[(K)]

Please put my mind at ease. Got the car back from the most recent oil change at 5k and have since put 100 miles on it. Upshifting from 2->3 is a bit concerning when cold.

I wouldn't actually call it "crunchy" and there's no grinding but it's definitely not as smooth I *remember* it to be. It does go away with slower shifts and after the car warms up a bit. Downshifts are unchanged.

Didn't really notice it while driving back from service though it wasn't as cold that day. Recently it's been hitting low to mid 30s (Fahrenheit) outside. Hoping it's just another characteristic of these cars and to just take it easy when cold, not a result of the service team crushing 3rd. I plan to add some more miles over the coming days to try and alleviate my concerns.

Mods:
AutoSolutions SSK 22.5% throw reduction, 95a bushings
MP Carbon/Alcantara knob
E90 Slave cylinder
Ultimate Clutch Pedal

[captain slowly]

Sounds normal. Most manual transmissions don't like being rushed while still cold. My S2000 was like that, as well as my Evo. Take it easy for the first 10 min and then you're fine. Can't confirm this on my M2 because its in the garage until spring, but I can't imagine it being any different. Also, your short shifter is exacerbating the issue.

[Aim.F32]

This is normal! 2nd to 3rd sometimes needs a bit of a push in the cold

[Foggins]

Very normal. I was out of town for a couple of weeks and took the M out on a chilly morning when I got back. I definitely noticed a bit of crunchiness for the first 15 mins or so.

[(K)]

Thank you gentlemen. I figured as much but I have limited experience with higher powered, RWD, MT cars. I came from various FWD MT Hondas and a 996S MT with a SSK and they're all smooth as butter regardless of temperature. Plus they all typically *felt* lighter when shifting (in terms of overall drivetrain mass). The F87 has been [satisfyingly] hefty in comparison; I did expect some resistance going into it but have experienced none the whole time. Until recently of course. Albeit I've done mostly warm weather driving so there's that also.

Guess I was spoiled by Honda and Porsche transmissions...

Thanks all for the input!

[Foggins]

Also, for a previous M manual car I used to own...I swapped out the manual tranny fluid for Amsoil and I noticed a big difference, especially during the colder days. Since my car is so new I am not going to bother, but might do the swap if I end up keeping the car for a while.

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by (K)

Thank you gentlemen. I figured as much but I have limited experience with higher powered, RWD, MT cars. I came from various FWD MT Hondas and a 996S MT with a SSK and they're all smooth as butter regardless of temperature. Plus they all typically *felt* lighter when shifting (in terms of overall drivetrain mass). The F87 has been [satisfyingly] hefty in comparison; I did expect some resistance going into it but have experienced none the whole time. Until recently of course. Albeit I've done mostly warm weather driving so there's that also.

Guess I was spoiled by Honda and Porsche transmissions...

Thanks all for the input!

I had a Cayman back in 2007, so its been some time and I can't quite remember if it was crunchy in the cold, but both of my S2000's (AP1 and AP2) did not like the cold one bit. If you hurried 1-2 shift, you got a niiiice crunch so I learned to pause for 2 seconds until it warmed up. Still, the best gearbox ever!

[(K)]

Originally Posted by Foggins

Also, for a previous M manual car I used to own...I swapped out the manual tranny fluid for Amsoil and I noticed a big difference, especially during the colder days. Since my car is so new I am not going to bother, but might do the swap if I end up keeping the car for a while.

In the Honda world, the secret juice was GM Friction Modified Synchromesh. It made a huge difference on the 6MT cars that had the occasional 3rd gear pop out.

I'm also holding off on experimenting with transmission fluids on this car until after the warranty period ends. Hopefully others will have pioneered and will be able to provide some good experiences by that time.

[Taco2Me]

When I brought my M2C into the dealer for its first engine oil change, I also had them change the manual transmission oil. They said 'why, its not part of the included maintenance?' and I told them to do it anyway and paid (iirc) $120 or so for them to replace it.

Let me tell you, that was the best change to my car! Fresh trans fluid, who would've thought!?! It felt like glass - absolutely 100% better than it did before, and as you guys know, the transmission isn't at all bad on these cars.

Consider a fluid change. It is well worth the money!

[Maynard]

I thought refresh of transmission and differential were part of the 1200 mile break in service?

[CTSean]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I thought refresh of transmission and differential were part of the 1200 mile break in service?

diff and engine oil only.

[ROASTM]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I thought refresh of transmission and differential were part of the 1200 mile break in service?

Engine oil and differential oil, not trans.

[Taco2Me]

Trust me guys, changing the trans oil made a huge difference. Even my service advisor, who brought the car around to me from the servicing area noticed it and commented on it and he was only in the car for 60 seconds, navigating a parking lot.