Hi all,i'm new to web site and only a 2 week owner of m3 evo saloon. Its a real monster and I'm more than happy with everything except the gear change. Selecting first, second and sometimes reverse is really hard and notchy. Car has only 30K on the clock and had full inspection II @ 28K, no comments on gear change.
Would appreciate any idea's and guidance

I have a 95 that is pretty heavily modified that I bought last year. I have the same problem. Sometimes I need to start the car in gear when it is cold because it takes too much effort to get into gear. THe previous owner had an aftermarket clutch and flywheel installed that does allow the clutch to fully disengage. So the clutch is spinning the transmission and you can tell this because the car will slowly creep forward in gear with the clutch at the floor. This is a huge PITA but I am not prepared to drop the $$$ needed to put an OEM clutch and flywheel in. A gent at our local tuning shop suggested that he could modify the length of the engagement rod in the clutch master cylinder that would allow for more travel on the clutch. If you send me your email, I will keep you abreast of this situation.

Best,.

Sean

seanplane@yahoo.com

I have a 95 that is pretty heavily modified that I bought last year. I have the same problem. Sometimes I need to start the car in gear when it is cold because it takes too much effort to get into gear. THe previous owner had an aftermarket clutch and flywheel installed that does allow the clutch to fully disengage. So the clutch is spinning the transmission and you can tell this because the car will slowly creep forward in gear with the clutch at the floor. This is a huge PITA but I am not prepared to drop the $$$ needed to put an OEM clutch and flywheel in. A gent at our local tuning shop suggested that he could modify the length of the engagement rod in the clutch master cylinder that would allow for more travel on the clutch. If you send me your email, I will keep you abreast of this situation.

Best,.

Sean

seanplane@yahoo.com

Thamks for the reply sean, it would be interesting to hear their comments. Mine is not as bad as yours, sometimes engaging 2nd first allows me to engage first. Reverse is also a problem as I need to de clutch many times before it will engage. Its a shame because all else is fine, plus a bit worrying with no warranty left on car.
All the same I'm more than happy, when its in gear!!!

I own a 97 M3, and I had the same problem with my tranny also. I recently switched the tranny fluid to RedLine D4 ATF, it works great on my M3, the notchy went away after I swtiched to RedLine, here's a link, you can check it out: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/catalog/catalog.htm

Dave

There was also another problem associated with the M3 and the dealers know all about it. A hydraulic pipe can become faulty. There is a BMW recognised hydraulic pipe fix for the clutch, this apparantly collapses and needs replacing. Once done, no more crunching the gears, and is an easy fix for them to do.

I have a 96 M3, and the clutch only releases when foot on the carpet (possibly half an inch off). IT is a PITA. I have tried the flexible pipe modification with no success. I will next try replacing slave and master cylinders. If that does not work then a new clutch.

It seems ridiculous that this is an issue especially as quite a number of you report a similar problem. Does anyone know where the bite point should be above the floor? Also is BMW aware of this problem and what is the cause??

im having this same problem, can someone point me in the direction of a thread which shows where the clutch pipe is, and is there a step by step guide as to how to fit the uprated braided hose? all help received with thanks :)

haha, you bumped two threads for the same question.

Good luck, not sure exactly what you are referring to...

EDIT:

And created a thread :D at least you searched.

haha, you bumped two threads for the same question.

Good luck, not sure exactly what you are referring to...

EDIT:

And created a thread :D at least you searched.

as a newbie, i was trying to make a point ;)

The Getrag 6spd likes to act up, I wouldn't worry about it.