BMW M4 Jerking: Transfer Case or Trans Issues?

Hey there! I've got some experience with BMWs (some experience level). I had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW M3 last year. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I went through, jerky movements and transmission headaches. After taking it to my regular workshop, they diagnosed it as defective gears in the transfer case. The repair set me back about 330 Euro, but it sorted out all those annoying symptoms. My mechanic actually found worn-out gears that were causing all the trouble. Since the fix, my M3's been running smooth as butter. Before I share more specific details about my repair experience, could you tell me your car's mileage and whether you've noticed any specific patterns when these issues occur? Like, does it happen more during cold starts or after the car's been running for a while? This info would help me give you more relevant advice based on what worked for my situation.

Thanks for sharing your experience! For reference, I'm at 128212 KM and just had my service done recently. Had similar symptoms to what you described with your M3. The jerking mostly happens when I'm cruising at steady speeds, not really during cold starts. It's somewhat reassuring to hear your repair cost wasn't astronomical, though I was hoping it wouldn't be the transfer case. Did you notice any metallic sounds before you got it fixed? The error messages are getting more frequent now, so I'm thinking of getting it checked ASAP. Been putting it off but your post convinced me I should probably stop procrastinating on this one.

Hey again! Yeah, I totally get why you've been putting it off, I did the same thing initially. And yes, I actually did notice some metallic sounds, especially when shifting between gears at highway speeds. It started as a subtle grinding noise but got more noticeable over time. Looking at your mileage (128212 KM), you're pretty much where I was when my issues started (I was around 125000 KM). The steady-speed jerking is exactly what I experienced too. The error messages getting more frequent is what finally pushed me to get it checked, smart move not waiting any longer! Just a heads up from my experience, when I finally got it fixed, my mechanic mentioned that waiting longer could've caused more damage to other connected components. The transfer case is pretty central to the drivetrain system, so when it starts acting up, it can affect multiple parts. After getting mine fixed, it was like driving a different car, all that jerking and those error messages completely disappeared. If you're experiencing the same symptoms I did, I'd bet money it's the same issue. Better to get it sorted now before it gets worse. The repair wasn't too bad time-wise either, my shop had it done in about a day and a half.

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. The similarity in mileage and symptoms is quite striking, definitely confirms my suspicions about the transfer case. You've honestly made me feel a lot better about the whole situation, especially knowing it's a fixable problem that won't break the bank. I just called my mechanic and scheduled an appointment for next week. You're absolutely right about not waiting, I don't want to risk damaging other components. The day and a half timeline works perfectly with my schedule too. The grinding noise has gotten a bit louder this week, so your post couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks again for the help! I'll make sure to get this sorted before it turns into something bigger. Really glad I asked here before trying any DIY solutions or waiting longer.