I will change them all later, but I am considering upgrading to the newer shifter if that is possible on my Beetle. Anyone know if I can use a shifter from a 2001 or later. The ability to get aftermarket bushings would pay for it from the U Pull It. These 3 bushings were almost 20 bucks.
The Beetle, Golf and Jetta are all made on the same platform, the MK4.
I bought a 99.5 jetta to get the 5spd and other parts not knowing that throughout the MK4 platform, 99.5-2005, that 3 different types of shifter and shifter tower are used.
99.5 and very early 2000 used the type that you have.
mid 2000 to ? used the ball and socket type. OK type
And the last type is pin and clip. BETTER type
I got the pin and clip type for my 5spd.
I don't know if the fire wall is in a different position between the beetle and jetta, eg: closer to engine, but if the same then you can use the slave cylinder high pressure line.
Back to the pin and clip or the ball and socket type, if you had them laying beside each other and that choice between the 2, I would chose the pin/clip.
Can use from a diesel or gas engine
Here are some useful info if you are going to do the swap.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=459001
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=462156
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=426179
http://forums.tdiclub.com/search.php?searchid=18302186