Difficult shifting into 1st gear when car is moving

[DaveInLA]

When I bought my 89 325is, I had trouble getting the shifter into 1st gear even when the car was completely stopped. I'd usually first go into 4th first, that made going into 1st a lot easier. I was told the synchros might be going bad and I didn't do anything about that. Soon after that, I had Service Inspection II done and the transmission fluid was replaced with Redline synthetic. After that, going into 1st was much easier, but only when the car wasn't moving. However, when the car is moving at any speed (ie, even 5 mph), I can't get the shifter into 1st even if I rev-match. I drove my uncle's 87 325 for comparison, and his shifter is free to go into any gear granted they're rev-matched.

This is annoying because when I'm going at a crawling pace, I'd like to go into 1st, but instead have to settle for 2nd (ie, rolling stops are a pain). At 5 mph, that means sub-1K RPMs. I've actually had to brake completely once just to start off in 1st again. :( Some add'l info: there is very little side-to-side play of the shifter when in gear so the shifter bushings are probably still good. And even though it's easier getting the shifter into 1st gear when the car is at a redlight after the Redline fluid, it's still even easier when I shift into a higher gear first (ie, 4th --> 1st).

Does this mean my tranny needs to be replaced/rebuilt if I want full function of 1st gear?

[misterlance]

I guess first gear synchros could be worn. Doubt a cltch issue.

[NC325iC]

learn to deal

[erik325i]

learn to "double clutch" into first. If you do this properly, you will be able to get into first gear even with a bad 1st gear synchro.

Do you have a SSK? sometimes people complain about putting it into first when they have a SSK because they simply have less leverage with the shift lever. just a thought.

-Erik

[DaveInLA]

learn to "double clutch" into first. If you do this properly, you will be able to get into first gear even with a bad 1st gear synchro.

Do you have a SSK? sometimes people complain about putting it into first when they have a SSK because they simply have less leverage with the shift lever. just a thought.

My shifter is stock.

Double clutching basically means rev-matching, right? If I'm in 3rd and am braking as I approach a red light, which suddenly turns green, I disengage the clutch, put the shifter in N, rev-match, clutch, then go into 1st. That's what you mean? Even when I do that, it's very difficult going into 1st. Sometimes I can "force" it in, but I'd rather not do that. In my uncle's car, it just sucks right into 1st if the revs are matched.

[mspiegle]

My shifter is stock.

Double clutching basically means rev-matching, right? If I'm in 3rd and am braking as I approach a red light, which suddenly turns green, I disengage the clutch, put the shifter in N, rev-match, clutch, then go into 1st. That's what you mean? Even when I do that, it's very difficult going into 1st. Sometimes I can "force" it in, but I'd rather not do that. In my uncle's car, it just sucks right into 1st if the revs are matched.

double clutching is rev matching while in neutral and clutch is out (you got the right procedure). Even on cars with horrible 1st gear syncros, i can double-clutch first no problem. Maybe you aren't revmatching close enough? It also helps to have warm tranny fluid. Maybe you need some better tranny fluid?

[DaveInLA]

That's interesting. I'm certain rev-matching high enough, and in most cases, I probably rev a little higher than necessary. The transmission fluid I have is Redline synthetic put in a little over a year ago-- but the problem has never gone away even when the fluid was new.

Perhaps my issue isn't with synchros after all and there's just something wrong with the shifter linkage. If that's the case, I can fix my problem by putting in a new shift kit, say Z3 or Z4 or some other short shift kit (or more OEM parts)?

A question: if my shifter linkage is worn, will I have problem with all the gears or just one (ie, only 1st)? I figured that with linkage issues, shifting into any gear would pose a problem. Am I wrong?

[erik325i]

That's interesting. I'm certain rev-matching high enough, and in most cases, I probably rev a little higher than necessary. The transmission fluid I have is Redline synthetic put in a little over a year ago-- but the problem has never gone away even when the fluid was new.

Perhaps my issue isn't with synchros after all and there's just something wrong with the shifter linkage. If that's the case, I can fix my problem by putting in a new shift kit, say Z3 or Z4 or some other short shift kit (or more OEM parts)?

A question: if my shifter linkage is worn, will I have problem with all the gears or just one (ie, only 1st)? I figured that with linkage issues, shifting into any gear would pose a problem. Am I wrong?

Putting in a z3 or any other shift lever will not help your problem AT ALL.
You cannot blame the problem on your shift linkage, due to the fact that it goes into 1st perfectly fine when stopped.

I still think that the problem is a worn 1st gear synchro, and not propper double clutch revmatching.

-Erik

[DaveInLA]

I wouldn't say the shifter goes into 1st "perfectly fine", but it goes in without too much drama. It's still much easier selecting a higher gear like 3rd or 4th than 1st, though.

As far as rev-matching goes, if I "overmatch" (ie, revmatch to 2K instead of 1500), that still should allow the shifter to go into gear easier, right?