E39 m5 gearbox - explain to a newbie what it should be like

[tjlazer]

Evening, I'm in the process of finding an e39 m5 but I have some reservations about the gearbox. It maybe I've been unlucky but there seems to be quite a lot of play/movement required compared to my 330i, which I thought was fairly loose compared to my z4m.

Is it just a bigger box in the m5 requiring more labour? How much play should there be? Conversely on a test drive I found myself hitting third rather than first. Am I a mental or is the e39 box a different experience that takes a bit of adjustment?

The cars I've looked at were otherwise solid to my untrained eye so I'm seeking some opinions. Thanks

[rassi]

Should be no play and feel quite precise but the throws are rather long and it is no "riffle bolt action" experience. Can be much improved if the E60 545i short throw gear stick is fitted.

[nickrex]

tjlazer said:

Evening, I'm in the process of finding an e39 m5 but I have some reservations about the gearbox. It maybe I've been unlucky but there seems to be quite a lot of play/movement required compared to my 330i, which I thought was fairly loose compared to my z4m.

Is it just a bigger box in the m5 requiring more labour? How much play should there be? Conversely on a test drive I found myself hitting third rather than first. Am I a mental or is the e39 box a different experience that takes a bit of adjustment?

The cars I've looked at were otherwise solid to my untrained eye so I'm seeking some opinions. Thanks

They are stubborn when cold but once warm it's okay, quite smooth and precise but, like mentioned, never rifle bolt like. The throw is long and you can buy kits to shorten it, apparently well worth it. When I test drove the one I adventually bought, I did get reverse once instead of 1st at traffic lights but I've never got 1st instead of 3rd, it's probably down to getting used to it as I've never got a wrong gear since. Just don't worry about the feel when cold, they're all like that, unless it doesn't improve when warm!!

[tjlazer]

It sounds like I need to adjust to it then. I'll add an ssk to the Hayward & Scott on the list of things to do when I find the right one!

[E30M3SE]

Play in the gearshifter is the ususal BMW issue of bushes and plastic washer in the shifter needing replacement.



Parts# 13, 5 and in extreme cases 7.

They do have quite a long throw.

[chris116]

E30M3SE said:

Play in the gearshifter is the ususal BMW issue of bushes and plastic washer in the shifter needing replacement.



Parts# 13, 5 and in extreme cases 7.

They do have quite a long throw.

Would some of those parts be the likely reason for the gearshift not returning to neutral from the plane for 5th with a sticking feel and a clicking noise coming from the underside of the car? (not an M5 but an Alpina B10 3.3 I went to see yesterday)

[E30M3SE]

chris116 said:

Would some of those parts be the likely reason for the gearshift not returning to neutral from the plane for 5th with a sticking feel and a clicking noise coming from the underside of the car? (not an M5 but an Alpina B10 3.3 I went to see yesterday)

Unlikely, the non return to neutral is usually the where the shift detent has worn
into the housing. It's a cheap fix as far as parts go, but to access the 'box has to be removed.
It's usually worse when the car is cold.

Worn gearbox mounts can cause shift issues also.

[Cemesis]

The SSK sounds great but makes it even harder to shift gear when cold. I find it best to leave it alone and get used to it. If shifting quickly you can change by holding the shaft rather than the top.

[tjlazer]

I have always swapped out the standard knob for a shorter heavy steel shifter on my BMWs so this is probably a factor and hopefully this will sort things out without more drastic surgery. If its just worn bushes causing play in the gearbox I'll look elsewhere or factor this into the purchase. Ta

[broster]

I replaced a few washers/bushes on mine when fitting the e60 ssk, made a nice difference