BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-11-2008, 08:03 PM   #1
Jack's dad
Private First Class
6
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Question 6 MT Question

I have a 6MT Sedan en route and have followed the 6MT vs. DCT discussions with interest and amusement. Given that I have a lease expiring, waiting for DCT was not an option, nor was I that tempted after my experience with an SMG based E46 M3. Time will tell whether I should have waited.

My last two sports cars have been Porsches; a 911 and Cayman S. It is very common in the Porsche world to upgarde to an after-market shifter, typically a B&M. Given the concerns I have read among those who fear that the new 6MT may be too "rubbery" I am curious why I have not read a lot about people going aftermarket. Are there no good alternatives? Is there a reason why this is less common among M3 owners? I may be misreading the situation but it just appears much less common and am curious as to why. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Steve
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2008, 10:45 AM   #2
GewoW
#thatsanicemovebro
GewoW's Avatar
Greece
198
Rep
3,920
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 LSB/Black 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Montreal, Canada

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [9.34]
To tell you the truth, I just thhink it is simply less common. For m3 owners, and sorry to say this, 95+% of the people will not see the track, so a short sihfter is not something necessary...Yes it would be more fun in run-about-town driving also, but not as important as on the track. Most M3 owners just want a car that provides good performance, wihout ANY luxury compromises, so I would expect them just not to care. Mind you, this is a REAAAAAAALLY big generalization, and chances are most people on this board are enthusiasts, and out of everyone that WOULD actually get a short shifter, most would be board members....

My 2 cents...
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2008, 11:04 AM   #3
!Xoible
Banned
United_States
823
Rep
46,029
Posts

Drives: ....
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: .

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 M3  [4.00]
2007 335i  [9.00]
2008 528i  [8.00]
2006 Infiniti - G35 ...  [8.00]
i felt the shifter of the M3, i dont think it needs an upgrade at all. maybe a heavier knob, but i think they got it right for the most part.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 01:50 AM   #4
edlms
Private First Class
edlms's Avatar
10
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

been driving my baby for almost 3 months now. the throws seem just about alright, but the knob is, imho, a little to long (causing it to "give" a little, especially when going into reverse - i'm a RHD - giving it the "rubbery" feel).

been looking for a SSK (something like the Z4M kit, but nothing on the market yet. closest i've come to is AC's SSK but looks like it's a one-off for their showcar.

still searching... in the meantime, i'm changing the knob to the M-tech shorter knob to shorten the knob travel distance.

cheers
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 06:18 AM   #5
rvacha
Captain
rvacha's Avatar
United_States
62
Rep
800
Posts

Drives: '08 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 E92 M3  [0.00]
The "rubbery" feel is hard to properly describe IMHO. First and foremost is that rubbery does NOT mean sloppy. Throws are short and precise and the gates are exactly where you intuitively expect them with no vagueness whatsoever. I really like the feel of the M3 shifter. Prior to delivery I had planned to get an SSK but I see no need for one now that that I have the car. In fact, I can't imagine that shorter throws would be anything but bad as the stock setup is about as short as possible (without the effort level going up). My only complaint (and I may get used to it) is that the shifter feels a couple of inches too far away for my liking
__________________

'16 F30 340i xDrive 6MT Melbourne/Black
'08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth
'18 F80 M3 6MT SO/CSAT
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 06:43 AM   #6
Jack's dad
Private First Class
6
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like the concerns on this front may have been overblown. The fact that so few people are going aftermarket would appear to suggest that the standard shifter is just fine. Can't wait...
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 04:00 PM   #7
OzStriker
Captain
OzStriker's Avatar
Australia
61
Rep
924
Posts

Drives: Ford Falcon Ute, Ducati 1198S
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
From a RHD perspective I find the shifter placement a little awkward, it is too low for me to use with my arm on the center console, so I end up leaning my arm across the hand brake to reach the lever. Not ideal but not a massive issue.
__________________
BMW E92 M3 6MT, G-Power SKII supercharged, custom exhaust with 100 cell cats and Remus Sport mufflers, Brembo 380mm BBK, BMW Performance steering wheel, LUX H8 angel eyes, CF CSL boot, Hamann CF diffuser, Vorsteiner CF lip, CF grilles, CF gills, CF bonnet vents, BMW Performance stripes, RAC RG63 wheels, Eibach lowering springs, camber modifications.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 04:44 PM   #8
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2070
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack's dad View Post
I have a 6MT Sedan en route and have followed the 6MT vs. DCT discussions with interest and amusement. Given that I have a lease expiring, waiting for DCT was not an option, nor was I that tempted after my experience with an SMG based E46 M3. Time will tell whether I should have waited.

Steve
No firsthand experience for me until next week, but as I posted in some other threads, I spoke to a guy at Rogue Engineering, which makes some nice short shift kits. He had driven the car and said the factory got it just about right. His only complaint was that the know should be higher because of center armrest interference, but that my vary wwith the driver.
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450

Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 03-13-2008 at 05:34 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 05:16 PM   #9
!Xoible
Banned
United_States
823
Rep
46,029
Posts

Drives: ....
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: .

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 M3  [4.00]
2007 335i  [9.00]
2008 528i  [8.00]
2006 Infiniti - G35 ...  [8.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
No firsthand experience for me until next week, but as I posted in some other threads, I spoke to a guy at Rogue Engineering, which makes some nice short shift kits. He had driven the car and said the factory got it just about right. His only ocmplaint was that the know should be higher because of center armrest interference, but that my vary wwith the driver.
when you told me this story before i did not believe it. when i saw it, i did. im very happy with the way it is. i "might" go for a shorter/heavier shift knob.
the way i drive the center console will definitely not be in the way heehhe
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2008, 06:28 PM   #10
Jack's dad
Private First Class
6
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida

iTrader: (0)

I picked up on the center armrest concern a bit when I drove a demo last week. It wasn't extreme and I figure once I get the seat positioned exactly where I want it will be fine. By comparison, and obviously this will vary by person, I thought the shifter in the new Audi coupe really was positioned poorly, at least for me...

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
No firsthand experience for me until next week, but as I posted in some other threads, I spoke to a guy at Rogue Engineering, which makes some nice short shift kits. He had driven the car and said the factory got it just about right. His only complaint was that the know should be higher because of center armrest interference, but that my vary with the driver.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 08:28 AM   #11
SS32
Major
SS32's Avatar
156
Rep
1,430
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (0)

I have a UUC EVO3 short shifter and a UUC weighted knob. Together, they made a HUGE difference on my E46. I've driven a 335, so I know what everyone means when they say it has a rubbery feel, but its not really a bad thing. The throws in the 335 were a lot shorter than I had expected, but there's no harm in making them even shorter. Also, the weight of a new knob does wonders for the amount of effort it takes to shift. I can literally throw my knob from first and it'll click into 2nd. I plan on buying UUC's SSK for the M3 when they develop one and keeping my weighted knob and putting it in the M.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 09:07 AM   #12
!Xoible
Banned
United_States
823
Rep
46,029
Posts

Drives: ....
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: .

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 M3  [4.00]
2007 335i  [9.00]
2008 528i  [8.00]
2006 Infiniti - G35 ...  [8.00]
hey OT, but 6MT related question.... how do you guys expect to change the shift knob? the entire shift boot is the same leather as the knob, i.e. you need to change the boot with the knob.... any ideaS??
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 09:30 AM   #13
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2070
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by cowmoo32 View Post
I have a UUC EVO3 short shifter and a UUC weighted knob. Together, they made a HUGE difference on my E46. I've driven a 335, so I know what everyone means when they say it has a rubbery feel, but its not really a bad thing. The throws in the 335 were a lot shorter than I had expected, but there's no harm in making them even shorter. Also, the weight of a new knob does wonders for the amount of effort it takes to shift. I can literally throw my knob from first and it'll click into 2nd. I plan on buying UUC's SSK for the M3 when they develop one and keeping my weighted knob and putting it in the M.
I've heard the weighted knob can cause transmission wear? Like the old advice of not resting your hand on the knob when you drive because you cause some force on the linkage that is transmitted to the transmission?
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 09:42 AM   #14
rvacha
Captain
rvacha's Avatar
United_States
62
Rep
800
Posts

Drives: '08 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 E92 M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
I've heard the weighted knob can cause transmission wear? Like the old advice of not resting your hand on the knob when you drive because you cause some force on the linkage that is transmitted to the transmission?
Yeah, that's what they have said for years, but I don't know if it is valid or not. I think a lot of the old guidelines/rules/collective knowledge were drawn from crappy American iron and not from new modern high tech, high quality cars. Can you imagine Toyota or Honda or BMW for that matter designing a tranny that couldn't handle it?

As for weighed knobs in particular my Cooper S has a brick for a knob, basically a solid metal cue ball. 100% stock. 100% cold as hell in the wintertime. 100% Death Valley in the summertime. If I were keeping the car, the knob would go ASAP
__________________

'16 F30 340i xDrive 6MT Melbourne/Black
'08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth
'18 F80 M3 6MT SO/CSAT
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 09:54 AM   #15
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2070
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by rvacha View Post
As for weighed knobs in particular my Cooper S has a brick for a knob, basically a solid metal cue ball. 100% stock. 100% cold as hell in the wintertime. 100% Death Valley in the summertime. If I were keeping the car, the knob would go ASAP
Just dip it in that plastic coating they use for tool handles!
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 01:21 PM   #16
edlms
Private First Class
edlms's Avatar
10
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mantis View Post
hey OT, but 6MT related question.... how do you guys expect to change the shift knob? the entire shift boot is the same leather as the knob, i.e. you need to change the boot with the knob.... any ideaS??
good point, never noticed it until now...
and i've got a short knob awaiting my return from overseas...

???

cheers
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 02:14 PM   #17
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2070
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by edlms View Post
good point, never noticed it until now...
and i've got a short knob awaiting my return from overseas...
It was the same on the E46. You just get the standard 3-series boot to use with whatever knob you like.
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 03:12 PM   #18
JuniorDee
Captain
JuniorDee's Avatar
73
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: the speed limit
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: the land of brat and brotchen

iTrader: (1)

Ask bmw-m-mexico he posted photos of his M and he changed his

See the pics
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111189
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2008, 11:40 PM   #19
edlms
Private First Class
edlms's Avatar
10
Rep
149
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

cool. thanks...

cheers
Appreciate 0
      03-18-2008, 12:07 PM   #20
SS32
Major
SS32's Avatar
156
Rep
1,430
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
I've heard the weighted knob can cause transmission wear? Like the old advice of not resting your hand on the knob when you drive because you cause some force on the linkage that is transmitted to the transmission?
I asked a guy from UUC about this. I took it with a grain of salt, considering I doubt he would say anything negative about his product, but he did make a good point concerning a knob vs. your hand. He told me that there has never been a reported case of a weighted knob causing any damage. Resting your hand on there is another story, though. A weighted knob weighs ~20oz, your hand+arm probably weigh 5-8lbs.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:49 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST