DIY: Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

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?

Originally Posted by marcopolio

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.

Guys, guys you dont need those washers simply because the new 545i shifter has the washers built in. I apologize that I didnt state that in the OP. If you look at your original shifter and the 545i shifter you'll see that the 545i shifter has the inside plastic ring that sticks out pass the metal one on both sides like so:

Originally Posted by mvrk10256

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?

There is a ton of clearance but thats not the reason.
I cant post reviews now because i was banned from BFC and that where I read about the solder weighted rod. But if you search BFC you'll find that many people like the solder weighted rod but its not for everyone, just like some people prefer Synchromax in their tranny and others say OEM is best.

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

Guys, guys you dont need those washers simply because the new 545i shifter has the washers built in. I apologize that I didnt state that in the OP. If you look at your original shifter and the 545i shifter you'll see that the 545i shifter has the inside plastic ring that sticks out pass the metal one on both sides like so:

Good to know. Oh well :]

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

There is a ton of clearance but thats not the reason.
I cant post reviews now because i was banned from BFC and that where I read about the solder weighted rod. But if you search BFC you'll find that many people like the solder weighted rod but its not for everyone, just like some people prefer Synchromax in their tranny and others say OEM is best.

I will take a look and see if it want it, cause if i do it, i obviously want it all at the same time.

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.

^^I agree with the poster above.

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

The bad
• I noticed more engine feedback from the shifter. The shifter would vibrate with the engine, something I did not notice with the stock shifter.
• As mentioned above, throw was reduced but not as much as I would have liked.
• 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.

Originally Posted by phamine

That said - I'm going to try a Z3 shifter and try to draw some comparisons.

please keep us updated....

Originally Posted by falcon1209

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.

same here. I am happy with the slightly shorter height, but was hoping for less throw.

I think the OP did this on an E39 5 series which has a very tall shifter.. so in his case, there would be a significant improvement. my 530's shifter was definitely taller than my stock 330. I appreciate the DIY OP.

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/dri...ift_lever.html

Solution: Shorten the shifter
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/dri...ift_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.

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.

I should clarify my results. I feel like my shifts are a lot more accurate. Given this might be the tranny oil, but the bushing swap might have helped. I wish there was a shifter like the custom shortened ones available OEM like the 545i. Oh well.

Just called the dealer and it come out to $270. I guess online orders would make it cheaper.

Originally Posted by phamine

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

Tried this diy the other day. Results aren't too dramatic (same as quote) but for the price and effort, it was worth it. The clip and white ring was a pia to take off somehow. The retainer clip is U shaped and easiest to take off by applying pressure outward on the bottom part of the U. Thanks for the DIY OP

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.

Originally Posted by the_HP_junkie

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.

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.

That is correct, I could not reach the pin to remove the stock shifter. The transfer casse in in the way. So 545 shifter may very well fit on an XI, but installing it is a pain.
I might give it another shot ... time will tell.

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

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.

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 which is about 190mm from top of the ball to the tip of the shifter. Weird, heeh
Attached are the pics. Also the third is my original shifter with just a ZHP knob.

Originally Posted by the_HP_junkie

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 which is about 190mm from top of the ball to the tip of the shifter. Weird, heeh
Attached are the pics. Also the third is my original shifter with just a ZHP knob.

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.

this is a great diy write up, much appreciated. i plan on doing this, cdv delete, and zhp knob as soon as my car gets back from the shop.
i'll be sure to review/comment back (i'm coming from a stock shifter)

Originally Posted by 3bananas

this is a great diy write up, much appreciated. i plan on doing this, cdv delete, and zhp knob as soon as my car gets back from the shop.
i'll be sure to review/comment back (i'm coming from a stock shifter)

check this out as well.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=778387