My roommate recently purchased a '96 328is, and I got a chance to drive it. It didn't have anywhere near the road feel or communication that my e34 does, but one thing it did have on it was the transmission was smooth as silk. As in, there was little to no resistance in the clutch or shifter. I could shift much faster and more accurately than in my 535i. The clutch feel was nowhere as good, and I just attribute most of that to the fact that it's a newer hydraulic system. But the shifter got me thinking - my shifter is pretty notchy and you really have to slam it into gear to shift quickly. Is this just a consequence of it having a much older transmission, or is there something wrong? 2nd gear is especially troublesome; it feels like it's fighting me when I shift from 1st.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's any comparison - the e34 is better built, has a much nicer interior, and is better (if slightly more difficult) to drive. But damn the transmission in the e36 was just heavenly.