I wish my e30 came with _____ from the factory.

[AbsorbantNut]

rust

[Mark 42]

More room in the backseat that would make for less awkward moments

That's why VWs had ankle straps.

[Cliche Guevara]

Reverse not next to 1st gear.

Eh? I'm rather fond of reverse being next to 1st. Can't really think of anything wrong with it...

[Hey-U]

6 speed transmission

[series88]

M-tech II kit, and 5 lug

[Vivek]

Eh? I'm rather fond of reverse being next to 1st. Can't really think of anything wrong with it...

He probably accidentally put it into reverse at a red light.

[Cliche Guevara]

He probably accidentally put it into reverse at a red light.

That thought crossed my mind, but it takes an easily noticeable amount of extra effort to notch it over into reverse than it does 1st gear. I don't see how one could accidentally put it in reverse instead of 1st unless you literally had never driven a stick before.

[stamar]

Ive messed up reverse when its below fifth too and its worse than messing up on reverse when you are looking for first.

So its a better design it just takes getting used to.

[Vivek]

That thought crossed my mind, but it takes an easily noticeable amount of extra effort to notch it over into reverse than it does 1st gear. I don't see how one could accidentally put it in reverse instead of 1st unless you literally had never driven a stick before.

My mom accidentally did that to my dad's e30 in the early 90's. It can be confusing if you're driving different manual cars at the same time (she was) with different shifter feels. Also, if the shift bushings are worn, it may be less of a noticeable push to get into reverse.

[jasonbk]

I like vw's push->1st=reverse mechanism..less likely to get confused and it takes slightly less effort to do.

[MAXELHOFF]

Eh? I'm rather fond of reverse being next to 1st. Can't really think of anything wrong with it...

Not noticeable enough visually if the car is in first or reverse. Think parallel parking. I have to engage the clutch to find out what gear the car is in. That is BS. That being said, my center console is pretty loose. I believe most e30's have a synchronized reverse.? Just thought of this- I was in a e30 in Germany and dude popped the car in reverse at 45mph or so, spun the engine up to say 5K and dropped the clutch. Wheels spinning backwards...going forward. On dry concrete!

[stamar]

ya the getrag 260 has a synchronized reverse. which is almost everyone right?

On the other hand I think the getrag 240 does not.

well I have done what youre saying to a few cars it doesnt stop your car what it does is tear a layer off your clutch and slow it down a touch/ burns the clutch fluid instantly

I have done that mistake to a couple cars going from 3rd to reverse instead of 4th.

The other mistake the bmw layout causes is a pain backing out or parallel parking missing 1st and reverse.... but no damage involved.

So I declare it a more intelligent layout.

[Cliche Guevara]

Idk why, but I've never had a problem knowing if I'm in reverse or 1st in either my E30 or my E21 (which has shot bushings and a pretty loose center consol). I'm not trying to act like I'm the greating with a stick, it just hasn't ever been an issue. Maybe it's because I've only ever driven manual BMWs my whole life...

[Joe G]

Plastic bumpers

[gofredo50]

6 speed transmission

Yep. I can't tell you the number of times I've unconsciously gone to shift into 6th.