[MrMAColeman]

I bought my 2004 MCS last year and it has recently had a new Gearbox, clutch, flywheel aand had new gear selector cables (all at different times!)

Despite all these things being changed sometimes 1st gear can be a little difficult to select, merely attempting to select the gear again seems to work (even without pressing the clutch again).

The other potential problem I have is that sometimes when selecting 1st and 2nd gear, it feels like you can feel the gears (ie. Notchy?), this happens sometimes, other times it changes beautifully. Changing the gear selector cables seems to have cleared his up quite a bit but not fully as it still seems to do this.

Is this a problem or a quirk that will disappear with time and wear?

[Silent1]

That sounds like it could potentially be the syncromesh, although the S gearbox does have a 'positive' feel to it compared to most cars.

Who diagnosed and replaced the gearbox etc? It may be worth going back to them, as a new gearbox should mean there's no faults with it.

[MrMAColeman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Silent1 (original)

That sounds like it could potentially be the syncromesh, although the S gearbox does have a 'positive' feel to it compared to most cars.

Who diagnosed and replaced the gearbox etc? It may be worth going back to them, as a new gearbox should mean there's no faults with it.

Cheers

What does "Positive" feel mean?

Below is a rundown of my problems (it's quite long, I warn you)

The fault was originally diagnosed due to the the thrust bearing problem, as there was a rattling/rumbling noise from the gearbox. The BMW garage advised that it needed a new gearbox. Obviously the new box felt tighter, but sometimes was a pain to put into 1st and felt "notchy".

It then went back as the rattle/rumble returned along with a squeal when moving off in 1st (especially after being stationary for a couple of days). The garage then diagnosed a faulty Thrust Bearing and replaced it under warrenty (I was told if it was the clutch it would cost me approx £1500!!! as the clutch is a consumable).

However the squeal was still there. It then went back for that fault and I spoke to the actual BMW technician who worked on it and told him about the squeal (he told me when the thrust bearing was changed his diagnosis was new clutch, thrust bearing and flywheel as this is a known fault, but the warrenty dept said to only change whatr he could "see" to be faulty!!), I also told him about the gear change and he said if the clutch alignment was out it would possibly be the cause.

The clutch and the flywheel were then changed*, but the gearchange still felt off, so back it went and I spoke to another technician and he said the gear selector cables needed changing and that the clutch alignment would not be the cause. The cables were changed and the change felt much better. However it still does full "notchy" sometimes and very occassionally feels slightly out when selecting 1st gear. Two BMW techicians have actually tested the car overnight and none of them has ever mentioned any problems. Is it me?

*: Here is something for others to note - when my clutch was finally changed, when the car went in I was told they would take the car apart and call me to advise what work was needed. This never happened, I was only told when to collect the car.
So when I did collect the car and was handed a bill for approx £500. I told them quite firmly that I was not going to pay. Now here is the important part: I also pointed out that as their Technician had told me that the flywheel actually damages the clutch after time, I would not pay for a design fault and hey presto a free clutch!!