2003 325Ci 5 speed transmission issues

[Frank2808]

Hello all,

I am currently leasing a 2003 325Ci with a 5 speed transmission. When I test drove the car I was unsure about the clutch. The travel was much longer then most other cars I have driven and I had a lot of issues with smooth gear changes. I figured as I got used to the clutch it would become easier to drive, but it didn't.

It's been over a year now since I got my BMW, and I have been driving a 5 speed for over 10 years. For some reason I can't seem to shift cleanly and hills are HORRIBLE. It's gotten to the point that I avoid them because it's such a pain to "stop and go" on a steep incline without stalling or jerking.

I read a post somewhere that this may be due to some "limiter" that BMW installs in order to prevent novice drivers from burning out the transmission. I called the dealer and they had no idea what I was talking about.

Has anyone had this issue? Can anyone elaborate on this "limiter" I read about?

Thanks!

 

[MrElussive]

New cars utilize a "clutch diverter valve", which engauges and disengauges the clutch at the same speed every time, no matter how slow or fast you are with the clutch. This helps to improve the life of the clutch, but it should not be the cause of messy shifts. When you are shifting gears and letting the clutch back out in the new gear, do you let the clutch out smoothly and slowly? And sometimes it helps if you apply just a bit of gas while engaging the clutch.

 

[sueh]

Coming from a Prelude I also have found the Bimmer clutch more fussy. I've gotten used to it now, but it does require a little more finesse than a Honda. Try to become very conscious of the engagement point. There are trade offs I guess, I liked the Honda clutch better, but like the gearbox on the Bimmer better. Just keep driving...you will get used to it. You don't mention how many miles you have...it does loosen up with time also.

 

[BigBear]

yep.. as my experience, Bimmer's clutch is a more fussy than the Japanese cars that I have drove before. Few of my friends told me the same thing too. You might just need to get used to it. It took me 1500 miles of driving to get used it a little now.. hehee.. The actual clutch contact point seems like right in the middle of the whole travel distance on mine 323Ci. And I checked with my friend's M5, same story. It should not be too high...