1st to 2nd grind at high rpm

[gemini330zhp]

Originally Posted by srcdesigns

Mine was very notchy feeling when new and I was disappointed because this was my first BMW manual. I'd always read about how smooth BMW manuals were and this was anything but. Now with 5k miles it feels very smooth but from 1-2 and 2-1 it's still a bit stubborn feeling so I've never try to force it. In my old 350z the trannny was notchy as well and changing to Royal Purple, as many do in those cars, worked wonders. I hope one of you guys try it out and report back. If it works... problem solved. To me this feel like lubrication issue…

I had the same feeling when I got my E46 M3 and coming from a S2000 IMO has a very smooth quick shifts. When I got my E46 M3 I felt like I was driving a truck. My E90 M3 feels a little better than my E46 but then again I have 950 miles on it. Waiting for the 1200 mile service. Hopefully we will see if someone will add some aftermarket tranny fluid and see if it works.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by gemini330zhp

Hopefully we will see if someone will add some aftermarket tranny fluid and see if it works.

I've had great experience with Redline's MTL (manual transmission lubricant) in other cars. It seemed to provide both better smoothness (less knotch) and better synchronizer action. I'm wondering if anyone here has tried it in the M3 E9x.

Dave

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by 1989baby

It's happened to me a couple times. I dodn't wanna say anything because I thought you guys would call it inexperience But I just take about .5 seconds longer on my 1st-2nd gear shifts and no more grind

I think the problem is definately releasing the clutch too fast, which happened to me a lot of time when the car was new. I often got over excited at 7500+ rpm and released the clutch too early.

calm down and took a fraction of a sec more when shifting from 1st to 2nd, it def helps.. Good luck, practice makes perfect!

[TRZ06]

Add me to the list too. It has happened to me about 4 times now and I have about 2,000 miles, it is ALWAYS a full throttle redline 1st to 2nd shift, clutch fully depressed and then GRIND.

On a side note, the nicest shifter I have ever had was on my 2005.5 Audi S4. The second best was my Z06. The Z06 was a little nothcy, but it was direct and without and rubbery feeling whatsoever.

The BMW one, doesn't make it into my "nice" list at all. Rather disappointing really

[TUNEDM3]

I have the same issue with my car....I notice no issue in any other gear and its very rare on the 1-2. I dont think its a bad synchro as I dont notice at any other point in the rpm range or while downshifting from third (rev match) at a high rpm. I was thinking it could be attributable to weak motor mounts. The motor generates alot of twist under hard acceleration in first. If you are very deliberate and rough with the 1-2 shift its fine.

[jdogg2000]

Add me to the list of people this has happened to. Releasing the clutch has nothing to do with it... it happens when you throw the shifter into second after the clutch is to the floor. Probably's happened to me about 5 times since I got the car four months ago. Everytime it happens, my gf says "you have to push the clutch down all the way before you shift!". Hello, this is my third MT car in a row... not like I'm a noob at driving stick hahah.

[farbarg]

Originally Posted by jdogg2000

Add me to the list of people this has happened to. Releasing the clutch has nothing to do with it... it happens when you throw the shifter into second after the clutch is to the floor. Probably's happened to me about 5 times since I got the car four months ago. Everytime it happens, my gf says "you have to push the clutch down all the way before you shift!". Hello, this is my third MT car in a row... not like I'm a noob at driving stick hahah.

Yup, that's it. Both the symptom and the third-party reaction. Nice to know I have so much company. I now just wait it out (going into second), but often have to blip the throttle to match the revs again. Rev-matching on the up shift? That's right.

[MrHarris]

I experience this problem almost every time I redline it from 1st to 2nd and I shift fast. It's like I have to shift slower or it'll grind like crazy.

[GTAStradale]

Ok, I am glad to see these comments since it seems we all have it (6MT).

Actually, I have an answer to this. Soft engine mountings!

My father was a racing driver, and he always used to change engine mountings to heavy duty ones. Basically what it does - reduces the movements of the engine in the engine bay (at the expense of the comfort, because you feel the engine movement heavily in the car). On the other note, the engine itself is more "fixed" in the engine bay and doesnt move a lot, therefore resulting in easier shifts.

So when these mountings are "soft" if the surface is a slightly uneven, sometimes its difficult to get a right gear, and also on a high RPMs, when you release the clutch the engine moves.

It is really annoying. I was even planning to write a letter to M Gmbh, since it is highly disappointing that it happens on the M3. Too much comfort in this car....

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by GTAStradale

Ok, I am glad to see these comments since it seems we all have it (6MT)....

I don't have this problem.

Dave

[TUNEDM3]

Originally Posted by GTAStradale

Ok, I am glad to see these comments since it seems we all have it (6MT).

Actually, I have an answer to this. Soft engine mountings!

My father was a racing driver, and he always used to change engine mountings to heavy duty ones. Basically what it does - reduces the movements of the engine in the engine bay (at the expense of the comfort, because you feel the engine movement heavily in the car). On the other note, the engine itself is more "fixed" in the engine bay and doesnt move a lot, therefore resulting in easier shifts.

So when these mountings are "soft" if the surface is a slightly uneven, sometimes its difficult to get a right gear, and also on a high RPMs, when you release the clutch the engine moves.

It is really annoying. I was even planning to write a letter to M Gmbh, since it is highly disappointing that it happens on the M3. Too much comfort in this car....

I was thinking the same thing in regards to the motor mounts. From what I understand the stock ones are the same ones out of a E36/E46 M3 which cannot handle the power of the V8. I noticed I experience the grind under load in a turn or when the motor is loaded up heavily. I am thinking of giving them a shot.

[PorscheRacer]

I find the 1-2 shift notchy for sure but I don't get a grind. I have actually missed the shift from 1-2 by pulling too much to the left and the shifter enters the reverse gate area. It doesn't try to engage reverse because I don't push forward but it has caused me to miss 2nd. This is especially true if making a right turn at the same time. I don't know if that is soft motor mounts or just my body leaning in the turn.

I find that this shifter likes very light action. It can be shifted very quickly but it seems to work best with fingertip shifting.

[BPMSport]

Happened to me yesterday.

Over the course of 13,000 miles, it's occured way too many times. It's unfortunate in my opinion that BMW went with the ZF tranny in this car over the 6 Speed Getrag unit that is present in the E46 m3. IMO, it's a much more well suited tranny.

[John@BMW]

check this out! New update on my grinding issue....

It looks like BMW is saying to replace the transmission, clutch, flywheel, and the clutch pedal compression spring.

Look at the picture below of the clutch pedal springs. The top spring assembly is the original part shipped with the car. The bottom assembly is the new part with 2 springs instead of 1. Could this be the cause of grind? I will let you form your own opinions....

I know many people take these clutch pedal spring assemblies out....

Pictures courtesy of BMW and the crappy iphone camera.

[John@BMW]

Originally Posted by TUNEDM3

I was thinking the same thing in regards to the motor mounts. From what I understand the stock ones are the same ones out of a E36/E46 M3 which cannot handle the power of the V8. I noticed I experience the grind under load in a turn or when the motor is loaded up heavily. I am thinking of giving them a shot.

I was thinking along the same lines... I know in the older m3s, when you had bad motor mount or trans mounts the drivetrain would move so much that you end up going from 3rd to 2nd instead of 3rd to 4th on hard driving- usually the main reason for the 'money shift'

You say that the drivetrain mounts are the same for the e36/46? I wonder if i can retrofit some urethane mounts or something for an older m3 into the e9x... I will look into this today.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by John@BMW

check this out! New update on my grinding issue.....

Very interesting. Thanks for the pics and info.

Dave

[farbarg]

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

Me too.




How on earth did you convince them that something might be wrong? I get the wonderful and universal "nothing's wrong" answer when I try to argue my case.

Think this could possibly become lines for a recall? That would be nice...

+1

[John@BMW]

I did not have to do too much convincing other than test drive the car with a tech in the pass. seat, let other m3 owners/employees test drive the car and see what they said. Everyone comes back saying what is wrong with 2nd gear...

BMW handled the situation very well from there. There was no fight or extended conversation about it.


more pictures

[ADubM3]

banging or grinding gears all of the time. don't worry. you'll know when something is really wrong. my experience with MT's (which is all that I've ever owned) is it doesn't get gradually bad but it will go out on you all of the sudden.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by John@BMW

I did not have to do too much convincing other than test drive the car with a tech in the pass. seat, let other m3 owners/employees test drive the car and see what they said. Everyone comes back saying what is wrong with 2nd gear...

BMW handled the situation very well from there. There was no fight or extended conversation about it.


more pictures

How often was your car doing it? Mine is real sporatic. Wonder if I should mention it at my next service.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

How often was your car doing it? Mine is real sporatic. Wonder if I should mention it at my next service.

I would. Just to get it noted on the service documents for "future reference" in case needed. No harm in mentioning it and having them look at it....

[MrHarris]

I'm thinking about mentioning this as well. I'm just scared someone may mess up on the install . You worried about this John? The feeling that even though this problem may be cured, the car may never feel the same again?