Grinding noise from 1st to 2nd, 6MT, Potential Solution!

[stylelab]

Oh yes...another thread on the famous gears grinding sensation!

I wanted to share something that I noticed and which may help some people out there who have the same issue.

I usually feel the gears grinding from 1 to 2 when changing gears at 2000-3500rpm...It happens on occasions.

I noticed that when when I try to change gears at higher RPM from 1 to 2, I seldom sense the grinding...and the shift feels smooth...I'm referring to 4000rpm and up.

Could it be that the car requires us to change gears at higher RPM when going from 1 to 2? Could it have been designed like that? It's a performance car after all!

It's also worth mentioning that my car doesn't suffer of gears grinding in any other gear than when changing from 1 to 2.

[BPMSport]

Mine will grind on a fast shift from 1 --> 2 at redline. I can't stand it sometimes so I will probably put a new transmission in it.

[MilehighM3]

And your new one will probably do it as well :

[chris719]

BMW is special in that they can spec 3 different manual transmissions (E46 M3, E86 Z4M, E9x M3) from 2 different vendors (Getrag and ZF) with grinding issues / resistance from 1->2.

They never bothered to pay for a transmission that can cope with 8k redlines.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by stylelab

Oh yes...another thread on the famous gears grinding sensation!

Really? ..lol

Nothing proper shifting techniques wouldn't fix

[chris719]

So it's normal that your 65k car has to be babied into 2nd gear? My 20k Mazda 3 6MT in 5 years has never once had a grind no matter how fast it's shifted at any RPM.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by chris719

So it's normal that your 65k car has to be babied into 2nd gear? My 20k Mazda 3 6MT in 5 years has never once had a grind no matter how fast it's shifted at any RPM.

There is a way you need to feather the clutch as you are shifting the 1-2, it takes concentration and over time you just develop a feel for it.

I agree with OP and have found the sweetest engagement for the 1-2 to happen somewhere in the 4-5K range.

Is there room for improvement on this MT? yea for sure, definitely not as smooth as a Honda, or Mazda

Funny sensationlistic title...calling it a small design flaw may be more accurate, also routine transmission fluid changes help a lot

[chris719]

It has nothing to do with the clutch, sorry.

[chris719]

If your transmission "grinds" with a very loud buzzing sound and almost feels like it does not go into 2nd gear, then have it replaced. From what I understand they don't all do that. The low RPM grind the OP posted about is an issue.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by chris719

If your transmission "grinds" with a very loud buzzing sound and almost feels like it does not go into 2nd gear, then have it replaced. From what I understand they don't all do that. The low RPM grind the OP posted about is an issue.

If you get a consistent grind/crunch in 1-2 that's likely a damaged synchro and will need to trans replaced..that is an issue

The occassional burbble you feel in the stick at low rpms on the 1-2.. I don't agree that is an issue, just design of the trans to shift at higer rpms.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by chris719

It has nothing to do with the clutch, sorry.

That's your opinion..your entitled to it.

[chris719]

It's not opinion, the grinding improves with aftermarket transmission mounts and motor mounts. It happens well after the clutch is disengaged.

[Sered]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Mine will grind on a fast shift from 1 --> 2 at redline. I can't stand it sometimes so I will probably put a new transmission in it.

Agreed. BMW used this transmission because it was convenient, not for any performance reason The 1st to 2nd gear change on this car is one of the worst I've ever seen. I'd rather 1st be made taller TBH. There'd be less drop-off and less wheel-spin. Make it shift into 2nd at like 50-55mph or something.

[SenorFunkyPants]

You should be able to shift from 1st to 2nd without grinding even if the gearbox was built with no syncromesh at all.
The syncromesh should be strong enough to be able to resist the occasional poorly timed shift.
If you make poorly timed shifts and ram it into second gear enough times you will eventually wear out the sycromesh rings.

[Grail05]

4 years ago my tranny had issues with the tranny due to second 1st 2nd gear shifts. I had a really hard time shifting to 2nd not sure what caused it but dealer replaced it with a new Tranny..

But the issue that everyone is talking about is normal the s65 tranny sucks on 1st and 2nd gear u have to shift it at the right rpm otherwise it will grind.. I usually just try to feel it engage then shift.. But fast shift between 1-2 gears sucks and will grind

[Sered]

Mine never grinds, but it will bog like hell even if you hit it perfectly. I found the only way to avoid bog is a little clutch slip on the engage point and afterwards.

[aussiem3]

Solution ... skip 2 and go from 1 to 3. Problem solved. It works form me when I am not driving spirited. Saves fuel to in stop-n-go city traffic.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by Sean05

But the issue that everyone is talking about is normal the s65 tranny sucks on 1st and 2nd gear u have to shift it at the right rpm otherwise it will grind.. I usually just try to feel it engage then shift..

I have to say that I wasn't especially impressed with the gearchange in the manual I drove but nevertheless you can shift perfectly every time without grinding.

Originally Posted by Sean05

But fast shift between 1-2 gears sucks and will grind

But thats the case with any manual box if you try and make the shift too quickly and with too much force.