E34 M50B20 gear linkages and weird gear lever position

[Triumph Man]

I originally posted this at bmw5.co.uk, but wondered if anyone here had any ideas?

I had my replacement transmission fitted, however the mechanic reported that the gear lever was in a weird position! The first picture is the gearbox in neutral, the second is the gearbox in reverse! The lever points further forward and to the right than it should.

Neither of us had any trouble selecting gear, and the box shifts sweetly, however we cannot work out why the lever is in this position. My car is a July 95 build, and the car the gearbox came out of was an L reg (believed early 94) 520i.

I checked part nos online and they are the same for shift linkages up to 10/94 and from 10/94 onwards. The fact they divide the years up suggests something is different...

My mechanic is very good, but we are both stumped! Any ideas? Simple case of mal adjustment? If I can get the original linkage from the supplier would that work?

Any help appreciated and thank you in advance!

[buggalugs]

Iirc the engine mount rubbers have an offset in them so if they're in the wrong rotation the whole engine and box could end up an inch or two out. There's a small notch to go in to get them right but if you don't know they could end up not sat in it.

There are different length gear linkages too but I think it's a greater difference than what you're seeing.

Make sure the prop is set right too in terms of the length slide and the centre bearing preload.

[Triumph Man]

Ah thank you, that sounds very useful. The engine didn't come out as part of the job, but is it still possible the gearbox may not have mounted correctly?

I don't know if the pictures show it properly, but when the car is in neutral, the gear-lever looks like it's in 5th

[buggalugs]

He may have undone the engine mounts to get a better angle while doing the gearbox. Only thing to do is get back under the car again and see what's what.