We 450i owners are well aware of the sticky shifter problems we have endured with this machine, well after my mud filled weekend the shifter got even more sticky, to the point it was extremely difficult to get from one gear to the next. I knew it was probably from mud build up as this stuff was everywhere. As it dried it became like glue, as I I hosed it from all the shift linkage the shifting would get a little easier, but the next day it was stiff again after things dried. I had just bought a can of aerosol dry lube with Teflon so I decided to blast away at the linkage, especially that part on the rear of the dash where the shifter comes thru. Yep I blasted it good, trying to flush out all the crap and debris from all moving points and connections. I could see crap coming off the linkage and ended up doing it a number of time using the entire can of lube. I like to use a dry lube so I don't attract any more crud. Well let me say it now shifts easier than it ever has! How long will this easy shifting go on for I cant say, but it is now quite easy to move from one gear to another. Be sure you get some in and around the button on the shift handle, mine was or has been sticking, but after a thorough soaking with dry lube it now works quite smoothly. Is this the answer to our problem.....I have no idea but it certainly appears to help immensely, even if I have to reblast it on occasion with more lube it might be well worth the trouble for the extra ease of gear selection.
