Fixed my cold 2nd gear problems - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

BmwNut · 15th February 2007, 21:36

It's been raining in the bay area recently, and I've been readjusting to driving higher HP RWD cars, as I have spent the last five years driving underpowered FWD VW's. I've been having fun dipping my toes back in the water of power on oversteer, as I was quite handy with it when I had my last E39.
Coming around a nice open bend, I get on just enough to send the tail out. My friend following me in his GTI later comments on how he though that I was going to powerslide through the corner, but that open diff cars can't powerslide. To prove him incorrect, I hung the tail out around the corner next time at high rpm in 2nd.
Now here is the thing. I don't usually abuse cars anymore, and I know spinning tires at 5k in 2nd around a corner isn't exactly great for my car. Here is the odd byproduct.
My car shifts into 2nd when cold like butter now.

I understand the pricipal of operation of a transmission, and this one baffles me.
I waited a week to post this, and I now have 14 fully cold soaked starts, with normal shifting action. Before this, if it was below 50 or so out the car wouldn't take 2nd period, and I just shifted to 3rd.
I'm going to switch to Royal Purple as the tranny has 50k on it with original fluid, but I just thought I would share my interesting story. Been posting here for 4 years, and I don't think I've ever seen something like this.

RemBrant · 15th February 2007, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by BmwNut

It's been raining in the bay area recently, and I've been readjusting to driving higher HP RWD cars, as I have spent the last five years driving underpowered FWD VW's. I've been having fun dipping my toes back in the water of power on oversteer, as I was quite handy with it when I had my last E39.
Coming around a nice open bend, I get on just enough to send the tail out. My friend following me in his GTI later comments on how he though that I was going to powerslide through the corner, but that open diff cars can't powerslide. To prove him incorrect, I hung the tail out around the corner next time at high rpm in 2nd.
Now here is the thing. I don't usually abuse cars anymore, and I know spinning tires at 5k in 2nd around a corner isn't exactly great for my car. Here is the odd byproduct.
My car shifts into 2nd when cold like butter now.

I understand the pricipal of operation of a transmission, and this one baffles me.
I waited a week to post this, and I now have 14 fully cold soaked starts, with normal shifting action. Before this, if it was below 50 or so out the car wouldn't take 2nd period, and I just shifted to 3rd.
I'm going to switch to Royal Purple as the tranny has 50k on it with original fluid, but I just thought I would share my interesting story. Been posting here for 4 years, and I don't think I've ever seen something like this.

Just goes to prove that these cars are meant to be driven...not babied! They like it...they NEED it...THEY WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...(ahem) ...sorry ...got carried away.

rdm190 · 15th February 2007, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BmwNut

It's been raining in the bay area recently, and I've been readjusting to driving higher HP RWD cars, as I have spent the last five years driving underpowered FWD VW's. I've been having fun dipping my toes back in the water of power on oversteer, as I was quite handy with it when I had my last E39.
Coming around a nice open bend, I get on just enough to send the tail out. My friend following me in his GTI later comments on how he though that I was going to powerslide through the corner, but that open diff cars can't powerslide. To prove him incorrect, I hung the tail out around the corner next time at high rpm in 2nd.
Now here is the thing. I don't usually abuse cars anymore, and I know spinning tires at 5k in 2nd around a corner isn't exactly great for my car. Here is the odd byproduct.
My car shifts into 2nd when cold like butter now.

I understand the pricipal of operation of a transmission, and this one baffles me.
I waited a week to post this, and I now have 14 fully cold soaked starts, with normal shifting action. Before this, if it was below 50 or so out the car wouldn't take 2nd period, and I just shifted to 3rd.
I'm going to switch to Royal Purple as the tranny has 50k on it with original fluid, but I just thought I would share my interesting story. Been posting here for 4 years, and I don't think I've ever seen something like this.

You can also tell your GTI buddy that the M5 does not have an open diff....

BmwNut · 16th February 2007, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdm190

You can also tell your GTI buddy that the M5 does not have an open diff....

The M5 has an LSD, but sadly my 540/6 has an open diff...

DavidS · 16th February 2007, 01:29

Sadly many M5s effectively don´t have an LSD. The LSD mechanism is easily worn down by too much "use".

I´ve got no idea what might have happened to your gearbox, except some dirt on a syncro might have been cast off, such that the syncro will work properly again.

David

Evil One · 16th February 2007, 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BmwNut

It's been raining in the bay area recently, and I've been readjusting to driving higher HP RWD cars, as I have spent the last five years driving underpowered FWD VW's. I've been having fun dipping my toes back in the water of power on oversteer, as I was quite handy with it when I had my last E39.
Coming around a nice open bend, I get on just enough to send the tail out. My friend following me in his GTI later comments on how he though that I was going to powerslide through the corner, but that open diff cars can't powerslide. To prove him incorrect, I hung the tail out around the corner next time at high rpm in 2nd.
Now here is the thing. I don't usually abuse cars anymore, and I know spinning tires at 5k in 2nd around a corner isn't exactly great for my car. Here is the odd byproduct.
My car shifts into 2nd when cold like butter now.

I understand the pricipal of operation of a transmission, and this one baffles me.
I waited a week to post this, and I now have 14 fully cold soaked starts, with normal shifting action. Before this, if it was below 50 or so out the car wouldn't take 2nd period, and I just shifted to 3rd.
I'm going to switch to Royal Purple as the tranny has 50k on it with original fluid, but I just thought I would share my interesting story. Been posting here for 4 years, and I don't think I've ever seen something like this.

You've given me a great new business idea :
I'll open a home garage and fix board member's cars for them. I have no mechanical skill or aptitude, but if your car's not working properly bring it to my place and I'll charge you $200 to drift the living $h#t out of it till it's fixed

BmwNut · 16th February 2007, 02:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidS

Sadly many M5s effectively don´t have an LSD. The LSD mechanism is easily worn down by too much "use".

I´ve got no idea what might have happened to your gearbox, except some dirt on a syncro might have been cast off, such that the syncro will work properly again.

David

I know, I'm stumped on this issue. I've never once seen something like this happen, and I'm rather confused. I don't mind, since it shifts fine, but I just can't figure it out. If my tranny grenades in the next few days I'll start a new thread.

I personally like Evil One's attitude. I know I could do that for a living very easily.

ichor0416 · 17th June 2007, 14:07

I am going to try this unique technique to see if it helps me with my cold start, bouncy second gear problem. I'm sick of looking like an idiot at the first stoplight from home because of it!

athM5 · 17th June 2007, 22:00

I used to have the same 2nd gear shifting difficulties as mentioned here and elsewhere, but I seem to have a solution for my case....

I change from 1st to 2nd gear at 3000rpm. Seems to go in straight and true and smooth as anything, right from cold. Not sure of it'll work for everyone, but it certainly has worked for me. I haven't had to shift to 3rd for months now.

Hope it helps someone....