Z3 1.9 shifter fitted

[Mallard]

firstly, big thanks to 318ti.org, e36coupe, e30zone, god, my mum

.....

the difference



the clip from under the car



in position



close-up of angle (important otherwisethe stick sits way too far forward)



so,

1st



2nd

[Mallard]

3rd



4th



5th



it feels very nice and tight. a good positive shift feel. recomended

took about 30-45 minutes from car up to car down

[Mallard]

its never usually that dirty in there by the way

[tastade]

What is the advantage to the Z3s shifter over our shifter? I need to replace the bushings in mine and would consider it. Do you have BMW part numbers of the parts that are needed (or links to other descriptive posts)? Thanks, Eric

[pnosker]

It shortens the shift length for a theoretically shorter shift time. Also, I think it feels better.

[96cali]

Here is a thread in which Mallard lays out the options:

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...hlight=shifter

Look here for a description of misc parts to replace:
http://www.understeer.com/shiftlever.shtml

Mallard- any regrets about not going with the Z4 2.8/3.0 lever you describe in the other thread? Is the z3 lever pleasingly and noticably shorter?

BTW- where is the land of the Vikings exactly? Minnesota or Norway?

[Mallard]

to tastade: Exactly as Pnosker (cheers mate ) says, the distance travelled between shift is shortened, as is the length of the shifter stick itself.

to 96cali: no regrets really, i had to go with the comprimise as the girlfriend couldn´t get it in reverse and was having major probs just getting it into gear..

the Z4 was a really good , but extreme option so be wary if others use your car

and yeah, its is much shorter compared to the original. i can rest my arm on the armrest and hold the stick in 5th, which i couldnt do before by atleast 1"

feels much smoother in and out of shift aswell


and i live at the moment in Denmark

[Panzer_M]

notchy in 1st gear at all? If no I may have to buy one.

I hated the UUC Evo III in the 1997 in 1st..but 2-5 it was good..but in traffic it was a PITA to use..I'd rather use a OE M3 or OE Z shifter than spend the $$$ on another SSK and have to fight for 1st.

[Mallard]

smooth as before, no change realy

it is a more "solid" feel though

[M3_KILL3R]

Thats good. i have to get one soon Mallard how much did you pay for it? i know the dealer sells them but just wondering how much they are...

[turbof128]

Did you have to bend the selector rod or the shifter to make it fit?

[Panzer_M]

not with a z3, but you have to bend the Z3M's to have it fit normal or else it's forward and up to the right of center if you just install it.(I picked mine up pre-bent on BF.com, but used for couple years on a 325is)

What's the P/N for the Z3..I went to dealer today to see about a new 95 M3 and had no luck....also no dice with BavAuto and Pelican. So I am going to see about this lever. I really don't want to spend a hundred on a uncomfortable lever or more as with the UUC one. But I do need to do this, when I did my 5$ WSR I greased my shifter, ball and bottom with white Lith, worked well for a few months, but it's crapping out again..I just need to replace it.

[Den]

I put a Z3 1.9 lever in my E30. Might put one in the Ti. . .
Basically, to shorten the throw, the length of the lever below the pivot ball is increased. This moves the point at which the shift lever attaches to the gear selector rod off axis; the selector rod is now pushing into the transmission at an angle instead of straight on, and this causes the shifting action to be more notchy/difficult. Shorter throw also means less leverage = more effort required.
You have to decide where you want to compromise between shortness and smoothness. The 1.9 lever shortens the throw in my E30 while retaining most of the creamy smoothness of the stock lever.

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

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

[Den]

Originally Posted by M3_KILL3R

Thats good. i have to get one soon Mallard how much did you pay for it? i know the dealer sells them but just wondering how much they are...

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

What's the P/N for the Z3..I went to dealer today to see about a new 95 M3 and had no luck....also no dice with BavAuto and Pelican. So I am going to see about this lever. I really don't want to spend a hundred on a uncomfortable lever or more as with the UUC one. . .

SHORT SHIFT KIT Fits E30 / E32 / E34 / E36 & E24 cars. . .$75

http://www.bmaparts.com/item.wws?sku...entid=bmaparts
(If this link doesn't work, click on the 'Specials' tab on their main page to find the kit. . .or just call to order whichever pieces you want. Looks like you would need to call anyhow to specify which lever you want; I don't see any options on the web site.)

Patrick is still The Man. He can get whatever factory shifter you want. The lever itself is ~$45. The kit includes new bushings & stuff that you may want to replace while you are at it, but the black rubber 'bearing sleeve' bushing(#2 in diagram) is a PITA to remove. It's held in place by the 'bearing bolt' pin(#3 in diagram), which locks in with a 'b!tch clip,' and they call it that for a reason. You may want to try to remove yours first before ordering parts. Supposedly, a worn bearing sleeve bushing is a major contributor to shifter slop, and there are stiffer delrin aftermarket replacements available, but I couldn't get mine out with the transmission in the car. I did replace the white cup(#7 in diagram) in which the shift lever's pivot ball sits. I dunno if this helped to tighten things up, but you have to remove it with the shifter anyhow and it's only ~$7.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...13&hg=25&fg=05

02 BEARING SLEEVE, ROUND L=26MM 1 25117519669 $8.59
03 BEARING BOLT D=10MMX40MM 1 25111221849
07 BEARING, SHIFT LEVER 1 25111220600 $8.48


https://secure9.nexternal.com/shared...t=products.asp
Delrin bushing + good pic of b!tch clip.

[Philly]

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

not with a z3, but you have to bend the Z3M's to have it fit normal or else it's forward and up to the right of center if you just install it.(I picked mine up pre-bent on BF.com, but used for couple years on a 325is)

What's the P/N for the Z3..I went to dealer today to see about a new 95 M3 and had no luck....also no dice with BavAuto and Pelican. So I am going to see about this lever. I really don't want to spend a hundred on a uncomfortable lever or more as with the UUC one. But I do need to do this, when I did my 5$ WSR I greased my shifter, ball and bottom with white Lith, worked well for a few months, but it's crapping out again..I just need to replace it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...5515&rd=1&rd=1

$24
doesn't say B&M anywheres in it... but it is (or a damn good knockoff)...
its the 'racing' version, shift is like a light switch...
only thing different is it didn't come in a b&m box nor did it come with the grease.. but i guess thats a good reason to knock $150+ of the retail price.. lol


there are some downsides to this kit though, read around