For manual tranny drivers only...

visor · 12-29-2005, 02:02 AM

With some people complaining of how our shifters feel rubbery and clunky with longish throws, I've noticed something interesting about the manual transmission over the past 6 months while driving my old E46 and now my current E90 330i.

By applying a little bit of pressure on the shifter in the direction of the next gear just before I press the clutch (what I call "pre-clutch pressure"), I find that shifter feels almost automagically pulled into the next gear and my shifts are executed much faster and smoother.

The most improvement I feel is for the 1-2 shift, with much less "clunkiness" going into 2nd.

So, for anyone wanting to improve your shifting feel, speed, and smoothness, please try it and report back here!

shimshimhada · 12-29-2005, 02:15 AM

I always do that. lol

visor · 12-29-2005, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

I always do that. lol

Dude, you should've told us earlier, instead of letting me/us suffer before stumbling onto this tip!

shimshimhada · 12-29-2005, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visor

Dude, you should've told us earlier, instead of letting me/us suffer before stumbling onto this tip!

I thought it was common knowledge.

paullo · 12-29-2005, 02:30 AM

Even without putting any pressure and 'leading' the shifter- the gearbox on the e90 is by far the best in it's class. Drive any competitors car and it won't take you more than a few shifts to realize how nice the gearbox in the e90 really is!

poldim · 12-29-2005, 05:29 AM

I love the tranny in the car. Feels very smooth and solid.

SLOOPjohnB · 12-29-2005, 05:35 AM

Putting pressure on the shifter while the tranny in engaged will wear out your synchros. Don't do it. Also not good to use it as a hand rest.

davinet78 · 12-29-2005, 06:17 AM

i think my manual tranny is fabulous

LEDZEP · 12-29-2005, 06:46 AM

Ha ha, I have an auto and I read this thread anyway. So there.

fredtoo · 12-29-2005, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOOPjohnB

Putting pressure on the shifter while the tranny in engaged will wear out your synchros. Don't do it. Also not good to use it as a hand rest.

And don't use the clutch pedal as a footrest, it's bad for the throw out bearing.

shimshimhada · 12-29-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOOPjohnB

Putting pressure on the shifter while the tranny in engaged will wear out your synchros. Don't do it. Also not good to use it as a hand rest.

I do it a split second before I make the shift, and the pressure is very minimal. I doubt it'd do significant damage to your synchros.

Oz · 12-29-2005, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Ha ha, I have an auto and I read this thread anyway. So there.

Same here

Maybe we should start a thread about how smooth the auto transmission is

shimshimhada · 12-29-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

Same here

Maybe we should start a thread about how smooth the auto transmission is

Pshh, manual transmission can be smoother.

roppongicorolla · 12-29-2005, 01:03 PM

The manual in this car is good, but Acura has a better one in the TSX/TL.

Broken1 · 12-29-2005, 01:11 PM

I'm very happy with my manual transmition. As long as I am wearing proper shoes (and not flip/flops) I can shift smoothly almost all the time.

poldim · 12-29-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

Same here

Maybe we should start a thread about how smooth the auto transmission is

What are you going to write about? How you can apply pressure to the gear shift selector just before you slip it into park?

tiga901 · 12-29-2005, 04:19 PM

Put in a modified CDV and you will know what smooth shifting is!!!!

Oz · 12-29-2005, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiga901

Put in a modified CDV and you will know what smooth shifting is!!!!

Doesn't this void the warranty though? I remember reading about this a while ago...

Sho · 12-29-2005, 05:38 PM

I wanted to install a modified CDV, but now I have learn the way to drive/shift with CDV in place. CDV is not that difficult to deal with.

BMW0 · 12-29-2005, 05:44 PM

Tips are good as long as they don't harm our cars in the long run

nyyankee · 12-29-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Ha ha, I have an auto and I read this thread anyway. So there.

x2

HRC · 12-29-2005, 05:50 PM

I've never had any problems or complaints except for the long-ish throws, so I am ordering a rogue ssk to go with the m-sport knob. I am looking forward to the difference!!

I do have a tip for heel and toe for those who's previous car was japanese...

I used to have to really get my right foot at an angle to be able to blip the throttle on my prelude and previous cars. With the BMW, there's no need to blip the throttle with your *heel*, instead, I just used the other half of my right foot by placing my right foot so that it comes in contact with both pedals and just rock your foot down for the throttle.

Sorry for the OT.

Danny

12-29-2005, 02:02 AM	#1
visor BMW, can I have some LSD please? 88 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	For manual tranny drivers only... With some people complaining of how our shifters feel rubbery and clunky with longish throws, I've noticed something interesting about the manual transmission over the past 6 months while driving my old E46 and now my current E90 330i. By applying a little bit of pressure on the shifter in the direction of the next gear just before I press the clutch (what I call "pre-clutch pressure"), I find that shifter feels almost automagically pulled into the next gear and my shifts are executed much faster and smoother. The most improvement I feel is for the 1-2 shift, with much less "clunkiness" going into 2nd. So, for anyone wanting to improve your shifting feel, speed, and smoothness, please try it and report back here! __________________ 2006 330i \| TiAg \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2008 335i \| AW \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2013 328xi \| Red \| Gray \| Al \| 8AT \| Sports Line \| Premium \| Executive \| Heat Pkg retired 2017 340i xDrive \| Estoril \| Black \| Al \| 8AT \| M Package
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12-29-2005, 02:15 AM	#2
shimshimhada Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	I always do that. lol
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12-29-2005, 02:30 AM	#5
paullo Captain 30 Rep 686 Posts Drives: ThreeThreeFive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Even without putting any pressure and 'leading' the shifter- the gearbox on the e90 is by far the best in it's class. Drive any competitors car and it won't take you more than a few shifts to realize how nice the gearbox in the e90 really is!
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12-29-2005, 05:29 AM	#6
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	I love the tranny in the car. Feels very smooth and solid. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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12-29-2005, 05:35 AM	#7
SLOOPjohnB New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 06-325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaFollette, TN iTrader: (0)	Putting pressure on the shifter while the tranny in engaged will wear out your synchros. Don't do it. Also not good to use it as a hand rest. __________________ 06-325i 07-F650GS
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12-29-2005, 06:17 AM	#8
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	i think my manual tranny is fabulous __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
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12-29-2005, 06:46 AM	#9
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Ha ha, I have an auto and I read this thread anyway. So there. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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12-29-2005, 01:03 PM	#14
roppongicorolla all systems are go 2 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 325i SG SPP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Jackson, Texas iTrader: (0)	The manual in this car is good, but Acura has a better one in the TSX/TL.
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12-29-2005, 01:11 PM	#15
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I'm very happy with my manual transmition. As long as I am wearing proper shoes (and not flip/flops) I can shift smoothly almost all the time.
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12-29-2005, 04:19 PM	#17
tiga901 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 244 Posts Drives: e90 330i, mt pp sp Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Millbrae, CA iTrader: (0)	Put in a modified CDV and you will know what smooth shifting is!!!!
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12-29-2005, 05:38 PM	#19
Sho Lieutenant 35 Rep 574 Posts Drives: E90 325i 6-speed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I wanted to install a modified CDV, but now I have learn the way to drive/shift with CDV in place. CDV is not that difficult to deal with.
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12-29-2005, 05:44 PM	#20
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Tips are good as long as they don't harm our cars in the long run __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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12-29-2005, 05:50 PM	#22
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	I've never had any problems or complaints except for the long-ish throws, so I am ordering a rogue ssk to go with the m-sport knob. I am looking forward to the difference!! I do have a tip for heel and toe for those who's previous car was japanese... I used to have to really get my right foot at an angle to be able to blip the throttle on my prelude and previous cars. With the BMW, there's no need to blip the throttle with your heel, instead, I just used the other half of my right foot by placing my right foot so that it comes in contact with both pedals and just rock your foot down for the throttle. Sorry for the OT. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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