E39 530D Price

OllyM · 8 Oct 2009 at 11:43

E46 seems to have a shorter shift though, which is the main problem with it in the E39.

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2009 at 11:44

Change the gearnob then.

paradigm · 8 Oct 2009 at 11:51

[TW]Fox;15050353 said:
Change the gearnob then.

You do realise that this doesn't alter the throw?

You need different linkages and a different lever to acheive this. Hence why on the e36 a z3m shift lever is a worthwhile upgrade.

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2009 at 11:56

I think Olly's main complaint is the huge size of the gearstick, though.

Joe T · 8 Oct 2009 at 12:15

[TW]Fox;15050433 said:
I think Olly's main complaint is the huge size of the gearstick, though.

He's obviously not used to handling a large knob!

OllyM · 8 Oct 2009 at 12:15

Having just been out in the M5, I stand by everything I said above

Apparently fitting the gear linkage from an E60 V8 is a straight swap and makes a big difference.

NickXX · 8 Oct 2009 at 13:34

OllyM said:
Having just been out in the M5, I stand by everything I said above

Apparently fitting the gear linkage from an E60 V8 is a straight swap and makes a big difference.

I agree, it is a bit like the gearbox in that LDV van we had last year.

NickXX · 8 Oct 2009 at 13:36

paradigm said:
You do realise that this doesn't alter the throw?

You need different linkages and a different lever to acheive this. Hence why on the e36 a z3m shift lever is a worthwhile upgrade.

Hi Paradigm, how are you getting on with the 330? Did you manage to get it to BP In Dover?

I'm thinking of going for the z3m kit in the 318 at some point, is it easy to fit? Do you fit it from inside the cabin or underneath the car after dropping the gearbox?

gbradders123 · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:18

OllyM said:
The manual gearbox in the E39 is like driving a lorry, really notchy and imprecise, not what you would call nice in my opinion!

but dont the semiauto box looses forward gears around 120 to 150k on average? the boxes on the petrols do anyhow!

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:19

gbradders123 said:
but dont the semiauto box looses forward gears around 120 to 150k on average? the boxes on the petrols do anyhow!

Neither boxes are known for losing forward gears at that mileage. It's not a semi auto gearbox, either. It is a conventional automatic with a torque convertor.

gbradders123 · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:28

[TW]Fox;15055540 said:
Neither boxes are known for losing forward gears at that mileage. It's not a semi auto gearbox, either. It is a conventional automatic with a torque convertor.

General Warning about Automatic Transmissions: Many BMWs have "sealed for life" automatic transmissions. Regardless of whether you have a full BMW service history, the dealer will never change the auto fluid. Many of these boxes are failing around the 120-150k mark - often well outside of warranty and to a cost of £3.5k plus VAT. A good independent or automatic transmission specialist can and will change the fluid for you (and any good BMW independents will recommend this anyway). This is commonplace in the US and means the 'box should last the life of the car rather than being the cause of it being written off. General advice is ensure the fluid is flushed out every 60k or more preferably at each Inspection II. However, one specialist says autoboxes do not take well to being drained and having their ATF replaced.

this on http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=41

was looking into a 540i and anyone i spoke to said the auto's do cause problems!

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:29

gbradders123 said:
okay must be just the semi auto in the v8's then.

The E39 was never fitted with a semi automatic gearbox - you had a choice of a 5 speed manual (6 speed in the 540i and M5) or a conventional torque convertor automatic with electronic tiptronic over-ride.

Never a semi auto box.

gbradders123 · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:33

[TW]Fox;15055596 said:
The E39 was never fitted with a semi automatic gearbox - you had a choice of a 5 speed manual (6 speed in the 540i and M5) or a conventional torque convertor automatic with electronic tiptronic over-ride.

Never a semi auto box.

meant the electronic tiptronic over-ride,

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:35

Well it's a ZF box in the petrol models, tried and tested. There are reports of a reverse gear issue but I've never heard of problems with forward gears.

gbradders123 · 8 Oct 2009 at 23:37

[TW]Fox;15055640 said:
Well it's a ZF box in the petrol models, tried and tested. There are reports of a reverse gear issue but I've never heard of problems with forward gears.

going to some some investigaiting then! could do with a 540i.

paradigm · 9 Oct 2009 at 08:42

NickXX said:
Hi Paradigm, how are you getting on with the 330? Did you manage to get it to BP In Dover?

I'm thinking of going for the z3m kit in the 318 at some point, is it easy to fit? Do you fit it from inside the cabin or underneath the car after dropping the gearbox?

Made it to fuel yes

Over 600 miles to that tank in the end!

Fitting the kit is simple, you do need to drop the box, but only a slight amount which means it can be left attached to the engine and just the gearbox mounts undone from the exhaust hanger.