harsh and mechanical for a modern-ish torque converter auto.

This was my first time behind the wheel of a F30 330d. I've driven E90 330d's. The 330d F30 is what everyone says it is- mighty. Looking forward to owning one someday.

Feel free to chime in.

Thanks

 

[modocrat]

Could be xHP?

 

[TurboLlew]

It might have had a gearbox flash on it

 

[DRCraig]

Are gearboxes usually flashed with xhp when the car is tuned? If yes, the car didn't 'feel' like it had software. If no, why was it flashed though?

 

[TurboLlew]

Are gearboxes usually flashed with xhp when the car is tuned? If yes, the car didn't 'feel' like it had software. If no, why was it flashed though?

If it feels normal in lower modes, chances are it was flashed. Lots of guys do just the gearbox software it seems (and xDelete). The car may have been previously tuned and returned to stock but they left the gearbox flash on (may just have been missed prepping for sale even).

My F90 with the bigger 8HP box doesn't feel DCT-harsh let alone SMG harsh, even in the most aggressive modes.

 

[320d]

Are gearboxes usually flashed with xhp when the car is tuned? If yes, the car didn't 'feel' like it had software. If no, why was it flashed though?

Mine does that, but i do have the xhp on mine with software. its very aggressive in the sport plus mode.

 

[Schalk94]

My G30 with sports auto definitely feels similar to what you are describing when shifting up under moderate/hard acceleration,especially when in DS.

My box has been serviced and has a very clean bill of health so I believe that's how it should feel. A friend of mine has a 2013 F30 330d with sports auto and that also feels very similar to mine when upshifting under somewhat decent load.

I don't particularly like the feeling,but the shifts are definitely a lot quicker than all the ZF8's we've had previously.

 

[AshG108]

What you described is 100% like xHP, I had Stage 4 before and it hold revs but Stage 3 has the kick. It can be toned down to not be as aggressive if you are not happy with it.

 

[Riaad]

Are gearboxes usually flashed with xhp when the car is tuned? If yes, the car didn't 'feel' like it had software. If no, why was it flashed though?

did you see the gear displayed on the cluster ? ie. D1, D2...D8 or S1, S2...S8 ?

if so, the car has xHP.

the stage 1 or 2 remap makes a significant difference to normal driving, its not uncommon for guys to flash the gearbox and still have stock ECU mapping. In fact, I usually recommend xHP first before doing ECU software.

Stage 3 is very fast shifts, and can often be a hard shift unless you are driving hard...