I recently traded in my m6 smg for a e90 m3. Got to say that while the m6 was ridiculous, i love the m3. Im still learning how to shift most effectively, and would love some tips on how to shift without losing any speed, or lagging between gears.. My car is still breaking in, so going from 1st to 2nd is very stiff, and hard to jump into... anyways, would love to hear some tips on how to maximize the manual experience!
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12-15-2008LAST POST
I just broke mine in b4 I had to park mine in the garage for the winter. Anyway, after the break-in I felt that the clutch was more smooth and shifting into 1st mainly wasn't as rough. I find that like any other MT that 1st gear is the most difficult gear to get into...and that even in 2nd and 3rd gear you have to ride the clutch just a TAD to have a smooth ride inbetween gears to prevent that jerky feeling when shifting. If you want more quick throws between gears get a short shifter.
well gears goes to H....
CNice wroteHehe... very obvious comment on manual driving tips is to keep driving your M everyday... she'll tell you when its right to shift gears.I recently traded in my m6 smg for a e90 m3. Got to say that while the m6 was ridiculous, i love the m3. Im still learning how to shift most effectively, and would love some tips on how to shift without losing any speed, or lagging between gears.. My car is still breaking in, so going from 1st to 2nd is very stiff, and hard to jump into... anyways, would love to hear some tips on how to maximize the manual experience!
what works for me in keeping the lags or jerks low is ensuring i shift around or slightly above 3500rpm... if that doesn't help then i guess she'll have to be driven up to 8250rpms daily 
... u'll smile all day long no matter how bad of a day you have. 
hope that helps
I get smooth shifts when I do 1sec shifts. I quickly learned the faster I shifted in this car, the smoother the transitions.
Allen
Allen
MVEED3 wroteReally??? smoother shifts during 1sec shift? can you elaborate a lil more... cos i'll be damn curious to try this tomorrow morning when i wake up.I get smooth shifts when I do 1sec shifts. I quickly learned the faster I shifted in this car, the smoother the transitions.
Allen
is it smooth even at low rpms?
Shifting faster and also shifting above 3500 really makes a difference. Im at 2800 miles now and i think my 1st to 2nd gear shifts smoothed out maybe 4-500 miles ago.
Alias wrote+1.Shifting faster and also shifting above 3500 really makes a difference. Im at 2800 miles now and i think my 1st to 2nd gear shifts smoothed out maybe 4-500 miles ago.
Either shift fast or shift above 3500 rpm. That's the way to get perfectly smooth transition. If you have to shift below 3000rpm, riding the clutch a lil can also help to smooth it out, but then it's bad!
Your shifting will become noticeably smoother as your tranny breaks in and as you develop a feel for the car. I noticed a big improvement after my 1,200 mile service, and if it's anything like my E46, it should be very smooth by the time I put 10k miles on it.
A couple of suggestions that may help you:
1. Get a SSK. It'll give the shifter a better feel, and shifts will be much faster. Faster generally = smoother.
2. Look into removing the clutch spring. It's an easy mod, and those who have reported more linear and consistent clutch engagement.
A couple of suggestions that may help you:
1. Get a SSK. It'll give the shifter a better feel, and shifts will be much faster. Faster generally = smoother.
2. Look into removing the clutch spring. It's an easy mod, and those who have reported more linear and consistent clutch engagement.
