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I'm starting to refurbish my shift components, and I'm now down to choosing a shorter-than-stock shifter.
I had installed the Z3-1.9 shifter in my last e30, and for my taste it is too short so now I'm leaning towards the e36 M3 shifter. I'd prefer to stay with BMW shifters
Any of you using the M3 shifter? Do you like it? Or what do you use?

Thanks

gwb72tii wrote: Jun 02, 2024 6:42 PM I'm starting to refurbish my shift components, and I'm now down to choosing a shorter-than-stock shifter.
I had installed the Z3-1.9 shifter in my last e30, and for my taste it is too short so now I'm leaning towards the e36 M3 shifter. I'd prefer to stay with BMW shifters
Any of you using the M3 shifter? Do you like it? Or what do you use?

Thanks

the e36m3 lever will have a taller height than the Z3 1.9 lever, but will have a shorter throw. i, personally, love the e36m3 lever in these old cars; it is my go-to solution for those wanting a shorter shift throw, but with a similar height to stock.

I have a UUC and like it, but wouldn't buy any other stuff from them nowadays.

The simple solution of the ZHP knob works just fine for me.

BMWCCA2 wrote: Jun 03, 2024 11:29 AM The simple solution of the ZHP knob works just fine for me.

That as well

Always ran the Z3M. Going on 10 years now.

I have a UUC with their DSR. It's OK. Reverse is a little difficult, and I wish the side-to-side motion had less slop.

I might try these some day:
https://www.garagistic.com/

austin8753 wrote: Jun 03, 2024 10:41 AM

gwb72tii wrote: Jun 02, 2024 6:42 PM I'm starting to refurbish my shift components, and I'm now down to choosing a shorter-than-stock shifter.
I had installed the Z3-1.9 shifter in my last e30, and for my taste it is too short so now I'm leaning towards the e36 M3 shifter. I'd prefer to stay with BMW shifters
Any of you using the M3 shifter? Do you like it? Or what do you use?

Thanks

the e36m3 lever will have a taller height than the Z3 1.9 lever, but will have a shorter throw. i, personally, love the e36m3 lever in these old cars; it is my go-to solution for those wanting a shorter shift throw, but with a similar height to stock.

I've seen this picture a million times, but does anyone have measurements to them? Or at least one of them, that way we can estimate the rest?
I'm making a new shifter for myself to replace the old, shitty, worn chassis mount I have and I'd like to know the height and throw of the original unit.

There are measurements of a couple of them in the E28 Shifter FAQ above.

jimoreno wrote: Jun 06, 2024 10:45 AM There are measurements of a couple of them in the E28 Shifter FAQ above.

Link to FAQ. https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=72458

Thanks!

I'm building a transmission mounted shifter, similar to what many RWD Japanese sport cars have.
Hopefully it will result in a similar feel to a chassis mount, but without the risk of a money shift. (I'm running stock transmission mounts)

I'm yet to find someone who did this in a BMW.

szacsi72 wrote: Jun 07, 2024 4:13 AM Thanks!

I'm building a transmission mounted shifter, similar to what many RWD Japanese sport cars have.
Hopefully it will result in a similar feel to a chassis mount, but without the risk of a money shift. (I'm running stock transmission mounts)

I'm yet to find someone who did this in a BMW.

Maybe explain this in more detail. My 535is mounts to the tranny and chassis.

gwb72tii wrote: Jun 07, 2024 4:31 PM

szacsi72 wrote: Jun 07, 2024 4:13 AM Thanks!

I'm building a transmission mounted shifter, similar to what many RWD Japanese sport cars have.
Hopefully it will result in a similar feel to a chassis mount, but without the risk of a money shift. (I'm running stock transmission mounts)

I'm yet to find someone who did this in a BMW.

Maybe explain this in more detail. My 535is mounts to the tranny and chassis.

Yes, 4 speed trannys mounted just to the tranny. 5 speeds thru ~85 mounted to the tranny and had a rear support. Later ones still mounted to both, but more of a body mount. I don't think it would be difficult to replicate the 4 speed mount, but I'm not sure of the advantage. Of course if there is one it wouldn't be the first time I failed to see the obvious either. But I don't know what the Japanese cars use.

When doing my M30B35 swap, I looked far and wide for a G265/6 trans because "why not" and "while you're in there". I needed a trans anyway because my old G260 could only be connected to a M20 thanks to integral bellhousing, etc etc.

after reading stuff like this
https://www.mye28.com/posting.php?mode= ... &p=1471546

or this
https://www.mye28.com/posting.php?mode= ... &p=1471554

from guys well known for their encyclopedic knowledge and suffer-no-fools attitude, I decided to reach out to Autosolutions. Roland charged me a bit extra because the sheetmetal part that holds the shifter in place (bmw part no.25111205386) was not available anywhere at the time, and he had to think of a workaround - he ended up fabricating some sort of spatial armature to keep the shifter in place.

Just that level of service and ingenuity is worth the price. The fact that the result feels amazing is just the cherry on top.

I'm running the shifter out of an X5 3.0 in my car. I had one of the Z3 levers but didn't like the short height. X5 lever sits roughly at stock height and with a good bend in it sits right where I want it. Looks stock with a shorter throw.

I'm also running my own DIY DSR using some of the stock plastic washers and shoulder bolts from McMaster-Carr. The only slack left is in the transmission at this point. A weighted knob might be all that is left but I'm not a fan of the look of the more modern knobs.

adam_poll wrote: Jun 08, 2024 8:44 PM I'm running the shifter out of an X5 3.0 in my car. I had one of the Z3 levers but didn't like the short height. X5 lever sits roughly at stock height and with a good bend in it sits right where I want it. Looks stock with a shorter throw.

I'm also running my own DIY DSR using some of the stock plastic washers and shoulder bolts from McMaster-Carr. The only slack left is in the transmission at this point. A weighted knob might be all that is left but I'm not a fan of the look of the more modern knobs.

Care to share the part number? I'm in exactly same spot after installing a Z3 one. Too short and forward for my taste.

Mike W. wrote: Jun 07, 2024 8:39 PM

gwb72tii wrote: Jun 07, 2024 4:31 PM

Maybe explain this in more detail. My 535is mounts to the tranny and chassis.

Yes, 4 speed trannys mounted just to the tranny. 5 speeds thru ~85 mounted to the tranny and had a rear support. Later ones still mounted to both, but more of a body mount. I don't think it would be difficult to replicate the 4 speed mount, but I'm not sure of the advantage. Of course if there is one it wouldn't be the first time I failed to see the obvious either. But I don't know what the Japanese cars use.

For example, here's a Silvia S15 transmission:


One from an NA MX5:


S2k:


And a 350z. This is essentially what I'm trying to achieve:



The point is, that the shifter 'housing/mounting' is mounted solidly to the transmission. Fewer bushings and less parts. Basically, I want to get the feel of a chassis mounted shifter (a GOOD one, not the chinese craps), but want to eliminate the shifter rod misalignment caused by the transmission moving relative to the chassis.

The mentioned cars are all known for their awesome shifter feel. Maybe this is a part why. Of course, there's a chance it won't make a difference at all. But I think it's worth a try.

jimoreno wrote: Jun 08, 2024 8:54 PM

adam_poll wrote: Jun 08, 2024 8:44 PM I'm running the shifter out of an X5 3.0 in my car. I had one of the Z3 levers but didn't like the short height. X5 lever sits roughly at stock height and with a good bend in it sits right where I want it. Looks stock with a shorter throw.

I'm also running my own DIY DSR using some of the stock plastic washers and shoulder bolts from McMaster-Carr. The only slack left is in the transmission at this point. A weighted knob might be all that is left but I'm not a fan of the look of the more modern knobs.

Care to share the part number? I'm in exactly same spot after installing a Z3 one. Too short and forward for my taste.

Sorry, the site wouldn't let me post the other day. 25117543190 is what you are looking for.

BMW also did things like that, although I've never seen one that was "firm", they have too many bushings that get worn over time.
Picture is of a 2002 gearbox

The early 6 cylinder ZF transmission used in 2800 Bavarias before they went to the Getrag was like that. I had one and it was a good tranny as far as I could tell, still going strong when it got rear ended ~250K. It was the lower one of the two pictured.

Thank you guys for the infos, looks interesting.
I'll try to "replicate" this style, but without all the wear-items.

Factory carrier
UUC Evo 3 shifter
UUC Dual shear shift selector rod
Garagtastic delrin bushings and washers
Garagtastic billet selector join
Garagtastic delrin rear carrier arm busing
Garagtastic rear carrier arm
M10 x 45mm bolt to replace the bitch clip
4 nights of swearing and frustration

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fewF90 ... f5js5_RePA