[pauly1]

I've had my eye on a 3 series for quite sometime, and I might just be making a trip to my dealer very soon. However, having never owned a BMW, and being an avid lover of manual transmissions, I'm wondering what to expect. Some of the reviews I've read have used phrases like, "long throws" and slightly " a little rubbery through the gate."

In my opinion, my Acura RSX-S had one of the best manual geraboxes I've ever shifted. In fact, short of the S2000, it is the best gearbox I've ever rowed through, and I've driven a few porsches as well. By no means am I comparing an RSX to a BMW, but based solely on the gearbox, I think the Acura will tough to beat.

So, how would guys rate the gearbox in the 3 ?

[adamr]

for me personally before im attacked:

I beleive BMW make better manuals than automatics (sequential manual box included under this auto category)
I also beleive merc make better automatics than manual ...

had the auto on my E92 and drove a manual E92 ... i will take the manual

[Hawkshaw]

I came from an '02 RSX-S into my manual 330i and have had no complaints. The throws are slightly longer, and the shifter itself is slightly bigger in hand, but overall, a really good gearbox. The difference in gear box between the RSX-S and the e90 wouldn't be a reason not to get into a manual transmission 3 series, IMHO.

Only way to know for yourself though is to go drive one.

Good luck.

[booforty]

Very pleased with my manual. The box may need time to loosen up when new but its a smooth and refined feel in mine. I changed the stock shifter for a short shifter which made a big difference in feel and certainly shortened the throws for me. Very pleased all round - go for manual!!!

Oh, and go for a test drive and see for yourself!

[bronco]

Acuras does have a very good shifting feel

[SpecC]

That's funny. When I drove the regular RSX manual, i thought it was pretty crappy. Maybe i was disappointed in the lack of power though haha

[Borti]

I have driven A LOT of MT equipped cars. BMW, in my opinion of course, makes one of the smoother feeling MT gearboxes (from gate to gate) out there. Some people go as far to say its 'rubbery' but after driving a lot of MT cars it is clear that BMW does a great job balancing feed-back, weight, vibrations, consistency and etc... Most importantly, the 335 MT does not feel frail or weak to me... which is an important quality to any driver (keep in mind the 'feeling' that a transmission is weak differs from driver to driver as it is not a true indication of the transmission's strength, rather it is a superficial feeling created by the user).

[obLu]

I guess I'm in the minority of people that find it notchy and balky most of the time. Sometimes it deems to be smooth, but most of the time it's balky.

[DFW_M]

I always had the MT car...
The MT in the e9x is very precise, but fairly long throw and a bit sticky. If you drive a VW, that is a smooth shifter. Honda/Acura is smooth, too, but not as precise as the Bimmer.

Overall, I had no mis-shifts, but sometimes trouble going from 4th or 3rd into 2nd.

Overall, I like it.

[STE92VE]

Since we're talking about BMW manual trannys, what about this clutch delay valve (CDV)? For those that have NOT removed it, do you find there is a difference in clutch performance compared to other MT cars you've driven?

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by BimmerEnvy

Since we're talking about BMW manual trannys, what about this clutch delay valve (CDV)? For those that have NOT removed it, do you find there is a difference in clutch performance compared to other MT cars you've driven?

I don't see much of a difference now...almost two years later... In the beginning it took a little getting used to it..

[DocRoss]

It is a POS like the rest of the car.
Come on we like it, that is why we bought one.
Having never had the pleasure of shifting an Acura, I cannot be of help in a comparison, but the BMW is on par with the better getrag MT I have used.
Sure a short throw kit and a shorter knob might help, but it is pretty damn good for stock imo.

[liam821]

I own a honda S2000 and the tranny in the 335i is nowhere near as good when it comes to feel. The s2000, IMO, is one of the best trannys on earth in a production car.

liam

[Walked U]

My 335i manual gear box is good. But my s4's was better.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by obLu

I guess I'm in the minority of people that find it notchy and balky most of the time. Sometimes it deems to be smooth, but most of the time it's balky.

I almost wonder if something is wrong with your car. I've driven the e90 325/330/335 and e92 335 all in manuals, all smooth. I currently drive a 5-spd Nissan daily, and the 335 whenever. I took some people out to lunch in the 335 and one of the girls asked another guy in the car if my car is an auto. I can drive the 335 very smoothly, I don't think it's me, it's the setup of the car. I tried to duplicate it in the Nissan and I can't, it's way too notchy to pull it off.

[Driv3r]

Originally Posted by liam821

I own a honda S2000 and the tranny in the 335i is nowhere near as good when it comes to feel. The s2000, IMO, is one of the best trannys on earth in a production car.

liam

Driven a friends S2k AP1........You are 100% correct!

The tranny in that car is in another category, i would do ANYTHING to have that tranny in my car...

[John 070]

Originally Posted by pauly1

I've had my eye on a 3 series for quite sometime, and I might just be making a trip to my dealer very soon.

Me too, I had my eye on it since the 8th grade. Getting a BMW is a very satifying experience. Even spending all that hard-earned money feels rewarding, because despite the steep price, it feels worth it.

Anyway, I personally don't think the RS-X was anything special gearshift-wise, nor was the TL. They handle fairly nicely for a FWD, with an emphasis on FWD.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Driv3r

Driven a friends S2k AP1........You are 100% correct!

The tranny in that car is in another category, i would do ANYTHING to have that tranny in my car...

I think you may be exaggerating a bit.....

[SP330]

Originally Posted by adamr

for me personally before im attacked:

I beleive BMW make better manuals than automatics (sequential manual box included under this auto category)
I also beleive merc make better automatics than manual ...

had the auto on my E92 and drove a manual E92 ... i will take the manual

BMW automatics are an immense pleasure to drive for a slush box (and I'm not even talking about the new Step in the 335).

The manuals leave much to be desired. It seems as though BMW makes them only to say they offer it, it's as if nothing went into it.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by liam821

I own a honda S2000 and the tranny in the 335i is nowhere near as good when it comes to feel. The s2000, IMO, is one of the best trannys on earth in a production car.

liam

I agree that the S2K gearbox is better, but the E90 gearbox does not piss me off either (and that's saying something). There is a difference btw the 325/238 and 330 gearboxes. I don't know who manufactures the 335 gearbox. Anyway, I am pretty impressed overall but the throws are on the long side.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by SP330

The manuals leave much to be desired. It seems as though BMW makes them only to say they offer it, it's as if nothing went into it.

Couldn't disagree with you more.

[STE92VE]

This is turning into another one of those threads that debate the world's oldest dilemma..."which is better, vanilla or chocolate?"
And the OP's question is "How good is the BMW gearbox", not compared to every other gearbox on the planet.