6MT Question

[terabaap]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at a 2011 6mt car that apparently has a little bit of grind with 2nd gear, this is what the owner said not my personal experience since this car is out of state. His exact words below. I did some research and seems a somehwat common issue? My main concern is whether or not this means trans is going out and I would potentially have to rebuild or replace down the road.

I have a friend with a e93 6mt and he said something similar about 2nd gear. I am new to this platform so any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

Owner's words:
"I recently ran into a little problem, on my second gear the pin that helps keep the gear in place is grind down because of my bad shifting (I learned how to drive manual on this car) right now I’m looking into either fixing it or maybe selling the car as is. I’m not trying to sell it broken because it’s the only problem on this car but at the same time I don’t know enough about transmission to try and fix it or who to give it to i’ve called a few shops, but nobody’s giving me a good price or a normal answer."

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by terabaap

Hey guys,

I'm looking at a 2011 6mt car that apparently has a little bit of grind with 2nd gear, this is what the owner said not my personal experience since this car is out of state. His exact words below. I did some research and seems a somehwat common issue? My main concern is whether or not this means trans is going out and I would potentially have to rebuild or replace down the road.

I have a friend with a e93 6mt and he said something similar about 2nd gear. I am new to this platform so any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

Owner's words:
"I recently ran into a little problem, on my second gear the pin that helps keep the gear in place is grind down because of my bad shifting (I learned how to drive manual on this car) right now I’m looking into either fixing it or maybe selling the car as is. I’m not trying to sell it broken because it’s the only problem on this car but at the same time I don’t know enough about transmission to try and fix it or who to give it to i’ve called a few shops, but nobody’s giving me a good price or a normal answer."

Have you changed the fluid?

[vlo41662523]

Gears should never grind that’s not normal
Does take a little “effort “ to get into 2nd from 1rst and back down from third
I call it “notchy “ , car likes revs and to be at running temp as well
Only 20 months into owning one but that’s my take
Search as well, people talk/talked about it all the time reason why people opt for m5 weighed shift knob, short shifter kits, etc
Regular fluid changes help

[Thumbie]

I have heard of a few cases of 2nd gear grind. Your case doesn't sound like a gear grind, but it just falls out of gear? I've not heard of this pin, but I've never pulled apart a transmission.



My friend's car has a grind when shifting into second, BUT only when downshifting from 3rd at high RPM. Downshifts at low RPM are fine, as is upshifting from 1st.

From what I have heard, these transmissions are difficult to rebuild, and better to find a donor and swap in (maybe an experienced member can chime in on rebuild options of synchros)

[pitkin_g]

When i bought my car i had a 1st gear grind. I could only engage first when i get into any other gear first and only then it went into 1st without a grind. I initially went ahead and replaced clutch, flywheel, tob, rebuilt the shifter etc.... only to find out that it didnt help the grind. So i ended up finding a used transmission for around 2300-2500. That fixed the issue.
I ended up dropping the transmission twice in my garage on jack stands.... its not a fun job.

My suggestion would be to negotiate with a message that it needs a new transmission - plus labor. Unless someone can really diagnose the issue and its not transmission internals related. Rebuild is not an option with these, i did my research.

Good luck