[amoeba]

I currently have a 330 E46 with manual, and I like the right amount of power (230 hp). I'm thinking of upgrading to a F30 335i with manual, and was wondering if the extra 100hp would be difficult to drive smoothly?

The reason I ask is because my 330i zhp has a very short first gear and it's hard to drive smooth with the extra acceleration force. Local dealers don't have a F30 manual to test drive so I just want to be sure before I order it via euro delivery.

Thanks.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by amoeba

I currently have a 330 E46 with manual, and I like the right amount of power (230 hp). I'm thinking of upgrading to a F30 335i with manual, and was wondering if the extra 100hp would be difficult to drive smoothly?

The reason I ask is because my 330i zhp has a very short first gear and it's hard to drive smooth with the extra acceleration force. Local dealers don't have a F30 manual to test drive so I just want to be sure before I order it via euro delivery.

Thanks.

My E46 325i was a bit jerky too. For some reason the F30 is very smooth for me. Takeoffs fast or slow are great.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by snowghost

My E46 325i was a bit jerky too. For some reason the F30 is very smooth for me. Takeoffs fast or slow are great.

The F30's are very smooth. The E46 M's and E9X M's tended to be tricky in first gear when cold, but I loved it. So much personality!

[James550i6spd]

haha same here. I didn't even test drive any F30s at all when I ordered mine last week.
I drove a 2011 328 Loaner last year and that's the extent of my experience apart from my 2001 E46

[AtlantaDude]

My E92 335i was very hard to drive smoothly until I removed the CDV. Removing the CDV completely changed how my clutch feels and the car drives so much better now.

[Infamouz627]

Either I've driven some really smooth 6MT before compared to this or I'm not driving my BMW correctly. Based on the last 3 posts it seems that the 335i in 6MT should be shifting rather smoothly but I can't seem to get the lower gears (1st-2nd not so much 3rd but sometimes) to engage smoothly, there always seems to be a slight jerk.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Infamouz627

Either I've driven some really smooth 6MT before compared to this or I'm not driving my BMW correctly. Based on the last 3 posts it seems that the 335i in 6MT should be shifting rather smoothly but I can't seem to get the lower gears (1st-2nd not so much 3rd but sometimes) to engage smoothly, there always seems to be a slight jerk.

It could be you or it could be your car. Every MT vehicle engages differently; maybe you just haven't fine-tuned your left foot for the BMW. Case in point....


...Hopping from my E92 M3 into my ex-gf's 128i took a bit of time to get used to the different engagement point. If I drove her 128i for a week and hopped back into my M3, it would take me at least a day to get back into my groove.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It could be you or it could be your car. Every MT vehicle engages differently; maybe you just haven't fine-tuned your left foot for the BMW. Case in point....


...Hopping from my E92 M3 into my ex-gf's 128i took a bit of time to get used to the different engagement point. If I drove her 128i for a week and hopped back into my M3, it would take me at least a day to get back into my groove.

+1 Same with my buddy's Z3.

[AweSam8]

I never had problems shifting during my test drives. I hope I don't have problems when my car comes in next week. I've been driving a manual since I was 20.

[oonowindoo]

It is not hard to drive F30 smoothly under normal driving condition.

But under 1st gear WOT to 2nd, sometimes, well most of the time, it will be difficult to do.

I personally think BMW needs a much shorter shift (Not the height of the shifter).

[Infamouz627]

Has anyone noticed that shifting from 1st to 2nd on a cold engine is slightly more difficult to do smoothly than after oil temps have reached the midway point? Left my car outdoors in 30 degree weather for 8 hours while at work, got in the car to go home and shifting as I normally would from 1st to 2nd there would be a pulling feeling as I let go of the clutch slowly. I think this CDV thing is really getting to me.

[JJS]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

It is not hard to drive F30 smoothly under normal driving condition.

But under 1st gear WOT to 2nd, sometimes, well most of the time, it will be difficult to do.

I'm glad I'm not alone with this observation. In general, I avoid WOT in first but short-change into second and allow the low-down torque to accelerate as hard as I ever need to on the safe side of the law.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

It is not hard to drive F30 smoothly under normal driving condition.

But under 1st gear WOT to 2nd, sometimes, well most of the time, it will be difficult to do.

I personally think BMW needs a much shorter shift (Not the height of the shifter).

On the contrary, every BMW I've owned is easier to drive the harder you drive it. It's at slow speeds that they tend to be the most clunky and cumbersome.

[Infamouz627]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

On the contrary, every BMW I've owned is easier to drive the harder you drive it. It's at slow speeds that they tend to be the most clunky and cumbersome.

+1

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by amoeba

I currently have a 330 E46 with manual, and I like the right amount of power (230 hp). I'm thinking of upgrading to a F30 335i with manual, and was wondering if the extra 100hp would be difficult to drive smoothly?

The reason I ask is because my 330i zhp has a very short first gear and it's hard to drive smooth with the extra acceleration force. Local dealers don't have a F30 manual to test drive so I just want to be sure before I order it via euro delivery.

Thanks.

Have you given any consideration to the 328i at all? I personally found the 335i to be overpowered. Yes, I'm totally serious.

[Falafel Combo]

Are the manual transmissions different between the cars (328 & 335)?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

Have you given any consideration to the 328i at all? I personally found the 335i to be overpowered. Yes, I'm totally serious.

If you're being sincere....


....doesn't that mean the ///M235i should be crossed off of your list then?

Originally Posted by ///M235i

Are the manual transmissions different between the cars (328 & 335)?

Yes, here are the gear ratios. The ///M235i should have the same transmission as the 335i/435i.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

On the contrary, every BMW I've owned is easier to drive the harder you drive it. It's at slow speeds that they tend to be the most clunky and cumbersome.

+2

I am smooth on the e36 fast or slow, but drive the F30 smoother when driven in anger lol.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

If you're being sincere....

....doesn't that mean the ///M235i should be crossed off of your list then?

...

No longer considering the M235i. It's between the f80 M3 and the f36 (428/435) gran coupe at this point.


And just because I think a car is overpowered, does not mean I would not buy it. Just providing some insight and perspective to the OP. I personally believe the power my f30 335i made was quite excessive for it's intended function and weight.

[pocoyo_3]

I think the thing to get used to is the throttle delay and that new BMW's have. I had an E90 325i and that throttle was instantaneous, but my E90 335i has a delay. There's a moments delay when applying or lifting off, and then the action is sudden. It is better if you go for the Performance Pack.

My experience of F30's is that the entire drivetrain is designed to work seamlessly around the 8-speed auto. I have driven an F30 335i manual (it was an xDrive though), and the clutch and gears actually felt friendlier than my E90, and the throttle didn't feel as laggy as my E90 N55 (which is a piece of junk).

If you have an E46 330i I would recommend trying a 328i. I saw ///M235i's comment, and he does have a point. The 328i has a better balance between traction, weight, and the engine just gets on with the job surprisingly well. I would recommend trying them back-to-back.

[BmwFlooner]

There was definitely a learning curve for me. Coming from a 01' Eclipse with a super short throw clutch with virtually no dead zone and instant acceleration it took me a few thousand miles before I could shift smoothly in my 335. (And when I hop back in the Eclipse I have to take a few shifts to remember how it likes to operate.)

I think the key for me was not spending too much time thinking about it and just letting my arms and legs figure it out for themselves - a normal evolution during the daily trog to and from work.

I had ordered a clutch stop thinking that might help but it turns out I didn't need it.

[Falafel Combo]

Maybe what you guys are noticing (the lag in throttle response) is due to the turbos? Turbo lag is real, and although not very noticeable and BMWs, it is still very much there. Both the 325i e90 and Eclipse are naturally aspirated.