short shifter

[mr hish]

so i have decided to improve the stock zhp shifter to a shorter one, i have found several ones in ecs, but i dont know which one i should get. please help me get the right one . thnx.

[ryankokesh]

I think this is the one in mine: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Short_Shift/ES1895961/

[mr hish]

was the difference noticeable compared to the OEM? and performance wise, was it good?

[ryankokesh]

Honestly, I can't really say - the previous owner installed it. FWIW, I do really like it as it is.

[GT172I]

UUC EVO3 (http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_product/bmw_shifters/shifter_nav.htm)

After much research I decided it was worth the money over the ebay/bent z3 kits and have been extremely happy with the decision ever since. This is something you will touch, handle, manipulate every. single. time you drive the car so definitely want to get something you'll be happy with (same for shift knob)

[UdubBadger]

The BMW SSK is a marginal upgrade at best... UUC's seems like its a real improvement.

[mr hish]

thanks guys but what is the difference between the uuc and the ecs kit that includes the shift knob??

[UdubBadger]

No difference unless its just an older version or something. I know the UUC one sold by Turner Motorsports claims 35% reduction in shift travel.

[zj96sc]

another vote for the UUC SSK.

I did the 1.9 Z3 shifter in my e30, the improvement was decent, but a lot of that came from the rebuild of the linkage i did along the way.

I guess it boils down to the same old discussion - marginal improvement for some money, best improvement for more money. You have to decide what you want.

[mr hish]

guess ill go with the uuc thanks a lot brothers

[webster]

i have the uuc evo3 ssk and love it. expensive, but as prev said, you will really feel it every time you drive.

[gr330zhp]

B&M. Everyone who has been in my car has said it is the best they have ever felt. This coming from 996, E60, and Ferrari owners to name a few

We did UUC Evo3 with DSSR in our E46 M3 and it wasn't a huge improvement. My father wanted to take it out and do the B&M

[zj96sc]

I have personally documented my Evo3 to something like 50% reduction in in gear play and something like 30-40% reduction in lever throw.

Biased, but see for yourself:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/shifter_comparisons/BM.htm

Never held the B&M parts in my hands, but I can tell you first hand that the Evo3, DSSR, and related parts were some of the most finely engineered and manufactured components I have ever seen in person or installed on any of the dozen cars i've owned.

[gr330zhp]

Well idk, I tried both, even did an illuminated ZHP knob on the M3 for the weighted feel. Neither of us liked the feel. My car has 72k miles on it, the B&M was installed from 5k miles, no slop at all, still extremely notchy!

Not trying to start beef, just saying what I know :dunno

HTC Merge

[JohnnyGraphic]

Haven't looked at how the B&M shifter is engineered, but the UUC shifter and DSSR take a lot of the inherent problems out of the BMW and other aftermarket kits-slop and wear over time. My UUC has about 90k miles on it or so and it still works great. Shifts are REALLY short. Had to adjust my shifting habits to accomodate, but better for it.

Johnny

[zj96sc]

Not trying to start beef, just saying what I know :dunno

not taken as such! just offering what i know as well... plus my decision process to choose what i chose.

[gr330zhp]

not taken as such! just offering what i know as well... plus my decision process to choose what i chose.

:) yup, same reason we went with the Evo too

HTC Merge

[derbo]

Z3M shifter is a short OEM upgrade for those who want to stick to OEM. plus its less than $60 with new bushings.


OEM ZHP shifter is between Z3 1.9 and Z3 2.8-3.0 in throw length. Where the 2.8-3.0 is a bit shorter.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/339000-339999/339934_61_full.jpg

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13011617&postcount=4

[zhp43867]

And the Z3M works well on the 6 speed transmission? Aligns in the center of the gate and everything?