Shifting question

[ssscomp]

OK, let me start by admitting I may be a little crazy. I own a 1998 BMW M Roadster, and I absolutely love the way it drives. A friend of mine recently got a new Fiat with a manual transmission (basically a Miata body), and we swapped cars for a drive.

My BMW shifts beautifully, but the throws between gears—first to second, second to third, and so on—are very distinct and require a bit more focus to get just right. I do have a short shifter installed. When I drove his car, though, I was struck by how effortlessly it slipped between gears. It just sort of glided from one to the next. By comparison, mine felt more “manly” and “sporty,” which I do enjoy, but I was intrigued by how light and easy his shifting felt.

So here’s my question: is there any way to change the shifting characteristics in my car (short of swapping out the entire transmission), or is it really just a matter of practice and refining my technique? I realize this may be a silly question, but I’d still appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[Lee]

Hello mate, what you're describing is the sticky 5th gear pin. With this gearbox you can have all those pins in the gearbox replaced for that like new feel. That fifth gear sleeve looses the PTF wall coating causing it to stick in the bore and make finding gears a bit tough.

Do you find it gets better once warm ?

This is the original guide I follow. Must of done 10 boxes so far this year.

How To Service Your Transmission Shift Pins | PDF | Transmission (Mechanics) | Manual Transmission

In short the box needs to be removed, new oil might make it a bit better.

 

[ssscomp]

Thanks. I think your response was an answer to a different post.

 

[Lee]

Thanks. I think your response was an answer to a different post.

Nope a response to your issue, if it's an issue. These gearbox's suffer with a problem of sleeves wearing causing the gearchange to be not very nice.

When you said vague from 2nd gear onwards you rely on the internal springs to feel where the gates are, if you struggle to feel the gates position between gears this is normally the cause, 5th gear sleeve.

Or if it is ok, you might just need a change of oil. They're more like loading a gun compared to a Fiat gearbox.

 

[ssscomp]

Thanks for getting back to me. Are there any downsides of changing the gearbox fluid and can any motor "place" do it and if so what oil would you recommend? I can certainly live with it the way it is now so I don't want to do something that will require me to do more and more. I assume changing the fluid would not in any way be harmful. Again, thanks. Ray

 

[Pingu]

I actually think you are right, and @Lee did answer a different (but very common) question.

Just confirm that your gearstick always returns, easily, to the 3-4 position in Neutral - at all times. If it does, then your shift pins are ok.

Re your point about the gear selection, I think of it like as being like a Remington rifle - this is a characteristic of a ZF gearbox. Getrags are smoother, but can't usually take as much abuse.

New gearbox oil is the only thing that I know MAY help this.

 

[ssscomp]

No problem going into neutral. What gearbox fluid do you recommend?

 

[Pingu]

I always use BMW's MTF-1. It's only available from the service department, but you get it from the parts department. You have to supply your own container, as they pump it out of the barrel.