ix shifter arm interchangeable?

[e30fix]

so i bought a parts car (89 325ix coupe) with a manual transmission. im in the process of pulling everything from the car so i can swap it into my auto ix. when i was checking the shifter i noticed that the shifter arm in completely cracked where the shifter arm bushing goes.

is the ix shifter arm an ix specific part or can i buy one from a regular 325i with a manual transmission?

[Kershaw]

Life is hard for you, huh?

[e30fix]

life is hard

i saw those links and i went over most of them last night. if you're suggesting i buy one from them thats not what i was asking? the shifter arm in the ix has a different part number from the shifter arm in the i car according to real oem. but from what i can remember from my old i car, the shifter arm looks very similar ( i dont have one in had to compare or test fit at the moment) Since i am new to the IX and so far everything seems to be different or IX specific on the car, that is why i ask. life IS hard btw.

[Kershaw]

So let me get this straight:

-You researched the part numbers on realoem and confirmed they are different
-You read threads talking about ix specific shifter linkages
-You posted a thread asking if they are different

Yes, they are different.

[nando]

A little harsh there...

But no, they aren't interchangeable.

[packratbimmer]

Are angle and length different? I've always wondered about the "cup" on the iX rod and it's function?

[nando]

What cup? The bearing is the same as rwd E30s.

The whole thing is different.

[e30fix]

yeah that really had me confused. the cup is the same but the actual arm itself is different. i was lucky enough to find one through a member here and can continue on my 5 speed swap as soon as my clutch and z3 shifter arrives.

[packratbimmer]

On the shifter arm there is a little shroud off to the side of the ball socket. All iX cars seem to have it and none of my RWD cars have had it.

[nando]

it's just the way it's shaped. they had to make the carrier clear the transfercase.

[packratbimmer]

So the questions still remain. What are the dimensional differences? Length? Angle? Not that big of a deal - I only have an iX on hand so no ability to compare.

[Kershaw]

A little harsh there...

Yeah, I guess my relationship frustrations were manifesting through my fingers. Having some issues lately.



No offense intended Erik. You did your research and just wanted validation. I was out of line.

[nando]

So the questions still remain. What are the dimensional differences? Length? Angle? Not that big of a deal - I only have an iX on hand so no ability to compare.

The difference is one will fit the ix and the other won't.. I don't think you will know the dimensional differences without having both in front of you.

is the ix part that hard to find? is it NLA or something?

[packratbimmer]

Information is information. The OP asked a question and an interesting one.

[nando]

yeah, I'm not saying it's not worth knowing - I'm saying the only way to find out is to get both and measure yourself.