I finally found the jpeg showing comparisons of various stock BMW shifters with relative distances from the pivot ball to the linkage eye:



I'm presently running the Euro e36 M3 lever (2nd one down), missing part number is 25 11 1 222 955.

I have also tried the 1.9 4-cyl Z3 shifter, 25 11 1 434 148 which a bit smoother (slightly longer travel than the M3)

I have never used the stock shifter (similar to 4th one down). It's quite obvious it would have very long travel distances.

Lot's more info on Ron Stygar's page:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/dri...ift_lever.html