[Boosted4Door]

So I have a dilemma..

I used to drive an 08 535i Sport with a rare manual tranny. It was more of a "spontaneous buy". I loved the drive when I first test drove the car and had all the options and the right color combo I was looking for. So I leased it and after a few weeks later I began to "DESPISE" the feel of the shifter/gearbox. I absolutely hated it. Keep in mind I got into the 535 immediately after driving a modded EVO IX and modded S2k, for about 1 year each, so I was coming from 2 of the best manuals ever, to the worst (most rubbery feeling, long throw, boring) manual in the 535.

Anyhow, I went from the 535 to a 09 Audi TT 2.0T DSG and I LOVED the DSG even though I'm not a fan of autos. This thing was a blast to drive. Obviously not as fun as DCT M3 but nevertheless quick and fun. I sold my TT about 6 months ago and now I have been looking at the 335i E90 with M-Sport package. I like the overall package but dont want to settle with a traditional auto... I've driven it and the motor feels great. Just wish the E90 335i was offered with the DCT!!!!

I am in SOCAL and cannot find a 335i manual car to drive. Every single one I see is an auto. I wanted to get your honest opinion (335 manual drivers), HOW DOES THE MANUAL FEEL? Does it feel notchy/mechanical/precise/firm/fun/with a short throw?? OR does it feel more rubbery and boring?

I have driven a 550i Sport with manual and the gearbox felt WAY better than the one in my 535i Manual.

All info is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to me. Thanks in advance.

[Coolieman1220]

335is comes w/ DCT

[Boosted4Door]

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

335is comes w/ DCT

Yah, but dont want a coupe. Really like the look of the M-Sport Sedan.

[Mark_K]

It depends what you're after. After about 10,000 miles I started enjoying mine. What you call "rubbery" some might call "silky" or "smooth". Hard to tell. It is for sure very precise, will allow very fast shifts and it's effortless. Stock, it also has long throw and clutch might be vague (CDV delete coming in two weeks).

I know it is hard to find one, but the only way you will be sure that you'll like what you're getting is to drive USED one yourself. As mentioned above, I wasn't sold on it until it reached about 10,000 miles.

[Chartreux3]

The ZF trans is not a trans that likes to be rushed. It feels soft most the time and is notchy going into second gear. I definently cant run through the gears like I could with my Subaru Sti. Overall its not a bad trans, but if you are use to being aggressive on the gear box you might have to change your shifting style.

[PKL]

You ever driven a 6MT BMW? Like an E46 or E92 M3? The 6MT is notchy and tough especially in 1st to 2nd gear. Doesn't mean it's bad. 1st to 2nd gear just takes a little more pressure.

My best friend has a 09 E90 335 6MT and he says the shifter is much better than his E46 M3. Also, BMW sells a short shift lever you can install, it's only like $70. Great deal.

I have on order an E90 335i M-Sport in 6MT.

This week I almost became tempted to pull the trigger on a car that I found sitting on a dealer lot that was EXACTLY what I ordered but in AT not MT.

I decided not to do it. I am a manual transmission guy, and even in LA I know I would regret the auto.

So, I haven't even driven the 335 6MT myself (my friend who owns it lives across the country), it is almost impossible to find one to drive at a dealer, but based on the advice of my friend who owns the car, who also owns an E46 6MT to compare it to, he says the E90 335 6MT is a very nice stick shift.

[PKizzle]

I used to have a E90 6MT 335. Can't vouch for the 5 series but the 335 transmission was typical BMW - somewhat long throws but very smooth with precise engagement. Takes some getting used to if you're coming from a Honda type shifter. Even the clutch take up is a bit different and takes some practice to make smooth shifts at medium revs. I love it however, but then I've been driving manual transmission BMWs for over 12 years now.

The 335is that I currently have has a short shifter which is just fantastic. Pure joy to row through. The gears just slide into place. Best transmission I've ever driven.

[CJ421]

You should check out the California regional forum here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43
Go to a local meet and see if someone will let you take their car for a short ride.

[TheStigsTwin]

I've been driving 2011 335xi with M-sport/manual transmission for about 10 months. I think it's a great transmission. I came to it from a 911, now that was a notchy 2nd gear shift!

[caradd]

Currently own a 335i manual owned both s2000 and R32 with DCT. The manual in the 335i is ok you'll get used to it. I've added a clutch stop which made a big difference..

That being said it does not compare to the s2000. If you went back to back with the s2000 it would be embarassing for the BMW. The throw is twice has long and rubbery.

The DCT is ok it was better just sticking it in S mode. Manual mode the thing would delay trying to make up it's mind.

[achien]

Although with much less power, my previous 1999 Eclipse MT drives better than my current 335i MT.

None of the MT clutch engagement would feel the same as my old "cheap" car still used cable-clutch. The current new and "expensive" ones uses hydraulic-clutch, you just don't get that clutch feel anymore.

Originally Posted by Boosted4Door

So I have a dilemma..

I used to drive an 08 535i Sport with a rare manual tranny. It was more of a "spontaneous buy". I loved the drive when I first test drove the car and had all the options and the right color combo I was looking for. So I leased it and after a few weeks later I began to "DESPISE" the feel of the shifter/gearbox. I absolutely hated it. Keep in mind I got into the 535 immediately after driving a modded EVO IX and modded S2k, for about 1 year each, so I was coming from 2 of the best manuals ever, to the worst (most rubbery feeling, long throw, boring) manual in the 535.

Anyhow, I went from the 535 to a 09 Audi TT 2.0T DSG and I LOVED the DSG even though I'm not a fan of autos. This thing was a blast to drive. Obviously not as fun as DCT M3 but nevertheless quick and fun. I sold my TT about 6 months ago and now I have been looking at the 335i E90 with M-Sport package. I like the overall package but dont want to settle with a traditional auto... I've driven it and the motor feels great. Just wish the E90 335i was offered with the DCT!!!!

I am in SOCAL and cannot find a 335i manual car to drive. Every single one I see is an auto. I wanted to get your honest opinion (335 manual drivers), HOW DOES THE MANUAL FEEL? Does it feel notchy/mechanical/precise/firm/fun/with a short throw?? OR does it feel more rubbery and boring?

I have driven a 550i Sport with manual and the gearbox felt WAY better than the one in my 535i Manual.

All info is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to me. Thanks in advance.

[RoundelM3]

07 E92 6MT here, 32K miles and no "notchiness" in my trans. I removed the extra-long stock gearshift knob and relaced it with a weighted "M"-style knob, which greatly improved the feel and shortened the throw somewhat. Both of my cars are 6MT and I like them just the way they are. If I went to a larger car like a 5-series, I might consider the 8-speed auto which is standard in that car.

[805beemer]

So is the 6 speed from the 535 a different tranny than the one from a 335? I figured if they have the same engine wouldn't they have the same tranny?

[flip4335]

2007 e90 335i here, driving over five years with 6MT.

Love it.

[johnbuz]

If you get the 6MT, definitely fo the CDV delete. Its easy and makes the clutch engagement so much more like the rest of the vehicles in the world. If you drive someone else's, make sure you know if it still has the CDV.

And it shifts a lot better above 3k rpm, especially in the lower gears. (1>2) shift is the worst.

[plokij]

keep a little pressure on the gas pedal during shifts and it's real smooth. still gonna feel long, though. i just use more force on the lever to get it engaged quicker when i want quicker shifts. it's the pedal feel that's the problem - too flimsy/rubbery.

[statelax3]

my e90 335 is a 6mt. compared to my carerra it is junk. notchy, unresponsive, and has long throws. but i am only talking about gears 1 and 2. once i am in 3rd i have no issues. it took me about a month to get over it. it is already second nature and i would never go AT due to 2 gears.

[johnbuz]

One more thing, the rpm's drop pretty fast when your let of the gas. And super-fast when the AC/defroster is on. I purposely rev a little higher when the AC is on to counteract this.

[ctuna]

Its in the Mike Miller schedule I had it put in two of my cars.
In the BMW it really made it less notchy and slicked it up.
I have an integra with 225k it was getting bad put in the redline fluid
and its better than new.

[tunachris]

One of the things I like about the M Sport is the short shift. I had a 2008 328i with Sport and Premium. The throw on the 6MT was very long. Got a 2010 335i with M Sport and prefer it to the standard sport package due to the short shift.

That being said, a short shift kit can be added to any MT 335.

[hubble bubble]

Have an 08 335i, 6MT and I love it. It is a long throw and a bit "lazy" compared to the numerous Honda's I have owned in the past, but I like the BMW clutch better. And very few MTs are as nice as Honda's.

BMW uses a plastic bushing to connect the shifter to the tranny linkage - like the cause of the imprecision.

As other said, there are multiple short shift kits available. BMW one will shorten the throw but use the same bushing, therefore same imprecision. I drove one with an all-metal short-shift kit, UUC Motorwerkes I think, that was more precise but also more deliberate (less smooth, less slop).

[tibra1]

I will only drive MT cars..with that said the MT gear box on the 335i was slop city until i did a the UUC SSK + DSSR..and modified CDV..it gets rid of all the plastic pieces and substitutes em w solid billet aluminum ..now it feels great..