[baege]

On my first couple test drives of a 6MT M2C I was a little underwhelmed by the manual. I found it a little rubbery, long with the throws and just not all that precise.

I have previously owned 2 porsche 6MT and was noticing the difference I think.

Since picking it up, I also found the 6MT underwhelming on my first couple drives. But 2 weeks and 400km later, I find that I am now enjoying the 6MT more and really don't have complaints about it.

Have others had a similar experience, not been so happy with 6MT at first but then come to be satisfied or even happy with it after a while?

[BigKutta]

I cant say about the MT, but I was also underwhelmed initially by the 2C, but I think it was just out of hesitancy to push the car and open her up. But that lasted maybe 100 miles...LOL

[Cannondale900]

I'm still not totally comfortable with it and it is the only thing "spoiling" it for me at the moment (which is very easy to live with in all reality).

I drove my E34 M5 the other day for the first time in a long time. The M5 has an autosolutions shifter and a much heavier clutch and the whole thing felt much more mechanical and linear.

I'm planning on the UCP and autosolutions kit for the M2C and also have the E90 M3 clutch slave sitting on the workbench waiting for me to find an hour or two. As reported in other threads, these mods go a long way to removing the rubbery feel to the clutch/shifting system.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1682441

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1613458

[VisualEcho]

I felt the same, as my other car is a Lotus Exige, and you can say what you want about the trans, but the entire feel of driving the car is about a million times better than the M2.

However, after having the M2 for 7 months I can say that I have a much better appreciation for the M2 6MT, and it fits the car very well overall. In other words, I wouldn't want how direct the shifting/clutch/steering/brakes feel in the Lotus to be put into the M2, as it has a balance all its own, and I've really learned to like it.

Now, how WIDE it is between shifts, like the distance between where the stick is in 1st to where it is in 5th? That's just stupid, it's like rowing a damn truck.

BMW needs to get an S2000 transmission (like every other manufacturer on the planet) and study it on how to make a real manual trans.

I'll also say that for reasons unknown to me, the 1-2 shift is still a bit difficult to get perfectly sometimes, unlike all the rest of the shifts. I'm sure it's not me, it's a common complaint that requires your attention, and driving modification (ie short-shifting).

[rj45m]

I also find the M2C's manual a bit of an acquired taste. The shift throw isn't as short or as positive as others, but it's become more satisfying with time. Clutch feel is just ok. It was a bit grabby when new, but it improved with use. It's smooth when pulling away from a stop (no chatter), though I sometimes detect a little vibration through the pedal when upshifting at certain loads/rpm.

I do find that consistently pulling off quick/smooth 1st to 2nd gear shifts is more difficult than it should be (though certainly not impossible). The overall combination of gearing, rev-hang, throttle response and clutch engagement is not ideal, at least for my driving style. Unfortunately, while Sport mode offers, arguably, the best throttle response for smooth driving, for some reason it has the most aggressive rev-hang.

All that said, satisfaction depends on the driver's desire for ultra smooth shifts. If one's not too OCD about it, it likely won't be an issue. Completing all other shifts (2-3, 3-4, etc) quickly and smoothly is similar to any other manual car.

[Conissah]

As with most things, the more time you spend with it, the more familiar you become. I've put almost 6500 miles on my M2C in a little less than 6 months, and I still can't always get that perfect 1-2 shift. While I have figured out a technique that works, for me at least, to get smooth shifts, occasionally the 1-2 gets me. Yesterday, I will say, I had the perfect 3-4 shift right in the peak torque area, put a big smile on my face.

I blame the odd 6MT overall feel on the CDV (clutch delay valve). Many on here have swapped to a slave from an E9X car, which don't have the CDV, and said it helps considerably. That mod is definitely on my list. I've also seen reviews on
this upgraded shifter bushing (albiet on the OG and not the Comp), but it seems to help the actual feel of the tranny. It's embarrasing that my cheapo clapped out 30 year old Miata with 140k miles has a better shifter and clutch feel than a 2020 M car...

[Moflow]

I like it okay. It transfers way fewer vibrations through the shifter and feels less direct than I’m used to in a sports car, but unlike most shifters with limited feel, the gearbox is at least very accurate. Not the best car I’ve ever shifted but far from the worst either. My friend had an LS swapped 240sx that I used to drive sometimes and though the shift feel was very direct with short throws, it was so heavy that I think I prefer the bmw overall.

I’m also coming from a 350z, a car with much worse rev hang (though with better and more direct feel through the shifter) so the rev hang in the bimmer doesn’t bother me.

Overall, it could be better but I’m not really sweating it. I mostly just wish I could turn on and off the rev matching with the push of a button.

[Kankles]

The MT is an acquired taste...I acquired mine around 14 years old along with my first STD.

The M2c seems just like the F80 and very similar to the trans in my previous E46 and e92 3335is

[NEfan508]

I feel like that dumb ass car owner "ford vrs Ferrari" I do not drive my car hard enough to really enjoy it, just 2300 miles in over 14 months

Just now I'm really driving it, less congestion on the roads


Driving a fast car slow is pathetic, it feels clunky ,heavy and all the pieces feel very separate like not working together not on the same team BUT when the gearbox is warmed and the oil is at optimal temp you can have some real smiles on some open roads

400hp rwd 6Mt on a open windy road is better than sex imo, in stop n go traffic it's like a cystoscopy

[Bumpinjeep]

I would say it's the other way around; an automatic transmission in a sports car is an acquired taste. I tried, for the life of me, to enjoy driving a F80/82 with the DCT. Just couldn't do it. You feel like you're driving an appliance rather than being connected to the car. The 6speed in the M2C isn't bad at all, like literally any car, you have to get used to the nuances of it. Every car is different.

[AlpsRider]

Changing the shifter to the Mperformance model helps. You are not forced to shift on top of a golf ball and can shift much lower from the side of the stick.

I have also found that after 17k miles the shifter in my M2C has become less rubbery and stiff. I have no complaints.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Changing the shifter to the Mperformance model helps. You are not forced to shift on top of a golf ball and can shift much lower from the side of the stick.

I have also found that after 17k miles the shifter in my M2C has become less rubbery and stiff. I have no complaints.

Yes! Was just about to post this.

Weirdly changing the shift knob made a huge difference, much more than I thought it would/could. Initially the shifter felt rubbery but the different knob translated to a much more precise feel. I suspect because there is no padding on the M Performance knob and it sits a little lower.

[MMMBRAP]

Originally Posted by baege

On my first couple test drives of a 6MT M2C I was a little underwhelmed by the manual. I found it a little rubbery, long with the throws and just not all that precise.

I have previously owned 2 porsche 6MT and was noticing the difference I think.

Since picking it up, I also found the 6MT underwhelming on my first couple drives. But 2 weeks and 400km later, I find that I am now enjoying the 6MT more and really don't have complaints about it.

Have others had a similar experience, not been so happy with 6MT at first but then come to be satisfied or even happy with it after a while?

I think it is tbh; I was pretty close to buying a new ND2 MX-5 Club; the 6MT in that car is sublime.

IMO, Porsche makes the best MT right now, so if you're coming from that, a BMW MT will take some getting used to.

I also sort of got annoyed with my MT at first, but the more I got used to it, the less "blah" I felt about it.

Still doesn't have that satisfying ND2 or 911 "clicky" feeling though.

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Changing the shifter to the Mperformance model helps. You are not forced to shift on top of a golf ball and can shift much lower from the side of the stick.

I have also found that after 17k miles the shifter in my M2C has become less rubbery and stiff. I have no complaints.

I think this will be my next mod.

[M2PDX]

Hmmmm....I have a 2017, and my 6MT is amazing. The best manual transmission I've had. Short, direct, precise.

I did add a Burger clutch stop. That's a cheap and amazing mod.

Try that.

[neurostrokemd]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Changing the shifter to the Mperformance model helps. You are not forced to shift on top of a golf ball and can shift much lower from the side of the stick.

I have also found that after 17k miles the shifter in my M2C has become less rubbery and stiff. I have no complaints.

I tried ordering it from shopBMWUSA, it says not compatible with 2020 M2C. I assume it's a simple unscrew the old knob and screw in the performance knob?

[robertm]

Highly recommend UCP and auto solutions kit. Turns it into an extremely precise and right now experience.

[xxyion]

I personally actually really like it. I'm comparing it to my S2000, which is a lot more mechanical and direct.

I like that the throws are longer and that its a tad rubbery. It feels more comfortable to drive since it is my daily. My S is very much the race car of the two and sometimes i want something more laid back.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by neurostrokemd

I tried ordering it from shopBMWUSA, it says not compatible with 2020 M2C. I assume it's a simple unscrew the old knob and screw in the performance knob?

The M performance shifter knob they recommend for the M2C is ugly IMO. It is flashy mat chrome with a strange shape. The CF one that I bought fits fine.
The shifter knob has a friction fit.
First you pry the boot loose from the console. Find a comfortable position above the console and pull the boot and shifter straight up. It is tight but the shifter knob will slide off the shaft.

You may have noticed that my shifter boot had white stitching, that is how it came. Later on I hacked my original blue stitched boot to the new shift knob. There is a DIY somewhere, its not that difficult.
If you want to pay the extra money IND will sell you one with blue stitching.

[TrentMeister]

Did you buy it new?

[nearwater4me]

I personally like the shifter feel, except for when I floor 1st -> 2nd and the shifting is notchy.
I had 3 occasions grinding the syncros. Hate that feeling.

[m20e3087]

Almost at 20K miles and going strong. No complaints. Around 16K miles installed SSK and now it's even more enjoyable to shift.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by LBbluem2

Did you buy it new?

Yes, I bought it new from a BMW online shop that has disappeared.

Pics of the two Mperformance shifters.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=19

It looks like the price has gone up to $221 or so I only paid $180.

https://www.bmwpartspros.com/oem-par...ob-25112222529