1st gear on 6MT, issue?

[dhahlen]

2008 m3 with 45k. Clutch done at 40k. Car is stock.

When I am at a stop (the only time I use 1st) I go to shift into 1st gear. The shifter will go about half way. As soon as I start to roll forward when letting off the clutch, the shifter immediately slides all the way into 1st. I can repeat this 80-90% of the time.

I was wondering if anyone else has this issue?

Thanks

[MKE_M3]

sorry to hear about the problem. Are you still under warranty?

[AMPowerJ]

clutch gone in 40K miles

[dhahlen]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

clutch gone in 40K miles

It was replaced because the car would not go into reverse, replaced clutch and problem was resolved. Dealership felt clutch was issue....

Yes, still under warranty

[MattE92]

get a new gearbox asap

[dhahlen]

Figured out if I am at a stop, I shift into 2nd gear then back into first, the problem isn't there.

Coming to a stop, put the car in neutral. Stop, go to place it in first, goes half way. Shift into second then back into first, fully engages.

I'm going to take it to the dealer next week, it's getting detailed this weekend. I'll keep everyone posted.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Never had any issues in my e92 6MT 2011 or my now 2012 (touch wood) my shifter is smooth and direct no problems at all.

[stefan]

Yeah that is a problem... get er into the shop.

Originally Posted by dhahlen

It was replaced because the car would not go into reverse, replaced clutch and problem was resolved. Dealership felt clutch was issue....

Yes, still under warranty

Interesting. I wonder if that just masked an overall problem with the gearbox.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by stefan

Yeah that is a problem... get er into the shop.
Interesting. I wonder if that just masked an overall problem with the gearbox.

I would tend to agree on that one. Might be a bad synchro or something.

[dhahlen]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I would tend to agree on that one. Might be a bad synchro or something.

I have the same feeling.... I scheduled a service appointment for Monday. Should have some news next week!

[JB_Vert]

I've driven 4 different manuals in my life, and all of them did this occasionally--sitting at a stop, won't go all the way into 1st, shift to 2nd and then back and it goes into 1st fine. This stuff is mechanical--metal gear cogs trying to mesh with other metal gear cogs, and if you've been sitting with the clutch disengaged, then sometimes the gears aren't going to mesh.

As a test, when sitting at a stop, shift to neutral and engage the clutch until you're ready to shift into 1st, then disengage right before you shift (some say this is better for your clutch/throw-out bearing anyway). See if it helps. Of course, don't ever try to force it into 1st if it doesn't want to go.

If the problem is constant, then another possibility is the clutch needs adjustment.

JB

[dhahlen]

Originally Posted by JB_Vert

I've driven 4 different manuals in my life, and all of them did this occasionally--sitting at a stop, won't go all the way into 1st, shift to 2nd and then back and it goes into 1st fine. This stuff is mechanical--metal gear cogs trying to mesh with other metal gear cogs, and if you've been sitting with the clutch disengaged, then sometimes the gears aren't going to mesh.

As a test, when sitting at a stop, shift to neutral and engage the clutch until you're ready to shift into 1st, then disengage right before you shift (some say this is better for your clutch/throw-out bearing anyway). See if it helps. Of course, don't ever try to force it into 1st if it doesn't want to go.

If the problem is constant, then another possibility is the clutch needs adjustment.

JB

Thanks for this, I'll give it a shot.

Out of all the manual's I've owned, to include half a dozen BMW's, this is the first time I've experienced this issue.

[DBH]

You probably have weak synchros on first gear. This can happen over time or if the shift has been forced too many times - basicly a wear issue. It's not a safety issue but it will only get worse over time. Eventually (years?) the synchros will need replacing. If the car is still under warranty, BMW will probably cover the replacement.

In the mean time you can live with it by employing one of these two techniques:

1)

Originally Posted by JB_Vert

As a test, when sitting at a stop, shift to neutral and engage the clutch until you're ready to shift into 1st, then disengage right before you shift (some say this is better for your clutch/throw-out bearing anyway). See if it helps. Of course, don't ever try to force it into 1st if it doesn't want to go.JB

- I suggest you do this at all times when you come to a full stop even if you also utilize #2 below.

2) As you've already tried - shift to second gear, then into first. This relieves some of the strain on the synchros making it easier to get into first.

If neither of these techniques helps, take it to the dealer because...it's time.

[F82_SID]

OMG! I thought I was the only one that had this same problem. This has been happening to me a lot as well and I only have 14k on the clock. I try and push the shifter into first and it only goes half way until I roll forward a tiny bit and then it fully engages. I asked my service advisor about it and he said it was normal for the BMW manuals to do that some time but I dont quite believe him. I had a 6mt 335i before I got the M and that car never did this even after 50k miles and a new clutch.

If any of you have figured out if this is normal or not or have figured out what is going on please post an update! Im glad its not just my car.

[thai357sig]

My M started doing this seldomly at 20K miles and I complained but the dumb asses at the dealer could not replicate. Now a 54k it does it once every other day. I just learned to live with it. If it last till a 100K mile I will be ok. Got my fingers crossed.

[///My5UV]

My E36M3 started doing that at ~140k miles. 45k miles sounds way too early... also sounds like the synchros are in rough shape. My guess would be abuse but if you can get a transmission swap from the warranty than rock on and figure out WTF you've been doing wrong.

[dhahlen]

Originally Posted by ///My5UV

My E36M3 started doing that at ~140k miles. 45k miles sounds way too early... also sounds like the synchros are in rough shape. My guess would be abuse but if you can get a transmission swap from the warranty than rock on and figure out WTF you've been doing wrong.

I just got the car ;p

I may end up extending the warranty before it expires....

[///My5UV]

Don't be sad, extended warranties have paid for themselves on every car I've owned!
Look at the bright side, with a new clutch and transmission it should be cherry.

[dhahlen]

Originally Posted by ///My5UV

Don't be sad, extended warranties have paid for themselves on every car I've owned!
Look at the bright side, with a new clutch and transmission it should be cherry.

Just the $5200 up front, ess will have to wait

[hc999]

Check clutch again and the fly wheel, did you ever take it to the track or race it very hard? Bad fly wheel can ruin the clutch pretty fast.
My last car have some kind of same problem, hard to get in 1st, take it to dealership, I been told the fly wheel already turns to blue, I pay for the clutch and fly wheel myself....That really hurt.

[hc999]

Cant believe that SA told you that was normal, if every BMW MT does that, why we still buy our cars?

Originally Posted by E92_SID

OMG! I thought I was the only one that had this same problem. This has been happening to me a lot as well and I only have 14k on the clock. I try and push the shifter into first and it only goes half way until I roll forward a tiny bit and then it fully engages. I asked my service advisor about it and he said it was normal for the BMW manuals to do that some time but I dont quite believe him. I had a 6mt 335i before I got the M and that car never did this even after 50k miles and a new clutch.

If any of you have figured out if this is normal or not or have figured out what is going on please post an update! Im glad its not just my car.