Shift boot and center console getting hot??? Trans cooler potentially?
 

Hi,
This is my first post, although, I have several porsches, VW's, and BMWs, and have gotten lots of pertinent info for all of them. I have been noticing that the leather shift boot on my E36 M3 sedan (1997) is getting hot while driving. The center console is getting hot too. If anybody has experience with this issue, please enlighten me as to what can be done to resolve. Thanks, Pete.

Under the leather boot there is a rubber one that seals out air and heat. It that rubber boot is torn you will get a lot of engine heat at the shifter.

Oh great! That sounds like it!
 

I will check it out when I get off work and reply with my results. Thank you for your time and knowledge. I really appreciate it.

all good. that was it. Thanks Jeron!!!!