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      12-02-2017, 05:11 PM   #1
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First and second gears issues

Hi, I've only had my 2006 Z4M Coupe for a couple weeks now. It has 68,000 miles and it's difficult to shift into first from rest and then second. The other gears are no trouble. I make sure the clutch is all the way in but still. It's not a crunch but more like something is in the way? Not sure if this is common or if there could be an adjustment made. Thoughts? Thanks!
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      12-02-2017, 05:43 PM   #2
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I have only been on the forum for a short while, but first and second are sticky in many of these cars. Mine seemed so at first; almost like there was some obstruction, but as I have become more familiar with the car, the stickiness has abated until I no longer really feel it. You will become smoother with time. There are many members more qualified to speak to this issue, and I am sure you will hear from them.
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      12-02-2017, 07:16 PM   #3
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While I'm not sure why you have trouble getting the transmission into first gear at rest, the 1st to 2nd gear shift can be difficult on the M coupe until you get used to it. There are a few posts located in the FAQ sticky above (the first post) that you will find useful.

If you haven't already, I suggest CDV delete and a slightly weighted ZHP shift knob (https://www.leatherz.com/products/il...ort-shift-knob). The combination of these two easy modifications is significant.

GL!
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      12-02-2017, 07:55 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfm01 View Post
Hi, I've only had my 2006 Z4M Coupe for a couple weeks now. It has 68,000 miles and it's difficult to shift into first from rest and then second. The other gears are no trouble. I make sure the clutch is all the way in but still. It's not a crunch but more like something is in the way? Not sure if this is common or if there could be an adjustment made. Thoughts? Thanks!
Do you know if the transmission fluid has been changed? If not, that will definitely help. Royal Purple Synchromax is a member favorite. I'm running Redline D4. Both make the transmission shifting much smoother, but the Redline seems to breakdown over time. I have two years on my current fluid, and it's beginning to get a little notchy again. I'm going with Royal Purple when I change it out at Inspection II.

Also, a weighted shift knob had a very noticeable improvement for me. I used the lighted weighted shift knob from an M5 (F10), and cut and glued the leather boot onto the Z4 plastic retaining "hoop."

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1422560

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      12-03-2017, 01:26 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
While I'm not sure why you have trouble getting the transmission into first gear at rest, the 1st to 2nd gear shift can be difficult on the M coupe until you get used to it. There are a few posts located in the FAQ sticky above (the first post) that you will find useful.

If you haven't already, I suggest CDV delete and a slightly weighted ZHP shift knob (https://www.leatherz.com/products/il...ort-shift-knob). The combination of these two easy modifications is significant.

GL!
I agree with KevinM,

I also felt my M's Gear changes to be sticky when i got the car a year ago..

to try to remedy it, I fitted uprated Gbox Mounts, New gearbox Oil, CDV Delete and ran the car like this for a year thinking i got it sorted as the shifts were so much better... and then this past friday i fitted the weighted ZHP knob, man or man, why didn't i do it sooner... it feels great, all the above really transformed the way my car takes gears now... Smooth like silk.
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      12-03-2017, 04:03 PM   #6
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What benefits does the weighted shift knob bring? I've never heard of this kind of mod before.
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      12-03-2017, 07:04 PM   #7
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Some good info...thanks people! I do already have a weighted knob and it's great. The CDV issue sounds like a promising fix along with new fluid. Appreciated!
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      12-03-2017, 09:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky1 View Post
What benefits does the weighted shift knob bring? I've never heard of this kind of mod before.
It's one of those mods that rightfully breeds suspicion, but it makes shifting shockingly better on the Z4.

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      12-03-2017, 09:22 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfm01 View Post
Some good info...thanks people! I do already have a weighted knob and it's great. The CDV issue sounds like a promising fix along with new fluid. Appreciated!
Engine mounts and trans mounts also help. I did everything at once based on what others had experienced. Feedback at the time was that trans mounts and engine mounts provided incremental improvement. When I first got my Z4M roadster, my trans was notchy and 1st and second were no fun. I did everything in one hit. Did the fluid swap in trans and diff, Vibratechnic engine mounts, transmission mounts, weighted shift knob, and CDV delete. The CDV delete won't help with the notchy shifting, but it just makes clutch engagement more predictable. I've driven manuals my entire life, and the CDV drove me nuts as it did most people here on the forum. I think fresh fluid will probably do a lot to improve the shifting if you want to wait to do the other items.

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      12-04-2017, 11:31 AM   #10
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Ok, good. So I ordered the Zeckhausen modified CDV and want to order the Royal Purple but can't seem to find the quarts/liters needed. I feel like it should be easy to find but I can't. Can someone please let me know? Thanks again...
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      12-04-2017, 12:00 PM   #11
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Have a weighted F10 knob, cdv delete, engine & trans mounts, SSK, and relatively new fluid... 2nd gear is apparently a bitch if you shift too fast no matter what you do scary moment on track flying into corner getting denied 2nd

Just be a hair slower and deliberate with your change I think
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      12-04-2017, 12:45 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfm01 View Post
Ok, good. So I ordered the Zeckhausen modified CDV and want to order the Royal Purple but can't seem to find the quarts/liters needed. I feel like it should be easy to find but I can't. Can someone please let me know? Thanks again...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Pur...ssion/51563219

http://a.co/3A5dp24


If you are looking for a local purchase, Pep Boys is a good option if you have them in your area:
https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9334508/00105
Use code MMJ20


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      12-04-2017, 12:55 PM   #13
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60000 miles is usually the end of fluid life with bmw "lifetime" fluid. I used royal purple synchromax on an E46 330i and its great. Havent done my Z due to low mileage but will. Youll need about 1.5 liters and new washers. I must be the only forum member that loves the stock clutch with no cdv delete. Perfect bite 1/2 way up the travel.
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      12-04-2017, 12:56 PM   #14
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I just re-read your post. If you're talking capacity, you'll need two liters. Transmission holds 1.5 liters. Diff holds about 1.1 liters.

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      12-04-2017, 02:10 PM   #15
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This is not complete, but a good start regarding fluids:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=537104

BTW, PS fluid is not listed, but the Z4M coupe/roadster use ATF (about 1.5 L).
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      12-04-2017, 07:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yousefnjr View Post
Have a weighted F10 knob, cdv delete, engine & trans mounts, SSK, and relatively new fluid... 2nd gear is apparently a bitch if you shift too fast no matter what you do scary moment on track flying into corner getting denied 2nd

Just be a hair slower and deliberate with your change I think
First to second, fluid, and don't rush it, keep the revs up, etc.

The third to second denial issue is super common quirk and all do it under heavy g load. We did extensive trial/error on this years ago here and there's no silver bullet. Improvements, but under heavy g.

I just stay in third, the time lost due to poor gearing isn't as big a deal as nope nope nope and maybe second or back into third.

If that's not an option and your track layout makes this sensible, you could change to a 4.1 diff and then third would have more torque at the wheels.
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      12-04-2017, 10:13 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
First to second, fluid, and don't rush it, keep the revs up, etc.

The third to second denial issue is super common quirk and all do it under heavy g load. We did extensive trial/error on this years ago here and there's no silver bullet. Improvements, but under heavy g.

I just stay in third, the time lost due to poor gearing isn't as big a deal as nope nope nope and maybe second or back into third.

If that's not an option and your track layout makes this sensible, you could change to a 4.1 diff and then third would have more torque at the wheels.
Agreed, actually do have a 4.10 out back, and could certainly get by staying in 3. That’s probably the smart thing to do, but i can’t resist a good 3-2 heel toe famous last words
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      12-05-2017, 12:49 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yousefnjr View Post

Agreed, actually do have a 4.10 out back, and could certainly get by staying in 3. That’s probably the smart thing to do, but i can’t resist a good 3-2 heel toe famous last words
Gotcha. I always try to grab second one lap out there. I can't resist. But I never get it!

Using an E46 and an E36 we did some timing tests, and the conclusion was staying in third gear no matter what with those cars was one second faster. It feels faster to get into second, but the differential in weight transfer, along with the time to shift, really ends costing time.

We tested this theory going into and out of some esses, so the weight transfer/unsettling of shifting before full corner exit is probably driving more of the timing issues than the actual shifting activity itself.

Since you're not out to win any races, and this is supposed to be fun, if you can manage to get second gear to work I say go for it.

Note: be careful with autocorrect and the word "esses". If you use your imagination and replace the "e" with an "a" and one of the sentences above you can see why!
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      12-05-2017, 04:59 PM   #19
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I also agree about the break in and changing the transmission fluid.

When I got my M coupe I suspect it hadn't been driven very much for a long while.
The gears got easier as I drove it more and then I changed the transmission fluid and it became downright sweet after that.
They say that the transmission fluid is supposed to last the life of the car, but it isn't true.
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