Best manual gearbox you have ever used?
Discussion
In a road car, my MGB V8 GT fitted with a Cosworth T5 box. For me this trumps my other favourites such as found on the NSX, S2000, Caterham etc. I was genuinely shocked the first time I drove the car - it's supposed to be a charming old classic with a throaty V8 running on leaf springs, which it is, but the gearbox is perfection in every way - it snicks between ratios with a pleasing mechanical feel and just the right weighting, and isn't obstructive on any changes.
In a racing car, my favourite H pattern manuals were the Hewland boxes in the Formula Ford based cars I used to race, and my favourite sequential race box was the 6 speed Sadev in my '08 Formula Renault.
In a racing car, my favourite H pattern manuals were the Hewland boxes in the Formula Ford based cars I used to race, and my favourite sequential race box was the 6 speed Sadev in my '08 Formula Renault.
njw1 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
NDNDNDND said:
I've never quite understood why it's become so fashionable to call BMW gearchanges terrible? I've not owned one, but I've driven an E90 and a couple of E46s and the gearchange was fine. The clutch delay valve and unbelievably poor throttle response were another story, and I do wonder if people encounter the stupid pedal calibration and somehow blame the gearbox.
They vary quite a bit in my experience. The manual in my E61 520d was absolutely fine and I didn't have any complaints about it. The manual in my E92 M3 wasn't as good as the 520d but I could live with it. Whereas the manual in my Z4M I didn't like at all, it was hateful between first and second and pretty obstructive for the rest of the time. The gear change in my e39 M5 always reminded of an old Peugeot with a worn out linkage, luckily the rest of the car made up for it. The manual e46's I've driven were neither here nor there to be honest but I did find the manual change in my mates e90 quite nice.
Andyspro said:
aaron_2000 said:
Andyspro said:
No one makes gearboxes so engaging like bmw do.
You sure about that?Of particular note is how BMW set up their pedals for natural and easy heel and toe - probably the best of any road car actually; that famous large floor-hinged throttle pedal covers a lot of space for varying sizes and shapes of feet to give it a prod on a downshift.
RobM77 said:
Andyspro said:
aaron_2000 said:
Andyspro said:
No one makes gearboxes so engaging like bmw do.
You sure about that?Of particular note is how BMW set up their pedals for natural and easy heel and toe - probably the best of any road car actually; that famous large floor-hinged throttle pedal covers a lot of space for varying sizes and shapes of feet to give it a prod on a downshift.
tberg said:
elattino1,
If a mechanical feel of a manual is what you want, then the Pantera's ancient ZF is perfect for you. You feel and hear every little notch pushing those long rods from the front of the car all the way back to the rear end. And while I understand some of your sentiment, you never quick shift its gated shifter for fear of outrunning the snchros, and sometimes it's just nice having a gearbox that "sucks" your shifts into gear without deliberateness. If you ever find yourself visiting southern California, give me a holler, and you're welcome to feel the mechanical shifter of the Pantera for a day. It would be my pleasure.
Very nice for the offer but one I am unlikely to be able to take up any time soon. Lovely car. If a mechanical feel of a manual is what you want, then the Pantera's ancient ZF is perfect for you. You feel and hear every little notch pushing those long rods from the front of the car all the way back to the rear end. And while I understand some of your sentiment, you never quick shift its gated shifter for fear of outrunning the snchros, and sometimes it's just nice having a gearbox that "sucks" your shifts into gear without deliberateness. If you ever find yourself visiting southern California, give me a holler, and you're welcome to feel the mechanical shifter of the Pantera for a day. It would be my pleasure.
sgtbash said:
Andyspro said:
Most definitely, bmw are known for it.
I have owned 6 BMW's and i'm not sure I can agree. All felt a bit 'muddy'
custardtart said:
This is easy, S2000, followed by MX5 NC which is hands down better than an NA, followed by something Quaife made to fit in 7 or Escort Mk1/2
That’s interesting, I have the opposite opinion of the mx5 gearboxes. I had an NA and my mate had an NC. The NA ‘box felt much nicer imo. A more positive feel. Andyspro said:
Would you agree that they feel more engaging? As in you really have to put in the effort with your arm into changing through each gear? Cause this is how they feel to me and that's why I love them, not sure about some other people on here though.
Mine was quite stiff and really recalcitrant when cold, but was useable when warm. It wasn't terrible, but compared to a really nice box it wasn't slick or precise. It just felt like I was arguing with it more than I needed to.The action on the VW 5 speed as per the Mk5 golf was just so much slicker, more precise and it felt far more pleasing to use.
RobM77 said:
I've certainly always found the manual boxes in my BMWs very good (2 x E36, 1 x E46, 2 x E90, and 1 x Z4C).
Of particular note is how BMW set up their pedals for natural and easy heel and toe - probably the best of any road car actually; that famous large floor-hinged throttle pedal covers a lot of space for varying sizes and shapes of feet to give it a prod on a downshift.
Organ-pedal is the name for it.Of particular note is how BMW set up their pedals for natural and easy heel and toe - probably the best of any road car actually; that famous large floor-hinged throttle pedal covers a lot of space for varying sizes and shapes of feet to give it a prod on a downshift.
An old thread here.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=11...
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