35d gearbox and gear lever

[rassi]

Would anyone happen to know why the LCI 5 series (E60) got the new drive by wire gear lever while the 3 series (E90) and X3 continued with the "old style" gear lever? When the 535d went from the 272 to 286 bhp engine the gear lever and presumably also gearbox changed, while the 3 and X3 from the beginning had the 286 bhp engine but with the old gear lever. Is the gearbox the same on these?

[pete]

It's the older box on the e90, even with the newer engine. I've never had an issue with it though, seems very responsive and well behaved for a traditional auto, and you can always use the paddles to override it.

Pete