Stiff gear changes into 2nd and 4th

[jonnyw07]

Hi all, just bought a 435i Manual with 34k miles.

I'm finding the change at certain revs/speeds into 2nd and into 4th quite clunky.. it's not so bad, but nowhere near as smooth as it is for me getting into other gears.

I also find that when taking off in 1st at a normal speed the clutch is very hard to control.. by that i mean when i take off very slowly and control the clutch its smooth, if i pull off really fast at lights or something it's ok, but if i want to pull off at a normal decent speed its really hard to control the car like i usually would expect, ive been driving for many years and i know clutch control, but this seems too dificult to be normal.

Could this be at all linked to the hard gear chages in 2nd and 4th..

any one got any ideas what i can do or check?

[captain_cynic]

Cheap solution which may or may not do anything - Change the gearbox oil.

Beyond that you can look at the clutch, that'll be cheaper than a worn syncro (unlikely for a tranny at 35K though).

Also goes without saying, are you rev matching properly? Not sure about the x35i's but my M240i has an auto rev-matching system that can be a bit naff at times.

[dmarkovina]

captain_cynic said:

Cheap solution which may or may not do anything - Change the gearbox oil.

Beyond that you can look at the clutch, that'll be cheaper than a worn syncro (unlikely for a tranny at 35K though).

Also goes without saying, are you rev matching properly? Not sure about the x35i's but my M240i has an auto rev-matching system that can be a bit naff at times.

You may try and add LM Ceratec to the tune of 6% of the total oil volume - just drain a bit of oil, add Ceratec and top it up.. It usually helps with notchy gear changes no end. It has transformed the gearbox in my stellar mileage E39 with tired synchros.

Regarding the clutch - when stationary and idling - as you insert into the gear (with clutch depressed :-)) can you feel any (even slightest) drop in revs or car moving?

[jonnyw07]

Thanks for the advice, i'll look into adding that - nope, no slipping or drop in revs at all.
Just hard to pull away smoothly in 1st and relatively clunky/hard to get into gears 2 and 4. (3 a little bit) but getting into 1st, 5th and 6th are as smooth as anything.

[Mave]

Do 4 series' have clutch delay valves? I've always felt they make smooth getaways in 1st a bit of a lottery.

[gizlaroc]

Remove the grommet from the CDV and then add Redline D4 ATF.

Makes a huge difference to manual BMWs.