Z3 auto shifter on e-34- How?

[Russell]

I understand someone on this board may have installed a Z3 wood and leather pistol grip auto shifter on their e34.

Does anyone have a list of parts you bought and how to convert from the OEM T-shifter? From old posts (pictures are gone) it appears that Circle Tire and BMA offered a “kit” for the conversion, but no longer do so.

I bought a leather shift knob on e-bay from a 2000 Z3 part number 25162228252 hoping that it would fit (with the correct parts).

From what little I have found on various board searches, it seems you need some sort of adapter or spacer. Realoem appears confusing in searching for what I need... Appreciate any help you can offer.

[Russell]

bump- I really want to do this. I also think an auto e38 shifter will work. However, I need to get a better "handle" on what other parts I need to buy, especialy if modifications to the shifter/linkage are needed. I do not want to strand myselt with ruined parts!

Thanks for anny help anyone can offer.

[Bill R.]

e32. If you go back through all of his posts you may find it. He at one time listed the parts needed as well. George M is his user name on here... And you may find it on Roadfly on the e32 forum , here is one link to George in there.
(http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-7-series-e32/4958908-1.html)



bump- I really want to do this. I also think an auto e38 shifter will work. However, I need to get a better "handle" on what other parts I need to buy, especialy if modifications to the shifter/linkage are needed. I do not want to strand myselt with ruined parts!

Thanks for anny help anyone can offer.

[bubba966]

Why not get yourself the E31 leather auto shifter? Was stock on the '95 540iA M-Sport. Works great, and is much better than the common E34 T-Handle shifter. Think that MSRP on it is only $90 or so. Don't have the part # offhand though I could find it.

[Russell]

Now there is a thought. A part number would help. I can check realoem for both cars.

Thanks.

[bubba966]

Pics of the E31/M-Sport shifter here http://www.wuffer.net/_mgxroot/page_for_sale.html

Will go look for that part # now...

[bubba966]

So, apparently the part # is 25162272304 which was superseded by part # 25162228252

Looks like you already have the right part...

I've got an extra shifter/shifter mechanics/shifter console from another M-Sport as the shifter was slightly less worn than mine and I figured I'd swap mine out for the one with less miles on it. But I've yet to try to take it apart. And I was going to end up putting the one from my car onto a friends '95 525iT as her wooden handle is cracked. Not to mention I think it's an easier handle to use than the regular T-Handle.

Too bad I've not bothered trying to swap handles yet. Then I could tell you if you need anything else to put that handle into your E34.

[Russell]

So, apparently the part # is 25162272304 which was superseded by part # 25162228252

Looks like you already have the right part...

I've got an extra shifter/shifter mechanics/shifter console from another M-Sport as the shifter was slightly less worn than mine and I figured I'd swap mine out for the one with less miles on it. But I've yet to try to take it apart. And I was going to end up putting the one from my car onto a friends '95 525iT as her wooden handle is cracked. Not to mention I think it's an easier handle to use than the regular T-Handle.

Too bad I've not bothered trying to swap handles yet. Then I could tell you if you need anything else to put that handle into your E34.

Thanks for the info.
So looks like I am on the right track. One poster (KurtM) refered to a shift shaft 25162228145 ($45) and spacer tube 25161422826 ($1) he got from BMA. I have not received a reply yet from BMA. From Maximillian's parts search site the "Shift shaft" part is called Shift lever-upper part and looks like the knob/handle. It could be all I need is is the spacer tube, whatever that is??

[shogun]

some link for ideas
http://www.autoanything.com/shifters/61A3012A0A0.aspx?kc=ffproduct&from_search=1
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=290955
http://www.318ti.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2331.html
http://www.mz3.net/articles/059.html

[bubba966]

Thanks for the info.
So looks like I am on the right track. One poster (KurtM) refered to a shift shaft 25162228145 ($45) and spacer tube 25161422826 ($1) he got from BMA. I have not received a reply yet from BMA. From Maximillian's parts search site the "Shift shaft" part is called Shift lever-upper part and looks like the knob/handle. It could be all I need is is the spacer tube, whatever that is??

Yes, you might already have that shift shaft as part of the shifter that you bought.

Interesting that the spacer tube that you give the part # for is 55.5mm long. Where as the same part on my assembly is 121mm long. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HE63&mospid=47410&btnr=25_0059&hg=25&fg=15

So you need to get the Z3 version of the spacer tube to properly mate up with the Z3 version of that shifter due to the Z3 shift shaft that you've got with the shifter?

Too bad I'm not sure when I can get to pulling mine apart.