[CJ421]

OP, your experience sounds normal.

The 1-2 shift is tricky. Try shifting at 3.5-4K RPM, then be PATIENT and wait for the revs to fall and engage second, it should be effortless. It will feel unnatural to wait as long as you have to. The gear ratio difference between 1 and 2 is pretty extreme.

The transmission is notchy period. CDV will not help, but it will help the gears engage smoother (you'll feel it when releasing the clutch).

You should get the modified CDV ASAP - realize that the CDV = hydraulically induced slip. It causes the clutch and flywheel to engage at a constant rate no matter how fast you release the clutch. Most noticeable getting off the line and shifting quickly (that little bump).

[Chrisred]

Did the CDV and redline tranny fluid swap but still get that notch feeling when on WOT (gears 1-2). but when cruising it's smooth.

[kaleb]

I'm so glad I found this thread. I beat myself up all the time about my 1-2 shift. I'm only smooth with it about 65% of the time. I've always driven a manual, and this is my second BMW. So, I'm glad others are experiencing the same thing.

It's feeling more notchy recently as well, and at 58k miles, I have some Redline in the garage waiting to be put in.

[amill411]

I just did the CDV mod because I was experiencing the same mysterious thud coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mod did help drivability but it didn't do anything to the thud. As someone was saying though if you push the clutch in and wait approx. 1-2 seconds then there will be no thud due to driveshaft slowing. Seems like I can only feel the thud when sitting still going into first gear or reverse. I'll see what the dealer says about it next time I take it in.

[Joshboody]

I would think the "thud"... which I have not experienced... is due to the rpm difference between the syncros and the gear being selecting.

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by Slidewayz

I put in the BMW ssk and still strongly dislike the shift feel of this car. The Germans need to study how the Japanese make such slick shift action.

1 I hate the mt in this car. My 370z mt was way better.

[Tzu]

Joshboody is correct. If you let the RPM's settle for a second, it goes into gear much easier. This is true for every gear, every manual car. The 335 is just more exaggerated.

If you're modded, 2nd gear lights up tires anyway. I don't open it until 3rd because I can't get traction below.

[mikeith]

another thing that helps is letting off the clutch pedal at ZERO throttle and applying throttle as soon as you feel that the clutch is engaged. i can get rid of the thud in the trunk 100% of the trunk that way but it doesnt feel natural. the syncro allignment thing is hit or miss with me though. i havent tried letting the rpms settle but i've tried shifting all over the rpm range and its either really low (below 2k) or between 3500-4k at just cruising throttle even at that it doesnt mesh all the time perfectly but i'm picking up how picky this tranny is slowly but surely

[coco savage]

this thread makes me feel better...thanks

[3-Serious]

OK I feel better knowing that others experience this too. Only questions I have now is it bad for the car, and does it mean the transmission or clutch is not likely to last as long? Like I said I like to shift verrrrry aggressive when the mood strikes.=) So when I do this is it hurting the car?

[3-Serious]

OK I feel better knowing that others experience this too. Only questions I have now is it bad for the car, and does it mean the transmission or clutch is not likely to last as long? Like I said I like to shift verrrrry aggressive when the mood strikes.=) So when I do this is it hurting the car?

[tscdennab]

I have the same exact problem and it became more noticeable after I changed the clutch (with another OEM clutch), described in this thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=557685

How to reproduce the "thud" in the simplest way: put the car in reverse and press the clutch in order for the car not to move. Then, without pressing the accelerator, abruptly and repeatedly lift the foot of the clutch only 3-4cm (in order to not stall the engine) and then press again, such that the car will try to move but it will not move, it will just "jerk" and repeatedly make that thud.

Since then I have put my car onto a special elevated ramp and reproduced the "thud" using the method above, with me underneath the car. It does NOT come from the rear as you may think, but it comes from the gearbox mounts and the back of the gearbox itself. It does not come from the driveshaft rubber linkage either.

It may be from the mounts, it may be from some slack created inside the gearbox due to abuse. What's certain is that my car runs perfectly fine, aside from the "thud". And I can avoid it most of the time.

I also managed to reproduce the thud in 2 other cars: a Renault Megane and a VW Golf. You just have to let go of the clutch very quickly and you can reproduce it.

My current theory is that because the clutch is new, it is very grabby and does not "slip" on gearchange, favoring that thud sound because the engine rpm and driveshaft rpm mismatch. With the old clutch, it was slipping enough to alleviate this jerkyness.

I wonder if those who noticed this "thud" sound noticed it first just after a clutch job ?

[richb811]

It almost reminds me a little of the issue I had in my 2003 Corvette Z06.

Dreaded driveline lash.

[xerox445]

I have this on my 08 135i also. Shifting into second at high rpm while on it, I sometimes grind it!

In my opinion...It seems to me like the clutch is not disengauging totally. The rpm gap is the largest, making the syncros on this change work the hardest to match the revs. With the clutch effectivly "dragging" on the driveline, the syncros have to work to change the speed of alot more rotating mass. Going from 2nd to 3rd and so on, have less of a rpm gap, which makes it not as apparent.

I brought my car in twice for this issue, and both times the "master tech" said it is fine, and working as intended...

[tibra1]

This is just a symptom of the RWD setup..as you drive the car more you will begin to be able to engage the clutch in a way to minimize this..

I felt the same thing in the beginning and now dont even think about it.

[Tzu]

You can try changing your transmission oil. I hear good things about Redline or Royal Purple. I just changed my oem fluid to oem. After only 4000km, it was black, and there were some metal flakes in it.

Honestly, first gear is kind of scary. I only start flooring it in second anyway.