Help stiff gear selection on 6 speed manual

thedoc · 01-16-2010, 03:11 PM

Hi guys anyone got ideas my gear selection is very stiff from start up in the mornings and then eases. reverse is the worst!

superduty · 01-16-2010, 04:57 PM

Common complaint. There is a DIY that covers replacing the trans fluid to improve shifting effort.

thedoc · 01-17-2010, 11:03 AM

Thanks for that, do you have any ideas of the name or make or manufacturer of the fluid? Regards Dave...

e90pilot · 01-17-2010, 05:35 PM

Royal purple syncromax seems to be popular.

AlanAZ · 01-17-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Royal purple syncromax seems to be popular

I have Synchromax in mine, love it, no problems now in the cold, but I live in Arizona, so cold is relative. In the E46 I used Redline to the fix the stiffness in winter in Boston.

UPDATE: I've swapped out the Synchromax. The great shifting it provided only lasted a few months, then was about the same as the factory fluid w/60K miles on it.

I put in Redline D4 ATF for use in the Phoenix extremely hot climate. According to Redline tech support, D6 ATF is closest viscosity to the factory fluid and is recommended, espec. in colder climates (D6 is about 10% thinner than D4, so not much difference -- Synchromax is a heavier viscosity than even the D4.)

thedoc · 01-21-2010, 05:09 AM

Thanks guys will give it a go. Regards Dave...

rothwem · 01-21-2010, 06:07 PM

Always stiff in the morning...lol.

Alexander · 01-21-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msrothwell

Always stiff in the morning...lol.

Same. I'm always stiff.

frahuang · 01-21-2010, 09:13 PM

It's normal. Usually I just slide it into second gear, then go back to reverse. It should go in smoothly.

01-16-2010, 03:11 PM	#1
thedoc New Member 3 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2007 320d SE Tourer Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sunny Blackpool iTrader: (0)	Help stiff gear selection on 6 speed manual Hi guys anyone got ideas my gear selection is very stiff from start up in the mornings and then eases. reverse is the worst!
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01-16-2010, 04:57 PM	#2
superduty Private First Class 10 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2010 E91 M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tucson, Az iTrader: (0)	Common complaint. There is a DIY that covers replacing the trans fluid to improve shifting effort. __________________ "Did I say something abnormal?" "You're an engineer, everything you say is abnormal."
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01-17-2010, 11:03 AM	#3
thedoc New Member 3 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2007 320d SE Tourer Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sunny Blackpool iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that, do you have any ideas of the name or make or manufacturer of the fluid? Regards Dave...
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01-17-2010, 05:35 PM	#4
e90pilot Freight Dawg 104 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	Royal purple syncromax seems to be popular. __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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01-21-2010, 05:09 AM	#6
thedoc New Member 3 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2007 320d SE Tourer Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sunny Blackpool iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys will give it a go. Regards Dave...
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01-21-2010, 06:07 PM	#7
rothwem Major 475 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Wagon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	Always stiff in the morning...lol.
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01-21-2010, 09:13 PM	#9
frahuang First Lieutenant 7 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 08 328i e90 Blk/Blk 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Irvine, CA, USA iTrader: (14)	It's normal. Usually I just slide it into second gear, then go back to reverse. It should go in smoothly. __________________ 08 328i e90 Black/Black 6MT, BMS POWER BOX, Eibach Pro System, Blacklines, M3 Spoiler, 197 BBS Wheels, Xenon and Homelink
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