E92 M3 6 speed

[tna9001]

Hello all,

I'm finally in the market for a for E92 M3

I've driven several cars, one with the 6 speed. I was surprised at how bad the manual was. I’ve owned 3 E36 M3’s and 1 E46 M3 so I know what to expect but the clutch/shifter combo in the car I drove just sucked. All of the clutch engagement seemed to be in the first 1” of travel and I felt like the shifter belongs in a F150.

Is it just me or the particular car I drove or is the manual just that bad?

[doe]

I bought one yesterday and yeah it feels just like you described. Definitely needs a clutch and a short shifter...

[doe]

I'm sorry I missed the part that it says m3, I was talking about 335

[Flying Ace]

did it seemed like you could stall the car too easily? If so, then the car had it's clutch stop removed.

Some owners did it. I drove one with the stop removed, and I did not prefer it. It made the clutch feel heavy and much more sensitive.

The 1 inch of travel is new to me. I use to own an Evo 8 where the pedal grabbed really high...the M3 (I drove for the first time in 2010, so I don't recall too much my initial thoughts), take some time to get use to, and did grab much lower, but not that low.

Did you make sure the car wasn't on Sport + throttle mode? That makes clutch engagement a bit tricky as a first time driver.

[tna9001]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

did it seemed like you could stall the car too easily? If so, then the car had it's clutch stop removed.

Some owners did it. I drove one with the stop removed, and I did not prefer it. It made the clutch feel heavy and much more sensitive.

The 1 inch of travel is new to me. I use to own an Evo 8 where the pedal grabbed really high...the M3 (I drove for the first time in 2010, so I don't recall too much my initial thoughts), take some time to get use to, and did grab much lower, but not that low.

Did you make sure the car wasn't on Sport + throttle mode? That makes clutch engagement a bit tricky as a first time driver.

I didn't notice a difference in the Sport mode. The clutch action was very light with no feel, more like an on/off switch.

I guess I'll find another to drive to be sure it wasn't that particular car.

[STooK]

It's normal for the e9x M's. I've compared it to other e9x 335's and their clutch pedal was much stiffer. The e9x M manual is definitely nothing to write home about, but I'm used to it now so it's not that bad. Once you get used to it you won't notice it as much. It's definitely much better in the new M3/M4's though if that's another option.

[templarklimek]

it's a very notchy shifter no doubt. It doesn't affect it's drivability buts it's not smooth. you get used to it but BMW made a huge upgrade to the smoothness of post e90 manuals. My 14' M6 shifter is silky smooth. The s65 IMHO is worth it though.

[Konig]

It's not a great shifting experience. A weighted shift knob and a clutch stop have tightened things up for me, I enjoy the car much more now.

[SpookM3]

Clutch is def different from earlier models and what you have grown to expect.

[Rupes]

I find the transmission / clutch feel is brilliant when hurried. On normal driving...not so much.

[AreOut]

I've heard they are bad...since I plan buying E92 6sp, is this UUC kit really worth $350 or even $450 if you add DSSR? Any cheaper alternatives because almost half thousand bucks for a short shifter is a bit too much.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-19...3-m3-2008.aspx

[italyix]

Originally Posted by AreOut

I've heard they are bad...since I plan buying E92 6sp, is this UUC kit really worth $350 or even $450 if you add DSSR? Any cheaper alternatives because almost half thousand bucks for a short shifter is a bit too much.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-19...3-m3-2008.aspx

I had this done and am actually removing it tomorrow for a CAE Shifter (hehehe). The shifter is ok but if I had to do it again, I would just stick to OEM and a ZHP knob (weighted knob).

Having said this, my UUC shifter will be on sale shortly. I am keeping the DSSR though, will work with the CAE Shifter to remove all slop now!

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I find the transmission / clutch feel is brilliant when hurried. On normal driving...not so much.

Really? I find the opposite true.

[track_warrior]

This is why i went from an e90 6mt to a dct e92. The clutch and tranny were just terrible and clunky.

[douglee25]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I find the transmission / clutch feel is brilliant when hurried. On normal driving...not so much.

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Really? I find the opposite true.

Same here.

I find now I drive with a distinct pause between the 1-2 shift just to avoid the grind. It works well this way, but there's no way to quickly move through the gears to race IMO.

Doug

[AreOut]

Originally Posted by italyix

I had this done and am actually removing it tomorrow for a CAE Shifter (hehehe). The shifter is ok but if I had to do it again, I would just stick to OEM and a ZHP knob (weighted knob).

Having said this, my UUC shifter will be on sale shortly. I am keeping the DSSR though, will work with the CAE Shifter to remove all slop now!

so OEM + ZHP + DSSR would make a good combo?

[Ghetto2315]

No complains or issues with mine. A little notchy getting in to 1st some times and shifting in to 3rd when rushed but other than that, it's been great. Feel could be heavier and the throws a tad bit shorter, but it's one of the best I have used thus far. I still loved the shifter in my old 2008 Civic Si Coupe, which was basically the same as the Honda S2000 shifter. That thing felt great!

[italyix]

Originally Posted by AreOut

so OEM + ZHP + DSSR would make a good combo?

In my opinion, yes. The stock shifter linkage looks like a stamped piece of metal, and in my opinion the DSSR eliminates the slop in the linkage.

The actual shifter assembly is where I think the issue lies in, as the ball and cup design (no idea what its really called) introduces slop. Thats why no matter which SS one chose, they all do the same thing (except for the CAE).

OP, try picking up a ZHP knob first, they are cheap and take 5 second to install, then report back.

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Really? I find the opposite true.

Well, maybe I should be more clear. Not hurried in a normal driving situation, but at a higher RPM when shifting it seems to flow like buttah!

[W///]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

No complains or issues with mine. A little notchy getting in to 1st some times and shifting in to 3rd when rushed but other than that, it's been great. Feel could be heavier and the throws a tad bit shorter, but it's one of the best I have used thus far. I still loved the shifter in my old 2008 Civic Si Coupe, which was basically the same as the Honda S2000 shifter. That thing felt great!

+1. Maybe I'm lucky but I've never had an issue with my E92. Yea with the stock knob, it completely sucked, but the ZHP knob made an unbelievable difference. Sure, the clutch pedal is very soft, but once you get used to it, it's so damn easy to be perfectly smooth with it.

I got an E36 M3 with a ZHP knob and that car is much harder to drive smoothly IMHO. Also used to own an E46 328i and driven plenty of E46 M3's, and I've never felt like the E9x M3 MT was so much worse than all of them.

[IB M]

Originally Posted by mike hammer

The manual is not great at all. Around town it's vague and notchy, and the clutch grabs all the way at the top, with effort that's much too light. Now as for the track, it's just dangerous and no fun at all.

Ok so it is not the best manual tranny out there agreed but I have no problem launching hard and breaking the tires loose at the 1 to 2 shift and chirping them at the 2 to 3 shift all with traction control on. I enjoy the 6MT a lot. Only when the car is cold and just started up does it annoy me because it is jerky and bucks as is common knowledge.

[glockperfect]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I find the transmission / clutch feel is brilliant when hurried. On normal driving...not so much.

^this