540 6 speed tranny shifting

[GTMAN]

I dont know if its me or all 6 speeds on the 540's do it....but when I shift my 6spd from 1st to 2nd, its never that smooth most of the time.....there is some noise to 80% of the time, like something is lose...dont know if those are sincros behaving normal or what. Dont have another 6spd 540 top compare to. Just recently acquired my 01 540 ride...has 9k miles....not sure if it needs to break in some more. Dealer says its fine...but I dont know what they did to check. I know people have talked about the CDV valve or something that needs to be changed for smoother shifting....but I'm not sure if thats my issue. Should I slip the clutch more and let of nice an super gentle......dont know if thats good also?

Thanks in Advance.

GTMAN

 

[MrElussive]

Regarding the CDV valve, people recommend completely disabling/removing it...I don't know if that is the best thing to do.
Shifting from 1st to 2nd is the hardest shift to make smooth. My advice is to perform the shift quickly, and give it some gas while engauging the clutch in 2nd.

 

[GTMAN]

I find it rougher on the 540 6spd than most cars going from 1st to 2nd. I know when I drove the 6spd G35 coupe and 350Z, it was much smoother, and cleaner engagement feel. May be shifting a V8 is not as smooth, or I need to get used to driving it with a different style, or the Getrag 6spd is not as smooth as the G35's. Gotta give it up to Infiniti/Nissan, they made and nice accurate slick shifting tranny. I also found the Z06 to be similar to the 540 shifting....probably all the Getrag tranny family have this issue.

 

[fletch07]

GTMAN,

I have a 2000 528 5-speed - not nearly as high-end as your 540, but I have the same issue when I shift - it's like a clunk or something...almost like something needs to be tightened. I was told by the dealer that it's normal and that all of them make that noise. I was skeptical, but am feeling a little better after hearing that I'm not the only one...

Good news is that I don't really notice it anymore - when I first bought it (last Dec) I noticed it all the time and it drove me nuts...

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, the G35C is a slick-shifting transmission...it takes a bit of effort to shift fast, and it is a notchy going from 1 to 2, but overall it is very smooth. As for the 540i 6-Speed, I have never driven one so I can't comment. But I can say that applying just a touch of gas makes all the difference in smoothness. Also, you have to engage the clutch more carefully than the other gears...it takes a special "touch" that you will get used to in a little bit.

 

[GTMAN]

My BMW friends,

I am getting better at being one with my car. It seems like now its not making the clunk or loose like sound described by fletch07. But once in a while I do notice it. I think my left foot motor skills to finesse the clutch the right way...whatever way it is, and my gas foot are doing the right thing most of the time now. Its like one of those things when you need to be one with the car. But I stalled the car today...so thats says I need to not be too light footed on the gas. My graceful driving today has rewarded me with a good 17.5 mpg in the around the neighbourhood, gym etc. accoding to the MID display- I had practiced great restraint on the throttle like a chowlin monk. This is a learning experience....but its quite rewarding when one's got it down to an art.

GTMAN

 

[MrElussive]

GTMan, like I said, it just takes time to learn these things better. And don't be embarrassed/afraid if you stall out....it is part of the learning process. Like you said, now you know not to be too light-footed with the gas.
As for gas mileage...I dunno if I would worry about it if I were you. You have a beautiful 4.4 liter multi-valve V8 under the hood...push it hard and listen to it sing. After all, you are driving a BMW, you can afford the gas.

 

[GTMAN]

MrElussive, I have to hand it to you that the G35 Coupe 6MT is quite a rocket. Over the weekend I had an encounter with a limo tinted black one - it was tight. It was dark and I could not tell if it was the 6sp or regular Auto with 18's. Anyways.....we were coming down a road and cursing in parallel on the freeway. There was an incident when I wanted to pass the car infront of him, so throttle blimped and rev matched and shifted from 6 to 4 at 65, and the got on the gas...like you said...give it gas.... I think that he thought I was wanting to play....but I cant stop my exhaust note from sounding agressive. Well, we pulled up to a traffic light later on, and G35 beat a traffic light behind me to get to mine. He poked the nose of the car out by about 3 feet ahead of mine, over the white line. I was think he wanted a race...I hesitated...you know how we 5 series people are playing our classical music, NPR and all....but then I thought, well, I think I can flex just abit and see what that 3.5VQ 280hp has. Well, the light turned green, and I gently revved and engaged the clutch...G35 started rolling slowly, then I just started gassing it.....then he pounced (I went oh crap, he has a 6spd)...and I floored it in 1st at about 5 mph and chirped the wheels.....by then he was 1/2 car lengths ahead....I did not want to redline, and shifted it at 5k...he surged to 1 car length ahead then he shifted. I quit after hitting 60mph and did not want to scare my 2 passengers. All I can say is he knew how to shift, seemed to have redlined his car each shift, and I even believe did a clutch drop the minute he heard my exhaust. My method was engage the clutch at about 1k...like an auto like start almost and let the juice flow....hoping the 348lbs of torque would compensate for clutch drop. I am still not used to doing a clutch drop...and I dont think I ever will....there is no point as there is too much power to put down...and I dont know how good traction control can optimize and not retard too much the launch.

Anyways, whatever it is......G35 Coupe 6MT is pretty badass! I am very impressed by its inline power against the 540 6MT. 0-60mph, my 5 is about a 5.5sec I think..and the G35 6Mt is about 5.8sec I think....so its a matter of reaction time, skill and knowing your vehicle shift points that makes the difference. I know the bimmer people would hate me for this....but hey, here is one humble BMW owner...just call it how I see it. I just hope now the dude does not go bragging and exagerrating on the G35 forums that he beat an M5....sorry guys.

GTMAN

 

[GTMAN]

Either that, or the dude had the car tricked out....cant rule that out.

 

[GTMAN]

Well guys, I had her checked out at the delaership over the weekend. I wanted the best tranny guy to take her for a spin with me and tell me if the was any issue with 1-2 shifting. We went for a spin...and I told him everything I heard and fealt. He drove many different ways...and said she's fine. He said that the car can get a abit notchy in the morning as the fluid is not warmed up, and if I dont give it much gas, it can jerk and have strange mechanical slapping noises (of course the acceptable kind...hard to quantify this on words).....it does not really happen after its warmed up. Plus, I think his driving technique was awesome. He drove her around like a princess.....my God....the dude new how to shift flawlessly and jerklessly. He did activate Mr. Hyde mode....and even that, under acceleration load, he was s-m-o-o-t-h. I hope I can have the skills he has in shifting one day. This suprised me...but he told me if he drove the 540 every day, his shift points going from 1-2nd would be about 3-4k..and maybe even 5k!!! I just accepted the words of the guru. He did comment the M5 and the M3 drive much louder as they have some high performance differentials that are quite audioable.

 

[MrElussive]

GTMAN, glad to hear you had fun with a G35 Coupe. If it helps at all, you can tell if the G35 Coupe is a manual if it has the orange brake calipers (Brembo brakes). The G35 Coupe manual gives you the orange/yellow Brembo brakes....you just cannot get them on the Automatic model.
I completely agree with you on letting the clutch out nice and easy at a lower rpm and then once it's hooked up, just punch it. Dropping the clutch at a high rpm is just auto abuse, in my opinion. Howcome you didn't take the car to redline, though? It sounds like you would have had him if you held the gear all the way and it's really not bad for the engine at all.
As for the transmission, the service guy is completely right...the gearbox is cold in the morning and does not perform so well until it is warmed up. You will notice that the shifting will be notchier than normal and you may hear some transmission noises.

 

[GTMAN]

Well, I did not redline it coz I did a few times already a few days before the challenge and it made me unsure if it was good for the car. But I am more confident now, and will flirt with the redline if I need to now . The black G35 that challenged me was very fast, and I dont know if he was on any kind of mods or on some juice. I need to go to an Infiniti dealer and test drive one to study the accel. But I dont know if my gentle launch could have still equalled his clutch drop though. I know about the golden brembo's but I was not attentive to notice the brakes that night...it was hard to tell...not to mention I had some women folk in the car talking....so I could not go full Hulkster mode without getting yelled at if you know what I mean. But they enjoyed my half a$$ challenge....and was not teased for not making 1st. All I know is that if I did not cancel my order for the WRX STI, then it would be a different story.....but no regretts....love my ride as is.

 

[brahtw8]

GTMAN-leave her in gear to near redline and you shouldn't have a problem with a stock G35.

I am going to check out a 2001 540/6 tonight. I drove the car a month ago, but decided on a 2004 TL/6 and was within a few hours of delivery on that car, but a little more than one week later the TL is waiting for its second tranny rebuild, BEFORE DELIVERY, so the chances of me getting a TL are getting smaller by the minute.

In any event, the tranny is a little abrupt in the 540/6, particularly on the 1-2, but not all that bad. I will have to look into the CDV mod, and perhaps something to shorten the clutch pedal travel and increase the firmness. (My 325i clutch feel, after some unknown mods present at time of my purchase, is the best I have ever experienced).

 

[MrElussive]

brahtw8, a 2004 Acura TL?
And why would it be having a transmission rebuild if it hasn't even been delivered/driven yet? Maybe your salesman is lying to you?

 

[brahtw8]

brahtw8, a 2004 Acura TL?
And why would it be having a transmission rebuild if it hasn't even been delivered/driven yet? Maybe your salesman is lying to you?

I think the internet has undermined the level of trust in the world.

The car is on the ground. I have seen it.

I trust the people I am dealing with and could expend thousands of words and give you lots of references, but take my word for it.

When the head of the service department, who cares for my NSX, found out I was taking delivery of their first 6spd, he had his techs pour over it to make sure it was okay. It was their test drive that found the problem. Since then they have spent a lot of time trying to find a solution. They grounded the rest of their 6spds. They are going to rebuild the transmission again next week, and thus far my guy's recommendation is not to take that car.

 

[GTMAN]

brahtw8, you put it quite well in describing the "abruptness" of the 1-2 540i6spd shifting. I think it takes sometime to perfect. The BMW tech drove is so well, that I know I need to work on my skills.....I think I can make it about 60% better that how I shift now, and at least maintain a 90+% shift consistency everytime I shift it. Sorry to hear about the 04TL6spd....I cant believe Honda can screw up in their manufacturing/design....seems quite unlike them.

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, I am extremely surprised that Acura would have a problem like this...Honda/Acura vehicles have a strong reputation for being bullet-proof.
brahtw8, cancel the deposit on the TL and pickup a G35 Coupe 6MT.
I'm just joking, but at the same time, I'm not. [fake]
Although the new Acura TL is truly a kickass car. I am seriously impressed at how much that car offers for a lesser price. The Acura TL is such a great alternative it makes it really hard to justify the price of the 330i.

Sooo freaking hot !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brahtw8]

Early production batches often have problems. Hopefully this will be solved quickly.

I was trying to get a more winter-friendly daily driver, since the NSX has kind of eliminated the need to have a daily driver that can tear up a road course.

I like the fact that the TL is FWD. It handles that 270 hp amazingly well, with no torque steer, and has so much technology that I would have to buy a new cell phone to interact with the car's bluetooth handsfree system (unless somebody knows of a bluetooth adapter for non-bluetooth phones that supports the handsfree profile, as opposed to the headset profile-of which there are several).

I may give the G35 another look or a test drive, but if I'm going to go RWD again it will likely be another Bimmer, of which the 540i and 99 M3 are top contenders, along with the 328/330 and 528/530. New, a G35 would be the way to go, and who knows, maybe I'll lease it, but as long as the BMW has a CPO warranty with at least two years on it, and mileage, I don't care if the car is used.

 

[Average Jae]

man, what i'd give to have the nsx as a daily driver..

the TL sounds really nice, i'd love to get a test drive in. and i also hope that issue gets resolved quickly. it's one thing to wait on a car for delivery, it's quite another seeing your new baby sitting w/ problems..

it really is getting harder to justify the bmw sticker price, but the test drive just sold me on the car, and luckily i could afford it!!

 

[Average Jae]

a good way to learn how to shift smoothly.

1. sit in a flat surface void of hittable objects.. (parking lot at a local HS, church, etc.
2. engage in the first gear, don't give any gas.
3. slowly engage the clutch, if you drop the clutch too fast, you'll stall. but if you do it right, you'll smoothly glide forward.
4. after you get accostumed to the smoothly engaging the clutch, work on controlling the free reving the engine. (keeping the revs around 2k w/ no gear engaged, then being able to control it upto 2.5k or so then dropping it back down to 2k.. pretty hard to do. but will help your driving imo.)

the most imp thing is your clutch control, even if you are reving too low or too high, soft engagment of the clutch will make the revs match up smoothly. allowing for smooth driving.