Second Gear Grind - SIB 23 01 09 - Help

[dohnelley]

I have researched this topic extensively. I have a 2008 M3 sedan 6MT with a pretty bad case of the gear grinds when shifting from first to second, and third to second. Due to this becoming more than an annoyance, my car is currently at the dealer. I am very apprehensive they will actually fix the problem, which i believe would call for a tranny replacement after reading through 1000's of posts on this and other forums.

I read a post from a while back that said there is a service bulletin, SIB 23 01 09, on this problem. I would really like to have this handy when negotiating the fix with this dealer. Can someone help me out? I have already searched, and searched, and searched for it. Thank you in advance!

I will be sure to update you as i work through this with BMW. Day one has concluded with the Service Coordinator calling me to say his techs didn't think there was a problem. The foreman comes in tomorrow to look at it. well see how this goes.

[tibra1]

Sounds like bad 2nd gear synchro.

[smmmurf]

Sounds like your synchros are gone. needs refurb'd or new transmission

Changing fluid or some new additive mostly relieves the symptoms of the issue and it will come back later when the transmission is mechanically in even worse shape

[italyix]

I dont have the grind but I have a hard time going into second all the time. My car is also an E90 M3 MY08

[tibra1]

Not all syncros ..just 2nd...that is usually sign of alot of mis-shifts.. either way that will call for reman gearbox

[dohnelley]

I agree with all of you in that the synchros, especially in 2nd gear, are the culprit. I am trying to find ways to make my dealings with the dealership easier and get this fixed under the new car warranty, which still exists on my car. the service bulletin i noted in the title is possibly the best way i have found so far, so that is why i was hoping to find a copy of it. Any other tips would be useful though. I know this seems like a no brainer warranty claim, but so far there is skepticism coming from the dealership.

[dohnelley]

as of today, after two test drives with the foreman and some convincing, they are going to write this up and begin the PUMA process. I am still not optimistic, but at least its moving in some direction.

[italyix]

are u getting grinds when shifting at high rpm, or in general?

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by dohnelley

as of today, after two test drives with the foreman and some convincing, they are going to write this up and begin the PUMA process. I am still not optimistic, but at least its moving in some direction.

If you are under factory warranty you are most likely getting a reman trans shipped complete from Germany..its good this happened when it did or you would have been looking at spending close to $7K in parts and labor

[sethbrawnl]

I am trying to find ways to make my dealings with the dealership easier and get this fixed under the new car warranty

[edwinm3]

I'm at the dealer right now, spoke to my advisor about this bulletin, he didn't know about it but gonna have a tech look it up for me.
I don't have any issues but would like to know just in case

[italyix]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

I'm at the dealer right now, spoke to my advisor about this bulletin, he didn't know about it but gonna have a tech look it up for me.
I don't have any issues but would like to know just in case

Can you post a copy of this SIB?

[edwinm3]

Dont have my scanner hooked up, took these pics with my iphone, sorry for the bad quality. I'll try to scan them when I have a chance.

[italyix]

^^^

Thank you!!!!

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by italyix

^^^

Thank you!!!!

You're welcome

[dohnelley]

Thanks for posting that. Unfortunately, BMW determined my issue to be normal. Even after a technical service expert? (TSE) drove my car. Whatever. it will be a larger issue soon.

[Salna]

I think my second hand purchased car is exhibiting this. Yay. Out of warranty of course.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Salna

I think my second hand purchased car is exhibiting this. Yay. Out of warranty of course.

Don't feel too bad, I bought my car in 2008 with 2 miles on it.

Transmission is absolutely perfect and butter smooth, but it does complain sometimes on a very fast shift to second. That's where the DCT has the real advantage in my book.

[01'325rip]

I had issues a few months ago shifting, had issues with 2nd and sometimes 3rd.

I figured it was me, and those stupid A** floormats that kept getting in the way (anyone else have this issues).

They ended up replacing my clutch and a few other things, what a world of difference.

Hope everything gets solved keep us updated !

[bigjae1976]

I think most 6MT BMWs have a 2nd gear synchro issue because its the gear you through the most. The 2nd gear synchro in my 330 6sp ZF gearbox was on its way out. Unless I perfectly rev matched downshifting, it would grind. Fast upshifting would cause grind as well.

A theory that I have heard is that short shift kits AND fast shifting contribute to the 2nd gear synchro wear. If you shorten the throw considerably you cut down the time the synchro has to spool up so wear the synchro faster. Or something like that.

I would ask them to put some fresh fluid in gearbox. That might help. I know in my 330 6MT it does. I usually change when it starts to become notchy and then it feels great for about 5k miles. For my 330, gearbox oil lasts maybe about 15k miles.

[e92livin]

My third gear is pissing me off usually at higher rpms when i shift into third it grinds and it gets much harder to put it in gear also my 3rd gear vibrates alot.

[Grail05]

try going to PACIFIC BMW... my tranny was replaced with 2nd gear issue. was hard to put the gear in 2nd and always grind. it was replaced at 5k miles.

If that dont work... replace the oil ... it does take at least up to 1k mile to smooth out the shifts....