I haven't but I feel like I need2. My shifter is so loose in its gates

I am going to look into it. I'll post some info here after I get something.
Has anyone else looked into it if not done it?

My shifter is nowhere near as tight as my old VW GLI was, but its not popping out of the gates, nor is it so sloppy that I notice a reduction in driving quality, I think its just getting used to the fact that this is an SUV with longer throws than a performance car.

UUC was in talks to put their short shifter in production for the X5 (the EVO3 model) but at $355 and a 3 month lead time, I wasn't going to put up that kind of cash unless my shifter is completely broken and needing replacement.

I have lower miles than most at 65,000, which is probably why I haven't noticed high wear on the shifter yet.

My shifter is not sloppy or jumping out, but I would like a more positive feel. I made some simple mods on an old Subaru Legacy Rally car I have by replacing all of the pliable rubber joints in the shift mechanism with solid bronze bushings. It didn't shorten the throws at all, but it made the shifts crisp and precise.
I may attempt something similar here. The trade-off is that you get much more vibration transfered through the shift lever.

I was toying with going on REALOEM and just getting all new bushings for the entire linkage so it would be "factory fresh and tight" again, but to be honest it was looking like a lot more work than i would like to undertake

I rebuilt the linkage on my e28 a couple of years ago, and the job itself isn't too bad, but in order to get at the bits that need work it was necessary to lower (not remove) the exhaust and the front end of the driveshaft. Some guys on mye28.com say they can rebuild the linkage with the exhaust & DS in place, but they either have little tiny hands or can do the job without seeing what they're doing. I haven't been very far under the X5 to examine things, but I'm thinking it'll be a similar story there.

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/v/e/92.png

On the e28, the bits that got replaced were
10
11
12 (includes 13 & 14)
15

There might be other wear items in there, like 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7, but given the fact that Autohaus AZ and Pelican Parts don't stock them (dealer-only?) I'm thinking they might not wear out as quickly as those directly involved with the selector rod.

The Official E53 Manual Transmission Registry Thread
 

Ricky - Add me to your list.

Pic of her pulling See Truth attached.

DSAviate (FL, 01)

Love to see the M54 pulling boats and towing capacity! Your car looks great, and silver is the color that definitely ages best!

Everyone wonders why our first gear is geared the way it is, it definitely comes in handy i'm sure when towing!

Yes it does . . . the 1st "stump puller" gear is perfect for dragging this 5987# load up and out of steep ramps.

But I wish there was a greater spread between 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. No need to be at 3000 - 3500 rpm at normal highway speeds.

The X5 is a very stylish Bavarian Tractor!

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2001 X5 5 speed, 157K.