Stick aficionados – any issues with your 6MT?

[TheSt|G]

CDV delete and as smooth as can be.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I like the trans but if you are unhappy with it try a weighted ZHP shift knob if it fits. Its also shorter than stock so the throw is also slightly less

[bmw1racer]

I noticed the notchiness as well, but it's hardly an annoyance: it is what it is, and I adjusted to it.

The only issue I have is sixth gear: After several decades with just five gears, I sometimes forget to shift to sixth...

[ozimmer]

I am another who finds the 6MT in the 125/ 128 notchy - my only significant gripe with the 1 series.

4th gear is usually the offender, although 3rd can be recalcitrant at times too. No grinding or bad noises - just a feeling through the stick of mechanical resistance against engagement. Like the OP, I have been to my local dealer only to be told it is normal.

I have a BMS CDV ready to go in but am unsure whether the clutch action will make any difference. If not, next step will be to drain the MT fluid and re-fill. Having bought 2nd hand, I have no way of knowing what care or abuse the previous owner may have inflicted (?)

[angler]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

Is the cdv delete something I should have the dealer do? Are there any warranty issues? I'm not all that mechanical and from what I've read bleeding the lines is involved once you open things up.

Dealer won't do it. You should get a Indy shop to do it. It took my person 20 minutes.

[JimD]

I think my 128 has the best shifter and transmission I have experienced in 40 years driving. A Porsche 911 was similar. Throws are short, clutch is light and throws have a nice mechanical feel when you are not in a hurry. I wish 6th was lower and the 5-6 gate a little less stiff but it's nice and easy to be smooth with.

[Bama335]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I like the trans but if you are unhappy with it try a weighted ZHP shift knob if it fits. Its also shorter than stock so the throw is also slightly less

Good call - I had the ZHP knob installed before I drove it off the lot. Although the "is" M knob is weighted, the ZHP gives a a better feel in my opinion (probably because I had it in my E90 for the previous 3 yrs and I'm used to it)

OP - might be time for some new trans fluid - search the trans fluid change in the DIY forums (E90 as well) - there are some who say that switching to Redline or Amsoil made all the difference over the BMW factory MTF3

[Bigiggs]

Originally Posted by flzrider

No such thing as a 2010 1M. All 1M's (in the U.S., atleast) are 2011's.

That said, the 1M shares the same transmission as the N55 powered 135i's.

I think it's funny your biggest complaint is the 2nd-3rd gear change because I find that particular gear change to be one of the smoothest out of all of them. But then again, I have changed my tranny fluid several times and I also have slightly stiffer transmission mounts to better hold the transmission in place for more accurate gear changes. OEM E46 M3 transmission mounts are a nice upgrade for our transmissions.

Which fluids did you use....I was thinking about having this done before it gets too cold outside.

[IEDEI]

i have a '13 135is and absolutely LOVE the shifting. Wouldn't change a thing. I've seen people talk about CDVs and SSKs....but honestly have no desire to mess with perfection!

[Simsims]

how the f. can someone even compare honda's cable shifter to a bmw linked shifter?

[ejm3]

When I was buying my 2012 135i I also couldn't find a 6MT to test drive.
But I knew what I wanted and ordered it with the 6MT anyway.

Then when I got the car I wasn't thrilled with the manual feel. Call it notchy or whatever it wasn't as slick as I was expecting. I came from an 04 Acura TL 6MT.

Now that's I've had the car 18 months or so it doesn't bother me as much. Maybe I'm just used to it more now. Overall its the easiest to drive manual transmission car I've ever driven.

However I have noticed an issues from time to time with the 2-3 shift. It tends to not want to go into third gear easily for some reason. Not a big deal unless you're trying to beat the car next to you at a light.

Other than that its fine.

[IZAGLO]

They can't....Honda's have great M/T trans,,,owned many of them silky smooth.

[flzrider]

Originally Posted by Simsims

how the f. can someone even compare honda's cable shifter to a bmw linked shifter?

Honda's S2000 shift feel is praised as one of the best ever. Likely due to the fact that the shifter mechanics are hard mounted to the transmission, unlike ours transmissions which use a floating shift carrier that is mounted to the transmission on one end and the body on the other. That is why stiffer transmission mounts help with shifter feel, because it holds the transmission in place so that there is less relative motion between the shifter and transmission.

Our shifter (ignore the arrows) is fixed to the transmission on one end and the body of the car (via a bushing) on the other.



S2000 shifter is completely affixed to the transmission.

[Tiny Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

Is the cdv delete something I should have the dealer do? Are there any warranty issues? I'm not all that mechanical and from what I've read bleeding the lines is involved once you open things up.

It is one of the best, cheap and easiest mods you can do. It is a small piece which just inhibits your shifting, you can take it out and replace it with a free flowing one or just remove it completely. You should do it yourself it isn't hard at all. Jack up the car, pull the CDV out, replace it. Bleed, done. Difference is night and day and I feel that this is your biggest problem.

I measure notchiness of a MT based on how much head bobbing my passengers have. The first day I got my car, I felt like the transmission was one of the best things on it. It was so much smoother (I came from a g35 6mt), and I honestly didn't know 6mt could be that smooth. I then added a clutch stop (10$), and it made the head bobbing even less than how minimal it already was. It's another easy mode, if you have small hand you just pull out the stock clutch stop and put in the new one.

I added the CDV a couple weeks later and now the transmission is perfect, I can shift into 4,5,6 and let go immediately without any notchiness. The only thing is without a CDV, you have to relearn the transmission a bit which should take like one day. I burned my clutch out bc I held in the clutch in first for too long a couple times, wasn't use to it.

I feel with these two things, you'll find that your problems will be solved. The only thing I want now is a SSK. After all these mods the throws feel long and I feel if it was shorter I could shift even faster(without notchiness).

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

Again, nice to know its not just me.



Fortunately I've never had this problem. I've noticed that sometimes it's smoother from neutral going into 2nd then into 1st, but never had a problem going straight into first from neutral.

It's not just you, I've had issues going 2nd-3rd as well. It's rough and notchy at times. And rarely it'll kick the shift out of 3rd causing me to grind the gears. No idea why, pisses me off every time. I just blame the CDV.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I like the trans but if you are unhappy with it try a weighted ZHP shift knob if it fits. Its also shorter than stock so the throw is also slightly less

I’ll check that out. If the throw is also slightly less that may abrogate the need for a separate short throw kit. I kinda like my stock M shifter though.

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

CDV delete and as smooth as can be.

Thanks for the confirmation, Stiggie (or however they spell it). I think I will definitely do this.

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

…The only issue I have is sixth gear: After several decades with just five gears, I sometimes forget to shift to sixth...

I know what you mean. After driving a ’79 Datsun 280 ZX and an 01 Prelude Type SH for about 20 years I think I’m done when I go into 5th on the highway. Then I notice that the engine sounds like it’s taching a bit high at 65 and I go “Oh, yeah, I have another gear”.

Originally Posted by ejm3

…Then when I got the car I wasn't thrilled with the manual feel. Call it notchy or whatever it wasn't as slick as I was expecting…

…Now that's I've had the car 18 months or so it doesn't bother me as much...However I have noticed an issues from time to time with the 2-3 shift. It tends to not want to go into third gear easily for some reason.

My experience exactly. I am getting used to it and my shifts are smother than when I took delivery no doubt due to wear in and practice, but I was curious about others’ experiences and whether I had a real or imagined issue. Seems there are variations but the issue is real enough for many. And several posters have come up with some real good suggestions for making things better which I intend to follow. Smoother is better, n'est-ce pas?

[Dackelone]

I really LOVE how my BMW Performance SSK feels...

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by flzrider

Honda's S2000 shift feel is praised as one of the best ever. Likely due to the fact that the shifter mechanics are hard mounted to the transmission, unlike ours transmissions which use a floating shift carrier that is mounted to the transmission on one end and the body on the other. That is why stiffer transmission mounts help with shifter feel, because it holds the transmission in place so that there is less relative motion between the shifter and transmission.

Our shifter (ignore the arrows) is fixed to the transmission on one end and the body of the car (via a bushing) on the other...

...S2000 shifter is completely affixed to the transmission...

Very interesting and great pictures. Now I understand why stiffer transmission mounts were recommend.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

I might try that or get an unrestricted one. Changing the transmission fluid seems to be a must and is simple. Is BMW OEM the way to go?

My best suggestion would be to get your hands on another OE CDV, and use an allen key to push the valve out. All it is, is a little piece of plastic with a hole in it. Why spend mucha dollar on a modified CDV when you can buy one yourself for $5-15 and modify it yourself? The plus side is that it is not going to look any different to anyone looking at the clutch fluid lines down there, versus a red flag if you delete it.

Then follow the install here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209440

Took me ~30 minutes start to finish with a jack, two jackstands and a buddy on the brakes to bleed it out. Some prefer the Motiv bleeder though.

IMO the best transmission fluid for the 6MT 135i is the Redline D4ATF. This fluid and a modified CDV should remove any mechanical shortcomings. Driver mod isn't helped though.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

...Then follow the install here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209440

...IMO the best transmission fluid for the 6MT 135i is the Redline D4ATF. This fluid and a modified CDV should remove any mechanical shortcomings. Driver mod isn't helped though.

Heh heh. Driver mod 10-4.

Thanks for the info and the link. I would take it to a shop to have this done since I live in a high rise condo and have nowhere else to work on the car. The OP for that thread did mention a downside though:

"It does make the clutch take-up/engagement somewhat unpredictable and sluggish at times, making for a sometimes jerky ride."

Another poster to this thread mentioned needing to relearn the clutch engagement so what exactly are the side effects here? I don't want to trade one issue for another one. Posters to this thread who've done the CDV delete all seem very happy with it, I just want to know exactly what I'm getting into before doing it.

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I really LOVE how my BMW Performance SSK feels...

This is what i need

[Worra]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I really LOVE how my BMW Performance SSK feels...

That doesn't look like much of a shorter throw than in my car. I'd have to try one I guess.