[sparky_phantom]

This is my first manual transmission. Is it normal to get a smooth shift into 2nd that you have to do small amounts slipping "feathering" or wait a second or so before letting clutch down? I have already taken out CDV and was just curious. 2nd gear is just tricky. 3rd gear sometimes too but only when the car is not fully warmed up. I am still learning the clutch. Only been driving it for a month now.

[E92TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

This is my first manual transmission. Is it normal to get a smooth shift into 2nd that you have to do small amounts slipping "feathering" or wait a second or so before letting clutch down? I have already taken out CDV and was just curious. 2nd gear is just tricky. 3rd gear sometimes too but only when the car is not fully warmed up. I am still learning the clutch. Only been driving it for a month now.

I'm a pretty experienced manual transmission driver having a FBO E46 M3 that i daily drove and tracked a few times... I know own a 13 335i 6mt jb4 and CDV delete and the answer is yes. It's a little "notchy." Don't worry. I put in redline tranny fluid as per recommendation of a VERY reputable shop and it makes it smoother once warmed up.

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by E92TiAg335i

I'm a pretty experienced manual transmission driver having a FBO E46 M3 that i daily drove and tracked a few times... I know own a 13 335i 6mt jb4 and CDV delete and the answer is yes. It's a little "notchy." Don't worry. I put in redline tranny fluid as per recommendation of a VERY reputable shop and it makes it smoother once warmed up.

Thank you for your response. I assume I would have to drain out the previous fluid before I add in the Redline fluid? Where does the fluid go exactly?

[Dhillon92]

He is referring to replacing your transmission fluid with redline,. Drain transmission, and fill with redline.

[Sidewinderpb]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

This is my first manual transmission. Is it normal to get a smooth shift into 2nd that you have to do small amounts slipping "feathering" or wait a second or so before letting clutch down? I have already taken out CDV and was just curious. 2nd gear is just tricky. 3rd gear sometimes too but only when the car is not fully warmed up. I am still learning the clutch. Only been driving it for a month now.

I have to wait a second before depressing the clutch in order to avoid the abrupt disengagement thud if that's what you're referring to. Had trans replaced recently and new one does it too, so I believe it's normal.

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by Sidewinderpb

I have to wait a second before depressing the clutch in order to avoid the abrupt disengagement thud if that's what you're referring to. Had trans replaced recently and new one does it too, so I believe it's normal.

That is what I am referring to. Didn't know if this was normal or what.

[snaimpally]

The BMW manual tranny is shockingly bad, especially for a company whose slogan is that they build the "ultimate driving machine". Every Honda I have ever driven (and I have driven an original Civic) has a far better transmission.

1. Replace your transmission fluid with Redline MT fluid.
2. Get a short throw shifter, such as the UUC, along with the DSSR (or equivalent).
3. Get a weighted shift knob.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

That is what I am referring to. Didn't know if this was normal or what.

Yup, it is. Mine does it too. Last bimmer did it as well. I've learned to disengage it so it doesn't thud at all. I wish I knew how I did it; it's kind of an automatic thing now. Basically you don't take it out too slow, but don't take it out too fast.

[Manberg]

Mine likes to randomly not engage first after a stop. Throws it out of gear sometimes. Gunna have it checked by a real trans shop whenever i need a clutch. I'm the 3rd owner of my car so who knows how it got so bad :c

[E92TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by Manberg

Mine likes to randomly not engage first after a stop. Throws it out of gear sometimes. Gunna have it checked by a real trans shop whenever i need a clutch. I'm the 3rd owner of my car so who knows how it got so bad :c

Do not worry at all. I have 23k miles on mine... I'm also very good at driving stick... It's normal on these transmissions. It threw me off for a while too.

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

The BMW manual tranny is shockingly bad, especially for a company whose slogan is that they build the "ultimate driving machine". Every Honda I have ever driven (and I have driven an original Civic) has a far better transmission.

1. Replace your transmission fluid with Redline MT fluid.
2. Get a short throw shifter, such as the UUC, along with the DSSR (or equivalent).
3. Get a weighted shift knob.

Modern VW transmissions are impressive too, when I drove my company's 2013 VW Caddy I was impressed. So easy a child could use it, short throws yet very sharp and precise, making it easy to shift very fast without risk of making a mistake.

BMW are all about the autos I think, doesn't seem like manual was a priority for them.

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

Modern VW transmissions are impressive too, when I drove my company's 2013 VW Caddy I was impressed. So easy a child could use it, short throws yet very sharp and precise, making it easy to shift very fast without risk of making a mistake.

BMW are all about the autos I think, doesn't seem like manual was a priority for them.

So it seems most people are just changing out the transmission fluid to help this or just have to learn the transmission?

[justpete]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

So it seems most people are just changing out the transmission fluid to help this or just have to learn the transmission?

A short shift kit helps more than anything and with a DSSR makes shifts more defined, at least within the limits of the mechanism. You'd have to go to a very short throw shifter to eliminate the problem but it's not recommended. Red Line MTL can help a little but doesn't completely fix things.

[Dhillon92]

I have some Redline ATF D6 that I'll be putting in soon, apparently that's recommended over the MTF.

[Manberg]

I just put in some Redline ATF D6. Its better over whatever was in there(slowly discovering mods done by previous owners is fun) but nothing to rave about.

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by justpete

A short shift kit helps more than anything and with a DSSR makes shifts more defined, at least within the limits of the mechanism. You'd have to go to a very short throw shifter to eliminate the problem but it's not recommended. Red Line MTL can help a little but doesn't completely fix things.

Doesn't the M Sport come with a short throw? Or do you mean a even shorter throw?

[justpete]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

Doesn't the M Sport come with a short throw? Or do you mean a even shorter throw?

There's a BMW Performance short shift kit, or was, don't know if it's still available. And there are even shorter shifters but not really a good choice for a street-only car.

[sparky_phantom]

Sorry to bring this back. I have a question between shifts. Does your RPMs stay up for a second or so before starting to drop between shifts?

[justpete]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

Sorry to bring this back. I have a question between shifts. Does your RPMs stay up for a second or so before starting to drop between shifts?

You mean the revs don't drop the instant you lift?

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by justpete

You mean the revs don't drop the instant you lift?

Yes, revs will stay where they were left off before I lifted the clutch. It does this for at least a second or so. I have not seen a manual do this. It has done since I got the car a month ago.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by sparky_phantom

Yes, revs will stay where they were left off before I lifted the clutch. It does this for at least a second or so. I have not seen a manual do this. It has done since I got the car a month ago.

You mean the throttle hangs after lifting off the gas? Are you not running a tune?

[sparky_phantom]

Originally Posted by justpete

You mean the throttle hangs after lifting off the gas? Are you not running a tune?

I am running Cobb right now. It did it when it was stock. I now have the PPK Flash and Cobb. And yes it just hangs there before dropping. Doesn't drop instantly at all.