[Red Shift]

I have just picked up a 330d M-Sport touring which has an annoying habit of lurching/shunting as it comes to a halt, particularly in queuing traffic. Its as if it is clumsily changing into first. It feels a bit like someone has bumped into the car cauin it to lurch forward.

My dealer is in contact with BMW technical to look for a solution, has anyone else had the same problem?

[Jpp5862]

I have noticed this same issue with my 330 here in the states. When I come to a stop, a few seconds after I stop, I feel a slight lurch, and as you describe, it's almost like someone has tapped me from behind. Thinking I am going to contact the dealer as well because I don't think this is normal. At least I know I'm not the only one that has noticed this.

[Jason]

Do a search for "soft stop". I believe some members with early production cars had issues with their soft stop functions on their cars, but have not heard anything for a while now.

[Jpp5862]

Thanks jwocky, in the back of my mind I was thinking that this had been discussed before but hadn't had time to go back through all the threads. I'll see what I can dig up.

JP

[robkap]

I have same issue with my new 330i (<500 miles). Seattle service manager advised me to give the brakes some time to settle in...

I also wonder if they way the brakes "grab" (to avoid slipping on a hill) might have something to do with the low-speed lurch.

[David328M-Sport]

interestingly my book does not mention soft stop and thankfully my car does not have that most unwanted feature.

when i want the car to stop, it does so very smartly.

i hope you solve your problem quickly.

cheers

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by David325Australia

interestingly my book does not mention soft stop and thankfully my car does not have that most unwanted feature.

when i want the car to stop, it does so very smartly.

i hope you solve your problem quickly.

cheers

You are right David. This is interesting... the manual mentions "Drive off assistant" which is a DSC 8 function (6 cyl models only), so soft stop should be there too.

I have a manual, and definitely have soft stop installed and working well - it seems to be more compatible with the manual trans. One funny thing I do notice is the brake pedal pushing back up on my foot as it "does it's thang..."

[Jpp5862]

I went back and read several of the posts on soft stop and it sounds to me like some cars have an issue with the soft stop feature, including mine. I understand the concept that if you are braking moderately or hard then the car will rock a little when it initally comes to a complete stop. However, my issue is that a few seconds AFTER the car is completely stopped I feel this little lurch, just like someone has tapped me from behind, in fact a few times I've actually checked the rear view mirror to see if someone had hit me. Now whether it's transmission or DSC related, or something else I have no idea, but with over 1,100 miles on the odometer I'm about out of the break-in period and the problem isn't going away. Guess I'll be going back to the dealer.

[JamieA]

I experienced this when I test drove a Steptronic. I figured it was the transmission creep and the soft stop conflicting.

I tested the Step to see if I still wanted a manual, and the lurch confirmed for me that I would get a manual. I am lucky that I live in an area that isn't heavily congested with traffic though, so a manual is still a viable choice.

[Nice E90]

[ my issue is that a few seconds AFTER the car is completely stopped I feel this little lurch

I have that also, at the same time that occurs there is a very slight decrease in engine RPM, approx 150 rpm decrease.

[Jpp5862]

Originally Posted by Nice E90

[ my issue is that a few seconds AFTER the car is completely stopped I feel this little lurch

I have that also, at the same time that occurs there is a very slight decrease in engine RPM, approx 150 rpm decrease.

I'm getting ready to go on a hour or so trip, I'll watch the RPM's and see if I notice a correlation.

[sirees01]

any pics Red Shift I am waiting for my E91 M sport delivery due December.
This is also an auto, I hope this is not a common problem.

[billgti]

i have the lurching too..i think it's most noticeable on the steptronic cars but sooner or later you get used to it and you learn to be really good with the sensitive brakes.

[Nice E90]

Originally Posted by billgti

i have the lurching too..i think it's most noticeable on the steptronic cars but sooner or later you get used to it and you learn to be really good with the sensitive brakes.

The lurching I have is when the vehicle is NOT moving (waiting at a light with foot on brake). It's not an issue of the amount of pressure on the brake pedal.

[Jpp5862]

Originally Posted by Nice E90

The lurching I have is when the vehicle is NOT moving (waiting at a light with foot on brake). It's not an issue of the amount of pressure on the brake pedal.

Same here. I did some experimenting with it today. As far as I can tell it never lurches when it's in Manual mode, however if it's in Auto mode or Sport mode it will lurch. Sometimes worse than others, but I could never tell a pattern. I tried it with DSC off, DSC limited, hard braking, etc, but never could determine anything other than it doesn't do it in manual mode.

I called the dealer and am taking it in next week, not that I expect to get anything resolved, but at least the problem will be documented.

[billgti]

Originally Posted by Nice E90

The lurching I have is when the vehicle is NOT moving (waiting at a light with foot on brake). It's not an issue of the amount of pressure on the brake pedal.

i know what you are talking about exactly because it happens with my car and with every other e90 i've driven. it is something that can be eliminated by being very careful with the brake pedal. i definitely think that bmw should've done a better job with tuning soft-stop for steptronic cars (it's doesn't happen at all with the manual) i still do it from time to time after 5000 miles of driving but most of the time i don't have it.

[Jpp5862]

Originally Posted by billgti

i know what you are talking about exactly because it happens with my car and with every other e90 i've driven. it is something that can be eliminated by being very careful with the brake pedal. i definitely think that bmw should've done a better job with tuning soft-stop for steptronic cars (it's doesn't happen at all with the manual) i still do it from time to time after 5000 miles of driving but most of the time i don't have it.

This would explain why I have the problem intermittently I guess, but what is the "secret" to stopping without the lurch?

[cannonspike22]

i drive a step, but how come i'm not experiencing this lurch at all a few seconds after a complete stop???

[billgti]

Originally Posted by Jpp5862

This would explain why I have the problem intermittently I guess, but what is the "secret" to stopping without the lurch?

it's really hard to explain here but basically the brakes have a very small "sweet spot". it's very easy to apply too little or too much pressure if you're not used to it but there's a point at which the car will just come to a stop smoothly without the lurching..u just have to concentrate and try for yourself.

[db17k]

Originally Posted by Red Shift

It feels a bit like someone has bumped into the car cauin it to lurch forward.

My dealer is in contact with BMW technical to look for a solution, has anyone else had the same problem?

if you say "cauin" in an english accent, then say that whole sentence in an english accent, you see that cauin means "Causing" you know, so try to say it in your head like oliver twist would. it totally works right? I love you english.

Originally Posted by cannonspike22

i drive a step, but how come i'm not experiencing this lurch at all a few seconds after a complete stop???

I hope you don't feel TOO left out

[Jpp5862]

Originally Posted by billgti

it's really hard to explain here but basically the brakes have a very small "sweet spot". it's very easy to apply too little or too much pressure if you're not used to it but there's a point at which the car will just come to a stop smoothly without the lurching..u just have to concentrate and try for yourself.

Thanks. I'll just play around with it. Like I said I have noticed a few times where I stop and get no lurch, so apparently I have found the sweet spot, I'll try to pay more attention. I'm still going to have the dealer look at it so it's documented in case of future problems. Appreciate it.