What actually causes the notchyness? (technically?)

 

I've had this problem on most of my recent cars and until recently I honestly thought that most cars have this issue.

My old MY04 Civic type R had a notchy 1st to 2nd gear when cold. My 1st S2000 (MY04) was terribly afflicted, as were my old MY04 Z4 3.0 and my old '05 Elise 111R.

However, my '07 S2000 doesn't have a notchy gearbox at all even when cold. Which is nice.

 

The cold?

 

LOL! but what inside the gb?

 

Then just start in 2nd and tahdah - notchy 1-2 shift gone

 

Id guess it was lack of fluid film between the gears etc. Once you have got it in gear and changed a few times, and oil is circulating then it goes away.