e90 330 and 325 Shift feel

Belma07 · 12-04-2005, 07:05 PM

I searched but haven't found any comparisons. For those that have driven both, is there a difference in the feel of the shifter?

I'm looking for something to replace my G35 coupe and have been spoiled by my S2000's great shift feel, so I'm pretty picky. I've read that the shifter in the 325 is "vague and longish." The dealer doesn't have 6 speeds in each model for me to compare.

Thanks in advance.

ward · 12-04-2005, 07:10 PM

the shift feel will be the same between the 325 and 330

the throw is not short, but it's a pretty good feel.
it's not as short as my Z4, but still a good tranny

G35 and a S2000, nice garage. The single life's pretty good ain't it

SCA · 12-04-2005, 10:10 PM

I have spent quality time in both models. My opinion, the shifting action in the 325 is lighter and smoother (easier to flick). In the 330 it feels more solid with maybe a hint less play. The manual tranny in the E90 330 is the same that us used in the 3.0 Z4, 530i (M54 and NG6) and the E46 330 had when it went from a 5 speed to a 6 speed.

lux.sh · 12-04-2005, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belma07

have been spoiled by my S2000's great shift feel

uh oh. I haven't driven an E90 with 6spd shifter, but I tried the new 5 series(525i) 6spd shifter.

If you are used to S2K or any of the precise, short throw honda 6spd shifters, its going to feel like shit.
I hated the 5 series 6spd shifter. so damn long and felt cheap.

ward · 12-04-2005, 11:37 PM

I think shit is a bit strong of a word

shit would be a vette 6 speed, or a truck's manual tranny

the throw may be longish (for a sports car, but it's certainly not a long throw in the scheme of things)

plus reverse is in the correct spot, unlike lots of other cars

lux.sh · 12-05-2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

I think shit is a bit strong of a word

shit would be a vette 6 speed, or a truck's manual tranny

the throw may be longish (for a sports car, but it's certainly not a long throw in the scheme of things)

plus reverse is in the correct spot, unlike lots of other cars

Yes, shit is a bit strong of a word, and I correctly used it(for my experience).

I was seriously disappointed with my first BMW manual experience.
Throw was long(which probably could be improved with short shifter upgrade if it comes out), but not only that, the whole shifting felt so "cheap". One thing, it was really smooth I guess. But its no-where near a sporty shifter. If anyone likes how S2K shifts, you'll hate this thing.

visor · 12-05-2005, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux.sh

I was seriously disappointed with my first BMW manual experience.
Throw was long(which probably could be improved with short shifter upgrade if it comes out), but not only that, the whole shifting felt so "cheap". One thing, it was really smooth I guess. But its no-where near a sporty shifter. If anyone likes how S2K shifts, you'll hate this thing.

Is it possible that the more torque and hp the engine has, the more robust the manual tranny has to be, and in the process causes the shifter to require more leverage to shift? Hence, the longer and more difficult throws?

If you've seen manual shifters in rally/race cars, you'll see how long their shifters/throws are...

ward · 12-05-2005, 09:41 AM

maybe you should compare like vehicles,

the 3 is a big sedan that can't have crazy short throws because it's not a sports car and has to cater to non enthusiasts

Try the Z4, it has much shorter throws

have you modded with a short throw kit to help out your problem?

12-04-2005, 07:05 PM	#1
Belma07 New Member 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: Infiniti G35 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	e90 330 and 325 Shift feel I searched but haven't found any comparisons. For those that have driven both, is there a difference in the feel of the shifter? I'm looking for something to replace my G35 coupe and have been spoiled by my S2000's great shift feel, so I'm pretty picky. I've read that the shifter in the 325 is "vague and longish." The dealer doesn't have 6 speeds in each model for me to compare. Thanks in advance.
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12-04-2005, 07:10 PM	#2
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	the shift feel will be the same between the 325 and 330 the throw is not short, but it's a pretty good feel. it's not as short as my Z4, but still a good tranny G35 and a S2000, nice garage. The single life's pretty good ain't it
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12-04-2005, 10:10 PM	#3
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	I have spent quality time in both models. My opinion, the shifting action in the 325 is lighter and smoother (easier to flick). In the 330 it feels more solid with maybe a hint less play. The manual tranny in the E90 330 is the same that us used in the 3.0 Z4, 530i (M54 and NG6) and the E46 330 had when it went from a 5 speed to a 6 speed.
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12-04-2005, 11:37 PM	#5
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	I think shit is a bit strong of a word shit would be a vette 6 speed, or a truck's manual tranny the throw may be longish (for a sports car, but it's certainly not a long throw in the scheme of things) plus reverse is in the correct spot, unlike lots of other cars
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12-05-2005, 09:41 AM	#8
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	maybe you should compare like vehicles, the 3 is a big sedan that can't have crazy short throws because it's not a sports car and has to cater to non enthusiasts Try the Z4, it has much shorter throws have you modded with a short throw kit to help out your problem?
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