E36 328i Gear Selector Vague
Discussion
Morning all.
I agreed to buy an R reg 328i convertible yesterday - bit of a punt and intended to be a summer toy/potential long term investment.
On the test drive I noticed that the gearbox seemed very vague. I was surprised how long the throw was too but think a shorter gearknob rather than the current wooden one will sort this.
It was very easy to put the car in 5th when trying to go for 3rd. After a few minutes I got used to it but its definitely not right. The car has done 120k so I know will have plenty of wear.
From what I can see there are some bushes in the gear level linkage that can wear.
Just wanted to put this out there and see if anyone has any thoughts or experience of this?
I agreed to buy an R reg 328i convertible yesterday - bit of a punt and intended to be a summer toy/potential long term investment.
On the test drive I noticed that the gearbox seemed very vague. I was surprised how long the throw was too but think a shorter gearknob rather than the current wooden one will sort this.
It was very easy to put the car in 5th when trying to go for 3rd. After a few minutes I got used to it but its definitely not right. The car has done 120k so I know will have plenty of wear.
From what I can see there are some bushes in the gear level linkage that can wear.
Just wanted to put this out there and see if anyone has any thoughts or experience of this?
When I had my 328i I found similar.
There are the two pins and springs inside the gearbox which make the lever return to the centre of the gate.
The pins were teflon coated when new, which absorbs oil and swells making them no longer slide freely.
That's what causes it.
There is a technical document floating around the internet (I think I've still got it saved) about what to order and how to replace them.
It was something I looked into doing, but never did on my one.
You'll also find all the rubber/plastic bushes in the linkage will be knackered which doesn't help.
Changing them and maybe fitting a new shift lever (It has a plastic ball on which wears) will also help to stiffen it back up.
There are the two pins and springs inside the gearbox which make the lever return to the centre of the gate.
The pins were teflon coated when new, which absorbs oil and swells making them no longer slide freely.
That's what causes it.
There is a technical document floating around the internet (I think I've still got it saved) about what to order and how to replace them.
It was something I looked into doing, but never did on my one.
You'll also find all the rubber/plastic bushes in the linkage will be knackered which doesn't help.
Changing them and maybe fitting a new shift lever (It has a plastic ball on which wears) will also help to stiffen it back up.
Had a Schnitzer short shift kit on my E36 328i sport when I bought it, which the car had from new.
The shifts were short yes, but very muddled and wobbly in some shifts. I assumed the gear linkage bushes were knackered as the cars millage was 160k plus. I bought a low millage original spec linkage and new bushes to replace as my previous e36 gear change had a more natural and enjoyable shift to me. Although on a track I could see the advantage of the Schnitzer set up.
In my case unfortunately the gear box needed repairing as a couple of selector pins had corroded, but not a huge job.
Combined with the standard linkage, fresh gearbox oil, new prop shaft rubbers a new clutch and braided hose for CDV delete the gear change is amazing - no really. Mechanical rather than notchy, precise on the biting point and smooth/linear in operation.Lots are negative about the gear change in old Beemers, but most will have worn bushes, selector pins etc.
I finished it off with a genuine Mtech weighted gear knob. I love the second to third change, and the slightly longer flick from fourth to fifth.
Good luck fixing. Definitely do the linkage bushes and braided clutch hose before rushing out to buy some cheap aftermarket short shift though
The shifts were short yes, but very muddled and wobbly in some shifts. I assumed the gear linkage bushes were knackered as the cars millage was 160k plus. I bought a low millage original spec linkage and new bushes to replace as my previous e36 gear change had a more natural and enjoyable shift to me. Although on a track I could see the advantage of the Schnitzer set up.
In my case unfortunately the gear box needed repairing as a couple of selector pins had corroded, but not a huge job.
Combined with the standard linkage, fresh gearbox oil, new prop shaft rubbers a new clutch and braided hose for CDV delete the gear change is amazing - no really. Mechanical rather than notchy, precise on the biting point and smooth/linear in operation.Lots are negative about the gear change in old Beemers, but most will have worn bushes, selector pins etc.
I finished it off with a genuine Mtech weighted gear knob. I love the second to third change, and the slightly longer flick from fourth to fifth.
Good luck fixing. Definitely do the linkage bushes and braided clutch hose before rushing out to buy some cheap aftermarket short shift though
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