Stick aficionados – any issues with your 6MT?

[2012_135i]

When I decided to buy a 1er I knew I had to have a stick (because, you know). There were none on the lot to test drive but I was not perturbed. I figured BMW would only put the finest transmissions in their cars, so I ordered my 135i with a 6MT expecting it to be joyfully slick. Pulling away from the dealership on the day of delivery I immediately found this not to be the case. It felt a little notchy, especially 2nd to 3rd where it seemed I’d catch just a wee bit of metal through the gate. I thought maybe it just needed to break in, but two years later it still feels notchy. or just not all that smooth unless I finesse it. It’s not terrible, not anything significant enough to make a noise at the dealership about (although I did ask and was told this was normal – big surprise [sarcasm] there). But it’s not what I was expecting from BMW and is a bit disappointing. So, is it just me? Is this “normal”? Or did I just happen to get one not quite up to par but also not with an issue significant enough to warrant replacement? Has anyone else noticed this?

The other thing is the throws are rather long. I know this is normal and can be corrected with a short stroke kit but I’ve been told this will most likely make any notchiness more pronounced. Any opinions there?

I read a review of the 1M that reveled in the glorious smoothness of its 6MT. Is it a different transmission from the non-M 1ers? Have there been any changes in the manual transmission they’ve put in the 135s and 128s over the years since the 1 came out?

Do any other stick jockeys out there share these issues or have any other issues with their 6MT? I’d like to hear your opinions and advise.

[Gray_Panther]

I have had my 128 with 6MT for ten k miles now. Very notchy indeed. I do experience the metal "scraping" on the gate going from 2 to 3.
My GF says she likes being driven in my mkIV GTI more because it is smoother. Have you thought about doing a CDV delete? How about a tranny fluid change? I have read that those two items make a significant difference.

[dbchun]

i think the 1M has a N55 shifter components

[tuco44]

I am happy with my 6MT and if it is notchy, which I have not particularly noticed, I am good with that. Having had several DCTs lately, I am so much happier to be back in a 6MT.

YMMV.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

I have had my 128 with 6MT for ten k miles now. Very notchy indeed. I do experience the metal "scraping" on the gate going from 2 to 3.
My GF says she likes being driven in my mkIV GTI more because it is smoother. Have you thought about doing a CDV delete? How about a tranny fluid change? I have read that those two items make a significant difference.

Well, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one. Not to be a dummy, but what's a "CDV delete"? When you say tranny fluid change do you mean just regular maintenance done early with the same factory fluid or change to a different fluid, and if a different fluid would there be any warranty issues?

[miiipilot]

The gate itself is great...Not Honda great though.

I hate the clutch.
I hate the slow-responsive accelerator.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by dbchun

i think the 1M has a N55 shifter components

I think the review I read was for the 2010 1M which was before the N55 powered models came out wasn't it? Is there a difference in the 6MT between the N54 and N55 powered models?

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by miiipilot

The gate itself is great...Not Honda great though.

I had a 2001 Prelude which was pretty good in all gear changes except 2 to 3 which was very notchy, worse than my 135i.

Originally Posted by miiipilot

I hate the clutch.

It engages a bit high but otherwise I'm ok with it.

Originally Posted by miiipilot

I hate the slow-responsive accelerator.

Absofreakin'lutely.

[flzrider]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

I think the review I read was for the 2010 1M which was before the N55 powered models came out wasn't it? Is there a difference in the 6MT between the N54 and N55 powered models?

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.

[2012_135i]

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.

Thanks for that correction and info. So I have no idea why the reviewer was so awed by the 1M 6MT then.

Originally Posted by flzrider

...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.

Probably won't be changing any tranny mounts soon but I'll definitely keep the OEM E46 M3 transmsision mounts in mind for the future. Thanks for the tip. Sounds like I should change my fluid too.

[friedymeister]

2-3 is notchy for me too. I find the synchro isn't great 2-3 and feels kind of rough.

Also, once in a while the transmission won't go into first gear, requiring me to go to 2nd and then 1st or else release and re-engage the clutch.

[lastMleft]

I have a 6MT on a 2010 N54, and have no problems with "notchyness", but If i could change on thing that would be the long throws

[Stohlen]

I find your issues with this odd...

For me I am in love with the gearbox and its wonderfully mechanical feel. Maybe thats what you consider notchy, but i think the nice clunk of each shift is just amazing. I also don't find the throw to be long at all, much shorter than the vehicles of my past in the same category of "sportiness".

[1descending]

I find the 2nd-3rd shift to be incredibly smooth but the 1st-2nd not so much.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by friedymeister

2-3 is notchy for me too. I find the synchro isn't great 2-3 and feels kind of rough.

Again, nice to know its not just me.

Originally Posted by friedymeister

Also, once in a while the transmission won't go into first gear, requiring me to go to 2nd and then 1st or else release and re-engage the clutch.

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.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by Stohlen

I find your issues with this odd...

For me I am in love with the gearbox and its wonderfully mechanical feel. Maybe thats what you consider notchy, but i think the nice clunk of each shift is just amazing. I also don't find the throw to be long at all, much shorter than the vehicles of my past in the same category of "sportiness".

Different strokes, so to speak, I guess. I know what you mean by the mechanical feel and I'm ok with that to an extent, but mine feels a bit mechanically rough. Sometimes there's an audible thunk going into second that to me lacks refinement. Very glad you're happy with your 6MT.

Your car is a beauty. Nice color Love the wheels and the black accent performance spoiler too.

[ShocknAwe]

Love the gearbox. I recommend modifying or deleting your Clutch Delay Valve and changing the transmission fluid. Fixes everything. It has nothing on the smoothness of my old honda 6-speed, but I actually like the notchiness of the 6MT in the 135i. It's deliberate shifting if you take my meaning.

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

Your car is a beauty. Nice color Love the wheels and the black accent performance spoiler too.

Thanks! its a work in progress

[Freon]

I have a bone stock 6MT. It's a bit "light" feeling on shifts, and I wish 6th gear was slightly longer. Thsoe are minor gripes and otherwise I'd say it is excellent. I think there is just enough notchy feel. I don't like sloppy shifters. It really doesn't feel like it needs a shift kit in any sense.

They seem to hold as much power as anyone is making so far, which is also a plus.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Love the gearbox. I recommend modifying or deleting your Clutch Delay Valve and changing the transmission fluid. Fixes everything. It has nothing on the smoothness of my old honda 6-speed, but I actually like the notchiness of the 6MT in the 135i. It's deliberate shifting if you take my meaning.

I do take your meaning. As I've said in another thread, you need to drive the 6MT with attention and intention.

Someone else mentioned "deleting" the CDV which threw me at first since in my world "delete" is a computer term. But I checked around the forum and now know what's being talked about. 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?

[angler]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

I do take your meaning. As I've said in another thread, you need to drive the 6MT with attention and intention.

Someone else mentioned "deleting" the CDV which threw me at first since in my world "delete" is a computer term. But I checked around the forum and now know what's being talked about. 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?

You will be shocked at the difference of the gearbox once you to the cdv delete. my only regret is I waited until 1500 miles to do it instead of mile one. You will have no complaints after dong the delete. I also would change the gearbox oil as well.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by angler

You will be shocked at the difference of the gearbox once you to the cdv delete. my only regret is I waited until 1500 miles to do it instead of mile one. You will have no complaints after dong the delete. I also would change the gearbox oil as well.

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.