I've never really cared for the manual transmission in any BMW. Mainly, I find their action too light. But I also dislike the spring-loaded feel when moving it out of gear, and the general soggyness and excessive play once the shift lever is in gear. To be fair (and I've always kept this at the back of my mind) the only Bimmers I've driven heretofore were knackered old Bavarias, salvage titled M3s, and various and generally worn out 3-Series'. And don't get me started about the shift action in our 2002 M3; think about moving around a dislocated cadaver's elbow. Go on, think about it.
So when I got the chance to drive our six speed 2008 BMW 135i, I decided to put aside my past experiences and give this new, non-beat to Hades gearbox a try. And guess what? I really don't like it. The action is too light, and I don't like the way it wants to spring out of a gate and into neutral. But what I really don't like is the combination of a short, almost cut down, gear lever and that center armrest. As you can kinda see in the above picture, going from any of the bottom gears (two, four or six) into another gear requires you to more of less underhand the shifter. I find it uncomfortable and annoying to bend my wrist down with every other shift. A taller shift lever to match the height of the center armrest would solve that problem. But I still couldn't live with the action of the shift lever.
So would it keep me from buying the car? It's not the only one, but it's a big reason I wouldn't buy one of these.
Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 17,548 miles
subytrojan says:
05:09 PM, 02/20/09
In Bob Bondurant's book, I read you always want your hand to be on top of the shifter with your palm on the knob. That's what I do. Perhaps it's worth a try.
adavis2493 says:
05:11 PM, 02/20/09
It may sound stupid, but I get hesitant about buying BMW's because they lack in American Comforts. I know, Europe is not too fond of lots of cupholders, but what could it hurt if they put somewhat decent ones in there cars?
Like the 3, and 5 Series:
They put them both as the foldable ones, both over the passengers knees. That is just ridiculous.....
bitterm3 says:
05:24 PM, 02/20/09
Just go ahead and buy the BMW short shift kit. Im sure that will solve most of your complaints with the stock shifter.
sealclubb3r says:
05:37 PM, 02/20/09
The new M3 shifter has a very meaty, mechanical feel to me. How do you feel about that one?
clarkma5 says:
06:13 PM, 02/20/09
I have found the elbow/armrest issue to be a huge problem in manual-transmission 1 series and E90-93 3-series.
blueguydotcom says:
06:56 PM, 02/20/09
You're shifting wrong. :)
No need to wrap your fingers around a BMW shifter - hand over the top, light movements...
uncanny_man says:
07:41 PM, 02/20/09
Wow, someone is brave enough to complain about the way a bmw drives! How dare you not say the shift action is perfect and the engine note is divine! (sarcasm)
drewsrx says:
09:54 PM, 02/20/09
BMW manuals aren't very good. They can't touch the S2000 in precision and feel. Even the G37 has a really nice shift lever action.
jaeger1 says:
02:28 AM, 02/21/09
The "spring loaded" feel is something I don't mind, but I psotively can't STAND a lot of lateral shifter play while in gear. VWs and Audis are notorious for this.
From the pic it sure does look like that armrest is interfering with shift action. Hard to believe a company like BMW got something as basic as that so completely wrong.
huyracing says:
12:57 PM, 02/21/09
Just get the automatic, it works great. Acceleration is even quicker.
tenfifteen says:
01:30 PM, 02/21/09
Now *here* you guys make a complaint that's valid. I *love* my '06 M3, but if it has a weak point, it's the shifter. Tall, gooseneck, feels like shifting with a nine-iron. Don't care for it at all. I keep wanting to upgrade to the Autosolution SSK, but dropping the exhaust and spending a day under the lift to do it, + $350? Well... I can live with it. But it is definitely the #1 most-complained-about aspect of the Bimmers.
gdmstrb says:
11:11 AM, 02/22/09
In terms of mainstream manufacturers, Honda has the manual transmission down to an almost perfectly executed science.
blueguydotcom says:
10:07 PM, 02/22/09
Love Honda manuals. That said, I had a hard time pulling the trigger on an automatic equipped BMW. I was going to opt for an 09 WRX over a 3 series with an auto. Then I drove a manual 335...back to BMW.
e34bmwlover says:
08:41 AM, 02/23/09
I gotta agree, stock bmw shifters are crap, throws are too long; but aftermarket short throw kits should fix that no problem. If you guys are not ready to dish out 300+ for a SSK then even a shift lever from another BMW should fix that. There is a detailed info on the internet. Just search.
Also, you're shifting it the right way_______NOT. Many thanks to whoever taught you how to hold the shift knob like that.
redwoodaggie says:
08:51 AM, 02/23/09
I like the newer shifters better than on the E46 M3. I'm in the market right now and drove an '05 M3 the other day. It definitely wasn't as good as the B&M short shifter I had installed in my dearly departed E46 328. I take issue with the G37 shifter (test drove an '09). It's nice and short, but there's a lot of vibration coming through the shifter and the clutch action is not smooth. It's definitely less refined than any BMW manual.
I didn't get to drive it, but I sat in the '09 CTS-V at the Dallas auto show and was disappointed in the shifter. The one in my friend's new G8 GXP is a lot better, though the clutch action is a bit on the light side.
PDXLager says:
02:24 AM, 02/24/09
Kurt, I know we are all built differently, but I tried to position my arm similar to yours in that photo and it was a completely unnatural way (for me) to shift. I had to tuck my arm and it felt like I was shifting from "underneath" the stick.
Resting my right arm on/above the arm rest positions my hand perfectly above the shifter. To each their own, I guess.
blueguydotcom says:
08:55 AM, 02/24/09
PDX - same. I paid attention to how I hold my arm in my bmw and it's always out and with my hand lightly draped over the top of the shifter. I can't imagine shifting with my arm at his angle as my elbow would jab me in my side.
kurt_ says:
11:02 AM, 02/24/09
PDX, blueguy, et al.
That was the point of the post. Due to the short height of the shifter, and the intrusive center armrest, I was more or less forced to shift in that awkward manner.
minibro77 says:
09:46 AM, 02/26/09
Sorry I have do disagree. BMW sources some of the best transmissions out there as far as overall feel and gear engagement. The E46 M3 does have a slight flaw though as even the best of manual transmission drivers will grind it inot gear sometimes. Everyone I've driven (and I have driven a few) have this issue. Otherwise a positive experience. Honda has their thing down as well. My experience with Subaru has been pretty good. The older Impreza I've driven had nice engagement but the shifter was loose in neutral and felt a little worn. The 2006 STi I drove was awesome with 3K on the odo. VW and Mazda need help in this area of late. The GTi and The Mazdaspeed 6 (yes I haven't driven the 3 as of yet) don't feel like they're going into gear when they actually are in gear. Kinda vague. I didn't like them.
minibro77 says:
09:48 AM, 02/26/09
Audi has a good thing going as well in the manual transmission area. I've driven a 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro and a 2008 RS4 Cab. and they were great. Especially the RS4. Wow!!!
nealibob says:
09:33 AM, 03/ 5/09
I found the shifter in the Mazdaspeed3 was one of the best I have used, especially after being a MINI driver. I have an auto 335i now, though, because I actually like the BMW auto a lot more than their manual.