Quick, simple shift linkage questions

[Jand3rson]

Does the '86 325eS have the sheet metal console, or the aluminum shift carrier? If so, can the sheet metal console be swapped to the aluminum shift carrier?

I would assume the later-style carrier is a better unit than the early-metal console, hence the redesign.

[James Crivellone]

if the car is built AFTER 04/86 then it has the aluminum

if before, then its sheet metal.


Either one can be used depending on transmission, some have the mounts for the sheet metal, some only have aluminum mounts, and some have both (mine)

My tranny is from an 87 eta 4 door (i think) and it has both sets of mounts

[Jand3rson]

if the car is built AFTER 04/86 then it has the aluminum

if before, then its sheet metal.


Either one can be used depending on transmission, some have the mounts for the sheet metal, some only have aluminum mounts, and some have both (mine)

My tranny is from an 87 eta 4 door (i think) and it has both sets of mounts

Well, my car is 01/86, so I guess it has the sheet metal. Is the aluminum shift carrier preferable to have?

[James Crivellone]

if the car is built AFTER 04/86 then it has the aluminum

if before, then its sheet metal.


Either one can be used depending on transmission, some have the mounts for the sheet metal, some only have aluminum mounts, and some have both (mine)

My tranny is from an 87 eta 4 door (i think) and it has both sets of mounts

Well, my car is 01/86, so I guess it has the sheet metal. Is the aluminum shift carrier preferable to have?

I pefer the aluminum, easier to work with imho, and you can do a little work from the top to work on things if you have to

[KenC]

The sheet metal one wasn't too bad to work with, in my opinion. If you drop the driveshaft out it'd be MUCH easier to work with though.

[Bryson]

i have a friend who converted his 89 325is to the sheetmetal type because it is stronger, he kept breaking shift carriers

[Jand3rson]

i have a friend who converted his 89 325is to the sheetmetal type because it is stronger, he kept breaking shift carriers

Ha ha ha, damn! Ok then, I'll keep that in mind. :D

[KenC]

When/if you rebuild the shift linkage, you could replace the rear bushing (the big fat rubber thing) with something more solid. Also, if you take the selector rod off and place a piece of urethane or derelin in where the foam/rubber piece goes it'll stiffen the shifting up a ton.

[Jand3rson]

Cool, thanks for the tips, Ken. I do in fact plan to rebuild the linkage and those things should be good to stiffen things up. I probably won't tackle that job at least until I put in a new driveshaft.

[KenC]

Cool, thanks for the tips, Ken. I do in fact plan to rebuild the linkage and those things should be good to stiffen things up. I probably won't tackle that job at least until I put in a new driveshaft.

Yeah, definitely do it while you have the driveshaft out... it'll make things a lot easier.

[Jand3rson]

I pefer the aluminum, easier to work with imho, and you can do a little work from the top to work on things if you have to

James, what are the best ways to reduce slop in the shift lever with the sheet metal console?

[Drewe30e]

My transmission is acting oddly and I would like to replace anything pertaining to the shifter or shift linkage. I will be doing the Z4 2.5 switch along with this. I saw the thread in the FAQ's and I was wondering if all the parts mentioned for the sheet metal console will be what I need. Or, will I need to get more parts?

[fretburnr]

Cool, thanks for the tips, Ken. I do in fact plan to rebuild the linkage and those things should be good to stiffen things up. I probably won't tackle that job at least until I put in a new driveshaft.

Yeah, definitely do it while you have the driveshaft out... it'll make things a lot easier.

can it be done while replacing the guibo? (that should disconnect the driveshaft, eh?)