[catch]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I didnt see transmission anywhere so I put it here.

Lately when my car is cold, second gear grinds on the way in. At first I thought I just wasnt hitting the clutch hard enough (as we are all lazy with it from time to time) but this is not the case. It feels like its not fully opening to let the gears change. This happens every time I shift into second for the first time after a cold start.
I always let me car warm up for a few minutes. The problem persists even after a 10 minute warm up.
I have given a few tries with the clutch pushed all the way to the ground (meaning I will hold it in first, push the clutch down all the way, pause to make sure its pressed all the way down without a doubt, then shift to second) but still grinds

Has anyone experienced this problem?

Any ideas as to what it could be?

I plan on bringing it in on Monday morning to BMW, the only problem is, it only happens when the car has been sitting for a while, like 8 hours. So it will be hard for me to show them the problem first hand.

Im thinking it could be clutch fluid???

[XPO186]

It's not uncommon... I've a heard of a few folks who have had problems with the 2nd gear synchro while the gearbox is cold. I used to get it even going into 3rd occasionally but it completely goes away once the car and the gearbox are all warmed up. So, I changed MT fluid to Redline MTL and it helped some but found I still had to baby the shifter on really really cold days.

Just last week though, I changed the Redline MTL to RP Synchromax and WOW what a difference. The first time I drove the car after the change, engaging 2nd gear was a night and day different from the factory MT fluid. All the shifts are generally really smooth now.

Mr.5 did a nice write-up on how to do it awhile back.

[D.yi]

worn out synchroooos

[Moc247]

I get the same thing when its cold, but only for that first shift into second. Fine after that.

[Dan335i]

Never happened to me at all.My advice is to double clutch 1st to 2nd when cold.That should take care of the grinding until it warms up.

[catch]

would a worn out syncro be covered under warranty??
im def going to message my service advisor tomorrow.
If he cant do anything Ill try changing the fluid, just seems pre-mature, I have 54000km.

I may sound like an idiot, but I have no idea how to double clutch. Correct me if im wrong but its: clutch down, take it out of first into neutral, release clutch, press clutch, put it in second, release clutch?
Ive been driving stick since i was 17 and have never had to double clutch ever!

[Dan335i]

A worn out syncro is definetly covered under warranty.

[Panoz]

I had the same issue until 10-12K miles. Then its gone completely.How many miles you have on?

[prototyp]

Not uncommon... bunches of threads on these boards about crunchy gearboxes (I spent the last year combing through every one of them). The real takeaway is to have a look at this: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B230109g.htm

Print it out, talk it over with your SA.

[catch]

great link there^^^
I plan on messaging him first thing Monday morning. I will forward him that link and see what he says.
If its getting replaced, now would be the perfect time, im headed on vacation in a week, so I can leave it there while Im gone.

Thanks for the great help so far everyone! Ill keep you posted

[NM_BMW]

I started having the same exact problem. Only 2nd, only cold starts, only the first time into 2nd and only when I reverse out of the driveway. If I drove straight out of the driveway I would never get it. Lately though I haven't had the problem any more. The stretch of road I would normally grind on, I just stay in first until I get to the stop sign and then the first shift into second is fine and doesn't grind. I don't believe that TIS applies to the cold problem. It rarely happens to me at least and only on the really cold nights.

[jibaholic101]

im having the exact same problem on my 135i!

you can check the thread here and compare notes and add to the discussion, it is now 4 pages long...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332969

[cn555ic]

These BMWs seem like there are so many glitches to them...Great machinery but the little problems cropping up here and there are quite annoying to hear..
OP, hope you get this addressed.

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by loudboxer

Not uncommon... bunches of threads on these boards about crunchy gearboxes (I spent the last year combing through every one of them). The real takeaway is to have a look at this: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B230109g.htm

Print it out, talk it over with your SA.

i printed this out and will hand it to my tech when he begins working on my car...

how does this relate to grinding?

[2kaccordocoupe]

My car grinds when going into 2nd and has since delivery, this even happens in the summer. I find that once the tranny warms up it becomes smooth.

Same deal both pre and post cdv removal.

[XPO186]

Srsly consider changing your MT fluid to RP Synchromax. I find you don't need to baby the gearbox as much on cold days. All gears are generally easier/smoother to engage as well.

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

My car grinds when going into 2nd and has since delivery, this even happens in the summer. I find that once the tranny warms up it becomes smooth.

Same deal both pre and post cdv removal.

have you had this looked at?

Originally Posted by XPO186

Srsly consider changing your MT fluid to RP Synchromax. I find you don't need to baby the gearbox as much on cold days. All gears are generally easier/smoother to engage as well.

so the fluid actually helps with this problem?

[XPO186]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

so the fluid actually helps with this problem?

Yes. To a point... just don't expect it to be the magic solution to your problem. It does help more than you think though.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

have you had this looked at?

Dealer said it was 'normal' to be a little clunky until it warms up. I have the complaint on record so should something happen with the tranny / clutch down the road it will all be documented.

In all honestly it's not that bad at least for me anyway. Just baby shift for the first 10 mins of driving and it's fine. The OP may have a different case tho...

[mshahidz]

hey man..i *think* i have a similar problem. I am not sure if its a full out grind, or just some resistance when going into second...keep us updated on whats going on.

id love to check out your ride to hear what the grind is like, i mean if more than one person if having this problem (and it seems many ppl are) its a stronger case with a dealer right?

[usc335]

I used Redline and didn't care for it. I switched to Royal Purple Synchromax for the last 15k miles and the tranny is MUCH better. Second gear still requires babying when cold, but nothing like before. To smooth the 1-2 gear shift, take it easy with the throttle, but shift at ~3500 rpm -- I find it goes in pretty darn smooth when cold...

[XPO186]

Originally Posted by usc335

I used Redline and didn't care for it. I switched to Royal Purple Synchromax for the last 15k miles and the tranny is MUCH better. Second gear still requires babying when cold, but nothing like before. To smooth the 1-2 gear shift, take it easy with the throttle, but shift at ~3500 rpm -- I find it goes in pretty darn smooth when cold...

+1

I too went from Redline MTL to Synchromax and it is a HUGE improvement. A cold gear box requires just a tiny bit of babying for the first few minutes but after that everything is very smooth and engagement is great. In my experience I feel I really only have to baby the first couple of 1>2 shifts and after that everything feels great.