330i M Sport Gearshift Question

[dr_gn]

Test drove an '03 330i M Sport (5 speed) this evening. Very nice car, but the gearshift took some getting used to: the gate is sprung loaded heavily to the right, so that if you push the lever straight up from second to third with the palm of your hand, you actually end up in fifth. Same from fourth to third, you end up in fifth.

What am I missing here? What possible advantage is there in being able to upshift rapidly from fourth to fifth? Why isn't the lever sprung to return to the central position?

I'm sure it's not like that on an equivalent 320 is it?

[cslwannabe]

Known gearbox issue on E46 330. Only happens for 5 mins or so when car is stone cold, then operates as normal. BMW fitted s new gearbox to mine as I had an extended warranty on it.

[tjlazer]

I've not encountered this issue with mine, can you change the springs?

[roofer]

cslwannabe said:

Known gearbox issue on E46 330. Only happens for 5 mins or so when car is stone cold, then operates as normal. BMW fitted s new gearbox to mine as I had an extended warranty on it.

This.

[dr_gn]

cslwannabe said:

Known gearbox issue on E46 330. Only happens for 5 mins or so when car is stone cold, then operates as normal. BMW fitted s new gearbox to mine as I had an extended warranty on it.

Thanks, I test drove it for more than 5 minutes...it was still the same at the end of the drive. I found it quite irritating.

[gaz1234]

roofer said:

This.

thisx2

[Fox-]

My 530i did this as well - wouldnt spring back from 5th either. BMW fitted new box under warranty. Seems very common.

[dr_gn]

How come they don't just remove the gearbox and replace the sticking plunger? Apparently the fault itself takes about 5 minutes to fix once the 'box is out. I'd happily buy the car and do it myself if the asking price was -£1000. I can't believe BMW "mechanics" can only replace major units and are incapable of repairing something.

ETA:

https://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1...