[PAX3]

I have noticed on the X3 that some shifters have a leather base and others do not. Do we know if this is different between 28 and 35 or M package or 2011 vs 2012? I have a 2012 X3 28 with M Sport on order and was curoius what shifter it would be. Any thoughts?

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by PAX3

I have noticed on the X3 that some shifters have a leather base and others do not. Do we know if this is different between 28 and 35 or M package or 2011 vs 2012? I have a 2012 X3 28 with M Sport on order and was curoius what shifter it would be. Any thoughts?

The 28i cannot be equipped with the sports automatic transmission that has paddle shifters. The 35i can, but otherwise comes standard with the same shifter and transmission as the 28i. If you order the sports automatic transmission with the 35i, you get the leather base. Anything else has a plastic composite base.

[tank531]

For ROW diesel engined vehicles the 'joystick' shifter has a plastic base (no leather) The leather on the 35 model makes it look like a mechanical device when really they are 'fly by wire' transmisisons.

[saulgoodman]

Originally Posted by PAX3

I have noticed on the X3 that some shifters have a leather base and others do not. Do we know if this is different between 28 and 35 or M package or 2011 vs 2012? I have a 2012 X3 28 with M Sport on order and was curoius what shifter it would be. Any thoughts?

I think if you opt for sport pkg with wood trim in 35i only then you will get leather base...mine is 28i non-sport with brushed aluminum base and looks cool and modern than leather.

[dnw]

Originally Posted by sivakumarbalu

I think if you opt for sport pkg with wood trim in 35i only then you will get leather base...mine is 28i non-sport with brushed aluminum base and looks cool and modern than leather.

It has nothing to do with wood trim. As juddholland correctly identified, it comes with the sport automatic transmission. The shifter itself is also differently styled.

You can get three transmissions in the X3 (depending on model and market):

-Manual transmission (with a short throw stick that you shift yourself )
-Automatic transmission (with a slim shifter and plastic gate)
-Sport Automatic transmission (with a fatter shifter, leather gate and paddle shifters on the steering wheel)

Sport Automatic Tranmission is only available on the top models and tends not to even be an option on the lower ones. In the UK, it comes standard on the 35d M Sport (optional on 35d SE) and is not available on any other model. In the US, it is avaialable on the 35i with certain packages/options.

Its is not an aesthetic change, it is a slightly different transmission.