'07 335i

RayLivingston · 02-21-2019, 09:27 AM

I have a 2007 335i with the (execrable) ZF 6-speed automatic trans. Whether in "D" or "SD" mode, it ALWAYS starts up from a stop in first gear, then at perhaps 5MPH shifts up into 2nd gear. The first gear ratio is WAY too frickin' high, being a virtual "stump puller" gear. The result is it is nearly impossible to get moving smoothly from a stop, as with any but the most gentle acceleration there that 1-2 shift is very rough. If I put it in "SD", then manually select second gear, it is very easy to pull away smoothly.

So, the question is: Is there ANY way to simply disable first gear, and make it start off in second, instead of first? That is exactly what the ZF 5-speed in my E46 does, and it is butter-smooth.

Regards,
Ray L.

6ixSpd · 02-21-2019, 10:33 AM

The ZF6 is light years smoother than any E46 automatic transmission.

Something is clearly wrong with yours. If this was an inherent design issue, you'd hear about it constantly as it's in hundreds of thousands of 3 series.

Brandoch · 02-21-2019, 10:54 AM

I believe there is an option for that in xHP.

RayLivingston · 02-21-2019, 10:55 AM

The ZF 5HP19 in my 2001 325i is smooth as glass - you can barely even feels the shifts - BEST auto trans I've ever driven. It NEVER makes a rough shift.

The one n the 335i is only OK on its best days. About 10% of the time, it will do a very harsh shift, particularly in lower gears. Has for all of the almost 5 years I've owned it. And the 1-2 shift is especially bad, because it comes at such a ridiculously low speed.

Regards,
Ray L.

nsjames · 02-21-2019, 10:59 AM

xhp is what you're looking for.

RayLivingston · 02-21-2019, 12:27 PM

OK, I googled "ZF xHP". That is exactly what I need! Looking though the user manual, it has exactly the capabilities I'm looking for - Don't down-shift into first, always start in 2nd, and make manual downshifts quicker (they are INCREDIBLY slow right now!), and make most shift smoother.

Regards,
Ray L.

ewicky · 02-21-2019, 05:38 PM

IMHO there is nothing "execrable" about the ZF 6 speed.
If you have hard shifts, there is something wrong with your tranny. xHP can't fix a hardware issue.

That being said, yes, BMW could/should have made the final drive on our cars a little longer. Better cruising in 6th and a less-useless 1st would benefit. If I could change both my front and rear diffs for something about 15% longer without insane cost, I would.

As for your tranny "ALWAYS" starting in 1st; again, something is probably wrong. Either you or your car. Mine occasionally starts in second. It often does on snow (we literally have a well-documented, auto-detect-and-engaging winter mode that starts in 2nd and also shifts up sooner). It also seems to go into winter mode or something similar when I'm stuck in traffic. Start in second and shift sooner so I can coast easier.

With all that, yes, it is smoother to accelerate starting directly from 2nd, simply because there is no shifting to do. I've yet to have or hear a single complaint that my 1-2 shift is rough, though.

02-21-2019, 09:27 AM	#1
RayLivingston Lieutenant 140 Rep 445 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	'07 335i - Disable First Gear in ZF Trans? I have a 2007 335i with the (execrable) ZF 6-speed automatic trans. Whether in "D" or "SD" mode, it ALWAYS starts up from a stop in first gear, then at perhaps 5MPH shifts up into 2nd gear. The first gear ratio is WAY too frickin' high, being a virtual "stump puller" gear. The result is it is nearly impossible to get moving smoothly from a stop, as with any but the most gentle acceleration there that 1-2 shift is very rough. If I put it in "SD", then manually select second gear, it is very easy to pull away smoothly. So, the question is: Is there ANY way to simply disable first gear, and make it start off in second, instead of first? That is exactly what the ZF 5-speed in my E46 does, and it is butter-smooth. Regards, Ray L.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-21-2019, 10:33 AM	#2
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6012 Rep 6,740 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	The ZF6 is light years smoother than any E46 automatic transmission. Something is clearly wrong with yours. If this was an inherent design issue, you'd hear about it constantly as it's in hundreds of thousands of 3 series. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 10:54 AM	#3
Brandoch Lieutenant 451 Rep 457 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: BC Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 M3 [9.50] 2011 BMW F25 X3 28i [8.50]	I believe there is an option for that in xHP.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 10:55 AM	#4
RayLivingston Lieutenant 140 Rep 445 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The ZF 5HP19 in my 2001 325i is smooth as glass - you can barely even feels the shifts - BEST auto trans I've ever driven. It NEVER makes a rough shift. The one n the 335i is only OK on its best days. About 10% of the time, it will do a very harsh shift, particularly in lower gears. Has for all of the almost 5 years I've owned it. And the 1-2 shift is especially bad, because it comes at such a ridiculously low speed. Regards, Ray L.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 10:59 AM	#5
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	xhp is what you're looking for.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 12:27 PM	#6
RayLivingston Lieutenant 140 Rep 445 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	OK, I googled "ZF xHP". That is exactly what I need! Looking though the user manual, it has exactly the capabilities I'm looking for - Don't down-shift into first, always start in 2nd, and make manual downshifts quicker (they are INCREDIBLY slow right now!), and make most shift smoother. Regards, Ray L. Last edited by RayLivingston; 02-21-2019 at 12:38 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 05:38 PM	#7
ewicky Lieutenant 204 Rep 525 Posts Drives: '07 335xi 4D AT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	IMHO there is nothing "execrable" about the ZF 6 speed. If you have hard shifts, there is something wrong with your tranny. xHP can't fix a hardware issue. That being said, yes, BMW could/should have made the final drive on our cars a little longer. Better cruising in 6th and a less-useless 1st would benefit. If I could change both my front and rear diffs for something about 15% longer without insane cost, I would. As for your tranny "ALWAYS" starting in 1st; again, something is probably wrong. Either you or your car. Mine occasionally starts in second. It often does on snow (we literally have a well-documented, auto-detect-and-engaging winter mode that starts in 2nd and also shifts up sooner). It also seems to go into winter mode or something similar when I'm stuck in traffic. Start in second and shift sooner so I can coast easier. With all that, yes, it is smoother to accelerate starting directly from 2nd, simply because there is no shifting to do. I've yet to have or hear a single complaint that my 1-2 shift is rough, though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote