Gear leaver won't move into manual mode

[E46ACS]

Hi, not mine, but a friends. '08 3.0sd.

Was all working fine, now, in auto mode all ok, but the gear leaver will physically not move over to the left to select manual mode.

Near leaver? or worse?

[Nine468]

Thats spooky, as mine has started doing this..
A sharp tap to the left and i found it releases. But i cant keep doing this , im guessing something is sticking...
I dont want to go spraying WD40 around it though as it might upset something... ::) ::)
Anybody any ideas.??

[celica]

I suspect the lever is at fault
Lever itself is about £800 as a part I believe

Nine468, does yours spring back to park from sport mode when you press P?

[E46ACS]

Thanks. thought as much.

[X5Sport]

Sounds suspiciously like the joystick unit is on the way out, and it can only be replaced as a unit.  BMW want obscene amount of money, but you may be able to find on line somewhat cheaper.

Realoem will give you the right part number to look for - if it goes that far.

[E46ACS]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Sounds suspiciously like the joystick unit is on the way out, and it can only be replaced as a unit.  BMW want obscene amount of money, but you may be able to find on line somewhat cheaper.

Realoem will give you the right part number to look for - if it goes that far.
[/quote]

Thanks 

[Nine468]

[quote="celica"]

Nine468, does yours spring back to park from sport mode when you press P?
[/quote]

Mmmm, not tried that yet. i just put it back into D before i park up...

UPDATE... Yes it does spring back from sport when P is pressed....