2nd gear notchy / slower to select

[Tussox]

2009 2.5L manual gearbox, 57000 miles.
When selecting 2nd gear, i am finding it a bit harder to select. it feels clunkier than the other gears and is marginally slower to get in properly - compared to the other gears...not sure if its me, my arm, my imagination...but it doesnt feel right.
Nothing majorly wrong, but worried its a pre-cursor of bigger issues.
The service history is poor and undocumented though the dealer says he did it - no evidence provided.
Do i try and get a full service from bmw and get the gearbox oil replaced or could it be clutch (or something else) ?

I am new to BMW and Z4's, so welcome any thoughts please

 

[Mr Tidy]

You might find getting the Clutch Delay Valve removed would help. The good news is it's a quick and cheap modification too.

BMW claim the gearboxes are Sealed for Life but fresh gearbox oil certainly wouldn't do any harm.

 

[flybobbie]

Bought mine at 29k miles now 103k miles.
2nd gear always notchy, varies with temperature and load/amount of fuel in car.
2 quarts of Redline MT-LV gearbox oil helps some.
Sometimes when cold i double dip the clutch before 2nd gear select.
Sometimes i keep up the revs as i shift.
Clutch delay valve (basically plugged inline, can be unplugged and pipe ends replugged) remove didn't help but got rid of judder on cold clutch.

 

[Bluebottle]

Sorry if a bit late to party, I have had my 126,000 mile 3.0 E89 for a month now. Everything feels tight, engine clutch, gear box and steering, but I bought a manual as I enjoy changing gear when I want, but this isn't easy to use, all gears are tight and notchy, but especially second. I am refining by double declutching technique, but it's not helping much at the moment. My E39 has similar mileage and ithat gearbox and clutch is much better to use apart from stuttering when pulling away.

So do you recommend clutch delay valve delete and oil change?

 

[Mr Tidy]

BMW manual gearboxes seem to vary wildly from car to car. I'm on numbers 7 and 8 now and I've had everything ranging from from baggy, notchy, obstructive, good and great. :roll:

At 126,000 miles I'd definitely want fresh fluid in it as serviced to BMWs regime that fluid will have been there since it was built.

Removing the CDV won't make it any worse, and if you can do it yourself it's free anyway.

 

[Bluebottle]

Thanks again Mr Tidy. A job to add to the ever growing list.

 

[flybobbie]

Temperature plays a part.
15 degrees up gear changes relatively good.
At moment 10 degrees notchy so need to double declutch for some miles.
Also at 10 degrees sometimes it won't go into first at the lights.
Always need to "line up" first gear by pulling back into second first.

Have been tempted for years to replace the box with second hand, but might be worse.
Or buy first to second syncro kit and fit.

 

[therealmc]

Temperature plays a part.
15 degrees up gear changes relatively good.
At moment 10 degrees notchy so need to double declutch for some miles.
Also at 10 degrees sometimes it won't go into first at the lights.
Always need to "line up" first gear by pulling back into second first.

Have been tempted for years to replace the box with second hand, but might be worse.
Or buy first to second syncro kit and fit.

Same sort of experience with every manual car I’ve ever owned (always second hand never had a new car).

 

[flybobbie]

Temperature plays a part.
15 degrees up gear changes relatively good.
At moment 10 degrees notchy so need to double declutch for some miles.
Also at 10 degrees sometimes it won't go into first at the lights.
Always need to "line up" first gear by pulling back into second first.

Have been tempted for years to replace the box with second hand, but might be worse.
Or buy first to second syncro kit and fit.

Same sort of experience with every manual car I’ve ever owned (always second hand never had a new car).

Only notchy gearbox previously owned was a 1977 TR7. I took that box apart but syncros were too expensive to replace so just rebuilt and put up.
Every other car i owned had silky smooth box, i don't think i ever changed oil in any of them.

Sometimes at the lights it won't go straight into first. A bit embarrassing shuffling through gears to get it to align and shift into first.
Again temperature related.
So best if i stop at lights, shift to second and get lined up for first.
Something not right with box 1 to 2nd.

 

[flybobbie]

Often wondered if later boxes work better, although not compatible with earlier cars.