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      02-01-2017, 11:22 PM   #1
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How To Fix Notchy Shifting

For those of you who appreciate a precise shifter with no slop and that rifle-bolt feel.

I've read dozens of threads where BMW owners complain about notchy shifting and having a hard time finding 1st or 2nd gear. From my experience, BMW shifting seems to be a little bit notchy by nature, it doesn't quite have that "snikt-snikt" preciseness. When everything is in working order, it's satisfactory but once the shift bushings and motor mounts wear out, the notchiness is exacerbated.

As it turns out, BMW transmissions shift fine. It's the shifter and linkage that suck, but...

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR BMW SHIFTING PERFECT KEEP READING.

This post applies for most BMWs.

Stage 1 - Determine condition of your shift bushings and motor mounts. Replace if necessary.
Stage 2 - Get an Auto Solutions shifter.


STAGE 1

If your shifting is loose, sloppy, notchy, or inconsistent, here's what you can do to fix it and even improve it a little. This is everything I've done on my E92 M3.

If your car has over 70K miles on it, your motor mounts are probably gone, and this is the cause of a lot of your notchiness.
If one minute you can find 1st gear, then a minute later, you can't find first gear... it's probably bad mounts.
I had new bushings in my car and my shifting suddenly got notchy again. I suspected the motor mounts. I replaced them and it fixed the problem. This is what they looked like at 83k miles:



Here is ECS's rebuild kit. It features upgraded carrier bushings.



Video of my refreshed stock shifter in action.

Easy shifting with pretty well defined gates.
Tiny amount of play which is "factory".
This is how it should be when all the parts are new.

STOCK SHIFTER WITH ALL NEW PARTS. Some play. Some notchiness.




STAGE 2: THE FINAL TOUCH

An AutoSolutions Shift Kit to replace the plastic ball, cup and the cushioned stick shift.
I got the stock-like 7% shift throw reduction. A 20% shorter shift kit is available too. The website doesn't say they make E9X shifters, but they do. $414 and well worth it.

The second I grabbed my shifter with the newly installed Autosolutions shift kit, I could tell the difference.

THE NOTCHINESS IS GONE. It is simply perfect. Solid. Accurate. Rifle-bolt feel.

If you want the absolute best shifting in your BMW, I cannot recommend this shifter enough.





NOTE:

IF you do get the AutoSolutions shifter, then you do NOT need the entire bushing rebuild kit.

These are the only 2 only bushings you would need with the AS shifter:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...it/2511-002~3/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-BMW-...BZKbnh&vxp=mtr

Last edited by icin235; 08-03-2020 at 12:47 PM..
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      02-01-2017, 11:29 PM   #2
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Great info. My car currently has 72k (2008). I'm looking to have RB service next month along with new motor mounts. These shifter Bushing replacements will come afterwards. I have been experiencing notchy shifting.
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      02-02-2017, 03:20 AM   #3
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IMO
I'd use RL MTL. More durable than the D4.
In spite of RL's rec
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      02-02-2017, 11:03 AM   #4
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Been debating on getting poly trans mounts, stock ones are pretty squishy.
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      02-04-2017, 07:43 PM   #5
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And the rest of the thread becomes a manual vs DCT debate...


Last edited by icin235; 02-06-2017 at 09:13 AM..
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      02-04-2017, 08:14 PM   #6
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You can fix it by a DCT as well..
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      02-05-2017, 06:39 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium View Post
You can fix it by a DCT as well..
whats a DCT?
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      02-05-2017, 07:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Motown View Post
whats a DCT?
DCT is the fix for a 6MT
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      02-05-2017, 09:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Motown View Post
whats a DCT?
DCT is the fix for a 6MT
OMG we don't want to downgrade our driving experience bro hahahahaha
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      02-05-2017, 10:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uber///M View Post
OMG we don't want to downgrade our driving experience bro hahahahaha
Yeah right lol...

Downgrade ?
Let's talk about the 0-60 time ... DCT vs 6MT


Here we go again ..
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      02-05-2017, 10:57 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uber///M View Post
OMG we don't want to downgrade our driving experience bro hahahahaha
Yeah right lol...

Downgrade ?
Let's talk about the 0-60 time ... DCT vs 6MT


Here we go again ..
DCT is for people with one leg and no skills :
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      02-05-2017, 11:46 AM   #12
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Yea because everyone is racing timed events on 0-60 times and need that extra .10 seconds.
I drive it everyday for fun myself, and is the best anti theft prevention since past two generations can't drive a manual lol.
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      02-05-2017, 12:15 PM   #13
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lol. 6MT v DCT.... again
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      02-05-2017, 03:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium View Post
You can fix it by a DCT as well..
That will just make things worse!
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      02-05-2017, 03:16 PM   #15
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Could we all just admit that having to have a manual in your sports car is like having to have a lift on your bro truck?

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      02-05-2017, 03:26 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uber///M View Post
DCT is for people with one leg and no skills :
But even on one leg DCT pulls - 0.3 sec faster to 60 than a 6MT .

Why I have chosen for DCT is interesting..

All my cars I ever owned were MT's , and I still own cars with MT .
But once I saw that the ///M3 DCT was 0.3 sec. faster to 60 my choise was made even without a test drive ..

Interesting fact is as well...That every - 5 sec. car to 60 is really fast .
But to win *0.1 sec.* in a -5 sec. car , more than 100HP is required !
And a ///M3 DCT does actually 0.3 secondes better than a 6MT to 60 .
So my choise was done in a heartbeat... And I need to say I love my DCT even more with the BPM DCT software upgrade .
DCT kicks ass my friend !
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      02-05-2017, 03:30 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uber///M View Post
DCT is for people with one leg and no skills :
But even on one leg DCT pulls - 0.3 sec faster to 60 than a 6MT .

Why I have chosen for DCT is interesting..

All my cars I ever owned were MT's , and I still own cars with MT .
But once I saw that the ///M3 DCT was 0.3 sec. faster to 60 my choise was made even without a test drive ..

Interesting fact is as well...That every - 5 sec. car to 60 is really fast .
But to win *0.1 sec.* in a -5 sec. car , more than 100HP is required !
And a ///M3 DCT does actually 0.3 secondes better than a 6MT to 60 .
So my choise was done in a heartbeat... And I need to say I love my DCT even more with the BPM DCT software upgrade .
It kicks ass my friend !
lol I know. I've owned both and love both. I prefer my 6MT but it's a preference, nothing more. Just posting bs for fun! lol
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      02-05-2017, 04:01 PM   #18
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DCT is harder on the bearings






;-)
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      02-05-2017, 04:10 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 330indy View Post
DCT is harder on the bearings






;-)
Facts. If you value your M3, you should do a manual swap right now!
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      02-05-2017, 04:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uber///M View Post
lol I know. I've owned both and love both. I prefer my 6MT but it's a preference, nothing more. Just posting bs for fun! lol
Same thing here ..
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      02-05-2017, 04:42 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 330indy View Post
DCT is harder on the bearings






;-)
From the BF data that I have stored...

61 % was 6MT
39 % was DCT

But actually the % data means nothing , because probably there are much more 6MT's out there...
So who knows ?......
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      02-08-2017, 01:31 PM   #22
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How could I be the first to appreciate this post? Thanks icin235.
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