Shifter vibration..odd

Neverlift328 · 09-06-2011, 08:56 AM

I have noticed that the shifter in the M Coupe has a loud vibration in 3rd and 4th under hard acceleration and high RPM's 5.5K and over. It hasn't made this noise before and it seems kind of odd. Any thoughts on what may be the cause. I have another track day coming up on the 20th and I'm hoping it is nothing serious.

Thanks!

3002 tii · 09-06-2011, 09:21 AM

I have this same problem. Although I did install a SSK a few months back, this problem only started as of recently. And what’s most annoying is that it makes this constant buzzing noise. The second I place my finger on top of the knob (stopping the vibration), the buzzing goes away. One thing that helps (and this may be the issue) is that if I turn the knob to the left, the vibration stops for the most part. This leads me to believe the knob has developed some play and is no longer a tight fit.

Here’s a vid demonstrating it:

Neverlift328 · 09-06-2011, 07:05 PM

yea mine sounds just like that. just only under hard acceleration. Not sure What it is?

thekurgan · 09-06-2011, 07:48 PM

For me, it was the luminated plate on top, I just had to put some more rubber cement under it to keep it quiet, although my rattle/buzz happened in all the gears.

Shereef_Osman · 09-06-2011, 10:46 PM

I have had the exact same problem since I installed the Autosolutions SSK. Very annoying.

gcochard · 09-07-2011, 09:39 AM

Do you all have either SSKs or upgraded trans mounts? That may be the issue.

wss4 · 09-07-2011, 11:06 AM

Mine is completely stock and was vibrating as described around 30k miles. Had the knob replaced under warranty and vibration is gone. Was definitely a loose piece at the top of the knob associated with lighting

3002 tii · 09-07-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shereef_Osman

I have had the exact same problem since I installed the Autosolutions SSK. Very annoying.

I hope that's not the reason

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffhopper

Do you all have either SSKs or upgraded trans mounts? That may be the issue.

I have both, Autosolutions ssk & UUC trans mounts

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

For me, it was the luminated plate on top, I just had to put some more rubber cement under it to keep it quiet, although my rattle/buzz happened in all the gears.

I'm going to try this as well, did you pull the luminated plate off and reapply? Before applying the glue, did it actually feel loose b/c mine appears to be fine.

thekurgan · 09-07-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I'm going to try this as well, did you pull the luminated plate off and reapply? Before applying the glue, did it actually feel loose b/c mine appears to be fine.

It wasn't falling off, but it lifted up easily with a toothpick. I used clear rubber cement so nothing like krazy glue or anything permanent in case that wasn't the cause.

inTgr8r · 09-07-2011, 12:36 PM

I had this in a very minor way on my previous M Roadster (ZHP knob & OE mounts & no SSK)
I noticed the same thing for the first time this weekend with my M coupe (ZHP knob & UUC black mounts & Autosolution SSK)

I just lightly touch the plate on top & it stops.
IMO its a knob quality control issue easily solved as "thekurgan" mentions

Neverlift328 · 09-07-2011, 01:03 PM

Interesting thoughts. Mine is 100% stock no trans mounts or ssk. No ZHP knob either. I will take a look at the knob and see it that's the source of the issue. My first worry was trans mounts being loose or something.

Thanks all. I'll keep you posted on what I find out

3002 tii · 09-07-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neverlift328

Interesting thoughts. Mine is 100% stock no trans mounts or ssk. No ZHP knob either. I will take a look at the knob and see it that's the source of the issue. My first worry was trans mounts being loose or something.

Thanks all. I'll keep you posted on what I find out

So I just took a look at my car, the plastic luminated cover was fine (I probably actually removed it for no reason). But regardless I'm going to keep it off for a few days and see if the noise is still present when driving. If so then at least I know it wasn't that cover. And if the noise is gone, then I guess we have a confirmed culprit.

The HACK · 09-07-2011, 02:17 PM

It's one of two things. Either one of the retaining clips inside the knob is broken or the glue holding the emblem has worn off. Otherwise a stock (or even aftermarket shifter) on the Z4 should be whisper quiet when in gear.

Not an uncommon thing. Replacing the knob will resolve 99.95% of "shifter noise" issues I've seen.

3002 tii · 09-07-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

It's one of two things. Either one of the retaining clips inside the knob is broken or the glue holding the emblem has worn off. Otherwise a stock (or even aftermarket shifter) on the Z4 should be whisper quiet when in gear.

Not an uncommon thing. Replacing the knob will resolve 99.95% of "shifter noise" issues I've seen.

I think it's the retaining clip for me, which makes sense given how I noticed the knob has developed more play than before and it doesn't sit tight as it once it did. Turning or twisting the knob to the left would temporarily address the buzzing issue.

09-06-2011, 08:56 AM	#1
Neverlift328 Private First Class 8 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Shifter vibration..odd I have noticed that the shifter in the M Coupe has a loud vibration in 3rd and 4th under hard acceleration and high RPM's 5.5K and over. It hasn't made this noise before and it seems kind of odd. Any thoughts on what may be the cause. I have another track day coming up on the 20th and I'm hoping it is nothing serious. Thanks! __________________ "The best way of making a car faster is to tighten the nut behind the wheel"
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09-06-2011, 09:21 AM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2286 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	I have this same problem. Although I did install a SSK a few months back, this problem only started as of recently. And what’s most annoying is that it makes this constant buzzing noise. The second I place my finger on top of the knob (stopping the vibration), the buzzing goes away. One thing that helps (and this may be the issue) is that if I turn the knob to the left, the vibration stops for the most part. This leads me to believe the knob has developed some play and is no longer a tight fit. Here’s a vid demonstrating it: __________________ Follow for latest mods
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09-06-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
Neverlift328 Private First Class 8 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	yea mine sounds just like that. just only under hard acceleration. Not sure What it is? __________________ "The best way of making a car faster is to tighten the nut behind the wheel"
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09-06-2011, 07:48 PM	#4
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	For me, it was the luminated plate on top, I just had to put some more rubber cement under it to keep it quiet, although my rattle/buzz happened in all the gears. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-06-2011, 10:46 PM	#5
Shereef_Osman Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC & 89 325is Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (6)	I have had the exact same problem since I installed the Autosolutions SSK. Very annoying.
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09-07-2011, 09:39 AM	#6
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Do you all have either SSKs or upgraded trans mounts? That may be the issue.
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09-07-2011, 11:06 AM	#7
wss4 Private First Class 35 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (3)	Mine is completely stock and was vibrating as described around 30k miles. Had the knob replaced under warranty and vibration is gone. Was definitely a loose piece at the top of the knob associated with lighting
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09-07-2011, 12:36 PM	#10
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	I had this in a very minor way on my previous M Roadster (ZHP knob & OE mounts & no SSK) I noticed the same thing for the first time this weekend with my M coupe (ZHP knob & UUC black mounts & Autosolution SSK) I just lightly touch the plate on top & it stops. IMO its a knob quality control issue easily solved as "thekurgan" mentions __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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09-07-2011, 01:03 PM	#11
Neverlift328 Private First Class 8 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Interesting thoughts. Mine is 100% stock no trans mounts or ssk. No ZHP knob either. I will take a look at the knob and see it that's the source of the issue. My first worry was trans mounts being loose or something. Thanks all. I'll keep you posted on what I find out __________________ "The best way of making a car faster is to tighten the nut behind the wheel"
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09-07-2011, 02:17 PM	#13
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	It's one of two things. Either one of the retaining clips inside the knob is broken or the glue holding the emblem has worn off. Otherwise a stock (or even aftermarket shifter) on the Z4 should be whisper quiet when in gear. Not an uncommon thing. Replacing the knob will resolve 99.95% of "shifter noise" issues I've seen. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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