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DIY: Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

186K views 237 replies 87 participants last post by  Tominizer 
#1 · (Edited)
Everyone wants a short shifter for their manual transmission right? but not everyone wants to spend 300 bucks on an aftermarket shifter kit.
Well there is a way to stay BMW Genuine and still enjoy short, smooth and precise shifting.


-The answer is to get a E60 545i shifter.

*there are other OEM shifters that will yield same results, but I can only vouch for the 545i shifter as I did it on my car and it works great.

What is needed for the install?
-E60 545i shifter part# 25117546373
-Bearing, shift lever part# 25111220600 (not necessary but its only 12 bucks, so buy it in case you'll need it, will mention it later)
-It's also a good idea to pick up a ZHP (weighted) knob as it will help alot with throws. (I have it and LOVE it)

6-speed knob part# 25117896886
5-speed knob part# 25117896031

It is OEM E60 545i shifter?
-Yes

Will it fit my car?
-Yes, fits most BMWs with manual transmissions which use a bent shifter, E46 E39... Will NOT fit BMWs that use a straight shifter. (ex ZHP )

Is it compatible with 6-speed or only 5-speed?
-Fits E46 BMWs with 5 speed manual transmission and E46 M3 ONLY , will NOT fit ZHP or non-M Getrag 6 Speed transmission, due to the shifter angle.

Some reference links.
M3 fitment > http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=179545
E46 Xi Fitment > post #50
Non-M Fitment > post #54


How much shorter are the throws?
-Supposed to be 30% less, but feels more.

How much does it cost?
-I got my from a dealership and it was 90cad (its cheaper then the ones from understeerdotcom) depending on your location it may be cheaper.

Now on to the DIY:

-Car on ramps or jack it up(make sure its safe to proceed)
-Remove knob, just pull up (pull towards your chest)
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/4565648229_70df874fd1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04529" /></a>
-Remove boot
-Remove insulation and rubber boot.
-From under the car remove the retainer clip.
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1032/4594181864_78990dd88b_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="0017" /></a>
-Now if you have a special tool, you can turn the plastic bearing cup 1/4 turn counter clockwise or just use pliers. Then just pull up.This is the part that could cause loose shifter feel as with time the plastic wears down and becomes loose, so just replace it.
-Remove the shifter from the plastic bearing cup, just pull apart.
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/4593325205_73f75ef1f9_o.jpg" width="1280" height="960" alt="DSC04551" /></a>
-Install new shifter into the bearing with some grease.
-Reinstall in reverse.

<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1297/4593325371_157a10eda2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04552" /></a>
The shifter actually sits 1 inch lower making it more pleasant to shift.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4593942116_4621bf70e4_o.jpg" width="1280" height="960" alt="DSC04550" /></a>

You dont need to reuse your original yellow washers because the 545i shifter has built in washers, If you look at your original one you'll see that the inside plastic ring sits flush with the metal ring, but on the 545i shifter the plastic ring sticks out pass the metal ring on both end, so called built in washers.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4762298130_7e9f7611a1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="4593942116_4621bf70e4_o"></a>

First impression: shifts are shorter and more precise. No more shifter play while in gear. The shifter sits 1 inch lower making it the perfect height for the armrest.

PS> remove your CDV (clutch delay valve) if still havent, to make your shifting even more precise.
 
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#74 · (Edited)
I just completed this mod about 30 minutes ago. It made a big difference and feels much better. Definitely shorter and smoother shifts but its hard to say how much shorter. And the sound when my hand rubs the leather is neat. I feel like I own a race car now! Fairly easy DIY, I'd say 3 out of 10 just because you have to get under the car. Thanks, Blocked Out!
 
#80 ·
I struggled with that washer too but I cleaned it and the clip and the rod with WD-40 as well as I could and finally managed to get it on. I had to use a screwdriver as a lever to force the clip all the way on but I think it would be okay without the washer. Probably?

As for the rubber boot, I just put some lube in there before I put the shift lever in and then I could move it around easily until it looked like it was in the right spot.
 
#85 · (Edited)
Did this and can't say I noticed much shorter shifts. Wasnt exactly the replacement for the short shift kit I was hoping for. The lever was shorter, barely. To put it in perspective, I did a tranny fluid swap and noticed the shift feel difference more than the distance change.

Good find, perhaps I had a shorter lever to begin with. Not bashing the DIY, just didn't share the same optimal results as everyone else.
 
#86 ·
^^I agree with the poster above.

The good
***8226; The shift is shorter - I would say maybe 20-30% by feel; but barely noticeable.
***8226; Less play in shifting more notchy but that is expected. This is where I felt the most improvement - Shifting is more precise.

The bad
***8226; I noticed more engine feedback from the shifter. The shifter would vibrate with the engine, something I did not notice with the stock shifter.
***8226; As mentioned above, throw was reduced but not as much as I would have liked.
***8226; I noticed that the shift knob is rotated about 5-10 degs

That said - I'm going to try a Z3 shifter and try to draw some comparisons.
 
#89 ·
Theres room for modification.

I'm going to attempt shorting the shifter.
I wanted to go with a shifter that already has a bend to clear the driveshaft. I've also decided to not go with the Z3 1.9 shifter since it has a longer throw than E46 shifters. The Z3 1.9 has a 5.13:1 ratio vs a 4.41:1 ratio that we have. I'm going to infer that people who do have a Z3 shifter are experiencing shorter throws since the lever is shorter.

The length on the 545i shifter the the bottom to the pivot is longer than the Z3 1.9. I have to assume the throw on the 545i would be shorter. Take a look at the 2 images below.



The silver lever is the 545i


Shifter ratios:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_replace_a_shift_lever.html

Solution: Shorten the shifter
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_shorten_shift_lever.html

Other Options:
You can either do with an MZ3 or a Z4 Shifter. The modification you'd need to do is to bend the shifter to clear the driveshaft and keep your shifter centered. Sure - it can be done for an extra 40 bucks from understeer.com.
 
#90 ·
so you plan on cutting your shifter up like the guy did in his DIY?


Its interesting. a lot of poeple are concerned about the actual height, and some are concerned with the throw, to be honest with you all i care about is percision. I hate missing downshifts cause there is so much play in the shifter. i guess i am better of going with the 540 shifter and new gaskets.
 
#92 ·
Just called the dealer and it come out to $270. I guess online orders would make it cheaper.
 
#94 · (Edited)
Ok. So I've tried this install on my 325xi .... and.... no luck.
The transfer case is on the way to remove the shifter from under the car. I even tried from inside the cabin, no luck either.
So, for all you Xi'ers, we have to stick with the stock shifter.

PS.Smoke96 if you want the parts I have them for sale now.
 
#95 ·
I'm very sorry that you couldn't install it, however, you said you simply couldnt get to it, it doesnt mean that it doesnt fit.
There are many people who've installed short shifter kits on Xi and the 545i shifter is one of them with many others.
Please look into it again, dont sell the parts.

Check my PM.
 
#97 ·
So I've tried, for the third time, installing the 545i shifter, when I noticed that the one I have is exactly the same length as the new 545i :eek: which is about 190mm from top of the ball to the tip of the shifter. Weird, heeh :loco:
Attached are the pics. Also the third is my original shifter with just a ZHP knob.
 

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#98 ·
I'm sorry but I have to give you a facepalm.

Its ALL about the distance BELOW the ball (pivot point).

The distance above the ball doesnt matter.


THE DISTANCE BELOW THE BALL (PIVOT POINT) IS WHAT MAKES YOUR SHIFTS SHORTER., because the longer the distance the shorter the throw will be, simple physics.

:hi:
 
#111 ·
What do you mean by that?

Do I know anything else that could be done to a 330? or do you mean if I personally have any other mods?

Just to let you know , I dont own a 330 but I'm fortunate enough to drive a car that has an M54B30 under the bonnet. I only have headers and free flow exhaust on this car along with the 545i shifter.

If you meant if I knew any other mods that could be done to a 330, then sure: there are a tonne of relatively cheap mods, one of them being ZHP or other cams. Current cost of NEW ZHP cams is $400 thought a sponsor on this board , price of Schrick cams is around $1100 new , which I think is a little too much but will give you more power. Installation if cams is incredibly simple, I'm not even joking. When I was swapping a new head in my car, cam install was by far the EASIEST thing as log as you stay on track.

Other mod is headers. I believe that headers are the BEST bang for your HP, because you can instantly feel the power. Every time I get in my car I thank myself for installing headers as without them the car wouldnt feel right.
 
#114 ·
just completed this mod this past weekend

first of all thanks Blocked Out for the write up and pics!

Parts cost about $120USD for the shift knob, plastic washer and shift lever. My initial reaction is the knob is much nicer than the goose neck wooden one, which my hand has slipped on several times. The actual shifter and new knob combination however isnt drastically different to the stock set up. I barely notice a difference in shifting, doesn't feel much shorter. I think the knob sits slightly lower but not by much. If you're expecting a big difference from doing this mod, you likely need to go with another solution. Just my personal review, you may feel differently however.
 
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