well sometimes i have trouble getting into 3rd gear and im sure its the shifter and not the trannny, but what do i need to replace to fix this

and please do not say just get ssk because i am not going to, i just want to know which bushings to buy etc

well how is it difficult. theres only a few bushings on the shifter linkage.

there is 2 like 1mm thin bushings on the input of the tranny, and then there is the bushing in the slector carrier. however neither of these parts would make one gear hard to get into, they would jsut give you "extra" sloppyness.

does this help?.... mabey you can say alittle more about how it is difficult to shift, and how you know it is not the tranny.

If you're gonna bother to do this you should definitely put in someones old M3 shifter, I got one shipped to me for like $22, just post a wtb add. There are a tonne of them laying around. http://www.540i6.com/m3shifter.html The process is kind of a pain but it's not difficult. Oh, and while you're under there pull out the CDV.

Have you changed the trans fluid? Did wonders for my "sticky" shifts. RP Synchromax...put that into the search

i can feel the play in the shifter well, but changeing the tranny fluid should get on my list soon, after 100k it should be due(cdv is on the list as well)

its sloppy and notchie just like everybody else says right before they install a ssk

so it looks like i need to change the stick with the ball on it

I'd try the fluid first. You need to do it anyways and it's a $20 possible fix (or help).

If you change anything make sure you replace the pivot cup that the ball sets in.