The temperature finally dropped into the 30's here and my 1-2 shift is now a bit difficult when the car is cold.

The stiffness disappears by the time I have three bars on the temp guage, though. Also, both my BMW 3-series act exactly the same way and they have 250,000 miles between them, so I haven't given it a thought. I just accept this as normal.

 

I know mine was more"clunky" last winter than it is now, which I assume is a function of break-in miles. It's still a little clunky first thing in the morning but much better than before and disappears quickly upon warmup.

 

I've only got 50 miles on mine, but the gearbox is perfect. Every shift just clicks into place and nothing is stiff.

 

Mine also shifts real tight from 1st to 2nd. It has gotten worse with the cold weather. Also after having the syncro's replaced the tranny is real tight. Hopfully this will wear in and thank god it never gets real cold in So. Cal.

 

It is not unusual to have stiff shifting when the weather cools down with any manual, but sounds normal when three bars are realized. I have driven in -40 F and Jeep tranny has really never "warmed up". I have also driven lots of standards since young incl big trucks. My car (Mar 2000) has never given any gear box problems, however I'm buying ext warranty, as it is too expensive a risk, esp with a service bulletin being issued - lucky, for now I guess.

 

Eventually the "notchy" shifts will disappear when the "dogs' ears" get rounded off.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick Hesel:
[B]I've only got 50 miles on mine, but the gearbox is perfect.