Missing 2nd gear Downshifting?
 

This 318 i might be buying has this issue with it the owner says at high speeds when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd it completely misses 2nd gear. He says it has something to do with the synchronizer and he made it seem like an easy fix. Exactly what is the problem and am i going to have to buy a new synchronizer or a whole new transmission or this an easy fix i can do myself with some parts.

Thanks

I'm not quite sure how easy a fix it is, but that sounds like an accurate description of the problem. I have a slightly worn synchro in 3rd and the car sometimes pops out of gear around 4000 rpm.

So, if there is a really badly worn one in 2nd, you'd have a hard time downshifting into 2nd at speed.

If you figure out the fix, let me know. . .at some point, I'll probably have to do the same with the worn one I have as well.

A rebuilt or a different tranny will be needed and either way is not an easy fix since it requires transmission removal.

That's what I was suspecting. . . that's why I've been telling myself it'll get fixed when I finally get to do an m3 swap :)

I would do the same if I was in your shoes and as a matter of fact that is what I'm doing with my second ti. First gear syncro is gone and I'm driving it like that for now. m3 swap ha! cool guy! :cool:

I'm not worried about it being easy i have a feel for what im doing and a few people I know are training in a college to work on BMW's so I'm going to talk to them and see if they can help me out so its not a matter of labor or difficulty...but how much would a new transmission run me and where exactly would i find one....thats where im getting stuck..im wondering if its going to be that much money if i just shouldnt buy the car and look for a different one or atleast ask him to drop the price by a bunch

New tranny might cost you $2K, used tranny from a wreck yard $500.00 & to get one rebuilt might cost you $1K. BTW these are estimated values.

I fuigured it would be around that price range so i guess ill have to go drive it more and see how bad the problem is and how soon it needs to be addressed because i dont have the money for that right now. He said it only happens eery once in awhile so well see
Thanks

Anytime and good luck!

so to fix this problem i would'nt need a new clutch or flywheel i would just need a new transmission? Theres ons in the classifieds from a part out that i don't think has been spoken for and they only want $300.00 for only the transmission. If its just a problem with the syncros then i only need that correct?

Thanks for any replies and the paitence i know im being a pain in the ass haha

Yeah, you can keep the original clutch and flywheel when swapping the tranny. And no, you are not being a pain in the ass. This is a major purchase. You should never jump into it with lots of unresolved questions. A lot of us here have been here posting up before we got ours so I'm certainly happy to give back :)

auto or manual box?

manual

Thanks alot. I'm going back there today to check it out again with my dad ( he taught me everything and we've been working on alfa romeo's for awhile now) to see what he thinks and to see if he notices any problems that i didn't. If everything is sound and i can find a used transmission I think ill be joining the ranks of 318ti owners in the very near future.
Thanks for everyones help