Manual Transmission Shifting Concerns

[kiloil]

Before anyone says crap my manual transmission doesn't shift as smoothly as I thought it would. The amount of finesse it takes just to get the car to be a smooth transition between gears is lengthy. I have been driving manual transmission for over 18 years, but his vehicle is so much harder to plant. I have thought about SSK/DSSR because one of my issues is the swing it takes to engage all gears, it's liking rowing a boat.

I have also read just about everyones comments on the trans, so yes I have searched.

[bryanr]

Originally Posted by kiloil

Before anyone says crap my manual transmission doesn't shift as smoothly as I thought it would. The amount of finesse it takes just to get the car to be a smooth transition between gears is lengthy. I have been driving manual transmission for over 18 years, but his vehicle is so much harder to plant. I have thought about SSK/DSSR because one of my issues is the swing it takes to engage all gears, it's liking rowing a boat.

I have also read just about everyones comments on the trans, so yes I have searched.

I'm with you on that. 1st and 2nd in particular are pretty rough.

[Nawaaz]

Get the UUC ssk, and it will greatly improve the shifts. I've heard that an ssk is the best mod you can do for a 6 speed e9x M3.

I already have mine, but it still has yet to be installed. I'm waiting for my exhaust to come in, so that I may install everything at once.

Don't go for UUC's dssr yet, since many members are having a very difficult time with them. I think it'll take a long while before the dssr issue is straightened out.

[JCtx]

I was a bit disappointed at my tranny as well, mostly because I expected better from an M3, but it's not bad either. I'm getting used to it, and it's been improving with mileage as well (1,800 miles here). I'm at the point I don't find necessary switching to an SSK, which has drawbacks of its own I don't want to deal with (added NVH).

If your car is new, I suggest you wait until 3K miles and then decide if you want/need an SSK. But again, no excuse for BMW for not having a better manual tranny at this day and age, when they call their cars 'ultimate driving machines'. Good day.

[JH M3]

BMW shifters have pretty much been the same for years. I had an '88 325is years ago and the shifter was just as rubbery and the throws just as long. I'm seriously considering the UUC SSK as well.

[endofanera7]

I installed the UUC SSK + DSSR yesterday and I gotta say it is a magnificent shifter kit. It greatly improved the 1st - 2nd and very precise. It just click into gears unless the stock shifter where you have to grind into gears from 1st to 3rd.

[JJM335]

Remove the CDV (clutch delay valve) or replace it with one from Zeckhausen Racing. It makes a huge difference.

[DevJ]

uuc ftw!

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by JJM335

Remove the CDV (clutch delay valve)

We don't have one buddy. May look like one, but it's hollowed inside, so no fluid restriction.

[kiloil]

Originally Posted by JJM335

Remove the CDV (clutch delay valve) or replace it with one from Zeckhausen Racing. It makes a huge difference.

I was just about comment on that. That was good mod to do for the E46 M3. Did you do this?

[dcstep]

UUC won't fix the OP's issue, he's probably shifting at too low an rpm for the engine. Do the 1-2 shift at 3,000 to 4,000 rpm and it'll be smooth as butter. I often do it at 5,000 rpm and then go striaght to 3d on the street and then jump to 5th. BTW, I've got the 4.10 final drive, so I get to those rpm more quickly, but I noticed the smoothness issue when it was stock and I was trying to shift around 2500 rpm in regular traffic.

The lower torque and higher revving nature of the engine vs. most explains the need for higher shift rpm.

I've got the UUC and love it, but it only takes the slop out of the shifter movement, shortens the throw and adds precision, but has no impact on car dynamics.

Dave

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by dcstep

UUC won't fix the OP's issue, he's probably shifting at too low an rpm for the engine. Do the 1-2 shift at 3,000 to 4,000 rpm and it'll be smooth as butter. I often do it at 5,000 rpm and then go striaght to 3d on the street and then jump to 5th. BTW, I've got the 4.10 final drive, so I get to those rpm more quickly, but I noticed the smoothness issue when it was stock and I was trying to shift around 2500 rpm in regular traffic.

The lower torque and higher revving nature of the engine vs. most explains the need for higher shift rpm.

I've got the UUC and love it, but it only takes the slop out of the shifter movement, shortens the throw and adds precision, but has no impact on car dynamics.

Dave

i think youre right bout this. the shifts get smoother as you shift at higher rpms. my shifts are always horrible when i shift at around 1-2.5k rpm from 1st gear to 2nd gear. its gets better after that.

[VanM3Lover]

I don't know what exactly the rubbery feel is but I do think the shifter is very bad, at least for a sports car like the M3.

-Most of the mornings when I back out of my garage the reverse is difficult to engage.
-1st gear often difficult to engage and sometimes FEEL not completely engaged but actually is.
-1st to 2nd nearly always makes the mechanical noise when the shifter is put into 2nd. I have to be extremely concentrated and carefully to avoid this noise. Extra wear on the gears?
-And the biggest one, fast shift from 1st to 2nd grinds. I would never wanna race someone from 0-60 because of this.

[E92FI]

I had the same problem, took it in for service and BMW replaced the transmission. feels much better when shifting 1st 2nd 3rd..

[PortoM3]

Hey guys, maybe I am the only one that don't know what UUC SSK + DSSR are. Can someone educate me, please. Also, I been thinking of getting an after market exhaust, can someone give me some pointers. Would be nice if you can give me links of dealers (where you actually bought from), so I can start shopping around. I also noticed that when I shift at 4000 + RPMs, the problem don't seem as bad. When I shift from 1st to 2nd in morning traffic, I get clunks and creetch. I too noticed that sometimes 1st doesn't feel like it's all the way engaged, when it is. Thanks

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

We don't have one buddy. May look like one, but it's hollowed inside, so no fluid restriction.

+1


this is the best mod you can do to help smooth out the shifting:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195777

I also had an issue with smooth 1-2 shifts until I removed the clutch pedal spring (thread referenced above). It was almost impossible with spring to tell when exactly the clutch was engaging. With it removed my shifts are so much smoother.

I also added the RE short shifter and it really tightens up the feel in the shifter and makes it feel much more precise.

[rominl]

Originally Posted by PortoM3

Hey guys, maybe I am the only one that don't know what UUC SSK + DSSR are. Can someone educate me, please. Also, I been thinking of getting an after market exhaust, can someone give me some pointers. Would be nice if you can give me links of dealers (where you actually bought from), so I can start shopping around. I also noticed that when I shift at 4000 + RPMs, the problem don't seem as bad. When I shift from 1st to 2nd in morning traffic, I get clunks and creetch. I too noticed that sometimes 1st doesn't feel like it's all the way engaged, when it is. Thanks

ssk = short shift kit

i agree with what a few members have said. shifting at higher rpm is the key for this car, it will be a lot smoother. shifting around 2k and it's more painful. i don't have any problem on mine, the initial 5k miles was a bit rough mainly coz' the car was new and i haven't driven stick for a while, but it's been a lot better since

[aussiem3]

During spirited driving the shift is smooth and you don't feel it. But in normal daily driving shifting in low rpm can at times be cumbersome.

In high rpm shifting if you keep the throttle on while shifting it is more enjoyable and rewarding but it was not the case with the E46 M3. There was a slight break in the shift/accelaration.

I am really happy that I bought a car with a manual tranny ... mine is a 2007 Sept build. Cars ordered in Australia are 90% DCT. While I appreciate the technology breakthrough with the DCT, I think for pure driver focus nothing to beat the manual. This is my humble opinion and no flames please. I do respect all those who have spent extra for the M-DCT.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by rominl

ssk = short shift kit

i agree with what a few members have said. shifting at higher rpm is the key for this car, it will be a lot smoother. shifting around 2k and it's more painful. i don't have any problem on mine, the initial 5k miles was a bit rough mainly coz' the car was new and i haven't driven stick for a while, but it's been a lot better since

Here's another strong agreement on higher (3-4K) RPM shifts for routine street driving--higher for performance-oriented driving. After learning the car, 1-2K miles, I think this gear box is buttery-smooth on both up- and downshifts, and proper rev-matching is also critical.

Absent a mechanical issue, smooth shifting is all about mastering the best technique for a particular transmission, and they all are a bit different. I can easily up- and downshift this car such that the shifts are virtually undetectable.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by VanM3Lover

...
-Most of the mornings when I back out of my garage the reverse is difficult to engage....

This is typical of any strong manual. Since reverse is not synchronized, you'll need to put it into a forward gear an then let the clutch out enough to align the gears, then it'll slide right into reverse.

A little understanding of how a transmission works will help you enjoy your MT more.

Dave

[kiloil]

So it looks like

1) Don't get the SSK yet, as there are still fitment issues.

2) Remove the spring from the underside of the steering column.

3) Shift at a higher RPM

3) If these 2 above don't work, complain to BMW?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by kiloil

So it looks like

1) Don't get the SSK yet, as there are still fitment issues. ...

The UUC fits and works excellent, so there's no need to put off this great mod.

Dave