Z4 - unable to find 6th gear

[gbbird]

Hi all,

I am loving my recently acquired Z4 to bits. However, my gearbox seems to be working fine in all gears but 6th. For some reason i cannot seem to engage 6th gear. There are no noises or grinding as such - it is almost as if the 6th gear is not there to even try to select.

Any idea what might be wrong here? could it be something simple and relatively easy (and cheap) to fix, or could a new gearbox (expensive i would guess?) be in order?

regards

Greg

[gwatson]

Not being funny, but I assume it is the 3.0 you have?

[rassi]

Assume you have a 2003 2.5 SE (as indicated in your thread http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... IIRC the 2.5 SE had the 5 speed manual (possibly with a choice of speccing a 6 speed), whereas the 3.0 was always 6 speed. Maybe it isa 5 speed but someone replaced the shift logo with a 6 speed?

[gbbird]

rassi said:

Assume you have a 2003 2.5 SE (as indicated in your thread http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... IIRC the 2.5 SE had the 5 speed manual (possibly with a choice of speccing a 6 speed), whereas the 3.0 was always 6 speed. Maybe it isa 5 speed but someone replaced the shift logo with a 6 speed?

That is what i was thinking. The gear knob indicates 6 speed but it feels like a 5 speed, and to be honest i never thought to ask the chap i bought it off, so it may well be a 5 speed (which would be a relief in a way as it means there is nothing wrong). Is there any way to check what gearbox is in there, or would a garage have to do this?

g

[rassi]

You could call BMW UK or the supplying dealer and ask them to check the VIN and the options it was delivered with?

If indeed the previous owner replaced the gearknob, it's pretty naff - you might want to check that it is in fact a 2.5 and not a 2.2 too!

[gbbird]

rassi said:

You could call BMW UK or the supplying dealer and ask them to check the VIN and the options it was delivered with?

If indeed the previous owner replaced the gearknob, it's pretty naff - you might want to check that it is in fact a 2.5 and not a 2.2 too!

don't scare me sir No, i am sure from the various garage invoices and the log book that it is definitely a 2.5! Phew

[Andrew D]

If it's a pre-facelift car (i.e. pre-2006 and has orange round indicators in the rear light cluster and spot lamps in the front bumper) and isn't a 3.0i or a 2.0i then it's definately a 5-speed. The only way to get more gears was to spec SMG (which wasn't available on the 2.2i).

[gbbird]

Thanks Andrew,

i think that settles it then. Don't know why it has a 6 speed gear knob on it - i shall change that to avoid any confusion.

g

[MK4 Slowride]

I can check and see what the car was built with to settle any of your worries. I'd need a chassis or reg no.

[gbbird]

MK4 Slowride said:

I can check and see what the car was built with to settle any of your worries. I'd need a chassis or reg no.

Thanks Phil,

i will send you an e mail now

greg

[Tony 1234]

Didn't you buy it as a 6 speed, think I would have a word with the seller, did he say it had 6 gears?

Regards

Tony

[gbbird]

Tony 1234 said:

Didn't you buy it as a 6 speed, think I would have a word with the seller, did he say it had 6 gears?

Regards

Tony

No. It was advertised only as a manual. And to be honest, i am not too fussed whether 5 or 6 speed, so i never bothered asking. I just thought to myself 'oh look, 6 gears' when i looked at teh gear stick before driving her away.

Edited by gbbird on Wednesday 23 January 19:15

[monthefish]

[carl_w]

Has the check been done? I'm interested in the outcome.

Sounds like someone has stuck an 'M' knob on the gearstick, TBH.

[MK4 Slowride]

I've sorted it for him.

[carl_w]

MK4 Slowride said:

I've sorted it for him.

So how many gears did it ship with?

[MK4 Slowride]

carl_w said:

MK4 Slowride said:

I've sorted it for him.

So how many gears did it ship with?

The car came newly built with a 5 Speed manual box and hasn't ever been changed, execpt for a new sticker.

The E85RO, pre LCI:

2.0i = 6 speed
2.5i = 5 speed (never made a six speed 2.5i)
3.0i = 6 speed

[carl_w]

How odd that the 2.0 and 3.0 should have 6 gears, but the 2.5 only 5...

[gbbird]

Yep all sorted thanks to MK4slowride

Seems it's a wrong knob on it after all!

g

[plowy]

As a pointer other tell tale signs of a 3.0 are silver headlight inners, electric seats and silver grill..