Gear shifting problems e46 m3

[gav2612]

Hi all,
After selling my 2000 911 a few weeks back I have a new car with new problems
I have just bought a 2001 e46 M3 with 6 speed manual. The car is immaculate with full BMW sh and only 65,000 miles on it and drives really well except...
1st and 2nd gear are very difficult to select and very notchy particularly in traffic. I didnt notice this as badly when test driving the car as the test drive was mostly at higher speeds and higher revs. From the receipts I have the gearbox and diff oil were done recently. The clutch doesnt seem to slip and the clutch fluid doesnt seem to be leaking. Any one have any gear linkage issues or similar problems with the M3
Thanks
Gavin

[TUCKER T]

Typical m3 mate, mines does it a bit when its cold but not once its warmed up,it takes time to get used too

[Neil.D]

M gearboxes are notorious for notchy gearboxes. When hot they are great however.

I changed my gearbox oil to Royal Purple syncromax and it made a big big difference.

[Broaders]

If you replace the stock gear knob with a shorter heavier one, it makes a huge difference too.

[gav2612]

Thanks Guys. My 996 was really notchy when cold, but got much better when warm. The M only improves very slightly when warmed up(from awful to bad). Other ones that I test drove were also notchy when cold, but didnt seem nearly as bad when warm. Is there any adjustment in the gear linkage that may help? or any noteable parts that wear in the linkage? Will try the different gear oil first and see if that helps

Edited by gav2612 on Sunday 28th March 17:12

[The Restorer]

Should have bought an SMG

[gav2612]

Tried a couple of SMG's and not my thing. Also horror stories of SMG failure put me off completely

[SPORTSTER]

These are the traits of the Gertrag gearboxes. They usaully tend to be very stiff in the morning. Maybe the car was warm when you test drove it?

[gav2612]

Getting a bit more used to the box and it is becoming easier getting first and second in traffic now, you just have to be very positive with the change. Have read a couple of posts of people using Royal Purple syncromax in their boxes to aid smoothness of the gear change, but have also read elsewhere that this shouldnt be used in the M3 box as it is too thin. Any opinions?

[Neil.D]

Synchromax is fine. It is widely used in M5's

[M3]

Broaders said:

If you replace the stock gear knob with a shorter heavier one, it makes a huge difference too.

Explain...

[Mervin Minkey]

M3 said:

Broaders said:

If you replace the stock gear knob with a shorter heavier one, it makes a huge difference too.

Explain...

I'd assume that as the lever would now be be shorter, you'd have to give it more of a shove so gearchange would therefore be more positive as a result.

At next engine oil change for mine I'll be looking to go down the Royal Purple Synchromax gearbox oil route as appears to be widely recommended on a lot of the BMW forums.

To the OP, mine has same issue re 1st to 2nd when cold, gets better once warmed up as others have stated.

[gav2612]

Have looked back through the receipts I have again and it was only the diff oil that was done recently, so may stil be on the original gearbox oil at 65,000 miles Synchromax on its way as soon as I find it somewhere.
Any idea the best place to get it in the uk? tried a google search, but all places I looked at were either £13- £14 a quart and out of stock or over £20 a quart. Not a big difference I know at about £20 extra for the three bottles needed. May just bite the bullet and pay the higher amount as I now want it ASAP after deciding to have it. It does go against my roots paying over the odds for anything though being Scottish!

[Neil.D]

It should have it changed during the Insp 2.

Diff + gearbox oil are done then on the M3.

60k miles isn't bad for gearbox oil.

If you cant get RP then the standard BMW stuff, I thnk its called Castrol LT3 should make some difference.