DIY: Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

Originally Posted by Bimmerboi325

Blocked out you are a beast for not only posting this DIY but for also shutting Neils down as well

..it's funny, you would have expected that guy, Neil, to at least acknowledge the good work BlockedOut did!

Originally Posted by Many330i

..it's funny, you would have expected that guy, Neil, to at least acknowledge the good work BlockedOut did!

I'm a regular at bimmerfest and every once in while he will pop over and start up fight with well respected members and magically disappears as soon as he is proven wrong. Not that I'm complaining but making a point

Originally Posted by rmank

I just installed this in my 2000 323ci (155k, original clutch etc) over the weekend; 545i rod, ZHP knob, new bushing, 1 hour of time.

• All gears line up
• Sits perfectly center
• Doesn't hit anything with longer lower shift rod
• Has less side to side play
• Shift throw shorter vs. stock (feels like about 30%)
• Sits lower (combination of the 1/4inch shorter 545i upper shift rod and shorter ZHP knob, which also help the shorter throw)

After driving around for the weekend I wonder how I ever lived without it. I can't vouch for a 6-speed or Xi, but fit and performance is perfect in a 323ci.

Blocked Out, great find and DIY.

I'm glad to help out fellow fanatics like you.

Originally Posted by Bimmerboi325

Blocked out you are a beast for not only posting this DIY but for also shutting Neils down as well

yes, the E46 6spd has a DIFFERENT shifter than the 5spd - the 6spd shifter is shorter past the plastic ball down. I learned the hard way by buying one from the site that stated theyre all the same, installed it and the shifter rubbed on the axle big time! had to remove it and return it.
just my 2cents...

Hey Blocked Out... (ooops i had posted in the other thread, posting in this thread now.) As i was saying, great DIY, thanks for sharing.

Was wondering where you ordered the parts from? I called the local dealership in Waterloo, Ontario and they're asking for $137 for the shifter, $18.71 for the bearing and $105.23 for the shift knob. The price of the shifter seems a lot higher than the $90 you mentioned.

Also, the part number you have listed for the 5-spd knob is it the wood grain finish? Do you have a link handy where I can find part numbers for shift knobs. (Maybe I can use my old knob in the mean time?)

Originally Posted by Infinity99

Hey Blocked Out... (ooops i had posted in the other thread, posting in this thread now.) As i was saying, great DIY, thanks for sharing.

Was wondering where you ordered the parts from? I called the local dealership in Waterloo, Ontario and they're asking for $137 for the shifter, $18.71 for the bearing and $105.23 for the shift knob. The price of the shifter seems a lot higher than the $90 you mentioned.

Also, the part number you have listed for the 5-spd knob is it the wood grain finish? Do you have a link handy where I can find part numbers for shift knobs. (Maybe I can use my old knob in the mean time?)

all the parts can be had from ticher bmw (online) for the prices listed earlier in the OP. of course you will have to add shipping so it will be a bit more expensive but not THAT expensive. that shift knob is like $60 max...

Originally Posted by sarunas4

yes, the E46 6spd has a DIFFERENT shifter than the 5spd - the 6spd shifter is shorter past the plastic ball down. I learned the hard way by buying one from the site that stated theyre all the same, installed it and the shifter rubbed on the axle big time! had to remove it and return it.
just my 2cents...

what site???? what shifter did you buy??? more info please

Originally Posted by Infinity99

Hey Blocked Out... (ooops i had posted in the other thread, posting in this thread now.) As i was saying, great DIY, thanks for sharing.

Was wondering where you ordered the parts from? I called the local dealership in Waterloo, Ontario and they're asking for $137 for the shifter, $18.71 for the bearing and $105.23 for the shift knob. The price of the shifter seems a lot higher than the $90 you mentioned.

Also, the part number you have listed for the 5-spd knob is it the wood grain finish? Do you have a link handy where I can find part numbers for shift knobs. (Maybe I can use my old knob in the mean time?)

I'll PM you the number to call in order to get BMW OEM parts dirt cheap here in Canada.

Oh and thanks about the part number note, I just fixed that.

Originally Posted by mvrk10256

all the parts can be had from ticher bmw (online) for the prices listed earlier in the OP. of course you will have to add shipping so it will be a bit more expensive but not THAT expensive. that shift knob is like $60 max...

Last time I checked Tisher DOES NOT ship to Canada.

Did this today with my 328Ci and cant say I noticed any shift travel change at all. The shifters were a bit different. by about 1/4" below and above the pivot. That didnt translate to a whole lot of change. I was hoping for a more aggressive transformation. Between doing this and my tranny fluid at the same time, I definitely noticed the changes in the fluid more than the shifter.

Great DIY though.

Also, for those who are having trouble with the shifter carrier bushing, Try spinning it clockwise. It came out like a breeze once I inspected the bushings closer.

My shifter is loose and sloppy from 150,000 miles of use. I would love to so this mod, do you have to drop your drive shaft or your exhaust to install the shifter properly?

Originally Posted by raptorman5174

My shifter is loose and sloppy from 150,000 miles of use. I would love to so this mod, do you have to drop your drive shaft or your exhaust to install the shifter properly?

no and a better shifter is the one i listed above from HPF website 45 bucks can't go wrong

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

I'll PM you the number to call in order to get BMW OEM parts dirt cheap here in Canada.

Oh and thanks about the part number note, I just fixed that.

I ordered all the parts ... cant wait ... doing this in the next couple of weeks ... will keep you posted on the results.

Thanks BlockedOut for pointing me in the right direction.

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!

^ Not a problem man.

Glad to help a fellow fanatic anytime.

I'm going to tackle this tomorrow on my 330. Has anyone thought about making a cheap WSR/ wieghted rod selector?

http://www.understeer.com/cheapwsr.shtml

^ I thought about it but after reading reviews of it decided not to.

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

^ I thought about it but after reading reviews of it decided not to.

could you post a link to the reviews because i looked around and couldnt find any. if the clearence is there wouldnt this be a nice addition?

I wasn't able to get any of the plastic yellow washers on w/o getting the circle clip on? Did anyone use this shifter able to get the yellow washers on as well as the circle clip.

Also, how far down should the rubber boot be on the shifter?

Originally Posted by phamine

I wasn't able to get any of the plastic yellow washers on w/o getting the circle clip on? Did anyone use this shifter able to get the yellow washers on as well as the circle clip.

Also, how far down should the rubber boot be on the shifter?

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.