[luv2bike]

Hi,

Interested in how manual trans owners are performing their 1 to 2 shift.
I find getting the G87 moving is fairly straightforward as are all the other shifts once you get above 2nd. However, I am continuously adjusting how to get a smooth 1-2 shift.
Let's start with normal acceleration first, meaning, no track or racing. Just pulling away normally from a stop.
What rpm do you shift at?
Are you feathering the clutch the way you do when leaving in 1st from a stop, or do you just let it out? etc.
Any other tips to make that shift smooth?
Thanks for the feedback!

[KevM2]

Hard to explain this but don’t feather it as much as stop to first and don’t let it go as fast as higher gears… somewhere in between, if that makes sense…. But having said that, it also really depends on how hard you’re on the throttle and what rpm you’re shifting at… the harder on throttle and higher rpm then of course can let go of clutch faster

[ronin13013]

Shift at about 4k to 6k in 1st. 2nd gear will slot in nicely.
You will be in the powerband in 2nd and then you can really let loose.

Originally Posted by luv2bike

Hi,

Interested in how manual trans owners are performing their 1 to 2 shift.
I find getting the G87 moving is fairly straightforward as are all the other shifts once you get above 2nd. However, I am continuously adjusting how to get a smooth 1-2 shift.
Let's start with normal acceleration first, meaning, no track or racing. Just pulling away normally from a stop.
What rpm do you shift at?
Are you feathering the clutch the way you do when leaving in 1st from a stop, or do you just let it out? etc.
Any other tips to make that shift smooth?
Thanks for the feedback!

[Humdizzle]

the 1-2 shift is a notorious issue with this bmw manual trans since it was introduced on the n54 cars.

i'd say just try and get into 2nd as soon as possible. like as soon as you let the clutch out in 1st and get to 5mph just go to second.

[Squidget]

To me, coming from NA 4 bangers, BMW inline-6 motors tend to rev-hang (aka tach hang, rev float, etc.) longer, meaning you need to grant them just a little longer to spin down.

You need to "catch the tach needle" as it drops. Since your car is at a constant speed, there's only one perfect RPM where the syncros would mesh perfectly. But you don't need to actually be perfect, so you have options, depending on the situation.

I'm usually doing one of these things.

1. Take a small pause before engaging into 2nd, to catch the needle at the right place. And in public driving this is probably the least jerky thing you can do.

2. You can accept the jerk by grabbing the needle early and pulling the motor up. Jerky powershifting but fast. I don't recommend it, tho.

3. The higher the revs, the faster the needle will fall, due to engine braking and ECU stuff. So if you rev it up really high, your natural shift timing may work fine. If you are a really fast shifter you may still outrun it.

Unless you grab the needle perfectly, you will want to feather in the clutch just a tad to reduce the jerk. Even on a track, it's better to shift smooth-and-slow rather than fast-but-jerky, because jerks upset the suspension.

So TLDR I guess is: either shift slower or rev higher.

[GregW / Oregon]

Still getting used to the clutch with the heavier pedal and disengagement happening in a shorter distance at the top of the travel compared to my F82 and two previous M3 coupes. But, just installed the BMS clutch stop, and that does seem like an improvement.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Still getting used to the clutch with the heavier pedal and disengagement happening in a shorter distance at the top of the travel compared to my F82 and two previous M3 coupes. But, just installed the BMS clutch stop, and that does seem like an improvement.

Absolutely, the clutch grab is weirdly high, but I think it always has been in BMWs compared to other makes. I've just habituated to it by now.

[Covfefe]

In my M235i with a substantiality similar transmission, 2.5-4k rpm is "no man's land" -- that is to say the 1-2 shift in said range will have inconvenient rev hang. Shifting before 2.5k is quick, but can lead to some light lugging if there are any extra pressures on the drivetrain (turns, uphills, etc). Shifting above 4k is also quick(ish), but it makes me sound like a jackass in traffic.

Also, anyone who says CDV delete makes this better is wrong. It actually makes a smooth 1-2 harder since the CDV isn't doing any of the work to slip the clutch and better match revs. And don't feel bad about using your tach in the 1-2 shift. It's the only one I use the tach for if I'm in that 2.5-4k rpm range.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Covfefe

And don't feel bad about using your tach in the 1-2 shift. It's the only one I use the tach for if I'm in that 2.5-4k rpm range.

I wish the tach (and speedo) were traditional round gauges; hate the over-stylized ones. Would be easy for BMW to give us that option as a software update.

[rangerfan94]

Originally Posted by Squidget

1. Take a small pause before engaging into 2nd, to catch the needle at the right place.

I've been driving BMW manuals since I got my first one in 1995. This pause, in my experience, is the key. But if you lose focus or zone out for a second, you can easily find yourself with a jerky shift. Still happens to the best of us from time to time. It's a feature, not a problem.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by rangerfan94

I've been driving BMW manuals since I got my first one in 1995. This pause, in my experience, is the key. But if you lose focus or zone out for a second, you can easily find yourself with a jerky shift. Still happens to the best of us from time to time. It's a feature, not a problem.

Started driving manual transmission equipped cars way back in 1972. But have just been driving BMW manual since April 14 (my M2, and not counting the 2 JCW manual transmission cars) and a bit of a pause -- or just a slight delay as I let the clutch out and feel it start to engage and these ease it into full engagement -- works for me.

I also experience the jerky shift once in a while and it is due to a bit of loss of focus.

More than any of my other manual equipped cars the M2 demands more of my attention and focus. And I love the car.

[deucedude]

Take off from 1st
Clutch in, pull to neutral
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
Waaaiiittttt for itttttt....
Snick it into second smooth with no jerkiness.

[M2siast]

Figured it out today, posted in another thread:

1st to 10 MPH (16 Km/h), shift into second and apply throttle gently (to WOT if needed, but not swiftly).

Tell me how you like it.

[KindaSortaTerrible]

Just picked my M2 yesterday (first bmw) and I see im not the only one with this concern. Coming from a Civic Type R, the clutch feels pretty weird honestly but I’m getting used to it slowly.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by KindaSortaTerrible

Just picked my M2 yesterday (first bmw) and I see im not the only one with this concern. Coming from a Civic Type R, the clutch feels pretty weird honestly but I’m getting used to it slowly.

I have 1100 miles on my 6 speed manual G87 and still trying to work this out. The higher the revs when shifting the easier the transition is to 2nd from my experience. I'm coming from an 8 speed auto M240i so it isn't just the 1st to 2nd shift, it's also the transition from auto to manual. I have my break in service tomorrow so after I will feel better about ripping through first and not so worried about the RPM's so less to think about when driving.

[Ravenseal]

I just bang first to second. Any time I try to shift smoothly, it feels way worse than it should. I'm also considering a Clutch Delay Valve delete at this point. The clutch pedal is just way too inconsistent when you try to nanny this car. I'd hate it as a daily.

[ttaidapos]

Cold engine, quick shifts, almost zero overlap with clutch. Warm engine, try feathering the clutch as you let go and in 2nd. Obviously with a more pronounced overlap. I use a clutch stop. At 6ft, the clutch travel is dumb at stock.

[TheLegend]

With my old e90 335i I could never get that 1-2 shift smooth and consistently and made the car very unenjoyable for daily driving. This is a big point that makes me hesitate on getting either a g87 M2 or G80 M3 as I definitely want a manual.