UUC SSK vs. ACS SSK

anybody know which SSK is better for the E46 M3: UUC or ACS? i've seen quite a few installations of both ... but i'd kinda like to know which is better (if that is even possible to know) ...

hehehe... the big question from back in the day of the BL/SS.

Well, from an engineering standpoint, they both work equally well. I have never heard of either one failing or causing any problems. The real question is: do you want to pay a lot more $$$ for ACS parts that no one is ever going to see again once they are installed?

Personally however, I would go with the Rogue Engineering shift kit- designed by the same guy who did the UUC shifter, but with much cooler parts.

ACS is actually the only true SSK as it includes a selector rod.

UUC however is an excellent SSK, machined out of solid aluminum.

I have one and love it. I do believe the UUC offers a shorter throw over the ACS.

As much as I like ACS stuff, I wouldn't spend the extra $$$ on it. The UUC one is very nice.

I'm sure the ACS shifter is good. I've never had my hands on one but I hear they are great. It better be for the price.

The UUC shifter packs a lot of good stuff into one box. I love the heft of the stainless steel lower lever. It weight and smooth surface finish give it the feel of a precision piece of machinery. The adjustable aluminum upper lever is cool. I actually adjust the lever up high to get the shift knob closer to the steering wheel so my hands can spend more time on the steering wheel at driver schools. The delrin carrier bushings did wonders for removing the residual vague feeling resulting from carrier slop from worn out rubber bushings. I haven't used a UUC shifter with the cartridge bearing upgrade, but I hope to soon when I treat my E46 to a new shifter.

When it comes to other brands out there, I'm sure the bent M Roadster shift lever is an economical alternative. There are still 3 or four places that sell the M roadster lever as a short shift kit. Hell, that's how UUC got started years ago. However, UUC seems to have moved up to a higher level of quality and sophistication compared to their humble beginnings. I'm no expert on the lathe, but as far as I can tell, just the stainless steel lower lever would require 3 to 4 different setups to finish: 2 in the lathe because the part is so long, 1 in a mill if the lathe is not a 3 axis machine, and 1 setup in a bending jig. A lot of engineering and thought went into just that piece, and several more pieces are required to complete a lever.

I like to tinker. If I just wanted an M Roadster lever, I'd buy one for $30 at a dealer, clamp it in a vice, and beat it with a hammer until the bend looked right.

I had a first generation bent M Roadster shifter and ERK from UUC in my 5 series. In comparison to the awful shifter I bought from a very reputable BMW house, The 1st gen UUC shifter was paradise. I have since picked up a height adjustable UUC lever for my 5. After 3 shifters from 2 suppliers in one of my cars, when I'm ready to plunk down a couple hundred bucks for a shifter for my E46, you can bet it will be a UUC shifter.

Ed

I STAND CORRECTED.


I was erroneous is stating the UUC SSK was not a true SSK. Therefore I retract that statement.

Either way you look at it, I LOVE MY UUC SSK

Originally posted by Clem
I STAND CORRECTED.


I was erroneous is stating the UUC SSK was not a true SSK. Therefore I retract that statement.

Either way you look at it, I LOVE MY UUS SSK

LOL, did Rob email you and bitch you out?

there is an issue of functionality but I think that the ACS SSK sits way too high and just looks a little clumsy unless it too is height adjustable like the UUC.