[bsp]

Dear all,
I have some slight trouble with my gearbox (or clutch, maybe) and I would like to compare with others experience. Every once in a while, mostly when cold, 1st would not engage or would be difficult to engage, with a "2 gate feeling". I found a way to replicate the sub-standard behavior (see below).
My car is a 2yr old 320d, around 25Kmiles, but any 6MT is probably more or less the same.

So, to cut it short, if some kind souls out there are willing to replicate this and post here their experience, it would mean a lot to me:

1. Start the engine
2. Place it in neutral, release clutch
3. WITHOUT depressing the clutch, try to engage 1st. Not lightly, not heavily, but in a normal and determined way. You may keep it pushed forward for a few seconds. Should not engage, of course . Release the pressure.
4. Now push the clutch down fully and try to engage 1st.

My question is : Does it engage smoothly, or it feels like something is in the way? Is it the same 1st you "know"?

In my case it's significantly harder to engage 1st in the last step, and it feels like it has to go past two or three gates before engaging, unlike the normal "1 gate" feeling.

Thank you for any help.

[mmm def]

no im not doing that with my car

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by mmm def

no im not doing that with my car

Don't blame you.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

hahah nobody is going to grind their gears for you buddy. . .
Get CDV mod.
You'll be happy

[blue2fire]

That is like asking for pound of flesh.

[BzsBimmer]

There you go.
I think people will only go so far but to trash their own gears... I love the scene as much as the next person but c'mon

There.. I'll give you two hands

[boymonkey]

"WITHOUT depressing the clutch, try to engage 1st." - I don't think you should ever do that.

And like others pointed out, you might need to delete the Clutch Delay Valve so the engage is not delayed.

[Gig103]

I've found that sometimes my first gear is resistant, and if I slide it into 2 (without engaging) and back to 1, it goes right in.

Also, I would encourage the CDV delete as well.

[quiksilver1029]

I think I know how you feel. Sometimes when i'm stopped at a red light or whatever and I try to put first gear in (obviously with the clutch pedal in) for some reason it feels blocked. All you have to do is release the clutch, push it back in and 1st gear will go in. This has happenned to me only about 5 times in the 2 years i've owned my car. I have to say tho, that ever since I took out the stock CDV it hasn't happened again.

[Arustik1]

Happens to me too...dont worry about it.

[choopy]

LOL Funny post OP!!

[ohnoes]

Happens to me on my E46 M3, too.

[Perpetrator]

Happens every now and then to me as well. As others have said, you can just let off the clutch, press clutch and try again. I've driven manual for years in both BMW and non-BMW cars, and this happens from time to time. Last comes to last, just put it in 2nd and go.

[BK]

Originally Posted by Perpetrator

I've driven manual for years in both BMW and non-BMW cars, and this happens from time to time.

Completely normal.

[lamia2super]

mine gives me trouble also when putting it in first but im changing the clutch and flywheel should be done tomorrow next step is turbos then exhaust

[Bobbykurva]

Hey guys - I got into an accident the other day and my airbags didn't go off. Would one of you mind starting your car, redlining 1st through 3rd and then hitting a brick wall as you shift into 4th? I just wanna see if you guys experience the same problem.

Thanks.












joke of course

[ohnoes]

Originally Posted by Bobbykurva

Hey guys - I got into an accident the other day and my airbags didn't go off. Would one of you mind starting your car, redlining 1st through 3rd and then hitting a brick wall as you shift into 4th? I just wanna see if you guys experience the same problem.

Thanks.












joke of course

Sure, I'll try it, if you replace my car.






If Jeremy Clarkson did, why can't I? Never mind the fact he was in a semi...

[Strongmad]

If you are having trouble getting into first at a stop light, just double clutch it from nuetral. Works everytime.

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by bsp

Dear all,
I have some slight trouble with my gearbox (or clutch, maybe) and I would like to compare with others experience. Every once in a while, mostly when cold, 1st would not engage or would be difficult to engage, with a "2 gate feeling". I found a way to replicate the sub-standard behavior (see below).
My car is a 2yr old 320d, around 25Kmiles, but any 6MT is probably more or less the same.

I had an issue with my 6MT E90 325i where when I was stopped at a light and about to set off again, the car wouldn't shift into 1st gear. It was like the 1st gear was locked off. I could only shift into 2nd gear and set off, or shift into 2nd gear and then back into 1st gear. As this was annoying I tried to get the dealership to diagnose. They were unable to replicate the problem.

I believe it's normal operation of the synchros and they may not line up in certain conditions. Best way is just live with it...shift into 2nd and then back into first to set off.

Alternatively, you could try getting a shop to switch out the tranny fluid to Redline (or something similar). Apparently that stuff does wonders to make the shifting feel less notchy, etc. Might help with that problem as well.

[visor]

Ditto, it's normal.
There have been a handful of times in the past 3 years that 1st gear was "locked out" when I wanted to start moving from a stop light. No rhyme or reason to it.

[Dan73]

Originally Posted by Bobbykurva

Hey guys - I got into an accident the other day and my airbags didn't go off. Would one of you mind starting your car, redlining 1st through 3rd and then hitting a brick wall as you shift into 4th? I just wanna see if you guys experience the same problem.

Thanks.








joke of course

Hah, I was about to post the same exact thing.

[SR|RED]

I just experienced it today once... I thought being a newer car I wouldn't have to deal with issues I had in my 17 year old car... But clutching in a second time in neutral always seems to free things up... Just make it second nature and it won't bother you a bit... It helps that another owner told me about BMW trannies being a bit sticky.