[chafer]

Hi everyone -- I'm a new E90 driver! Performance center pick-up two weeks, ago .. sweating out the break in period. 350 miles and counting

This the first MT I've driven in 15 years, so all the usual complaints about high clutch engagement, notchy throws, CDV, large gap in 1st to 2nd, etc is (thankfully!) lost on me, as I am essentially an MT virgin. Consequently, I am very happy with my MT, and attribute all hard shifts to lack of practice. Except....tonight I noticed that shifts into 1st or 2nd were more than notchy, but downright clunking-dog-teeth feeling. Testing things at rest, engine idling, I found the following repeatable effect:

(1) Clutch in: "clunks" shifting into 1st or 2nd, but then fine for all subsequent shifts, as long as the clutch is held in continuously

(2) Shift to N, take foot off clutch. Depress cluch. Clunky 1st or 2nd again!

What worries me is that 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th don't share this sympton. Moreover, this effect appeared today out of the blue!

So, anyone seen this? Is it a legit problem with the 1-2 fork? Should I hope for it to go away as the miles pile on?

Thanks!

[wistarf]

I think that's an unfortunate characteristic of the Getrag clutch used in the 328.

I felt that same annoying snag when going from 1st to 2nd when I test drove a 328 with MT - and I have 20 years experience with manuals. In fact it was one of the reasons I got a 335, even though the power of the 328 was adequate for me. The 335 clutch was just a lot smoother when going from 1st to 2nd.

ON the bright side, it's probably going to loosen up with time.

[ATG]

This might help to address your concern:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=187340

[chafer]

Interesting responses ... thanks!

For the sake of clarity, the clunk I am describing is a tactile sensation in my shifting hand upon throwing the shifter from N to 1, or N to 2; it doesn't have anything to do with the respose of the drive train to releasing the clutch _after_ the shifter is in position. The sensation is one of "gear teeth not quite aligned." The shifter feels like it "hits" something on the way to full engagement. However, all further throws back to N, then into 1 or 2, back to N, etc., are smooth, as long as the clutch is held down continuously. But pump the clutch once, and this "alignment" seems to be lost again, so that the next shift from N to 1 or N to 2 produces the "hitting something" sensation yet again. While driving, the effect happens for every N to 1 or N to 2 movement, as the clutch is (obviously) released after every shift. The sudden onset of this business is what most concerns me....

My plan is to drive until the weekend, take it to the dealer, and describe the problem --- after which the problem will promptly vanish and never reappear!

[schneid4323]

http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm#Th...of%20Operation

[chafer]

Well, today, shifting felt "normal." I think I was over-reacting last night. What I was then calling "more than notchy" was and is (I now think) "normal notchy" shifting. I'll see what things feel like in 1k miles.

But this discussion has got me thinking about that ol' CDV ...

[Chesmu]

givethe gearbox a chance to break-in before you go modify it. The CDV delete has been said to help, but if your a "virgin" will you really be able to tell? That being said...it $35

[acizek]

first time I hear about the CDV - has anyone done the mod? is the difference noticable? I am also struggling with the 1st-2nd gear shift...

[obLu]

Yeah, my big complaint with the MT (gonna go over and read that bimmerfest post). Pay attention the rpm you're shifting at ... mine gets less notchy/gnashy the higher I rev in 1st before shifting. If I'm just puttering and shifting before 3k, it's really bad.

[dzenno]

chafer did you get this sorted out?

[ddigangi]

3 year bump, really?

[dzenno]

Yeah really! why not, same issue...shot in the dark but might be worth it..