E92 M3 manual - notchy gearchange?

[GameOverMan!]

Hi folks,

I'm finding the gearchange on my manual E92 M3 a bit notchy when changing gear. Any feedback from other owners on their E92 M3 gearbox experiences would be appreciated.

I must admit it's been a while since I've driven a manual but it just doesn't seem quite as smooth as it should be. And yes I am using the clutch.

Thanks,

GoM

[scotia_steve74]

Try a storwerks gearknob - just bought one for my car and it helps a good bit - heavy thing though (which I think is why it helps) and cold on winter mornings

[GameOverMan!]

scotia_steve74 said:

Try a storwerks gearknob - just bought one for my car and it helps a good bit - heavy thing though (which I think is why it helps) and cold on winter mornings

Thanks for the feedback. What car are you driving or is this fairly common to all M manual gearboxes?

[gwatson]

Try this knob.. i've fitted it to my Z4 and E36 M3 and it makes a huge difference, plus it maintains the standard look.

[Neil.D]

The world of M gearboxes has always been a knotchy one.

[squeezebm]

They have always been a bit notchy and crap when cold,but i've found after 2000miles its staring to free up nicely or i'm just getting more used to it??

[Neil.D]

squeezebm said:

They have always been a bit notchy and crap when cold,but i've found after 2000miles its staring to free up nicely or i'm just getting more used to it??

Makes sense.

[paoloh]

All M cars have notchy gearboxes and will be worse on cold mornings

[GameOverMan!]

Many thanks for the info. Managed to get out this afternoon for a blast between the snow showers and I'm getting used to it. I think my 'rusty' manual gearbox skills weren't helping either.

Saying that I've not stalled it or mashed the gears so it could be worse. Just need to sort out the rather subdued note from the exhaust.

[scotia_steve74]

GameOverMan! said:

scotia_steve74 said:

Try a storwerks gearknob - just bought one for my car and it helps a good bit - heavy thing though (which I think is why it helps) and cold on winter mornings

Thanks for the feedback. What car are you driving or is this fairly common to all M manual gearboxes?

Z4M Coupe - sure it fits all BMW's. Guys a decent bloke and the Stainless Steel one looks the business!

I'm really fussy when it comes to these things and I wouldn't put any old tosh on the car

Linky here - and I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer £65 I think!

http://www.storm-motorwerks.com/interior/bmw/shift...

Edited by scotia_steve74 on Sunday 23 March 20:01

[soprano]

I was just reading Autocar or Whatcar or some such magazine I picked up at a friends house, and the reporter in there complained of this in the one he tested as well - seems to be standard

[GameOverMan!]

I must admit the gear knob does not 'fit' the car and doesn't help matters. It just looks and feels wrong(IMHO) - way too light and flimsy.

[phatgixer]

Gearchange is crap and only gets marginally better with age. Annoys me immensely every day. But I forgive it and cherish a snicked slot!... I I also forgive it as I have a 996 GT3RS which is even sttier in the ratio swap dept. That much torque and power going through a constant mesh gearbox is a miracle it moves at all, so, if you want a delicate nice change, buy a micra.

Both M3 and GT3RS changes are great when you slam them home at 8,000 rpm though. Kind of built to take that rather than snick deftly through in a traffic jam on a rainy Tuesday...


MY 2,000th post YIPPPEEE!

Edited by phatgixer on Wednesday 26th March 22:44

[bher]

phatgixer said:

Both M3 and GT3RS changes are great when you slam them home at 8,000 rpm though. Kind of built to take that rather than snick deftly through in a traffic jam on a rainy Tuesday...

I fully agree. During delivery, dealer told me to be rude with the gearstick... I was thinking "OMG another everyday racer!"
Now I realise how he was correct, you have to push/pull strongly in once and it will be great. But in the jam...

[panic]

It's a bit sleepy when it's cold or when you just change gears through a calm cruise but i find it pretty quick on power changes.