How to repair your ShiftAssist

[MA413]

Rogracer, Ah, I missed that important detail.  I don't have the guts to dissect my shift assist to be honest but I'll snap pics if there is a component that stands out for comparison reference.  I wonder if a 17-20 shift assist would work up/down function on 16-later models?  That's a worthy upgrade in my opinion.

[rogracer]

You don't have do disect anything. Just try to notice when you shift with your foot if the shaft moves relative to the housing on both upshifts and downshifts.  If there is no relative movement, BMW must have moved away from the spring mechanism to a load cell (which would appear rigid).

[MA413]

I think you are right about the cell.  just ran downstairs and moved the shifter up and down with my hand and the shift assist shaft and housing move as one solid unit so no spring that I see.

[rogracer]

You can't use your hand.  That was the mistake I made with mine and came away with the faulty conclusion that it was rigid.  You need to shift pretty hard with your foot to see the movement of the spring mechanism (if it is there at all).