Gears "click"

Randar · 09-03-2011, 07:45 AM

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong forum, so re-posting here.

I just picked up a CPO 2009 BMW 328 IX Touring from BMW Toronto. I was extremely happy to get it with the manual 6 speed, but I do have one issue with it. It may be hard to describe, but it almost feels like it "clicks" when it goes into gear. It's not audible, but more how it feels, almost like it a really big bendie straw. It's like as you move past the center point, it sort of grabs and then clicks before it gets fully into the gate and only once per gear change, not repeated clicks. Seems a bit harder in 2nd and 4th than 1st and 3rd, 5th and 6th seem fine but it may be my imagination. I don't have another e90 to compare it to for me to say if this is typical or not. I had a 2001 e46 330CI and it didn't behave like this, nor any other manual I have owned. Before I picked it up, I made sure BMW looked at it and they said nothing was wrong. The car still has a bit of factory warranty on it, so I could push for it to be "fixed", but I'm not even sure I have a problem. The car only has 23,000 KM on it, so it's quite new. The only reason I even felt comfortable buying it was the low KM and the CPO covers the transmission up to 160K and that I absolutely love everything else about the car.

Is this normal for a e91? I've seen a few other posts about it, calling it "notchy", but wanted to hear from the general community.

CJ421 · 09-03-2011, 07:58 AM

It's definitely a notchy transmission and the 1>2 shift is harder than others. I can't say mine 'clicks' though.

My advice is to go test drive a new manual transmission BMW and see if you notice the same thing. Go back to the dealer and request a test drive.

Tom K. · 09-03-2011, 11:02 AM

The gearbox in my CPO '07 E91 feels pretty much the same as the 4 other MT BMWs I've owned, including an E46. Although all have been RWD, so perhaps the click is an xi artifact.

The only thing I notice on the newer models is a more pronounced rev drop while shifting with the A/C compressor engaged so the clutch release needs to be timed a bit more carefully.

Tom

carlos916 · 09-03-2011, 12:18 PM

mine clicks sometimes too.. but nothing were it sounds like its going to break..

JoosyJoos · 09-03-2011, 12:33 PM

Have you tried changing the brake-fluid/clutch-fluid yet? Could be further accentuated if the fluid is old. I've never heard of this problem but I'd give it a try to rule out some things.

Randar · 09-05-2011, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the input. I'm more convinced it's just a characteristic of the shifter and not a real issue. I'm getting a heavier shift knob, which I've heard helps and we'll see what happens.

09-03-2011, 07:45 AM	#1
Randar New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328IX Touring Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Gears "click" Sorry, I posted this in the wrong forum, so re-posting here. I just picked up a CPO 2009 BMW 328 IX Touring from BMW Toronto. I was extremely happy to get it with the manual 6 speed, but I do have one issue with it. It may be hard to describe, but it almost feels like it "clicks" when it goes into gear. It's not audible, but more how it feels, almost like it a really big bendie straw. It's like as you move past the center point, it sort of grabs and then clicks before it gets fully into the gate and only once per gear change, not repeated clicks. Seems a bit harder in 2nd and 4th than 1st and 3rd, 5th and 6th seem fine but it may be my imagination. I don't have another e90 to compare it to for me to say if this is typical or not. I had a 2001 e46 330CI and it didn't behave like this, nor any other manual I have owned. Before I picked it up, I made sure BMW looked at it and they said nothing was wrong. The car still has a bit of factory warranty on it, so I could push for it to be "fixed", but I'm not even sure I have a problem. The car only has 23,000 KM on it, so it's quite new. The only reason I even felt comfortable buying it was the low KM and the CPO covers the transmission up to 160K and that I absolutely love everything else about the car. Is this normal for a e91? I've seen a few other posts about it, calling it "notchy", but wanted to hear from the general community.
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09-03-2011, 07:58 AM	#2
CJ421 Brigadier General 1559 Rep 4,109 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Blue Bell, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.50]	It's definitely a notchy transmission and the 1>2 shift is harder than others. I can't say mine 'clicks' though. My advice is to go test drive a new manual transmission BMW and see if you notice the same thing. Go back to the dealer and request a test drive. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT
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09-03-2011, 11:02 AM	#3
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	The gearbox in my CPO '07 E91 feels pretty much the same as the 4 other MT BMWs I've owned, including an E46. Although all have been RWD, so perhaps the click is an xi artifact. The only thing I notice on the newer models is a more pronounced rev drop while shifting with the A/C compressor engaged so the clutch release needs to be timed a bit more carefully. Tom
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09-03-2011, 12:18 PM	#4
carlos916 Semper Fi 23 Rep 417 Posts Drives: E60 ///M5 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 E92 328i [5.00]	mine clicks sometimes too.. but nothing were it sounds like its going to break.. __________________
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09-03-2011, 12:33 PM	#5
JoosyJoos Major 113 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Have you tried changing the brake-fluid/clutch-fluid yet? Could be further accentuated if the fluid is old. I've never heard of this problem but I'd give it a try to rule out some things. __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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09-05-2011, 10:21 PM	#6
Randar New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328IX Touring Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input. I'm more convinced it's just a characteristic of the shifter and not a real issue. I'm getting a heavier shift knob, which I've heard helps and we'll see what happens.
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