1989 BMW E30 320 cab converted to 325(stuck in reverse)

[Ibze30]

Hi everyone,

Nice to meet you all
Bought my E30 around 15 years ago when I was 18, which I converted to a 2.5 engine.

Has spent more time off the road than on it over the years but looking to get her back up and running.

Unfortunately I have an issue with it at the moment as it used to get stuck in reverse when I reversed out of my drive until I switched it off and took it out of gear until one day I decided not switch it off but force it, heard something click and now the gear stick is wobbly and the car is stuck in reverse

Any ideas on what I’ve done and if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced?

[BenHar]

Welcome.

Manual or auto?

Ben

[Ibze30]

Sorry that would help, it’s a manual

[Speedtouch]

Hopefully, it's just a broken linkage in the remote lever mechanism, rather than in the gearbox itself. I would first inspect the car from underneath, and have someone else operate the lever/clutch while you watch what's going on where the linkage goes into the gearbox.

You may be able to fix it from either below or by removing the gear lever and relevant centre console parts to gain access to it.
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... er_011.jpg

[Ibze30]

Thanks for the advice, will be taking a look at it with my dad this weekend and will drop in an update.

[rix313]

Sounds like the linkage has been able to pop out. Perhaps a clip wasn't seated properly. Sure it'll be very quick to fix.