Question to 6MT owners

[///M3AN]

2008 E90 M3 19,700 miles

Hey guys, I have read several threads on this and it may just be in my head but wanted to see what you guys think…

I know some members have had issues with syncros, grinding gears, etc… I am not there. I have also read members describing the 6MT's as "notchy". That seems to be what I notice occasionally, is "notchiness". This is the first e9x 6MT M3 I have driven/owned so I have nothing to compare it to. It shifts fine, doesn't miss gears, even under an aggressive shift.

Is this worth having BMW look at? I'm almost positive I would get the "operating as it should". I think I am going to do a low mileage oil change soon, should I go ahead and have them change the tranny fluid as well? If so, would a dealer do Redline for me or would they insist on OEM?

[jphughan]

It's probably normal, but you could always try to meet with someone local to test their shifter. Is the CCA chapter in your area active? Cars and Coffee? Used M3s on the dealer lot?

Trans fluid isn't really recommended until 30K (excluding the 1200-mile service), and in fact the dealer doesn't do it under Ultimate Service until 45K. The dealer should do Redline since you're past the warranty period, but you'll need to bring the fluid yourself since they won't stock it. My dealer did a brake fluid flush with Castrol SRF that I brought. However, if you have an extended warranty covering the trans that you don't want to void, see what its policy is about using fluids that aren't specifically recommended by the OEM.

[Detroit M3]

Don't bang gears!

[serranot]

Doesn't hurt to check it out. But it's totally normal. I have had the occasional grind and the constant notchy 1-2 shift. This is not the best gearbox ever developed. But it gets the job done. There is so much other good in the car, I overlook this less than stellar gearbox.

[Gfunk720]

Sounds normal. Just try not to over do it, and give the 1-2 shift plenty of time to engage.

I found one of the best mods was replacing the stock shift knob with something heavier to give a bit more leverage. The stock knob weighs nothing.

[RIZZYRAY]

its not so much "notchy" as it is precise. l DD an rsx-s and you can literally throw it into any gear with ease. Whereas in the m3 you have to actually accurately shift gears or it feels like shit. Get a weighted knob driving will feel even better.

[///M3AN]

Cool, thx for the responses guys!

[quiksi]

Originally Posted by RIZZYRAY

its not so much "notchy" as it is precise. l DD an rsx-s and you can literally throw it into any gear with ease. Whereas in the m3 you have to actually accurately shift gears or it feels like shit. Get a weighted knob driving will feel even better.

doesn't having to make your shifts more "accurate" mean the shifter is LESS precise?

also, the Honda 6MT shifters on the RSX, Civic Si, s2000, etc. are way nicer than the 6MT on the e9x M3. there are many many former s2000 owners on this board that would probably agree

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by quiksi

doesn't having to make your shifts more "accurate" mean the shifter is LESS precise?

also, the Honda 6MT shifters on the RSX, Civic Si, s2000, etc. are way nicer than the 6MT on the e9x M3. there are many many former s2000 owners on this board that would probably agree

If you disregard the 1-2 shift, which BMW engineers tend to treat as a distraction, I have found that the shifting feel depends very strongly on the rev point. Basically, any shift below 3000 rpm requires ultra-high levels of care as otherwise it feels like ramming a rubber mallet into a tin can.

Once up to 4000 rpm it begins to shift more easily, and past 5000 rpm I feel that it shifts like a nail gun.

And for the OP: no way that BMW is going to do anything if the symptoms are just as you described.

[Irishace]

Not 1 single issue with my MT. I love the throw on this gearbox. To suggest that the mt tranny on an rsx/civic is better is absolute poppycock. I have owned a civic sir and a type s in my travels and they are not in the same league as this gearbox.

[quiksi]

Originally Posted by Irishace

Not 1 single issue with my MT. I love the throw on this gearbox. To suggest that the mt tranny on an rsx/civic is better is absolute poppycock. I have owned a civic sir and a type s in my travels and they are not in the same league as this gearbox.

While shifter feel is mostly subjective and I respect your opinion, here's a major mag that writes it is not, as you say, poppycock - http://www.caranddriver.com/features...10best-manuals

[///M3AN]

Originally Posted by Candide13

If you disregard the 1-2 shift, which BMW engineers tend to treat as a distraction, I have found that the shifting feel depends very strongly on the rev point. Basically, any shift below 3000 rpm requires ultra-high levels of care as otherwise it feels like ramming a rubber mallet into a tin can.

Once up to 4000 rpm it begins to shift more easily, and past 5000 rpm I feel that it shifts like a nail gun.

And for the OP: no way that BMW is going to do anything if the symptoms are just as you described.

/agree

I have noticed the exact same thing with the higher ranged RPM shifts.

[marksae]

Mine can be a bit notchy. I asked the dealer to look at it and all they did was drive it around for a few miles, only to come back and say "everything's fine". Asking the dealer to do this is basically giving them a green light to romp on your car.

I plan on putting in some Royal Purple fluid in a few weeks. Hopefully this will help smooth things out.

[Merlin_83]

Greetings,

I have a 2012 M3 w/ZCP and 6 speed MT - only driven it sparingly, but indeed noticed what you have described.

I found that if I FULLY depress the clutch pedal, that is mash to the firewall seems to 'cure' what you mention. I think being hydraulically actuated (the clutch mechanism) you gotta make sure you have good dis-engagement of clutch and flywheel - maybe there's some 'air' in the line ? (that part I am not sure about, just guessing and comparing it to brake lines with air in them, and they would seem 'squishy')

When I first got the car, I was kind of lazy about depressing the clutch all the way and would get exactly what you described as well.

Cheers,
Merlin

[ec_E92]

2008 here as well and same symptoms as OP and currently at 76k (purchased at 12k).

Removed clutch spring, changed OEM MT fluid (stupid expensive but wanted to stay OEM), and installed ZHP knob - huge improvement. Still get occasional 1-2 grind when driving hard but as others have said, the higher the revs in this car the smoother it drives - just be cautious with 1-2 shift.

As for JDM MT's.... RX8, S2K, Integra GSR were all silky smooth and superior to the M3... and also had a fraction of the HP/TQ so keep things in perspective.

[V8FunNaturally]

Hey ///M3AN you may have read my thread, it was almost a paraphrase to yours, in fact i thought i was reading my old thread first. lol.

2013.99 M3 ZCP MT single owner. I confirm to you that even a new car feels that way for 1-2. Mechanically if you think about it, a car with more power requires a heavy duty clutch which even in neutral will have more rotating mass that will resist gear shifts if you are not rev matched. The 2nd gear is quite short too. But you should see a significant improvement if you rev above 3,300 for 2nd gear unless you are not in a hurry then i don't mind that it doesn't go in like dropping a stone in a bucket.
Overall i think it is a very good tranny that adds a lot to the car's enjoyment.

[Da Hapa]

Originally Posted by Irishace

Not 1 single issue with my MT. I love the throw on this gearbox. To suggest that the mt tranny on an rsx/civic is better is absolute poppycock. I have owned a civic sir and a type s in my travels and they are not in the same league as this gearbox.

Respectfully disagree.

The MT in my 08 E90M3 isn't terrible by any means. But it just can't compare with the gearboxes in either of my S2000's or my NSX. It's not even close.

I'll be honest, the shifter in my Carrera S (which admittedly had the factory SSK) was better too.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by Candide13

If you disregard the 1-2 shift, which BMW engineers tend to treat as a distraction, I have found that the shifting feel depends very strongly on the rev point. Basically, any shift below 3000 rpm requires ultra-high levels of care as otherwise it feels like ramming a rubber mallet into a tin can.

Once up to 4000 rpm it begins to shift more easily, and past 5000 rpm I feel that it shifts like a nail gun.

And for the OP: no way that BMW is going to do anything if the symptoms are just as you described.

Shifting North or South of 5k rpm are quite different. Being one of those that followed the break in "rules", for 1,200 miles I waited to find out whether my car would deliver the same shifts that the broken in models that I'd previously driven delivered with precision and ease. The car did not disappoint.

[///M3AN]

Originally Posted by ec_E92

2008 here as well and same symptoms as OP and currently at 76k (purchased at 12k).

Removed clutch spring, changed OEM MT fluid (stupid expensive but wanted to stay OEM), and installed ZHP knob - huge improvement. Still get occasional 1-2 grind when driving hard but as others have said, the higher the revs in this car the smoother it drives - just be cautious with 1-2 shift.

As for JDM MT's.... RX8, S2K, Integra GSR were all silky smooth and superior to the M3... and also had a fraction of the HP/TQ so keep things in perspective.

Ordered a ZHP knob today... We'll see what the difference is.

[IB M]

I'd add to the above that on cold days it takes a good 10 plus minutes for the gearbox fluid to warm up. Until warmed up it feels much more notchy and stiff.

[Denk]

I'm glad I put my M5 shift knob on mine recently. It's made an improvement. This gearbox doesn't bother me so much, it's way better than the e46...that one needs an SSK.

[MrPrena]

Originally Posted by Candide13

If you disregard the 1-2 shift, which BMW engineers tend to treat as a distraction, I have found that the shifting feel depends very strongly on the rev point. Basically, any shift below 3000 rpm requires ultra-high levels of care as otherwise it feels like ramming a rubber mallet into a tin can.

Once up to 4000 rpm it begins to shift more easily, and past 5000 rpm I feel that it shifts like a nail gun.

And for the OP: no way that BMW is going to do anything if the symptoms are just as you described.

As people agreed before. +1 as well.
Even at 4000 RPM, changing gear feels like butter relative to < 3000RPM.