2nd gear syncro

Does it also shift hard to second even when the engine is fully warmed?

 

Try changing the gearbox oil. You could have a leak from the engine sump to the gearbox causing the oil level to be too high which makes the synchros not function correctly. If it goes from 1st to 2nd cleanly , it's not the 2nd gear synchro. If 3rd is met with a crunch, then perhaps it is 3rd gear syncro. Give the oil thing a shot. If you remove the gearbox filler plug and gear oil spills out of the hole, you indeed have a leak from your engine sump to the gearbox. The gearbox filler hole can only be filled to the bottom of the hole when correct.

 

My car has exactly the same problem as the OP. 1->2 upshift is perfect, even when cold. 3->2 downshift is crunchy, even when warm. My understanding is you can still have a smooth 1->2 shift with a bad 2nd gear synchro. Am I wrong in this?

 

you can still have a bad 2nd gear sync.

Repair bill is hefty.

R & R engine - 12-14 hours
R & R gearbox/replace syncro 12-14 more hours (at least)
ZF syncro is a pricey part ($300-500 depending on where you go)

Also, this is one of those things where you really must consider doing all the 'while I'm in there' type stuff so long as the engine is out. Also, you may run into bearings in the gearbox that need to be replaced, and can bedear as well. The bill can be a bare bones $4k to whatever you decide to do while in there.