[ABCraig]

Hey everyone! Long time listener, first time caller here. I've read a lot of good material here and never really had a need to have a question answered before, but now I do!

I drove a friend's new 330ci last night and thought the transition between gears was pretty rough. I didn't have any problems with engaging the clutch in any of the gears, but actually moving the shift knob into and out of each gear was pretty clunky. The best way to describe it is almost as if the spindles are off by just a bit and there's a point where you have to almost force it into the gear. I couldn't get a smooth transition at all. It didn't matter whether we were moving or just sitting in the parking lot. When I asked my friend about it he said he just thought the car needed to be broken in a bit and it would probably go away. What do you guys think? I would have expected a very smooth travel between gears. The car has about 500 miles on it.

By the way, once it was in gear the car was very smoooooth! Man, I need to get one of these!

Thanks guys!

ABCraig

 

[The HACK]

Hey everyone! Long time listener, first time caller here. I've read a lot of good material here and never really had a need to have a question answered before, but now I do!

I drove a friend's new 330ci last night and thought the transition between gears was pretty rough. I didn't have any problems with engaging the clutch in any of the gears, but actually moving the shift knob into and out of each gear was pretty clunky. The best way to describe it is almost as if the spindles are off by just a bit and there's a point where you have to almost force it into the gear. I couldn't get a smooth transition at all. It didn't matter whether we were moving or just sitting in the parking lot. When I asked my friend about it he said he just thought the car needed to be broken in a bit and it would probably go away. What do you guys think? I would have expected a very smooth travel between gears. The car has about 500 miles on it.

By the way, once it was in gear the car was very smoooooth! Man, I need to get one of these!

Thanks guys!

ABCraig

First time driving a BMW stick?

The other stick shifts I've driven they've always been very "vague" (except for Honda's) and "soft" when the gear selector slip into each "gate". BMWs has ALWASY been like this, the E46es (my 323Ci) are actually softer than the Z3 that I used to drive.

That's my take. OUT!

 

[ABCraig]

Actually, it was my first time driving a stick in a BMW. My experience is mostly with Honda. I guess what I'm getting from your response is that what I experienced is normal and to be expected. If I misunderstood that let me know. I just expected a smoother shift into each "gate" considering it was BMW and all. My main concern was that my friend might need to take it into the dealer to have it looked at. I feel bad for making him worry that it might not be normal.

Thanks for responding.

ABCraig

 

[The HACK]

Actually, it was my first time driving a stick in a BMW. My experience is mostly with Honda. I guess what I'm getting from your response is that what I experienced is normal and to be expected. If I misunderstood that let me know. I just expected a smoother shift into each "gate" considering it was BMW and all. My main concern was that my friend might need to take it into the dealer to have it looked at. I feel bad for making him worry that it might not be normal.

Thanks for responding.

ABCraig

Normal...I think there was actually one or two article where the reviewers complained about the shift being "rough" or too "notchy". Notchy would be the way I'd describe it...It's like this on all the BMW's I've driven. I like it because it feels "precise."

And yes, I was refereing to the first stick IN A BMW.

 

[ABCraig]

Thanks for the clarification.

ABCraig

 

[blackdawg]

the joys of the grabby gearshift.

it's a feature they actually select for.

it is quite different from the riflebolt action of a honda integra/s2000; but positive engagement nonetheless.

 

[glaws]

Notchy is the word

All my BMW's have been this way and I have come to prefer it. BTW some of the notchyness and almost all of the stiffness will get smoother with time. My M3 has been the worst of all. Time and experience will take care of it.

 

[bmw325]

A subtle change in shifting technique can make a big difference...

I've noticed that I if I shift by pushing the gear shift all the way against its gate (for example when i'm shifting from neutral into first and have to move it to the left), its kind of notchy and rough. If i'm slightly more gentle and almost let the shifter do the work it feels like butter. Same thing goes for all the gears. If you try to hard or you're hamfisted, it will feel notchy. I actually kind of like this-- it adds another dimension to the whole experience and its a great feeling when you know've done it correctly and the shifter just slides into gear with a satisfying smooth mechanical feel.

 

[dduk]

Drive it more aggressively and the shifter is SMOOOOOOTH. Drive it like an old lady and it's notchy. That's been my experience.

 

[Plaz]

The thing that I've had to get used to with the shifter is the difficulty of getting into reverse... I don't know if IT's breaking in, or I'M breaking in <g>, but it's getting easier now.