E46 sloppy gearbox
Discussion
My mates just bought a lovely last of the line 330ci Cabriolet and I had a drive of it tonight. It’s only done 70k and was interested to compare it to mine which is an earlier Coupe on 160k.
Tbh I was happy with how mine drives in comparison but the main thing that struck me was how much tighter the gear selection was. Not surprising considering the mileage but I hadn’t realised how loose mine actually is!
Is there anything that can be changed in the linkages etc to tighten it back up again? I’m comparing a 5spd v a 6spd but it would be nice to get a bit more precision in it. Cheers.
Tbh I was happy with how mine drives in comparison but the main thing that struck me was how much tighter the gear selection was. Not surprising considering the mileage but I hadn’t realised how loose mine actually is!
Is there anything that can be changed in the linkages etc to tighten it back up again? I’m comparing a 5spd v a 6spd but it would be nice to get a bit more precision in it. Cheers.
I’ve only ever changed the gear linkage parts with gearboxes remover. Apparently you can do them in situ by removing exhaust, disconnecting prop from box and lowering back of the box.
Someone may may have done it by removing less but I wouldn’t think you’d have much skin left on your knuckles/sanity left if you did!
Someone may may have done it by removing less but I wouldn’t think you’d have much skin left on your knuckles/sanity left if you did!
Thanks that sounds just about DIYable then! Clutch has crossed my mind tbh, but it doesn’t slip and the history shows it did 90k in its first three years so probably mostly on the motorway. Also at 160k who knows how much life the engine has in it. I love the car and it’s perfect for my needs but it’s knowing when to stop throwing cash at an old car, although it’s had plenty thrown at it already I suppose!
Rsdop said:
Thanks that sounds just about DIYable then! Clutch has crossed my mind tbh, but it doesn’t slip and the history shows it did 90k in its first three years so probably mostly on the motorway. Also at 160k who knows how much life the engine has in it. I love the car and it’s perfect for my needs but it’s knowing when to stop throwing cash at an old car, although it’s had plenty thrown at it already I suppose!
Who knows. It's a lottery. But there are no guarantees an engine with half that mileage won't go pop either. I sold my e46 at 178k miles and the rest of the car was a lot worse for wear than the engine. Personally I like doing jobs that you "feel" the improvement from. Can't think of many that would be more direct benefit than a gearchange improvement.
On the flipside I'm always reminded of what my old man always used to say... if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
bmwmike said:
Who knows. It's a lottery. But there are no guarantees an engine with half that mileage won't go pop either. I sold my e46 at 178k miles and the rest of the car was a lot worse for wear than the engine.
Personally I like doing jobs that you "feel" the improvement from. Can't think of many that would be more direct benefit than a gearchange improvement.
On the flipside I'm always reminded of what my old man always used to say... if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
Yeah this is true. Kind of wish I hadn’t driven my mates as I wasn’t aware how sloppy it was! Although even at 160k my engine definitely feels punchier. It’s in my head now so it’s going to have to get done Personally I like doing jobs that you "feel" the improvement from. Can't think of many that would be more direct benefit than a gearchange improvement.
On the flipside I'm always reminded of what my old man always used to say... if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
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