How to drive a manual Z smoothly?
 

I just bought a 09 Z and no matter how slow I release the clutch, 1 to 2nd for me is always "rough" also there is this clunky noise everytime I shift even though I alwyas depress the clutch all the way in. How do you guys drive the Z smoothly? Please share your ways of driving, thanks

slow and easy. takes a lot of practice. i still lurch from time to time and i'm creepin towards 10k. i usually just blip the throttle at first and feather the clutch as much as possible

As stated, time is the answer. Every car has a different point of contact when letting the clutch go so you have to train yourself where that spot is and as stated, time!

I've got the engagement down well but releasing it, I kind of nodge the car so now I'm working on that.

I found turning the SynchroRev Match off made for smoother upshifts, but I missed it on the downshifts, so I ended up turning it back on. Like Vipor says, practice makes perfect.

Though I still maitain, for a $40,000 car, I expected a better gearbox.

But is this a problem with the gear box or simply that sport's car clutches are sensitive in general?

I have just learned to drive manual, about a month ago and then bought MT 370z a few days ago. I am getting better, but I find that ever-so-gentle clutch release helps me.

it's pretty easy to drive a manual z smoothly if you have driven a manual transmission german car (i.e. they are tougher to drive smoothly, imo) :)

^ I'm gonna disagree on that one. I've driven an E92 335i 6MT several times and it seems a lot more refined and easier to shift smoothly than the Z.

I agree with all the other guys on here that it just takes time to find that "sweet spot".

How about the "clunky" sound when I shift? Is it normal for the Z or am I doing something wrong?
BTW, this is my first manual car, is releasing the clutch to the point of contact and hold it there before give it gas really bad for the clutch's life? Or do I have to give it gas first and slowly release the clutch out to get the car moving? Thanks again for the answers guys

Neither really. Every car is different and it takes some time to learn it's idiosyncrasies. I've had 57 cars and all have been different. Some are harder to drive smoothly. I'd put the 370 in that category.

Shift slow when you go slow and shift fast when you go fast :p

Try releasing the gas pedal a little earlier. I found this to be my problem. It was all about timing because I was used to a car with a mechanical linkage and not throttle by wire. It seems that there is a slight delay and not releasing the gas sooner keeps the tranny loaded. This is what caused the clunking for me in my 1-2 shift.

So release the gas pedal, then clutch in, give gas, clutch out ?

Practice and timing is the key.

Yeah, it's all about timing. I've never had a smoothness problem engaging the clutch (letting the pedal out). I've only had the clunk when pushing the clutch pedal in. Just play with your timing and you'll figure it out.

I can drive my German car as if it is automatic. The Z? I am about ready to give up even though I have almost 700,000+ miles for experience. :) :)