Hard to get into first gear

[Jand3rson]

My 86 325eS has a Z3 1.9 lever, and I've noticed that it's kind of hard to get my car into 1st gear. More so as I'm coming to a stop. It's a little easier when I've completely stopped, but it's still a little hard to get it into the 1st gear position. I had this same issue with my last E30, which also had a Z3 1.9 lever. Is this just a normal side-effect to having a SSK?

[KenC]

Pretty much

[MattE30]

It's the same with my z4 lever.

W/e....

[Jand3rson]

I kind of figured, I just wanted to make sure. The tranny in my car is really solid, and I just wanted to be sure it wasn't having any symptoms of going bad.

[BMW BMXER]

Yep. Normal.

[Schniddy]

ya I wish I hadnt put my 2.5 z4 shifter in cause its hard as hell to get into first sometimes and it takes 2 hands to get into reverse... is that just me being weak or is that normal?

[arsevader]

Re: Hard to get into first gear

My 86 325eS has a Z3 1.9 lever, and I've noticed that it's kind of hard to get my car into 1st gear. More so as I'm coming to a stop. It's a little easier when I've completely stopped, but it's still a little hard to get it into the 1st gear position. I had this same issue with my last E30, which also had a Z3 1.9 lever. Is this just a normal side-effect to having a SSK?

Yes it can be, but you should not be shifting into 1st while the car is still moving, it's murder on the synchros. Use second, 1st is so short anyways.

James

[Bryson]

there is no synchro for first IIRC
double-clutch and it'll glide into gear like butter

[BS87]

the only time i have trouble entering a gear is when i wind up first and shift into second at high rpms (rare). You have to slam it. Other than it's fine.

[BMW BMXER]

ya I wish I hadnt put my 2.5 z4 shifter in cause its hard as hell to get into first sometimes and it takes 2 hands to get into reverse... is that just me being weak or is that normal?

Uh.. 2 hands, your weak. :P

[Bryson]

ya I wish I hadnt put my 2.5 z4 shifter in cause its hard as hell to get into first sometimes and it takes 2 hands to get into reverse... is that just me being weak or is that normal?

when it's hard to get into reverse - shift into first, then into reverse.
First and reverse are matched together internally, but reverse has straight cut gears, making it more difficult to get into, putting it in first will line it up for the shift into reverse

[erik325i]

ya I wish I hadnt put my 2.5 z4 shifter in cause its hard as hell to get into first sometimes and it takes 2 hands to get into reverse... is that just me being weak or is that normal?

:rofl:
That's hilarious! 2 hands? you just need to go to the gym more ;)

[Jand3rson]

double-clutch and it'll glide into gear like butter

Elaborate, Bryson? I'm not familiar with how to double-clutch.

[Bryson]

if nobody can tell you by tonight, I'll do a quick post on it. I'm heading down to LA and back in about 5 minutes (3.5hr drive X 2)

[nickmp0wer]

rev it in nuetral with the clutch out