Hi, everyone. First post here.

I just bought a 1985 635CSi 5-speed. A previous owner had installed a short shifter kit into it, and the shifting effort is uncomfortable and notchy.

I'd like to revert to the original shifter setup. Are there any vendors selling these parts or am I going to have to find them on eBay or in a salvage yard?

I don't know which shifter kit is installed, the car appears to have the sheetmetal shift console.

Any tips or links would be appreciated.

Mike

Just use the factory parts. They are reasonable in price and depending on the kit installed, you may only need the shift lever.

I have a few good used levers if you decide not to buy a new one. I am in the process of installing a 5spd with the same console in an ex-auto car and will be using a short shifter.

OK, I wasn't sure if these parts were still available from BMW.

I'll get the car up on the lift when I get back from vacation in a couple weeks and see just what's installed under there.

Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on one of those factory pieces. I'll let you know.

Mike

Here is a link to a thread about short throw shifters with some good background info, scroll down to the end. If you explore the UUC and Auto Solutions sites you can get a good idea of what is under there and where the slop comes from.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=789814

(Be sure to book mark the following links)

The link to the parts catalog in the thread seems to be broken, so here are two more:

OnLine Parts-Maximillian Importing Company:
http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/

RealOEM.COM Online BMW Parts Catalog
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=&kind=P&series=E24&arch=1

Here is a link to download a free PDF file for your year Electrical Troubleshooting Manual (ETM): http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

The Online ETM is for an '85, so you can use it also:
http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/etm002.htm

(Substitute the page No. from the index for the "002" in the above URL to go to that page)

Hi, everyone. First post here.

I just bought a 1985 635CSi 5-speed. A previous owner had installed a short shifter kit into it, and the shifting effort is uncomfortable and notchy.

I'd like to revert to the original shifter setup. Are there any vendors selling these parts or am I going to have to find them on eBay or in a salvage yard?

I don't know which shifter kit is installed, the car appears to have the sheetmetal shift console.

Any tips or links would be appreciated.

Mike



Try something much simpler first... a transmission fluid flush, and replace with Redline D4 ATF or Mercron.

These older gearboxes can get difficult to shift if the fluid is old. The ATFs that I listed make them much smoother. Whichever fluid you choose, get two (2) quart bottles.

i have a short shift in mine. been running ATF and shifting was excellent. but just started to notice a rattling in neutral with the clutch out. reinstalled gear lube and the noise is gone,but shift effort did increase. will get a little stiffer when temp drops until the trans warms up. that's why i went to ATF in the 1 place. once you have a short shifter and go back to stock,the throws are long.

Try something much simpler first... a transmission fluid flush, and replace with Redline D4 ATF or Mercron.

These older gearboxes can get difficult to shift if the fluid is old. The ATFs that I listed make them much smoother. Whichever fluid you choose, get two (2) quart bottles.


I thought it called for Dexron ATF?