[6MT] how to drive 6MT better?

[Macky112]

Hi All,

i've finally reached 6000mi on my E93 M3, its a garage queen i know...

anyhoo, i can operate 6MT ok, however, i want to get better.

here's my question:
Q. when driving normally, how to avoid the sudden loss of acceleration when i clutch-in when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and from 2nd to 3rd? 1st to 2nd is most obvious (i can see my front passenger rock front then back), 2nd to 3rd is noticeable, and less obvious at 3-4, 4-5, 5-6.

i have tried to lighten up gas pedal before clutch in, doesn't help
i have tried to shift at higher rpm, doesn't help
i have tried to maintain gas pedal position during clutch-in (so rpm actually goes up when i clutch-in), doesn't help

any suggestions/comments appreciated

M

[Krozi]

A shift is just that...a shift...there will always be a pause...when you push the clutch you cut all the power transfer and you just cut off acceleration and that's what happens...

[Serious]

use your toes on the clutch pedal instead of the bottom of your foot, you will have more precise control.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by Macky112

Q. when driving normally, how to avoid the sudden loss of acceleration when i clutch-in when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and from 2nd to 3rd? 1st to 2nd is most obvious (i can see my front passenger rock front then back), 2nd to 3rd is noticeable, and less obvious at 3-4, 4-5, 5-6.

i have tried to lighten up gas pedal before clutch in, doesn't help

That is the only way to lessen the effect of a gear change on a passenger...as you approach the time to shift, gradually reduce the pressure on the throttle pedal to reduce the rate of acceleration, the more you reduce the rate the less the passengers will be affected by the shift. Changing early into second will also help.

[DadzM4]

I have yet to find that sweet spot that you are looking for. I have now had three 6 speed MT BMW's and they are all the same and difficult to get that perfect shift out of, while hoping into any manual equipped vehicle it seems to be no issue. I have found that either a short shift from 1st to 2nd works or a higher RPM shift, and it still is not as perfect as I would like.

[M3 Esq]

Higher RPM shifts work for me.

[///V\3Dude]

I do the same all the time, 1st to 2nd and i see my nephew big head rock. But i normally will just let off the gas early and shift and lightly engage the gas back in.

[srobmw]

First to second is always the trickiest. Try keeping you left heel on the floor and hinge your foot when changing up from first to second. I find it gives more stability, and makes it a lot smoother.

Good luck.

[CarForHire]

Ah, I just love manual transmissions.

[ADubM3]

If you are worried about the comfort of the passenger, just drive easy and shift early before the revs go up and start to gain speed in 3rd and 4th gears as the shift shock is much less. (as you said) At least that's what I do when I have family in the car.
If you don't like getting beaten off line and want that smooth launch, you probably got the wrong tranny. Just sayin'.

[Macky112]

thanks for all the quick replies!

so it seems like the big head rocking motion is unavoidable in "normal" 6MT driving, hehe ("normal" as in keeping up with the traffic in Irvine, where blvds are wide and straight and speed limits are pretty high)

yes, shifting early (ie accelerate slowly) helps, but i dont like getting the mean glare from other drivers, especially with i have my top down and a passenger in the car...

ADubM3 "If you don't like getting beaten off line and want that smooth launch, you probably got the wrong tranny. Just sayin'. " that is like the constant 2nd thought i am having after getting back from the ///M driving school last Aug. the SMGs in M5s and M6s are OK (meaning i'd rather have 6MT), however, the DCT in M3s, be taking it easy for some practice runs, or really pushing it hard for the timed runs just really impressed me.

with that said, however, there is the 3rd voice in my head telling me "i can do it, eventually i can drive 6MT smoothly/quickly" and now that seems to be not case =(

anyhoo, i've never sat in someone's 6MT car, so could someone please comment is the big head rocking motion as uncomfortable as i imagined? or it's just an eye-sore to me as the driver?

[bonedoctor]

Originally Posted by Macky112

with that said, however, there is the 3rd voice in my head telling me "i can do it, eventually i can drive 6MT smoothly/quickly" and now that seems to be not case =(

anyhoo, i've never sat in someone's 6MT car, so could someone please comment is the big head rocking motion as uncomfortable as i imagined? or it's just an eye-sore to me as the driver?

No! The manual transmission should drive as smoothly as you want it to. There is no need to live with any "head rocking". That's just silly.

Keep practicing. It will get easier. And it will eventually be as smooth as an automatic transmission or a DCT.

Or grab somebody your know with a manual transmission and have him/her show you. Or else, I'm going to have to drive down there and give you a ride.

[Macky112]

Originally Posted by bonedoctor

Or else, I'm going to have to drive down there and give you a ride.

bonedoctor, I may need to take your offer on this one as i go to Rowland Heights quite often

[signes]

Money shift. Smooth...

[CarForHire]

Originally Posted by signes

Money shift. Smooth...

[Scoobe]

I'm getting the DCT but the general principles of manual shifting probably aren't any different. Comes down to the coordinated push of the clutch with letting off the gas and the timing releasing the clutch with the matching RPM. If you push the clutch in too quick from letting off the gas, the RPM's run a bit and takes longer to let out clutch and match RPMs. If you engage the clutch too late from letting off the gas, you get that head snap from the engine deceleration. Every transmission is different so it takes some practice to get the feel.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Macky112

Q. when driving normally, how to avoid the sudden loss of acceleration when i clutch-in when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and from 2nd to 3rd?

As it was said, you're always get some of that on a manual car. You can lessen it even more by speed-shifting, but I personally enjoy more my car driving leisurely, and the tranny likes it better too. Just practice to minimize that, but it's part of the manual experience. If you still don't like it after a while, then you might consider doing the unthinkable: getting an automatic car instead .

[AUS1969]

There's a rhythm to it, and every car has a different combination of shift points that feel right. Eventually you'll make nice shifts without thinking about it, and the worst problem you have is trying to drive a rental... pawing at the automatic transmission handle and wanting to push the brake pedal in on every shift.

And with the V8 you can make music!

[TheKosherStogie]

IMO...it's not necessarily the rpm u shift at...u can shift at a high rpm. Think about the fact if u r accelerating the there will be a pause in acceleration during the shift. But if u want to keep up with traffic...take the car up to a high rpm in first and stay at a constant speed right before you shift so you're not accelerating then shift so then there will be no moment of decelerating or the pause or lack of acceleration that gives the head nod. Same thing at low rpm, But as u said. Take it higher to keep up with traffic

[Mighty M]

You're letting out the clutch too quickly. There's a point right near where the engine has 100% engagement, call it 85 - 95%, where if you *ease it out* you can achieve a nice smooth shift. Or let the thing out quickly for a violent one. The clutch, in or out, is not just to shift the car gear to gear, but to control the engine, as much as the gas pedal does.

There is nothing wrong with these cars. I find them to be very easy to drive and shift, they are basically "normal" cars pre 5000 rpm.

My guess with the low miles, garage queen status, you just need to drive it more. I figure if I didnt drive mine for a month and drove something else instead, I would have to "re-learn" the above mentioned car/driver natural harmony particular to *any* manual car. If I drove to a Ford dealer this afternoon and test drove a GT500, my initial shifting would suck.

[ADubM3]

Another thing that has helped me with smooth launch/shifting is the clutch stopper I put in months ago. IMO the clutch stroke is sooooooo long in the e92 M3 MT it makes it difficult to drive. The stopper reduces the clutch stroke by about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Cheap mod but it Works! Again, just sayin'.

[bonedoctor]

Originally Posted by Macky112

bonedoctor, I may need to take your offer on this one as i go to Rowland Heights quite often

Sounds good.

After your comments here, I asked my wife about the shifts and she thinks I'm jerking her and the kids around with every 1-2 and 2-3 shifts unless I'm in no hurry and just cruising.

I do ease off acceleration before I clutch-in, however, so the above comments all make sense.