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BMW M Roadster Shifter

Author : Pete Posted on : 28/10/2004
Model : BMW, 3 - Series (E36) 1991-99 Category : Driveterrain - Shifter Linkage
Source : http://www.team-bar.com/
 
When I set about researching modifications to my BMW 323is, I quickly learned that many modifications to BMWs in general are quite expensive. I quickly realized that this hobby of mine would get expensive very quickly. With the BMW M Roadster Short Shift however, I was pleasantly surprised.

When I bought my car, I found that the car was a very spirited handler and had a wonderful sense of communication. The shifter was precise, but had a very long throw. BMW makes some of the nicest transmissions in the automotive industry and the shift throw is also very rewarding. This is not to say that it could not be improved in the aftermarket. Upon doing more research, I found that many aftermarket shifters were typically very expensice. On the average, a shifter from Rogue or UUC is around $300 dollars. That is not to say that these shifters are not high quality items, but they are expensive nonetheless. I did take the time to try the UUC and Rogue shifters and found them to be a bit overly smooth and the throw reduction was snot as great as I wanted. Luckily, I happened upon some information at Unofficialbmw.com, which suggested the M Roadster shifter lever. I did some more checking on the BMW boards and found that this modification was right up my alley. The part for the car costs $55 dollars from my local dealer and I had them install the lever when I was having some maintenance work done on the car. The typical installation time at the dealer was just about an hour.

Impressions
When I got the car back, I immediately noticed a 40-50% reduction in the throw of the shifter. This was absolutely fantastic. I loved that I no longer have to move my arm to shift the car, but now can change gears by moving my wrist. It is very similar to the Miata or S2000 shift throw. Another characteristic that has changed to my liking was the shifter's crispness has improved dramatically. I no longer have the play in my shift lever that I used to. The gates are much more positive and notchy. This was one of the characterisitics that turned me away from the competition. When I tried their chifters, I found that they were too smooth. and lacked the positive engagement feel. The only characterisitic that can be quantified as negative is the fact that the shifter does not sit dead center in the console. This can be remedied however, by adding a bend in the lever. You can find information on how to make a jig to do this on unofficialbmw.com. To me, the shifter neutral position is really nothing that I care about since the car shifts wonderfully nevertheless, and is not noticable when you drive the car.

The bottom line
If you are looking for a budget shifter that vastly improves the shift throw, provides a positive engagement with the just the right balalnce of notchiness, I highly recommend this modification. Worth every penny, what little I spent for it. One last note: I have had many people comment on how fantastic the modification was before I told them what shifter it is.

-Pete

For more information, please visit:

www.unofficialbmw.com
 

References

  • http://www.team-bar.com/
    •  


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