actually there is a way (archive)

There is a split second where the transmission is not loaded, right when you back off the throttle. You could pull off a fast no clutch shift but it would still be really tough to do cleanly. I do this on my motorcycle all the time. Infact I only use the clutch to start off. I think a car tranny works a little different though. Too bad. That would be neat to have indy car like shifting in the Bimmer. Heck if Lexus can have a button why cant we have rachet action?

You can do this when the transmission is not loaded and the engine RPM matches the transmission RPM. But just think about it. If you are shifting up you have to wait until the RPM drops about 2000 before this would be true. If you use the clutch you can shift it right now. You could force it but you will end up grinding or breaking a tooth eventually. It takes alot of practice to do it without abusing the car. I used my friend Honda Civic in colledge for a week while we were doing a motor swap in my car. His clutch cylinder was shot. It worked just enogh for you to get rolling. All other shifts were done without the clutch. I drove this car for about a week. By the end of the week, if you drove with me, you would not be able to tell I was not using the clutch. No grinding at all. Even then it still took a lot of attention to do it right. Just use the clutch.
I was wondering how many of you out there ever short shift our E36's. By this I dont mean shifting early... I mean when you don't engage the clutch at all during shifting. I guess theres an rpm at which the gears are mated and you can just pull the stick straight down, say for shorting 1st to 2nd??? I don't have experinece with this but am curious what the correct rpms are.
NJdrive '94 325is

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