Short Shift Opinions?

[uberhahn]

I'm thinking about purchasing a short-shift kit for my 530i. Though the shift feel is fine, it would be nice not to have to "row". Having said that, what are my options if I don't want to spend the $200 + required for some well-known brands?

Any opinions are welcome.

[Jeff N.]

Install the shifter arm from a Z8. It's about $50 and will nicely shorten the throw. Be sure to rebuild the entire linkage while you are in there - replace all the bushings, mounting points, etc.

Jeff

[gale]

As Jeff said, off the shelf BMW shifters from numerous models will interchange. The longer the length below the pivot ball, the shorter the shift knob travel will be. Here's a comparison of numerous stock shift levers -- most are approx. $45-$55 at the dealer:

http://photos.tobinhosting.com/album/album139/aal.gif

The missing part number for the Euro e36 M3 shifter is 25 11 1 222 955. That's the one I put in mine & has fairly tight shifts. The 1.9 4-cyl Z3 also makes a nice compremise, the shorter the shift travel, the notchier it will feel.

Replace the indicated normal wear parts as long as you're into it:

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/shift_parts.jpg

[bahnstormer]

i have the uuc ssk and i have to say its one of the best mods i've made...

[Ted K]

How much do they need to be bent?

[Ted K]

I am looking in to this as my next mod. Who did you get it from? Turner has the evo3 for $255. UUC has it for $325. They are the same part numbers. Whats up with that.

[tim s]

even my wife likes it & now complains about cars with a long shifting distance.
tim s.

[emw525E34]

Jeff, for the Shifter lever replace (eg E36M3 part), will the other components be retained as it is ?. Like Shift Arm and Straight Selector rod ?. These remains E34 part rather than the M3 part ?. Pls verify so I can decide.

Thx.

[jplacson]

When you rebuild the shift linkage components... do you have to drop the tranny? Or can this be done from the inside? under? How much work is involved in rebuilding shift linkage components?

[Robin-535im]

I am looking in to this as my next mod. Who did you get it from? Turner has the evo3 for $255. UUC has it for $325. They are the same part numbers. Whats up with that.

I have a Z4 shifter, and with new bushings, it's very nice. Even just replacing the old bushings and keeping the E34 shifter will be a huge improvement.

There have been threads about why the UUC bushings are superior... but I don't really buy it. Maybe they last a bit longer, but stock BMW parts will last you many tens of thousands of miles, and the sack of bushings that Don mentioned are probably under $100 for everything. Throw in another $50 for a shift lever and you're golden.

Then again I've not done a side by side comparison, so if anyone has heaps of praise to pile on the UUC kit - jump right in. :)

[emw525E34]

Robin,

I am curious about the Z4 shifter you installed. Is it a shorter throw than the Euro M3 E36 shifter that Don has shown in the diagram ?. What new bushing parts did you use ?. Were they E34 parts or Z4 parts ?. I am keen to do this mode but wanted to know all the necessary parts needed before I yanked the existing shifter and throw it a 100 yards into the bush!. Thanks.

[epj3]

Robin,

I am curious about the Z4 shifter you installed. Is it a shorter throw than the Euro M3 E36 shifter that Don has shown in the diagram ?. What new bushing parts did you use ?. Were they E34 parts or Z4 parts ?. I am keen to do this mode but wanted to know all the necessary parts needed before I yanked the existing shifter and throw it a 100 yards into the bush!. Thanks.
I just ordered the z3 1.9 shifter today at the dealer... I think I'll throw mine 120 yards.

[jplacson]

what kind of work goes into changing the shifter & the other links? Do you have to drop the tranny? Or do you just open up the center console from the inside of the car?

[emw525E34]

JP,

I will ask Weiner. I am seeing him tomm to get my Control arms replaced. Also, he know how to solve my Fog lights issue. Need additional wiring harness and flog switch replacement. I wanted my special projector H1 fogs lit!.

I am debating whether to get a Euro E36 M3 shifter or Z4 shifter. Need to know the difference in throw becuase I don't want the shift to be too notchy!. Its hard to determine without testing an actual one!.

I expect the shift boot and the trapezoidal cover piece needs to com off just to expose the under-side of the linkage. Fairly easy I think. But while there, might as well change all the rubber bushings and wearable parts....

[Ted K]

I just ordered the z3 1.9 shifter today at the dealer... I think I'll throw mine 120 yards.
Keep us posted to how this works for you. I will be next in line for it.

[Jeff N.]

Check out the diagram Gale posted - you can see all this stuff.

Worn shifter cup

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl1.JPG

Worn aft mounting plate

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl2.JPG

Rebuilt shifter linkage arm (stock arm)

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl3.JPG

Worn T and pad

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl4.JPG

[Jeff N.]

Newly installed arm from the top

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl5.JPG

Rebuilt linkage from below

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/sl6.JPG

[Jeff N.]

here's the side by side.

Martin liked it so much, he tossed his z3 arm or whatever and went to this one. much smmoooother.

http://home.comcast.net/~jsnord/pics/z8.jpg

[emw525E34]

Wow, Jeff!. Thanks. The drive shaft needs to be removed to get to the bottom part!. Yikes missed out that part. So those new replacements for the worn parts comes from the E34 parts bin ?.

Do you have Gale's link on this writeup ?. Love to take a look.
PS: The replacement job is a one hour stint or you need a couple of hours ?.

[jplacson]

Frankie, what fog light issue?

I'm trying to find a way to bypass my LKM... my fogs only come on with my low beams... I want them to be switchable when I'm on park. (I think some Euro models came with this since this was a Euro regulation, all my lights stay on however even when I turn on my brights)

Anyway...back to the shifter... I'll probably have mine done at Basics. They replaced my clutch already...came out cheaper than Werner's quote (For the same price as the clutch job, I got new brake pads installed all around + new wipers..this included all the labor and parts needed for the job, plus about US$10 worth of gas)

Werner's good... specially if you want something out-of-spec done. Nadji is great for body work... Basics is excellent for mechanical work... they probably rival (if not exceed) the dealers when it comes to the 'heritage' models...mainly because all their mechanics came from the dealers as well. :P

[Jeff N.]

Don't have Gale's link...sorry. I'm Gale will post it. You did see his post of the diagram with the parts to be replaced, right?

I think the total in new parts was about $60 or so.

To do this right, it will take at least half a day. Depends how experienced you are in dropping the exhaust, driveline, etc.

[Martin in Bellevue]

I very much liked the action of the short mZ3 shifter, ofr the first few months when it wasn't worn. The z8 shifter is a good compromise.

here's the side by side.
Martin liked it so much, he tossed his z3 arm or whatever and went to this one. much smmoooother.

[motuman]

Install the shifter arm from a Z8. It's about $50 and will nicely shorten the throw. Be sure to rebuild the entire linkage while you are in there - replace all the bushings, mounting points, etc.

Jeff

Does the Z8 shifter arm need to be bent for e34 installations?

Thanks!