[FreeAgent]

Hey guys, picked the new m2 up from the dealer yesterday, and am surprised how much force is required to get the shifter to the left to get into reverse. Sliding up into reverse isn't hard, it's pushing it to the left that seems abnormally hard.

The one I test drove before ordering mine months ago didn't feel like it required nearly as much force.

I figure it's something that may loosen up over time.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[jas165]

That’s one of the things that jumped out at me when I test drove a base G82 before purchasing my base G80.

Unfortunately, it won’t improve that much over time as I’ve now had the G80 for about 2.5 years and putting the car in reverse still requires quite a bit of force. But you do get used to it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[FreeAgent]

Interesting. Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll ask about it at the break in service and see what they say.

[Baller]

Nope, not me. Easy af.

[Sleeper]

Don’t skip chest day.

Totally normal. BMW wants you to mean it if going into reverse.

[aerobod]

It is more of a sideways tap followed by a push forward to select reverse on BMW manual transmissions. The spring detent that provides resistance is designed to prevent accidental selection of reverse.

[clydefrog]

I just give the bastard a good smack and it does as it's told

[M2see]

My F87 was really challenging at first to the point that I had to really lean into it to engage reverse, but eased up to the point it was no longer noticeable. I did however engage reverse multiple times a day so was used regularly.

My new G87 is way easier to get in reverse than the F87 was when new, but still expect it will get easier.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by jas165

That’s one of the things that jumped out at me when I test drove a base G82 before purchasing my base G80.

Unfortunately, it won’t improve that much over time as I’ve now had the G80 for about 2.5 years and putting the car in reverse still requires quite a bit of force. But you do get used to it 🤷🏻‍♂️

I have drove standards for the biggest part of my life And I can honestly say when this happens, it’s usually not having the clutch all the way to the floor. Try that make sure your clutch is all the way to the floor when trying to engage into reverse.

[chris719]

It will get better over time, my F87 did.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by FreeAgent

Hey guys, picked the new m2 up from the dealer yesterday, and am surprised how much force is required to get the shifter to the left to get into reverse. Sliding up into reverse isn't hard, it's pushing it to the left that seems abnormally hard.

The one I test drove before ordering mine months ago didn't feel like it required nearly as much force.

I figure it's something that may loosen up over time.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, compared to my other cars the M2 requires a bit more effort to move the lever sideways and overcome the spring that is intended to prevent accidental engagement of reverse.

But I don't mind. And I adapted to this quite quickly.

My 2018 MINI JCW had a lighter spring and a time or two I accidently got reverse rather than 1st gear -- fortunately no harm done -- so I'd rather have a bit too much resistance rather then too little...

[two_three_two]

a bit over 9k miles and its significantly easier now vs brand new for me.

[KC87ZB]

Certainly anyone coming from a different style of reverse engagement would fine the BMW resistance to be very high.

[Ravenseal]

Not sure if this is satire, but maybe spend more time at the gym.

[DrewDDS]

Just gotta slap it, seriously. You can rear back a little bit. Give a slap then push forward. It’s so easy once you get the hang of it

[mtoo]

When I took delivery, I couldn't figure out how to get it in reverse because of how much force it ended up taking. I was worried I was going to break something. After adjusting, I haven't thought about it at all anymore 😆

I'm coming from Honda/Acura MTs.

[FreeAgent]

Originally Posted by mtoo

When I took delivery, I couldn't figure out how to get it in reverse because of how much force it ended up taking. I was worried I was going to break something. After adjusting, I haven't thought about it at all anymore 😆

I'm coming from Honda/Acura MTs.

Ok, thanks for sharing. This was me exactly. I've been driving manuals all my life, and I thought for a second I was going to have to go back inside and ask them how to get it in reverse like an idiot but then I just muscled it and it went. Glad it seems like it's normal.

[eluded]

must resist temptation to say something inappropriate.

Originally Posted by FreeAgent

I figure it's something that may loosen up over time.

[dagoban]

I had the same problem at first. Then you learn to do the movement correctly and it's fixed.

by dagoban, en Flickr

[JMcLellan]

I can relate to what OP is saying. My first few times it felt like it was harder than it should be. Once you expect to apply that much force it comes easier.

Funny story: the M2 (6mt) I was able to test drive before ordering my car, had some front end damage from an employee bumping a wall in the parking garage at the dealer. The story was that the lot kid thought he was in reverse but the car was in 1st and he went boom into a wall. My bet is that he pushed the shifter all the way to the left (or so thought it was all the way to the left) assuming the car was in reverse then made a boom boom.