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Hi I wondered if anyone has this problem or knows of a cure,

We have a 2000 E46 328i touring and the gearbox is really stiff especially when cold, it feels almost agricultural and not what you would expect from a refined german car. Is this a common problem and is there a cure for it?

Many Thanks

Chris

I have an E46 M3, and my gearbox is also pretty heavy.
Changing the oil can certainly help Chris, but I think the E46 boxes are just notoriously clunky.

Thanks

It must just be the car, we will change the oil and see if it helps a bit. I wouldnt mind an M3 now they are slowly coming down in price now.

I do love my M3, it makes me smile everytime I drive it. The running costs though are sky high, especially with fuel at £1.25 per litre.

I know what you mean about fuel costs, we also run an R34 Skyline and vpower in our area is 1.30 per litre...

I am going self employed in a few weeks so will be losing my company car and want something nice and reliable to use everyday, we dont like boring cars, have about £5k to spend, any suggestions.

Shortlist so far:

Honda Civic Type R
Mazda RX8
Audi A3 (3.2 Quattro or Nippy TDI)
Audi B5 S4 (Getting old now though)

What about an E36 M3?

Love the M3 but they are getting and looking old now and for the money I would be willing to spend will have to settle for one with huge mileage to make it cost effective for me.

I have seen a 98 gen 5 motegi prelude that really takes my fancy, its cheap and we used to have one years ago so know how good and how much fun they are.

Update so far:

Honda Civic Type R (love them, fast reliable fun and not too old 03/04 plate)
Mazda RX8 (drove didnt like, too slow, expensive to run, really need to work to drive it)
Audi A3 3.2 Quattro or Nippy TDI (too much money and Audis are expensive to service and maintain)
Audi B5 S4 Getting old now though (too old same issues as above)

Is there anything else I should have a look at.

Integra Type R
Fabia VRS
Seat Leon Cupra
S2000
?

Integra type R, )dont like the interior too much (especially red seats, love the new ones but cant afford one)
Fabia VRS (Too Slow not my cup of tea)
Seat Leon Cupra ( considered until my friend bought one and had nothing but trouble with it)
S2000 (Been there done that, great car but not very good or comfortable going long distances)

Now I sound really fussy and really I am not!!!