[james.d.stander]

I have a question on the manual gear shift in my 320D . My gear lever has a vibration when driving – you can visually see the gear shift moving when it is in 2nd , 3rd and other gears. I wanted to know if this is normal? The salesperson said it was, but I did find a little annoying so I thought I can at least ask someone who has the same car.



Hope to hear from you

[- Paul -]

Not normal. Mine doesn't do it.

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by james.d.stander

I have a question on the manual gear shift in my 320D . My gear lever has a vibration when driving – you can visually see the gear shift moving when it is in 2nd , 3rd and other gears. I wanted to know if this is normal? The salesperson said it was, but I did find a little annoying so I thought I can at least ask someone who has the same car.



Hope to hear from you

It´s normal. Some (cars) do it more, some less. It depends mostly on the setup of the gear linkage and on the stiffness of the engine mounts. The diesel engine probably has softer engine mount because of its harshness, so the engine and transmission move more on load changes and therefore the gear lever does too. Does it move mostly on load changes (going from acceleration to cruising or breaking and vice versa)?

[james.d.stander]

Thanks. Will take it up with the dealer.

[Tierfreund]

Why? As I stated, it´s normal. What´s the problem with it?

[james.d.stander]

It does it while cruising in any gear. There is also more vibration on steering wheel compared to my previous X3 3.0i petrol.
__________________

[E90Fleet]

Diesels tend to do this

Dont ever compare a 4 cylinder diesel engine with a 6 Cylinder BMW engine

[E90Fleet]

Just noticed you are in SA

What diesel are you using ?

The cheaper 0.3% sulphur or the more expensive 0.05% ( from SASOL or Total )

[E90]

My previous E46 320 diesel had the same problem.I suppose it is normal with 4 cylinder diesel engines.My older E39 525 diesel did not have that kind of problem.

[james.d.stander]

haven'n filled up yet, but will definately use SASOL

[james.d.stander]

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Not normal. Mine doesn't do it.

Is this your first BMW? and are you comparing it with possible a previous Diesel?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by james.d.stander

haven'n filled up yet, but will definately use SASOL

So you just got it ?

It will become a bit smoother as you break it in, and you should feel a difference with the better quality diesel


But just remember it will never be as smooth as a 4 Cylinder petrol engine, nevermind a straight 6 Cylinder BMW engine.
Remember it is a diesel.


Broken1 on the board here is from SA and has a 320d, and he will hopefually post some comments from his experience with his car when he logs on

[Broken1]

Use the 0.05% sulphur diesel...it's definately makes the engine alot smoother!

"haven'n filled up yet, but will definately use SASOL"

You said you haven't filled the car up yet? That would mean you couldn't have done more than 600km's? Let the car run in a bit...my car got alot smoother around the 1800-2000 mark


As for your gear shift question. A diesel engine does run rougher then any bmw straight 6. The gear level will shake slightly (more in the mornings when it's cold). In gear, the lever does shake when you are driving...this is COMPLETELY normal. In my old 325ti the gear level also shaked. It's more prevalent in the new car - but everyone has told me it's because the diesel engine runs rougher...so everything is laid out a little looser. It's definately not a problem...I don't even notice it. My question to you is why are you looking at your gear lever? Look at the road.


Your car will change alot between now and post break in. When I got my car, (even though is shouldn't have) I couldn't rev it over 4000rpm...it just felt so "tight" and rough up there. Now the car just glides up to the red line...no problem.

You really can't be complaining about anything yet. You haven't even worn in the brakes with only one tank of diesel...let alone the drivetrain, transmisison etc.

Ps. Post some pics of your car and the full spec.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Broken1

why are you looking at your gear lever? Look at the road.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by Broken1

why are you looking at your gear lever? Look at the road.

hey broken1,

i know that it was a serious question, but it certainly made me lol.
you are right. he should be looking at the road.

i read that the premuim diesel has made a positive difference to your 320d. are you using it all the time and if so how is the fuel economy? any improvement?

[David328M-Sport]

seems that e90fleet liked your question too!!

great minds.

[Broken1]

Originally Posted by David325Australia

hey broken1,

i know that it was a serious question, but it certainly made me lol.
you are right. he should be looking at the road.

i read that the premuim diesel has made a positive difference to your 320d. are you using it all the time and if so how is the fuel economy? any improvement?

Well, I used the premium diesel (from sasol) and noticed an improvement in the smoothness of the engine . Then I thought it's my mind playing tricks on me...so tried the "cheaper" diesel again - the engine was definately rougher, and the car felt so heavy and lazy. So yesterday I filled up with the premium diesel again. After about 2 minutes of driving, I could notice the difference again. It smells different too! As far as fuel consumption goes, I haven't noticed any big differences. My OBC said 8.4l/100km's when I was using the 0.05% diesel and 9.0l/100km's when I was using the cheaper one..but using the kilo's traveled, and the litres of diesel I put in...I worked it out to 8.7 and 8.9 respectively. Not a major difference.

I only have about 2400km's on my clock now...so I still expect the fuel consumption to drop down a tad more (reguardless of my very spirited driving)

I justified spending the extra money on the "better" diesel though. The car sounds better - less chuck chuck and more whiiiiiiirrr
The car feels smoother - especially in the mornings when it's cold
The car doesn't get that heavy/lazy sluggish feeling when I fill up (I wonder if the 0.05% is lighter in acutal mass then the 0.3%?)
The car smells better... when I pull into my "carport" (my sister in her corsa gets the garage*shakes head*) the car doesn't have that old truck smell -> it smells like that chemical 5 series smell (I don't know if you know what I'm talking about...)

So now that i've decided on the "expensive" diesel...no more waiting for that "petrol light" - hehe...I'm gonna start refueling on half-1quarter fill (apparently it's better that way?)

[james.d.stander]

Thanks for your comments. Believe me I am very impressed with the car. Because it is almost flawless, once tends to notice things that are different from your previous BMW. I'm a hugh supporter of BMW and this is my first Diesel (and my 4th 3-series, included the X3)

My car is highly specied : Prof Nav, Idrive, Logic7 sound system, Blue tooth, Xeon, etc.

The sound is amazing and I enjoy the voice control on the Idrive.

Hope to post some pictures in the future. Spending to much time admiring the cars' beauty and refinement. Its only my 4th day and I have almost done 600km.

[james.d.stander]

The lower sulphur diesel is also coloured a funky purple - but then again I suppose you don't get out the car when filling, to busy not looking at the gear lever.

[Broken1]

Originally Posted by james.d.stander

The lower sulphur diesel is also coloured a funky purple - but then again I suppose you don't get out the car when filling, to busy not looking at the gear lever.

Actually...I do get out of the car while filling. I don't see the colour of the diesel cause I make DAMN sure the attendant doesn't spill diesel all down the side of my saphire black (always freshly cleaned) car!!
And also to check they are putting diesel in - my first fill up - I asked for diesel, parked next to the diesel pump - the attendant opened the fuel cap and ALMOST stuck the unleaded nossle in. :mad: sheesh.

I think the petrol attendants have caught on though. They NEVER ask to check my oil anymore? Little do they know that my diesel does have a dipstick...only the petrol ones don't! (Not like I let them check it anyways...)

PS. For you, E90Fleet and anyone else this side... There is a BMW Day on sandton square this sunday the 28th of August! Saw the posters up the other day. Last years was pretty cool...donno if I can make this year tho

[Thavash]

<i>"I couldn't rev it over 4000rpm...it just felt so "tight" and rough up there. Now the car just glides up to the red line...no problem. "</i><br>

Yep , I feel the same about my 320 petrol. Now that it's run in , I've bumped into the redline a few times !

[james.d.stander]

" Little do they know that my diesel does have a dipstick...only the petrol ones don't! (Not like I let them check it anyways...)"

Interesting- the dip stick, will check it out. Amazing the information sharing available on the net ,especially with forums like these.

Well done.