On the side of the transmission. Follow the shift linkage. Verify the bushings are intact on the shift linkage and no wasted motion in the linkage. BUT, it sounds to me that you have either a poor connection at the starter or a faulty starter.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.