[vladinecko]

i've never driven a BMW that was a stick but i have been driving a manual VW GTI for some time now (and some really old Hondas, Fords and Skodas (EU crowd knows what i'm talking about) in the past). i'm getting a little nervous as my delivery date is approaching and was just wondering if anyone had a chance to drive both vehicles (GTI and E90) and could compare both in terms of clutch work, and the general feel. or in other words, am i going to be completely thrown off/embarrsed once i first drive away from the dealership?

thanks!

[saalim]

I used to drive manual Accord before my bimmer. When my I picked up the car I stalled it at the dealership....very embarassing!! I think that there were 2 things that I had to get used to:

1. Hard Clutch [the Accord had a softer clutch]
2. CDV

Now, I have adapted to the E90 clutch and I have installed a modified CDV. So my shifting is a lot more smoother now.

My advice: Dont try anything fancy UNLESS YOU ARE ALONE!! Once you get a feel for it, you should be fine.

[ben1364]

The BMW linkage is better than the VW linkage though sloppier than in some other cars. BMWs benefit from well engineered and properly installed short shift kits largely because of the firmer bushings included with such kits.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by saalim

When my I picked up the car I stalled it at the dealership....very embarassing!!

so i have something to look forward to, huh?

i asked this before but no one seemed to answer, if you install the modified CDV, does that void your warranty?

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by ben1364

...properly installed short shift kits...

do you get that without the sport package?

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i asked this before but no one seemed to answer, if you install the modified CDV, does that void your warranty?

Yes - if the techs find out, which usually will only be if you actually have a tranny/clutch problem. But BMWNA has information to their dealers to look for this type of mod if there are service calls transmission related and if they find it = you are toast.

BTW I used to drive a Acura Integra (same undercarriage etc. as the Civic). I have to say I actually like the BMW clutch gearing better, I find the clutch uptake smoother than the Integra's. But then again I have never liked Japanese manuals that I drove.

It (BMW) is also much better the than the B4 A4 5 speed.

[saalim]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

so i have something to look forward to, huh?

i asked this before but no one seemed to answer, if you install the modified CDV, does that void your warranty?

From outside, the whole thing looks stock. Its only when when you remove the CDV and take a look inside that you know its modified. If I ever end up having some transmission/clutch problems, I plan to put the stock CDV back in before I take it to the dealer. I am not saying that there is no risk involved, but to to me, its an acceptable one.

[vladinecko]

cool, i'll see how bad it is with the original CDV and use it for a bit to see if i can get used to it. if not, i'll just take it out.

thanks!

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by saalim

If I ever end up having some transmission/clutch problems, I plan to put the stock CDV back in before I take it to the dealer. I am not saying that there is no risk involved, but to to me, its an acceptable one.

I always love to see that comment when people talk about reversing a mod prior to warranty work. In reality 90% of the time you're not going to have the time, place to perform the reversal.

[Speedy E90]

I used to drive a Golf GTI when I lived in Germnay. And there are some differences.

1. VW/Audi tranny is much more forgiving
2. BMW requires a little finesse, meaning that u need to give it a tinny lil gas during gear change.
3. Also be more sensitive witht the clutch.
4. Do not need a lot of gas when trying to get moving in first.

You will get used to it though. A couple of stalls are probably inevitable during the first weeks..... good luck!!!

[vladinecko]

thanks!

also, my dealer told me that there is something built-in on the new E90 which prevents you from rolling back on hills. he said he holds the car for 2 seconds so that you have time to go from break to gas without rolling back. is that true? if so, do you know how it works? is it partially in gear or something? or does it engage the breaks until you step on gas?

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

thanks!

also, my dealer told me that there is something built-in on the new E90 which prevents you from rolling back on hills. he said he holds the car for 2 seconds so that you have time to go from break to gas without rolling back. is that true? if so, do you know how it works? is it partially in gear or something? or does it engage the breaks until you step on gas?

It engages the brakes until you start moving forward.

It even engages the brakes until you start moving backwards if you´re in reverse.

For the function to activate, all you need to do is come to a full stop, press the clutch and put the stick in first or reverse.

Very helpfull little feature.

[sbrentson]

It's a pain in the ass for those of us adept enought to start normally on a hill. The break holds you in place giving you the sensation that the gear has engaged. When the gear really does engage, you end up with too much throttle and let the clutch out too quickly.

The result: You look like an ass stalling your new 330.

Does anyone know if you can disable this feature?

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by sbrentson

It's a pain in the ass for those of us adept enought to start normally on a hill. The break holds you in place giving you the sensation that the gear has engaged. When the gear really does engage, you end up with too much throttle and let the clutch out too quickly.

The result: You look like an ass stalling your new 330.

Does anyone know if you can disable this feature?

I´ll have to disagree here. I´m certainly adept at driving a car without the hill holder feature. In fact I´ve probably put down more MT miles than anyone else on this board (blame it on me beeing an old fart), and I can get a MT car moving forward on any incline it´ll manage to find the forward traction for with rolling back less than 3 inches without the ebrake. With no rolling back at all if I bother to use the ebrake.

And yet, the hill holder works just fine for me. I just start as I would without the hill holder function and it releases the brakes just fine when I have enough torque on the wheels to move forward. Only with the hill holder I don´t have to hurry up the clutching and accelerating so as not to roll back when I release the brake. Very convenient.

My guess is, you´re overly sensitive in observing the cars reaction and you and the car get into a vicious circle of overcorrecting each other.

Try thinking less and just drive off.

Btw. I´m pretty certain you can´t turn the feature off and I´m also certain you´ll get the hang of it soon and find it convenient yourself.

I guess when the first cars with synchromesh came out, some drivers would also find that the synchro messes up their hard learned double declutching shifting technique. Every once in a while we should be prepared to adopt to something new. Welcome it instead of fight it! Especially if it´s such a minor but usefull feature.

[vladinecko]

i haven't tried it yet, but my dealer also says that feature works fantastically well.

[BMW0]

I think we have to adapt to new things, be open minded to the new advance features on our cars. Don't stay in the past, look toward the future with the all new BMW 3 series.

[Xens]

The CDV is pretty easy to get used to, this is my first manual car ever and it took me under 2 months to get perfectly smooth shifts, it's harder to drive smoothly than all Japanese manuals I've driven but I like it like that. I stalled about 3 times during the first day, once during a u-turn, the other 2 on inclines. After that no more stalls, the car is really easy to get going from a dead stop.

Hill stop feature is incredibly useful, especially when you go to a place named San Francisco.

[selm]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i haven't tried it yet, but my dealer also says that feature works fantastically well.

The brake assist is my favorite feature on my e90.

[timmerweb]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i've never driven a BMW that was a stick but i have been driving a manual VW GTI for some time now

My previous car was a manual 2002 GTI 1.8T and I'm now on a manual 325i. The GTI was my first manual transmission car, and besides that I had only driven 2 other manuals: a friend's WRX, and test drove a Saab 9-3.

I don't expect you'll have any trouble adapting. Like other's have said, the BMW transmission may not be the silkiest out there, but its definitely a lot nicer than the VW. The BMW clutch grabs a little higher than the VW one, and shifting does feel somehow different, my guess is the infamous CDV causes that. Overall its a very easy car to drive. Of the manuals I've driven though, I'd rate the Saab as having the nicest transmission. I think its a standing rule for driving standard that you should always take some time to familiarize yourself with a transmission that's new to you.


-Tim




-Tim

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by timmerweb

BMW transmission may not be the silkiest out there, but its definitely a lot nicer than the VW

really? i find VW tranny very nice and smooth, so if BMW is even better then i should only be afraid of that first take-off out of my dealership, huh?

since almost 9/10 of people get automatics, my sales guy never has any manuals on the lot, otherwise i'd already take one for a spin.

[325IAT]

Good topic for me!

Today I received my 325iAT, and test drove a VW Golf GTI with/for my brother. These cars are extremly different cars!

The Golf feels rougher, stiffer and the sound of the engine can't be compared. The Golf has 4 cylinders, the BMW has 6. The Golf is fwd, the BMW is rwd, the interior of the Golf can't match the BMW.

Driving the VW is like driving go cart, driving the BMW is like soooo smoother and silkier.

Forget the VW, go BMW!!!

C