6MT 2nd gear issue...

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by mdosu

I've never heard of ppl with issues going into 5th, you must be the only one

when i first got the car, I did have issues going into 6th though, it was my first 6MT (driven 5MTs prior), and the long throw was awkward and I've missed the gear and hit the gate a few times.

What are you doing trying to shift quickly from 5th to 6th? You do 150 to work?

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

What are you doing trying to shift quickly from 5th to 6th? You do 150 to work?

i live my life a quarter mile at a time, and for those 11 seconds, nothing matters...until my fucking floor board flys off!

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by Lute

Are you sure?

There is no "6MT 2nd gear issue". First every gearbox when new takes time to break in, and second it takes a little time before you master the 1-2 shift.

Drive the car more, there is nothing wrong with it.

Yes, I'm sure buddy.

There is a 6MT 2nd gear issue, I'm having it right now with my car!

It's not a huge deal on all cars, but the rubbery notchy feeling of engagement is apparent on any 6MT M3 you will drive. (for 2nd gear)

Let me clear up and better communicate what my situation is:

For my car its not that big of a deal unless I'm shifting from 1st to 2nd at high revs while accelerating, and especially drifting. I push the clutch ALL the way down, pull the gear lever back (have tried a couple different hand positions and techniques to see if it solves the issue) but the 2nd gear always grinds in those situations. I've tried shifting quickly and slowly... to no avail.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by robotk

Maybe try the ZHP knob. I bought my car with it installed and I honestly haven't noticed more resistance in 2nd than any other car I've owned. Of course, it always takes time to learn how to finesse any MT - they are all different. Personally, it usually takes me a couple of months to really get an intuitive feel for any new MT - that's part of what makes me love the things.

Originally Posted by swhat

Initially I had issues with 2nd gear when redlining with quick shifting, but after 50k miles (finally broken in), that is no longer an issue. I also have the ZHP knob (maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't)

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Second gear is the worst gear on this transmission.

If you shift really hard it grinds, and the dealer won't do anything about it ;(

Originally Posted by mdosu

love the analogies.

anyways, couldn't agree with you more. I recommend, as others have, that you should change out the knob. The OEM knob has an awkward height, weight, and (for me) structure, where I can't perform the best direct shift everytime.

I swapped mine to the smaller F30 M Performance knob.
Others have swapped to the weighted F10 M5 knob. Both options shorten the throw and provides a counterbalanced weight to help make the shift. The F30 knob gets rid of the "goose neck girth" if you're bothered by the size of the OEM knob, which is still present with the F10 M5 knob.

Also, what RPM are you shifting into 2nd btw? You should try the shift to 2nd higher than 3k. Just saying, you shouldn't be slipping the clutch in 2nd that much, and almost so slip to 3rd. If you are, you're shifting way too low on the revs.

Thanks for the input guys,

I'll definitely try getting a new knob (that F30 performance one is )

I'm also taking my car to the dealer (for a DSC/DBC error issue - a sensor needs to be replaced), so I'll have the shop foreman take my car for a spin and see what he says.

I think it's my 2nd gear syncros that need adjustment/to be replaced and hope they can fix it because I don't want to shift into second one time to hear my transmission go "boom"