TakmaN

Hey everyone,

I know it's probably been killed to death on every single BMW forum but I just got my car back from the shop today and had my CDV swapped for the drilled one from Zeckhausen Racing. I heard it was an easy DIY job but when the shop put my car on the lift, my CDV was farther up right next to the diff and there was no way to reach it without burning your arm. I forget what line was underneath it, but they said that had to be removed as well? I'm not too knowledgable with technical terms and what not but the CDV on my E60 545i was definitely in a different spot than my E46 which was much easier to access.

All in all, nothing but smiles as the car shifts so silky smooth like it should. No more noob-like jerking when I shift and having to really focus when I take off in first from a stop. I love it and recommend everyone with a 6mt to do it. Night and day difference! Total cost of the "mod" was roughly $120 for the Zeckhausen CDV and CDV swap. Pretty good deal if you ask me, even better if you DIY!

If anyone is curious, I took my car to Autotalent in West LA, awesome crew and even cooler cars there. In fact, I still have to pay them for the job!

BulldogE60

hmmmm interesting. I don't get the "jerky" feeling much, except when shifting through high RPM's. Anymore feedback?

mrfva

Same here, but I'd still like to do the CDV mod.

TakmaN

Hmmm it might feel more jerky for me also since I've had my e60 for about a month and drove an s2000 before that which has an amazing gear box. So to me shifting between the two is a night and day difference.

It definitely feels like a "hinderance" on the clutch is gone, sorry don't know how else to word it. The clutch just grabs now instead of feeling like it feathers a bit. Not sure if you guys have sprintboosters as well but maybe that's why it feels jerkier for me as well since the gas pedal is a lot more sensitive and finding just the right gas/clutch balance is a bit more tedious. I didn't like the sport button gas pedal sensitivity on my E46 M3 so the sprint booster took me a little getting used to.

But it's definitely worth a try, you can always put it back on and I've not heard any complaints after anyone took it off.

BulldogE60

I had an s2k before this car as well....when you getting another

TakmaN

Haha awesome! I still have it actually, tucked away in my Grandparent's garage. I wouldn't mind buying an AP1 in the future and boosting it for a badass weekend toy. It's pretty slammed and I tried driving it in LA, no go. Coilover stiffness didn't save me from bottoming out on freeways and streets heh.

It was one of the most fun cars I've driven (considering I haven't driven any P-cars or exotics).

Are you getting back in one?!

BulldogE60

Would love to, but no $$$ to have an extra car right now. It was my daily for a couple of years, but damn it was annoying jumping in with a fresh suit and coming out all wrinkled haha.

John@Motorcepts

wasnt there someonearound NYC who would do a CDV for a six-pack? He's a very nice guy and would help. I dont really feel a delay when I shift though...

hmc

I did CDV mod 10 days after I got mine.

v_therussian

Hell, I'll give him a case! Someone please recommend a shop in NYC who can do this - I'm DEFINITELY putting this on my list


OP thanks for this thread and for sharing - VERY useful. Plus, manual transmissions just don't get enough love here