N20 with 6mt impressions?

ES_TRADER · 10-26-2012, 06:13 PM

Can anyone chime in on this? What are your impressions? How's the feel of the shifter vs previous bmws?

How's it compare with the 8at. Not in terms if shifting speed but overall feel.

Thinking about ordering one but none around here for a test drive.

Pls talk about your impressions. I know some have 335i with 6mt but I'm really looking to see how a manual matches with the n20

stubbs031 · 10-26-2012, 07:20 PM

I just got my 328 manual and I absolutely love the combination. The engine and gearbox are incredibly matched. I drove the sport auto 328 and it is really hard to compare the two, the manual is that good - I felt so disconnected in the auto (although the shifts are incredibly fast for a slushbox - almost M-DCT quick).

I have the MSport so the shifter is a bit different from the base/sport shifter and I can't comment on too many past BMW shifters. But compared to friends' E46 and E92 M3s it's less notchy all around, but the 1-2 shift is still a tad notchy.

Go drive both (if you can, seems like manual F30s are very rare on dealer lots) and I think you'll be sold on rowing-your-own - I know I was. Good luck

BavarianFanatic · 10-26-2012, 08:40 PM

One of my engineers has an N20 6MT Sportline. One of the first to hit the US actually. It's one of the best factory shifters I've come across. Very nice, positive shifts and nicely weighted with a reasonable throw. Driving his car is what really made me think twice before I ordered my 335i.

Jamesons Viggen · 10-27-2012, 10:01 AM

I love it.

While the 8at is a great automatic, it's an automatic.

The 6mt is not perfect, but it is a decent transmission and one of the better ones from BMW.

THe ZHP shift knob part of the M-Sport is a must even if you get a lower end package.

I love putting it in Sport+ and driving it like I stole it. There is enough tq to not only spin the wheels on the 1-2 shift, but even a 2-3 chirp lol.

mocohead · 10-28-2012, 09:33 AM

I am really happy with the combination. The shifter is a bit better than the linkage in my e90 335i, better than any of my prior BMW's actually. But between my 335i and this car I had an Evo X and this shifter is VASTLY superior to that POS.

The automatic is probably pretty good but there is just something about controlling the action yourself that can't be matched. The joy of executing a perfect heel-toe downshift while threshold braking (on the track) is something you can only experience with the MT.

I can't imagine being sorry you got the MT...It is that good!

10-26-2012, 06:13 PM	#1
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	N20 with 6mt impressions? Can anyone chime in on this? What are your impressions? How's the feel of the shifter vs previous bmws? How's it compare with the 8at. Not in terms if shifting speed but overall feel. Thinking about ordering one but none around here for a test drive. Pls talk about your impressions. I know some have 335i with 6mt but I'm really looking to see how a manual matches with the n20
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10-26-2012, 07:20 PM	#2
stubbs031 New Member 0 Rep 20 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I just got my 328 manual and I absolutely love the combination. The engine and gearbox are incredibly matched. I drove the sport auto 328 and it is really hard to compare the two, the manual is that good - I felt so disconnected in the auto (although the shifts are incredibly fast for a slushbox - almost M-DCT quick). I have the MSport so the shifter is a bit different from the base/sport shifter and I can't comment on too many past BMW shifters. But compared to friends' E46 and E92 M3s it's less notchy all around, but the 1-2 shift is still a tad notchy. Go drive both (if you can, seems like manual F30s are very rare on dealer lots) and I think you'll be sold on rowing-your-own - I know I was. Good luck __________________ 2022 X5 xDrive45e, Alpine White, MSport, DAPP, HK, M Brakes, Shadowline 2019 X3 xDrive30i, Phytonic Blue Retired: 2013 328i, Estoril Blue, 6MT, MSport
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10-26-2012, 08:40 PM	#3
BavarianFanatic Too much is never enough 655 Rep 3,079 Posts Drives: Too Many Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	One of my engineers has an N20 6MT Sportline. One of the first to hit the US actually. It's one of the best factory shifters I've come across. Very nice, positive shifts and nicely weighted with a reasonable throw. Driving his car is what really made me think twice before I ordered my 335i.
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10-27-2012, 10:01 AM	#4
Jamesons Viggen Brigadier General 194 Rep 3,780 Posts Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rochester Hills MI iTrader: (3)	I love it. While the 8at is a great automatic, it's an automatic. The 6mt is not perfect, but it is a decent transmission and one of the better ones from BMW. THe ZHP shift knob part of the M-Sport is a must even if you get a lower end package. I love putting it in Sport+ and driving it like I stole it. There is enough tq to not only spin the wheels on the 1-2 shift, but even a 2-3 chirp lol. __________________ '98 Dinan/RMS stage 2+(VAC cams, CES Cutring etc) '15 Buick Regal "T"(wife) '06 Saab 9-5 Combi 5mt (full suspension, LSD, clipped turbo etc)
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10-28-2012, 09:33 AM	#5
mocohead Lieutenant 54 Rep 453 Posts Drives: '16 M235i 6MT & 12 128i Msport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	I am really happy with the combination. The shifter is a bit better than the linkage in my e90 335i, better than any of my prior BMW's actually. But between my 335i and this car I had an Evo X and this shifter is VASTLY superior to that POS. The automatic is probably pretty good but there is just something about controlling the action yourself that can't be matched. The joy of executing a perfect heel-toe downshift while threshold braking (on the track) is something you can only experience with the MT. I can't imagine being sorry you got the MT...It is that good!
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