manual trans shifter problems

[archamond5]

I just got a used 318ti today and as expected there are some problems, I'll try to post in the proper forums. One of the big ones is the shifter for the manual trans. It seems that the shifter linkage is not in the proper place, and by that i mean that it feels like everything seems to be left of where it should be. This causes two problems; first it causes the trans to pop out of first gear. And second it makes getting it into reverse almost impossible, to get it into reverse you have to push the shifter all the way to the left so that it bends the plastic and it has already torn the boot. Any ideas on how to fix this??

[dave45056]

Most likely someone installed a short shift kit from a different model bmw. When done right this is an excellent mod. For some combinations you have to bend the shift rod. If it's bent out of line it will put the shifter left or right of center. You can take it out and twist it to put the shifter where you like. And when I say twist it, you will need to bent steel parts, so have a vice and other tools ready to accomplish this.
This thread has some useful info:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14709

Item 9 in the first image is the shaft rod.