Z4M Gearbox question

[Monkeynut21]

I bought a 2007 Z4M about 6 weeks ago. It's got 60k on the clock and its just had an inspection 2 with all the fluids changed. I know the gearbox on these are not super smooth, especially from 1st to 2nd but mine feels very stiff and notchy. It often needs a quite firm hand to get it both out of and into gear and I'm struggling to get a nice consistent change. Strangely it's only the first 4 gears that seam to suffer 5 and 6 seam a lot better.

Is this normal? Any recommendations in the North East of somebody that might have a look at it for me. Anybody with a //M in the North East willing to take mine for a spin and compare it to theirs.

Thanks

[a340driver]

Mine requires the same force to change gear throughout the box so that certainly doesn't sound right. As for the "notchy" change from 1st to 2nd, I find that as long as you don't short shift the change is smooth.

[sixspeed]

Don't have that issue with mine. I'm on 91k and it's always been pretty smooth. I've had the CDV out since the car was virtually new though.

If gearbox fluids have just been done, it's possible it could be the clutch on its way out, though I'm still on my original at much higher mileage.

[MOTK]

Definitely not normal I would say. Yes 1st to 2nd can be difficult if you're rushing it, but the rest of the box should be smooth.

[Beedub]

I've read this a few times about the z4m, but mine is smooth , i can change very quickly in all gears and it a gem to use, I've never felt it was off tbh.

[jayemm89]

1st<>2nd have never been great on my BMWs, my Z4M (28,000 miles) the rest of the gears are always absolutely spot-on. CDV oddities aside, one of the nicer gearboxes I've used.

I would definitely change the fluids in a gearbox though, I don't believe in this "lifetime" fluid stuff

[CornishRob]

jayemm89 said:

1st<>2nd have never been great on my BMWs, my Z4M (28,000 miles) the rest of the gears are always absolutely spot-on. CDV oddities aside, one of the nicer gearboxes I've used.

I would definitely change the fluids in a gearbox though, I don't believe in this "lifetime" fluid stuff

It's not meant to be for life in the Z4m. Should be every Insp 2.

[Patrick Bateman]

Every BMW I've had is st from first to second.

[jayemm89]

Handy to know Rob.

I may look at changing mine - is it the same stuff as the regular 3 series or is it some special "M" fluid? I know the engine oil is quite different

[Monkeynut21]

Thanks for the response guys. I've been given the details of a local transmission specialist that I'll pay a visit to.

[bennyboysvuk]

My E46 M3's change from 1st to 2nd was always notchy at low revs, but much better if I changed up at 3k+ rpm.

My Z4MR's change from 1st to 2nd was ok if not rushed, but with some steering lock on and changing at the red-line it sometimes refused to change without a crunch. It was much better in a straight line and perfect if I double de-clutched (not heel and toe, double declutched ). I put this down to dodgy gearbox/engine mounts but sold up before it was a real problem for me. My car had done 40k.

[estoril]

It may not make much difference to the "notchiness" but get the CDV removed, it make a massive difference to the feel of the clutch.

[scz4]

estoril said:

It may not make much difference to the "notchiness" but get the CDV removed, it make a massive difference to the feel of the clutch.

Yeah agree with that! One for the first things I did to my Z4M.

Coupled with a ZHP knob and clutch pedal stop it's actually a really nice shift now, no S2000 though.

[Johnb850]

On both my Z4M's I found 1st to 2nd very difficult to master. You just have to decide whether you want to take off flat out or take off like your granny. There's no in between.