Difficulty changing to second gear

[Nothgiel]

I have been having difficulty getting the car into second gear sometimes it sticks and won’t go in I have to push it hard and then it clunks in. Is this the clutch or does the gearbox need replacing? It’s an 2003 e85 3.0i any ideas?

 

[PDJ]

Do the cheap things first

Change the gearbox oil

Change the gearbox mounts

Check and if required change he engine mounts

 

[Mr Tidy]

To be fair that isn't unusual with a BMW manual gearbox. I'm on numbers 6 and 7 and they seem to vary wildly in terms of the quality of the change. My current daily is a 330i, and that doesn't always want to go into 1st.

I know BMW claim gearboxes are sealed for life, but I had the transmission fluid changed on my Z4 and fitted a ZHP gear-knob (heavier than standard) and it does feel better now.

Getting the Clutch Delay Valve removed also helps. My E46 3 Series gearbox had a "baggy" feel to it so I had new selector bushings fitted which sharpened things up a bit.

I hope you can improve it somehow.

 

[Ewazix]

First up unless you have inter-galactic miles on the clock or a badly abused unit its unlikely to be the gearbox. Clutch is a real possibility but,

Is it also sticky getting in to first? If so have a read of the BMW technical notice I posted previously https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=83640

Also search re CDV delete, the clutch delay valve mod.

Make sure the clutch fluid is bled properly, if its kicking out air when you bleed this may be a master cylinder seal leak.

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