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:



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:

[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.