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      05-03-2012, 09:45 PM   #1
Bunkei
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6MT Owners: Randomly not able to go back to 1st gear?

Hello everybody,

I'm a semi-new owner of an '07 335i E92 6MT. LOVE THE CAR!

However, I've had to deal with an annoyance that I've seen documented on here and other BMW forums: Every once in a while, I'm not able to go into 1st gear, or it only goes in partially. It is truly random, as it happens whether I've been driving the car for 20 secs or 5 hours. I thought considering the mileage (closing in on 60,xxx miles) to change out the transmission fluid and replaced it with Royal Purple. This had absolutely no effect.

I've found that there are others who have the exact same issue. Can anyone recommend a solution?

P.S. I haven't had any problems engaging in any other gear, just 1st.

[Edit]I take that back .. sometimes it's hard to engage reverse as well ..

Last edited by Bunkei; 05-03-2012 at 09:59 PM..
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      05-03-2012, 09:53 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunkei
Hello everybody,

I'm a semi-new owner of an '07 335i E92 6MT. LOVE THE CAR!

However, I've had to deal with an annoyance that I've seen documented on here and other BMW forums: Every once in a while, I'm not able to go into 1st gear, or it only goes in partially. It is truly random, as it happens whether I've been driving the car for 20 secs or 5 hours. I thought considering the mileage (closing in on 60,xxx miles) to change out the transmission fluid and replaced it with Royal Purple. This had absolutely no effect.

I've found that there are others who have the exact same issue. Can anyone recommend a solution?

P.S. I haven't had any problems engaging in any other gear, just 1st.
It's difficult to get it into first if you are going to fast. If you slow down to like 20-30kph (I am Canadian) it should slip in Pretty easily
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      05-03-2012, 09:58 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtmaster666 View Post
It's difficult to get it into first if you are going to fast. If you slow down to like 20-30kph (I am Canadian) it should slip in Pretty easily
Yes, I learned that too, but this happens even when I'm at a dead stop. If I'm in neutral (because I know I'll be sitting for a bit), and then go into first. Sometimes it doesn't go in at all or just partially. If I step off the clutch in neutral and step back on, I can go in. Even then, sometimes it's a challenge.
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      05-03-2012, 10:03 PM   #4
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Rev match for first, double clutch for reverse.
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      05-03-2012, 10:05 PM   #5
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once in a while it happens. i just goto second then first or blip the throttle and then put it in 1st.
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      05-03-2012, 10:08 PM   #6
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yeah gears r odd
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      05-03-2012, 10:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blacknbean View Post
once in a while it happens. i just goto second then first or blip the throttle and then put it in 1st.
Yikes .. no alternatives? :/
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      05-03-2012, 10:15 PM   #8
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Its because the gears are not meshing exactly, totally normal for a manual.
You should have no issues while clutching in though...
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      05-03-2012, 10:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoolin335 View Post
Its because the gears are not meshing exactly, totally normal for a manual.
You should have no issues while clutching in though...
No problems there. Ah well .. small price to pay for driving a 6MT.
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      05-03-2012, 10:36 PM   #10
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Are downshifting into first ?

Are downshifting into first, for engine compression braking?
I don't do that on any of my manual cars . Basically
the only thing I use 1st for is getting started, or creeping along in
traffic.
Any comments on this?
Redline D6 sure smoothed things out a lot.
If you are having to force into gear try letting it
out on the clutch first in neutral then trying again
don't force it.
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      05-03-2012, 10:39 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Are downshifting into first, for engine compression braking?
I don't do that on any of my manual cars . Basically
the only thing I use 1st for is getting started, or creeping along in
traffic.
Any comments on this?
Redline D6 sure smoothed things out a lot.
No, I use the brakes to stop the car. If I'm slowing to a stop, most of the time I come to a stop in neutral.
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      05-03-2012, 10:44 PM   #12
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This.

Quote:
Originally Posted by blacknbean View Post
once in a while it happens. i just goto second then first or blip the throttle and then put it in 1st.
Quickly pop it into second before going to first. Or lightly run the clutch as you go into first.

With varying degrees, every manual I have ever owned has done this.
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      05-04-2012, 01:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avocet View Post
This.



Quickly pop it into second before going to first. Or lightly run the clutch as you go into first.

With varying degrees, every manual I have ever owned has done this.
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      05-04-2012, 02:38 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunkei View Post
Yes, I learned that too, but this happens even when I'm at a dead stop. If I'm in neutral (because I know I'll be sitting for a bit), and then go into first. Sometimes it doesn't go in at all or just partially. If I step off the clutch in neutral and step back on, I can go in. Even then, sometimes it's a challenge.
I hope you learned that on a different car, because putting it int the FIRST while moving is a BIG no-no!
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      05-04-2012, 07:50 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dr325i View Post
I hope you learned that on a different car, because putting it int the FIRST while moving is a BIG no-no!
No its not. Don't go spreading stuff like that. When I'm at a stop I quite often go to 3rd then slip it into first.
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      05-04-2012, 07:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leaker View Post
No its not. Don't go spreading stuff like that. When I'm at a stop I quite often go to 3rd then slip it into first.
you doing it does not make it right.
You should not put it in the first while moving, especially, braking the engine with the First...
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      05-04-2012, 07:55 AM   #17
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I have a 07 335i E92 also, happens and is normal for a MT. You should try putting my 94' 5.0 Mustang into 1st, makes it seem like butter even at the worst in the BMW.

Last edited by V-Viper; 05-04-2012 at 08:29 AM..
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      05-04-2012, 08:05 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leaker View Post
No its not. Don't go spreading stuff like that. When I'm at a stop I quite often go to 3rd then slip it into first.
What's the point of doing this?

To the OP: I have this happen once in a while on my MT 328. I just reclutch and the reengage first gear. It's just the sychro's not quite mating correctly.
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      05-04-2012, 08:10 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dr325i View Post
you doing it does not make it right.
You should not put it in the first while moving, especially, braking the engine with the First...
This is how rumors start. Who told you that and what was the reason? Find me 1 article/owners manual section that says that. I always give it a little throttle blip.
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      05-04-2012, 08:26 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leaker View Post
This is how rumors start. Who told you that and what was the reason? Find me 1 article/owners manual section that says that. I always give it a little throttle blip.
you're good, continue that way...just don't preach around to the others to follow
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      05-04-2012, 09:07 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Schott View Post
What's the point of doing this?

To the OP: I have this happen once in a while on my MT 328. I just reclutch and the reengage first gear. It's just the sychro's not quite mating correctly.
I THINK it helps line up synchros which makes the shift smooth.
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      05-04-2012, 10:00 AM   #22
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What I used to do when I had a manual when coming to a stop is clutch down, and as car is under 10mph, I just push the stick shift into first with little pressure but dont force it in and as car comes to a stop and find the right moment when the syncros are lined up, it just slips in. I dont do that all the time, usually when coming to 4 way stop. But like others have said, putting it in second then back to first helps.

Now for reverse, if it goes in partially, I put it in first gear then try reverse again and usually goes in.

Another trick is when the gear is in partially in reverse, is to slowly release the clutch and as the car starts the move it will slide in fully. I've done it with every manual I've had and experience no problem. Once I started doing this, I've been doing it all the time.
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