Trouble with first gear

New owner of a 2000 cabriolet with 26k miles. Downshifting into first from second or even the first shift into first after startup seems clunky or forced. All other shifts are smooth as silk. Tried double clutching and adding power but doesn't seem to make a difference. Original clutch and IMS and the 25k service was done early by the PO at a Porsche dealer(I bought at 23k from original owner). Ideas?

I think you're describing two different issue. Shifting the 996 when the transmission is cold is always more difficult than "warm" shifts; once the gear oil gets hot, the shifting is much easier. At what speeds are you attempting to downshift into first once the engine/transmission are hot? It is difficult to downshift a manual 996 into first at any speed greater than a few MPH; there is an explanation of why, but confirming the speeds involved first is probably better than just launching into a first-gear synchro diatribe.

Curious if you might have a short shifter kit that might lend to difficulty shifting into first, or that it needs adjustment.

Shifting into 1st gear needs to happen at a very low speed and with engine at idle. Double clutching is not necessary and in fact is just subjecting the release bearing to more wear and tear. Be sure the brake/clutch fluid is flushed/bled every 2 years. Past its flush/bleed date brake/clutch fluid can really affect clutch action and this in turn affects shifting action.

Sounds like the clutch is not fully releasing, for some reason. At this low mileage, maybe just needs a fluid flush or, next step, new slave cylinder?

Pending more info from OP, the only other advice I have is to ask someone in your local PCA if you can drive their 996 and see how much it feels like / different from yours (and have them drive yours); a second data point would be really helpful. If you don't have a basis for comparison, it's hard to know right from wrong.

Thanks for all the input and I think I'll try to bum a drive in a buddy's 996 to test. No short shift installed and I'm dropping it in about 7mph

If you have a problem getting into 1st when stopped try moving the shifter toward 2nd gear (no need to actually go into 2nd). This may help getting into 1st. If downshifting to 1st while still moving you want to be almost stopped - less than 7 mph.

shift into first when you are at 5mph or full stop. Second is just a little rough anyway. There is sometimes slippage from 2nd that requires a detente as it can damage the tranny if it happens a lot. Mine happened when the tranny was cold and I had to install the detente.

If you consider fitting a detent ,please Search because the new design works much better than the previous detent.In some cases the old detent caused more problems than it solved! Please also distinguish between the detent and the shift arrestor. There are only a couple of contributors who are technically competent to discuss this subject(not me !). Suggest anyone interested starts here: https://californiamotorsports.net/pr...shift-arrester http://www.gboxweb.com/detent.html but ask here before you buy. Lots in Search =look for Poster GTgears