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      10-23-2009, 11:13 AM   #23
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I've had this problem twice in the 2 years I've had my car. Makes me jump everytime it happens, passenger usually thinks you don't know how to shift.
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      10-23-2009, 11:57 AM   #24
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I have had the same happen to me as well. I replaced the MTF with Redline MTL. Noticed a small difference, but it still has happened once since the fluid change. To me, I can live with it, because, as stated before, this isn't a drag car.

Although one caveat comes to mind, if we are not supposed to shift that fast from 1st to 2nd, how come the E46 M3 SMG transmission can shift even faster and harder?!? (when the SMG shifts in the most aggressive mode, it feels like there is a trans brake installed!!) (and before you even think about replying and saying its a completely different gearbox, remember that the E46 M3 SMG gearbox is the exact same gearbox as the 6spd manual tranny in the E46 M3, just installed with an electro-hydraulic shifting mechanism)

It makes no sense to me why BMW did not bring the E46 M3 gearbox along with the S54 to the Z4M... ... cost maybe???
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      10-23-2009, 12:00 PM   #25
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I've experienced this issue many times, as well as in my bro's car. I had my transmission replaced at 22,000 miles. However this did not correct the problem completely. From trial and error I found the best way to avoid the grind is not by babying you 1-2 shift but rather jamming it with as much speed and power as i can muster.

This has eliminated the problem for my bro (F360C) and I. New trans or not.

That being said i still agree that this tranny was meant for our engine. We should have gotten the 6speed outta the E60 M5 which i think is a beefed up trans from the E39 M5?
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      10-23-2009, 12:21 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trsbmw View Post
It makes no sense to me why BMW did not bring the E46 M3 gearbox along with the S54 to the Z4M... ... cost maybe???
The reason has been said many times - the M3 tranny wouldn't fit in the Z4. This seems like a similar issue the Boxster S had after its release. The 6-sp tranny was taken directly from the Carrera with its larger more powerful motor. The ratios were all wrong for the Boxster S.
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      10-23-2009, 03:04 PM   #27
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Mine (M) grinds 2 -> 3. Better when warmed up for 20 minutes, but still does it occasionally.
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      10-23-2009, 07:46 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
The reason has been said many times - the M3 tranny wouldn't fit in the Z4. This seems like a similar issue the Boxster S had after its release. The 6-sp tranny was taken directly from the Carrera with its larger more powerful motor. The ratios were all wrong for the Boxster S.
I dont really buy that. Even if there was a slight fit issue, I think BMW would be able to make it fit... however the means... Plus, the misfit point is just conjecture to me. I have only seen it mentioned in forums. Is there any official point of reference for this "fact"?
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      10-23-2009, 08:08 PM   #29
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I keep going back and forth with my dealer on this issue. As previously mentioned, they replaced the tranny at 10,000 miles but I've gotten the grind maybe 2-3 times in the past 3-4,000 miles. I just picked it up after it had been there for 2 weeks, they were unable to replicate it after driving it for just 50 miles, though I picked it up and just 200 miles later had the 1-2 grind again. They're now refusing to take the car back in the shop. I'm getting a lawyer involved. In the meantime I suppose I'll try the "push to the left" technique mentioned above although I am not okay with this undisclosed feature of a supposedly high performance automobile. Moreover, the fact that the problem does not occur in every car indicates that there is a way for this not to happen, so it then becomes BMWs responsibility to fix it.

I did just by the UUC short shifter, we'll see if it helps after install but I see no reason why it would.
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      10-23-2009, 09:13 PM   #30
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I am going to say this once and once only. These cars need to be BROKEN IN!!!!!!

You have a new tranny - baby it for 10,000 miles (yes I said 10,000 miles!) and it will work fine. Yes it has a notchy 1-2 shift. Get used to it and get over it!
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      10-23-2009, 11:33 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trsbmw View Post
I dont really buy that. Even if there was a slight fit issue, I think BMW would be able to make it fit... however the means... Plus, the misfit point is just conjecture to me. I have only seen it mentioned in forums. Is there any official point of reference for this "fact"?
Why would they use another transmission if the M3 version fit? It would have been easier to ship the whole package over I would think. It could be it would have structurally affected the car to make it fit. I don't have any documentation, but it makes sense to me.
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      10-26-2009, 10:51 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardTS View Post
I am going to say this once and once only. These cars need to be BROKEN IN!!!!!!

You have a new tranny - baby it for 10,000 miles (yes I said 10,000 miles!) and it will work fine. Yes it has a notchy 1-2 shift. Get used to it and get over it!

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      10-27-2009, 01:26 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardTS View Post
I am going to say this once and once only. These cars need to be BROKEN IN!!!!!!

You have a new tranny - baby it for 10,000 miles (yes I said 10,000 miles!) and it will work fine. Yes it has a notchy 1-2 shift. Get used to it and get over it!
I might buy that (in hope--which is far from fact) had I just not spent the last 5 years in Germany. Over there, when techs need answers to questions or concerns they don't shoot from the hip, they call Munich and get the right answers direct from the source. My car is at 7,000 miles and it was broken in following the BMW guidelines to the letter. It would grind now if I don't use the method conveyed to me. But I guess at 10,000 miles it will magically correct itself? Doubt it. Ultimately I don't abuse it and the few times I experienced the grind I wasn't revving it into oblivion.
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      10-27-2009, 03:04 AM   #34
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The fact is, the grind isn't affected by the CDV unfortunately. For me, the grind happens rarely and only once has it happened at redline; it's almost always either a really low rpm shift or moderately high shift that does it.

Personally, I don't know if it's only the synchro, I think it's also got something to do with the selector rod / linkage or something like that also. On days when the cabin of the car is really hot, the 1->2 roughness is nearly gone. It doesn't seem to be ambient temp, it really does seem like if my car has been parked in the sun and the interior is hot that the notchiness and resistance on entering 2nd is nearly gone.

One tip I saw somewhere on this forum that seems to help is to put some leftward pressure on the stick when making the 1->2 shift, and since I've been doing that I haven't had any grinds.
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      10-27-2009, 08:17 AM   #35
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I remember in the Z3, the transmission mounts were of a softer rubber and going to harder mount bushings, like the Ireland brand, solved the smooth shifting issue, especially during hard cornering. I'm beginning to wonder if our mounts may be an issue as well. I don't get a grind, a bit of notchiness from time to time, but never a grind, 13k miles on the odometer and 2 fluid changes done using factory fill.
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      10-27-2009, 09:03 AM   #36
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The CDV does effect clutch disengagement, and who said that the m3 tranny did not fit? it would fit no problem in the transmission tunnel and the current transmission actually has some greater clearances do to some useless castings in the bell housing.
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      10-27-2009, 08:01 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O-cha View Post
who said that the m3 tranny did not fit? it would fit no problem in the transmission tunnel and the current transmission actually has some greater clearances do to some useless castings in the bell housing.
If this is true - why would they not have used it? Why go to the trouble to make the standard Z4 tranny work with the S54 when it could have come as a package?
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      10-27-2009, 08:58 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris719 View Post
One tip I saw somewhere on this forum that seems to help is to put some leftward pressure on the stick when making the 1->2 shift, and since I've been doing that I haven't had any grinds.
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      10-27-2009, 11:26 PM   #39
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Interestingly, the S2000 also has a notchy 1-2 shift(even though the tranny is known as shifting nirvana). The same advice about leftward pressure on the 1-2 shift is suggested for a remedy.
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      10-27-2009, 11:28 PM   #40
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Quote:
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If this is true - why would they not have used it? Why go to the trouble to make the standard Z4 tranny work with the S54 when it could have come as a package?
What trouble? It was no trouble at all.

Probably because the m3 transmission is over 10 year old technology. Who knows for sure. Just know that not fitting is not one of the reasons.
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      10-28-2009, 12:11 AM   #41
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Despite the common 2nd gear grind, I think it's mostly regarded as a better transmission than the E46 M3's, which is often referred to as very rubbery.
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      03-25-2010, 01:31 AM   #42
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2007 Z4M Grinding - My First Experience

I've been reading on the forums about the 1st to 2nd grind. I bought my 2007 Z4M last year at 23K miles and now it has 33K miles. I never experienced a 1st to 2nd grind until tonight and I would like to share my experience.

First I want to admit I've been driving manual for only one year and I have accidently grind the gear before on this car; for example when I accidently down shift from 6th to 5th on the freeway and not push down the clutch all the way. I know in those situations that it was user error.

But tonight as I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a main road, I am 100% certain I had the clutch all the way down to the floor. I shift from 1st to 2nd and the tranny made a grinding noise and the gear wouldn't engage.

I notice there is a difference in the sound when I accidently grind when shifting 6th to 5th and 1st to 2nd. In the 6th to 5th case, it was more like a thud thud thud sound. Whereas, the grind from 1st to 2nd was had a higher pitch grinding sound.

After the grinding happened tonight, I gave it some more thought as I drove home and I am certain I had the clutch all the way down. It's a funny feeling to have when you're certain you didn't do anything wrong; the clutch just won't go any further past the floor. However, I was driving the car harder than I usually do. Let me quantify my statement some more.

Normally, I shift from 1st to 2nd at around 3-4K rpm. Tonight when the grind happened I was shifting between 4-5 , but most definitely under 6K rpm.

So my first experience with the 1st to 2nd grind, so far, is consistent with what people have described in the forums. That the 1st to 2nd grind usually happens when the car is driven harder and while shifting at higher RPMs. I have not experienced this type of grinding (with the clutch down all the way) in any other gear combos (yet).

I have to say, after the grind occurred, it was quite a strange feeling. I was thinking to myself, "Wow, is this the 1st to 2nd grinding that people are talking about? I think it is!"

Now I'm a little worried about the tranny in my Z4M. What kind of damage does this kind of grinding do to the tranny and if I should have a mechanic check it out?

One additional info out my car; the CDV is deleted and replaced with a valve without the restrictor.

Last edited by bobbydole; 03-25-2010 at 01:36 AM..
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      03-25-2010, 03:42 AM   #43
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I was wondering if anyone had changed to harder transmission mounts and noticed any difference in this grinding problem after that.
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      03-25-2010, 12:31 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by car62 View Post
I was wondering if anyone had changed to harder transmission mounts and noticed any difference in this grinding problem after that.
I have heard of issues with the Z3, during hard cornering but I haven't heard of this in the Z4, but you could be on to something. I know Ireland Engineering makes great bushings for the tranny mounts, but I think a lot of noise and harshness may enter the cabin with the super hard bushings.
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