Gearbox question for the Z4 vets...

[solo_the_lad]

I've been noticing that it seems harder for me to shift into 2nd from 1st under intense acceleration/ at the redline. About half of the time now when I go for the shift, I grind second (insert depression). Have I lost my finesse? I am quite forceful with it. I was wondering if this is user error or if the time has come to change the gearbox/ diff oil (car has ~75k miles/ 120k kilometers). If it is indeed time to mess about with some oil changes, any info on oil types would be appreciated. This is for a 06 3.0i N52, cheers.

 

[Mr Tidy]

My first question would be to ask whether your car still has the Clutch Delay Valve fitted? If so removing that can improve the 1st to 2nd change, and it's a simple job that costs nothing if you can do it yourself.

BMW claim the gearboxes are sealed for life but I had the fluid changed in my 3.0Si on 82K miles anyway as that just doesn't sound right to me. More like sealed until warranty expiry!

Fresh fluid certainly can't do any harm. My BMW Indy used "MTF LT2".

 

[j3nks79]

I would say if it’s only happens 1st to 2nd you probably have a synchro problem with your gearbox.

 

[Pondrew]

I don't think anybody on the forum is a vet TBH. There is a surgeon, but he fecked off to Australia to make his fortune in the sun!

 

[MikeyH]

Perhaps you need to see a horse doctor

 

[solo_the_lad]

My first question would be to ask whether your car still has the Clutch Delay Valve fitted? If so removing that can improve the 1st to 2nd change, and it's a simple job that costs nothing if you can do it yourself.

BMW claim the gearboxes are sealed for life but I had the fluid changed in my 3.0Si on 82K miles anyway as that just doesn't sound right to me. More like sealed until warranty expiry!

Fresh fluid certainly can't do any harm. My BMW Indy used "MTF LT2".

Thanks for the reply mate, I haven't actually heard of a Clutch Delay Valve, why would BMW want to add such technology to a sports car? Are there any consequences of removing it?

 

[solo_the_lad]

I would say if it’s only happens 1st to 2nd you probably have a synchro problem with your gearbox.

Certainly possible, I myself have grinned it a total of maybe 7 times now, not sure if that's enough to ruin a synchro. I suppose the previous owner(s) may have abused it...

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks for the reply mate, I haven't actually heard of a Clutch Delay Valve, why would BMW want to add such technology to a sports car? Are there any consequences of removing it?

It's fitted to protect the drivetrain from ham-fisted drivers, but if you can drive a manual car properly you don't need it.

I've had them removed from two 3 Series and two Z4s and had no issues with any of them.

Here's a link to a bit more info and some videos on how to do it:- https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=43&q=bmw+CDV+removal&cvid=d006b17a01274a939c62f8d11102112f&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDU2NjVqMGoxqAIAsAIA&F