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jingai · Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Posts: 11 Location: Melbourne

Everytime I leave the garage each morning in my '96 Z3, the transmission (automatic) seems to have difficulty going into 2nd and/or 3rd gear. Once everything heats up (after roughly five minutes or so of driving), it begins to shift normally.

Basically, it just seems seriously delayed. ie, it will only shift if I smack the rev limiter. I've just been taking it easy until it heats up, but that essentially means I can't drive over 25 mph or so for five minutes..

Also, it doesn't seem to do it when I leave work at the end of the day. The car sits in the lot here at the office for 8+ hours. Maybe the florida sun is keeping things warm enough during the day to hide the problem...?

Thanks for any tips in advance.

RobZ3Owner · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

In the UK, so constantly cold!

It doesn't help with a tip, but I have the same challenge. Have to force the stick shift into 2nd/3rd for the first 5-10 minutes of driving.

Having read the manual, it suggests slow driving and frequent change up/downs for the first few miles. Sounds like they're aware of the problem!

Sorry couldn't be more constructive.

Rob