Z4MR Shift Feel - Normal to Feel Meshing of Gears at Times?

[HBeric]

I just bought a 2007 BMW Z4MR with 8,900 miles on it from the original owner. Based on my conversation with the seller, I don’t think the transmission fluid has ever been changed, but the engine and differential oil recently were.

Is it normal for some shifts to not have perfectly smooth engagement at times? What I mean is the gear changes are all successful and the transition between gates feels normal, but occasionally, it seems like I feel a slight bit of the gears meshing during the shifting process. There is no grinding whatsoever, just a slight notchy feeling in the gear lever when sliding it into the next gear.

Would changing the transmission fluid eliminate some or all of this feeling (it is about 17 years old after all), or do all Z4M cars feel this way while sifting, regardless of the fluid’s age?

I just want to make sure I am not causing any damage by running old fluid or shifting the way I am used to shifting (I have been driving/racing manual transmission cars for most of my life).

[grannyknot]

That's pretty normal, I would change that trans fluid for fresh oil as soon as you can.
There are many threads on the subject but the general consensus is to give the shifter a very brief pause before going into the next gear.
Not a full stop, just slow the shift ever so slightly while going through neutral.

[maupineda]

Normal, 2nd is the “notchiest”

[HBeric]

Thanks for the replies.

I plan to change the transmission fluid soon (will order the OEM fluid and look for a DIY online), and just consider the feeling to be normal and non damaging after that.

My low mileage 2002 996 had a similar feeling at times, and after changing the fluid, I came to accept it as normal. On that car, once the fluid warmed up, shifts were a lot smoother.

[cbpip]

Using the Ford Fluid, works great allows synchros to mesh as they should. Tried the Redline stuff, too thin synchros didn't like it. Not a fan of RP products due to inaccurate sheer strengths.

The Ford fluid will smooth out the 1st / 2nd shifts better the the OEM fluid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N...b_b_asin_title

[onebluemcm]

Originally Posted by cbpip

Using the Ford Fluid, works great allows synchros to mesh as they should. Tried the Redline stuff, too thin synchros didn't like it. Not a fan of RP products due to inaccurate sheer strengths.

The Ford fluid will smooth out the 1st / 2nd shifts better the the OEM fluid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N...b_b_asin_title

sheer strengths? Can you elaborate? I just put RP in mine based on generally good reviews, but I can't say based on nay hard data. I sort of "polled the crowd" and decided based on that.

And BTW, that Amazon link, doesn't work.

[XMetal]

I would love to see the report on the RP as well. Do you have any documentation that shows the Ford fluid sheer better than RP? I've been running RP for almost half it's life in my car without any negative effects to date.

As a matter of fact, I've seen more people running RP than the Ford fluid in our cars without issues. You're only the 1st or 2nd person that I know of running the Ford fluid in the Z.

Not against the Ford fluid, but if it is indeed better, I'm all for switching.

[cbpip]

Link fixed,

Have to track down the article I read about a year ago on the RP shear strengths. They also were bought out and changed formulations that supposedly decreased quality some years back .

I did used Redline for about a month and had horrible results with synchros spinning to fast and not slowing down fast enough to facilitate quick gear changes.

Changed over to the Ford fluid as have a lot of Miata racers and solved the problem with 2nd gear crashing.

Just checked and believe RockAuto has better prices on the Ford fluid.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/mo...on+fluid,13630

[onebluemcm]

Originally Posted by cbpip

Link fixed,

Have to track down the article I read about a year ago on the RP shear strengths. They also were bought out and changed formulations that supposedly decreased quality some years back .

I did used Redline for about a month and had horrible results with synchros spinning to fast and not slowing down fast enough to facilitate quick gear changes.

Changed over to the Ford fluid as have a lot of Miata racers and solved the problem with 2nd gear crashing.

Just checked and believe RockAuto has better prices on the Ford fluid.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/mo...on+fluid,13630

Thanks for the link update. Also not opposed to changing fluid even if the RP in mine is new. I am only at 35k miles but I figured the original fluid was old enough, only reason I changed anything.

[HBeric]

I changed the transmission fluid a couple weeks ago and decided to use BMW MTF-2 for the fill.

The shifting was good before with only very subtle and occasional knotchiness, but now it feels even better - the car is shifting perfectly. So I guess the $45/liter “liquid gold” BMW MTF-2 and two $25 bolts was worth it

Thanks again for all of the replies above.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by HBeric

I changed the transmission fluid a couple weeks ago and decided to use BMW MTF-2 for the fill.

The shifting was good before with only very subtle and occasional knotchiness, but now it feels even better - the car is shifting perfectly. So I guess the $45/liter “liquid gold” BMW MTF-2 and two $25 bolts was worth it

Thanks again for all of the replies above.

I used BMW fluid and shifts great.

[wyshyvanuk]

[QUOTE=HBeric;31324627]I changed the transmission fluid a couple weeks ago and decided to use BMW MTF-2 for the fill.

HBeric, hello. Did you use the MTF-2 because of the label on the transmission, or because of the fluid recommendation from RealOEM (or some other source)? I ask because RealOEM shows that Z4Ms with a build date of 03/2007, or later, are spec'd for MTF-3. I haven't seen any rationale for the change from MTF-2 to MTF-3. My build date was 10/2007 and I used MTF-3 but I've alway been a little uneasy with that stern warning on ZF's label. Glad to hear your shifting is OK!! Mine is OK, as well, but I certainly can't rush that 1st to 2nd gear change. Thanks for any insight.

[Str8S!x]

[QUOTE=wyshyvanuk;31418739]

Originally Posted by HBeric

I changed the transmission fluid a couple weeks ago and decided to use BMW MTF-2 for the fill.

HBeric, hello. Did you use the MTF-2 because of the label on the transmission, or because of the fluid recommendation from RealOEM (or some other source)? I ask because RealOEM shows that Z4Ms with a build date of 03/2007, or later, are spec'd for MTF-3. I haven't seen any rationale for the change from MTF-2 to MTF-3. My build date was 10/2007 and I used MTF-3 but I've alway been a little uneasy with that stern warning on ZF's label. Glad to hear your shifting is OK!! Mine is OK, as well, but I certainly can't rush that 1st to 2nd gear change. Thanks for any insight.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemed...e-ml-11-en.pdf

Section on manual transmissions

[wyshyvanuk]

....believing the information that ZF published, but RealOEM shows the information in the diagram below.
1. Did the transmission construction change on 03/2007 (unlikely)?
2. Did BMW decide not to stock the LT-2 any longer (more likely)? BUT....
3. ....LT-2 is still available from BMW.
4. Is the LT-3 just as good as the LT-2 (possible)?
5. Did ZF not bother to approve LT-3 (possible)?

[HBeric]

wyshyvanuk

Sorry for the slow reply. I didn't realize you mentioned me until I was on here posting and reading threads on other topics. May need to adjust my notification settings.

To answer your question, I used MTF-2 either because: A) My local BMW parts department correctly cross referenced it to my transmission via my VIN (hopefully), or B) MTF-2 is all they stocked (hopefully not). My car has a 1/2007 build date, so MTF-2 makes sense. Also, while it was a bit hard to see under there, I think the sticker on the transmission said MTF-2.

[HBeric]

wyshyvanuk

How current do you think the transmission pricing is on that parts diagram?

I would have guessed a new transmission for our cars would be a lot more than $3800.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by HBeric

wyshyvanuk

How current do you think the transmission pricing is on that parts diagram?

I would have guessed a new transmission for our cars would be a lot more than $3800.

I found that RealOEM pricing have never been accurate even when our cars were just a few years old. Best is to call around on prices.

[wyshyvanuk]

What Metal said about RealOEM pricing!!
Schmiedmann is showing $6,053.29 for a re-manufactured unit.

[David70]

Weighted shifter, pull to the left as you shift, slight delay on shifting, replace fluid, replace transmission mounts, all make it better.

[Str8S!x]

Backhanding into second with a split second delay will make the shift super smooth. It's a gear selector, not some pistol grip that needs to be manhandle into each gear. A good operator should be able to get the gearbox to last well beyond 250 thousand miles without messing up a syncro or two.

And you can never go wrong with using OEM fluid. When that becomes unavailable, select the next best thing.

[chris719]

I just changed my fluid with Ravenol MTF-2 and oh my god, it is light years better. It shifts easier now than my original Z4M did on day 1. I chose the Ravenol because it is similar to the OEM fluid just better anti-wear package and higher viscosity index so it may feel nicer when cold.

[HBeric]

Originally Posted by chris719

I just changed my fluid with Ravenol MTF-2 and oh my god, it is light years better. It shifts easier now than my original Z4M did on day 1. I chose the Ravenol because it is similar to the OEM fluid just better anti-wear package and higher viscosity index so it may feel nicer when cold.

Looks like Ravenol is about half the cost of OEM too.

I am very happy with my shifting feel with fresh OEM fluid in there, but it's good to hear there is a cheaper and seemingly equal alternative out there for anyone who needs to replace theirs.