strange manual shifting problem

Yesterday, I was suddenly only able to use 1st, 3rd, 5th and the revers gear in my BMW X3 2004 2.5l. When I try to shift into 2nd, 4th or 6th gear, the gear shifter goes far back and never engages. Sometimes it does, but it's rare. I have to put the stick back into neutral and wobble it around. The stick goes lower again. During that time, it is always in neutral.

I have been reading all day about this, but so far I am not certain what the issue may be. Some pages suggested it may be "shift bushing problem", "broken shift pin" or "plastic spherical bushing".


Any advice?

strange manual shifting problem