Evo3 short throw, really worth it?

[e34 530i]

Alright, so I've been on the fence about this for a while, is the evo3, or for that matter a short shifter really worth it? I know they firm up your shifter, and give you lighting fast shift times, but is it really that good?

[Shuasha]

Yes, every other car feels like you're shifting a semi without it. Completely worth the money.

[Sam Son]

yes...not a moments hesitation..yes.. check mine out on the 25th

[pspassos]

if you search it here in the forum, you will see that yes, it is good and worth it

[M5W]

Do it. You will not regret it. Period.

[e34 530i]

yes...not a moments hesitation..yes.. check mine out on the 25th

lol i def will, but i hope to have mine before then :)

[sachmo12345]

I felt the evo3 for the first time this weekend in Dentons car and I was sold with one throw of the shifter.

[jessejames]

definitely the first upgrade I should have done
my shifter throw used to be from texas to north dakota
now it's more like austin to fort worth (had to look up, yes)

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/images/usa/texas.jpg

[4500 RPM]

:rofl

Thanks Sachmo! And Jesse...

About the SSK, it's a great mod. You may have a bit of sticker shock (it ain't cheap). I'm eager to put my car with the Evo3 and MacR's with the 545i shifter together.

Cliff's notes: If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

[M5W]

Cliff's notes: If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

It is so choice.

[googone20]

Denton, I would love to hear what you think of Mac's 545 shifter. I would really hate to spend all that money if the 40-50 dollar version is just as good.

[jessejames]

Denton, I would love to hear what you think of Mac's 545 shifter. I would really hate to spend all that money if the 40-50 dollar version is just as good.

the uuc is much more than just the shifter itself, though
you replace all the plastic bushings and fittings, too
tightens everything right up, not much a metal stick

and FWIW, my last post was so plagued by typos
it has now been corrected, sorry about that, people. :(

[Analog]

let's see...

$3,000 car...

$330 shifter.

I think UUC is smoking crack to price it that high.

[4500 RPM]

let's see...

$3,000 car...

$330 shifter.

I think UUC is smoking crack to price it that high.

???

Do you know how a business works? I'd say they are doing very well at it. The price is high. There have been PLENTY of people who have bought it, and I've never heard a complaint. That's saying something. UUC hasn't lowered the price and from what I've seen it's a solid seller for them.

Shifting my car vs. NikosX's car with the Z3 1.9L shifter or sqitis's stock one is night-and-day. You use the shifter so much I don't see why not spend the money.

[Analog]

I could get a LSD for $330...

I could get a parts car for $330!

I'm not going to buy it, but if you have the coin, might as well...

545i shifter/z3 is more cost appropriate IMO.

(Coming from the guy with $2k wheels)

[Sam Son]

I used to have the Z3 lever and got rid of it asap. shorter throws but it wasnt smooth at all...325 for a uuc? worth every single penny

[zubbie]

I only wish I had an opinion as my shifter truly sucks.

http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/images/BMW-dual-cupholder.jpg

[Binjammin]

I could get a LSD for $330...

I could get a parts car for $330!

I'm not going to buy it, but if you have the coin, might as well...

545i shifter/z3 is more cost appropriate IMO.

(Coming from the guy with $2k wheels)

You could have all of those things, but you still wouldn't have an evo3. It's that good. Take all the short throw awesomeness from a short shifter and add in stupid smooth throws, no notchiness, and the fact that you don't have to rebuild it every year. It's worth it, you just don't understand that yet.


So far as cost goes, there are tons of cheap Hondas, Nissans, VWs, etc... that have some pretty pricey parts. Just because the car is a cheap buy-in doesn't mean the parts should be practicaly free.

[Frzninvt]

I took the cheap approach and got one of these and it works fantastic. Short, notched throws I figured for $30 I'd give it a try. Easy to install you don't have to remove or lower anything at all.I have not had single issue with it.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Short-shifter-e30-e36-e46-e34-e39-318-325-328_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 250400671626QQitemZ250400671626QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[kipwinger]

I'm very skeptical of the ebay approach. Lowering the connection between the shift lever and the linkage would mean that your linkage would be closer to the DS/guibo.

I'll save my pennies for the Evo3.

[e34 530i]

You could have all of those things, but you still wouldn't have an evo3. It's that good. Take all the short throw awesomeness from a short shifter and add in stupid smooth throws, no notchiness, and the fact that you don't have to rebuild it every year. It's worth it, you just don't understand that yet.


So far as cost goes, there are tons of cheap Hondas, Nissans, VWs, etc... that have some pretty pricey parts. Just because the car is a cheap buy-in doesn't mean the parts should be practicaly free.


hahaha I'm sure I'll understand soon enough man.

[Analog]

You guys are kind of beginning to convince me :stickoutt

[Binjammin]

I took the cheap approach and got one of these and it works fantastic. Short, notched throws I figured for $30 I'd give it a try. Easy to install you don't have to remove or lower anything at all.I have not had single issue with it.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Short-shifter-e30-e36-e46-e34-e39-318-325-328_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 250400671626QQitemZ250400671626QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2FBMW-Short-shifter-e30-e36-e46-e34-e39-318-325-328_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 250400671626QQitemZ250400671626QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

What keeps the bolt from loosening up?


I'm very skeptical of the ebay approach. Lowering the connection between the shift lever and the linkage would mean that your linkage would be closer to the DS/guibo.

I'll save my pennies for the Evo3.

You obviously don't understand how a short throw shifter works.


You guys are kind of beginning to convince me :stickoutt

There's a reason for that.

[kipwinger]

You obviously don't understand how a short throw shifter works.

Why don't you explain the change in movement that the Cartoka SSK makes please?

[Frzninvt]

I installed it last summer and didn't have any issues at all even at sub zero temps with ice and snow. It made a huge difference, the throws are short and tight. I was ready to invest in the EVO but figured I would give it a try first and I have been very happy. It has dual sets of bearings in it and it is very well made. $330 plus install vs. $30 plus 5 min install was a no brainer.

[tammer]

let's see...

$3,000 car...

$330 shifter.

I think UUC is smoking crack to price it that high.
You should be glad that Rob is still updating and improving parts for our old cars, instead of just saying "there's a first-gen UUC shifter that I designed when E34s were new, just use that." Do you think it doesn't take any resources to design, produce, and market the shifters? If you like the product, pay what it's worth.

Or, maybe you're right. BBS should sell me a new set of RS-GTs for $50 because my car has depreciated, so of course all the parts for it have depreciated as well.

Let me guess: you're not an econ major, are you?
-tammer
UUC Evo 3 SSK in the 535iTm
UUC race shifter, delrin bushings, DSSR, and race shifter in the track rat (along with engine mounts, trans mounts, sway bars, exhaust, and a few other bits and pieces ....)

[Binjammin]

Why don't you explain the change in movement that the Cartoka SSK makes please?

Uh, ok. It works the same as any other short shifter. It's giving you an advantage by changing the length of the lever you're using to change gears. You're basically bolting on an extra inch or so of lever to the bottom of your shifter, rather than spending the $30 or so on the shifter from a z3 or z4. These guys are selling you $3 worth of parts at an amazing markup.

[e34 530i]

Uh, ok. It works the same as any other short shifter. It's giving you an advantage by changing the length of the lever you're using to change gears. You're basically bolting on an extra inch or so of lever to the bottom of your shifter, rather than spending the $30 or so on the shifter from a z3 or z4. These guys are selling you $3 worth of parts at an amazing markup.


yea, the evo3 seems really legit, no plastic at all, I bet it never breaks, unlike some of the other really shitty ones I've heard break after like a year. Frzninvt I think you're really lucky

[Binjammin]

The way the evo3 is designed makes it a lot more resilient to wear. It can still wear out, but it's got more legs than anything else.

[m60b30530i]

The way the evo3 is designed makes it a lot more resilient to wear. It can still wear out, but it's got more legs than anything else.


do i have this ?

[Binjammin]

do i have this ?


No, but you do have a really nice short shifter. I think it's the bavauto one, but you'll have to ask Justin on it.

[Dragonsi]

I got the evo 3 SS and DSSR in my e34 m5, it originally had the evo 1 and it was a huge difference. the evo 1's plastic ball joint was extremely worn after 40k miles of use. I can't imagine what the stock shifter must be like.

Do IT!

[Binjammin]

Yeah I don't know why only the m5 gets the DSSR.

[tammer]

I got the evo 3 SS and DSSR in my e34 m5, it originally had the evo 1 and it was a huge difference. the evo 1's plastic ball joint was extremely worn after 40k miles of use. I can't imagine what the stock shifter must be like.

Do IT!
Well, the E34 stock shifter is quite similar to the E28 stock shifter. In my 535i, I replaced every bushing in the shift linkage, and it was nice and tight with long-but-smooth throws ... for about a year. Then it was huge slop again. The DSSR is great when it's available; the delrin carrier bushings go a long way toward tightening things up as well (and they last much longer than the stock rubber bushings, though they are harder to install/uninstall).

-tammer

[Sam Son]

Yeah I don't know why only the m5 gets the DSSR.
srsly what the hell...what about us other model owners...

[NapaBavarian]

Do we need a thread like this?

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=41971&highlight=short

[Analog]

Man, some of you guys are being dicks..

[Binjammin]

Who?

[DOC540I]

this has gotten me sold on the idea

[jessejames]

Do we need a thread like this?

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=41971&highlight=short

we have already had those posted in the past, actually.
this is a repeat of a repeat of a repeat thread. :rolleyes

[e34 530i]

we have already had those posted in the past, actually.
this is a repeat of a repeat of a repeat thread. :rolleyes

lollll sorry guys, I'm lazy :stickoutt

[tammer]

Who?
Probably me. Still, to say a company is smoking crack because it prices its products for a decent profit margin is ridiculous. It's equally ridiculous to relate the value of a given product to the value of the place the product is headed. Should Kohler sell a faucet to a guy in a $500k house for $1,000, then sell me the same faucet for $500 because my house is only worth half as much? It's even dumber to expect that kind of deal if Kohler has to design and build a different faucet to fit my cheaper/older house, which is the case with the short shifters (each shifter model works on a fairly narrow range of engine/transmission/chassis combinations).

We should all be thankful that some companies are still designing, updating, and improving products for older cars: UUC, TCD, Miller, and even Ground Control (though I'm not a huge fan of theirs, they do have more options for E34s than most aftermarket suspension vendors).

-tammer

[4500 RPM]

Probably me. Still, to say a company is smoking crack because it prices its products for a decent profit margin is ridiculous. It's equally ridiculous to relate the value of a given product to the value of the place the product is headed. Should Kohler sell a faucet to a guy in a $500k house for $1,000, then sell me the same faucet for $500 because my house is only worth half as much? It's even dumber to expect that kind of deal if Kohler has to design and build a different faucet to fit my cheaper/older house, which is the case with the short shifters (each shifter model works on a fairly narrow range of engine/transmission/chassis combinations).

We should all be thankful that some companies are still designing, updating, and improving products for older cars: UUC, TCD, Miller, and even Ground Control (though I'm not a huge fan of theirs, they do have more options for E34s than most aftermarket suspension vendors).

-tammer

And me (even though I'm not...)

Agreed on all points, Tammer, and well-said

[Sneezy]

And me (even though I'm not...)

Agreed on all points, Tammer, and well-said

Agree as well. If I was worried about ROI regarding expenditures on a 15 year old mass produced base model automobile I would have just crushed it immediately after purchase and saved myself thousands in the long run.

Not what it's about.

[Binjammin]

Probably me. Still, to say a company is smoking crack because it prices its products for a decent profit margin is ridiculous. It's equally ridiculous to relate the value of a given product to the value of the place the product is headed. Should Kohler sell a faucet to a guy in a $500k house for $1,000, then sell me the same faucet for $500 because my house is only worth half as much? It's even dumber to expect that kind of deal if Kohler has to design and build a different faucet to fit my cheaper/older house, which is the case with the short shifters (each shifter model works on a fairly narrow range of engine/transmission/chassis combinations).

We should all be thankful that some companies are still designing, updating, and improving products for older cars: UUC, TCD, Miller, and even Ground Control (though I'm not a huge fan of theirs, they do have more options for E34s than most aftermarket suspension vendors).

-tammer

Oh, well duh. They'll drop the price or discontinue it when it stops moving units. Considering that the evo3 fits NUMEROUS cars, and there are very few e34 specific parts, I don't see that happening any time soon.

Or did everyone think it was an e34 only piece? :confused

[janders211]

Short shifters do not offer any performance gain.

They are aesthetic only, and to make you feel good about moving your arm 2 inches less and so you can put a sticker on your car.

[Binjammin]

Short shifters do not offer any performance gain.

They are aesthetic only, and to make you feel good about moving your arm 2 inches less and so you can put a sticker on your car.

Evo3 is more than a short shifter. The bearings and bushings are tighter. Bearings reduce the slop and give smoother feel. True, none of it may make the car faster, but if it allows faster shifts it will allow you to operate the car faster.

[4500 RPM]

Short shifters do not offer any performance gain.

They are aesthetic only, and to make you feel good about moving your arm 2 inches less and so you can put a sticker on your car.

You tend to know your stuff but I'm surprised you don't get this. Do you really think I care about speed?

Aesthetic? Do you know what that word means? I don't think I can see with my own eyes much of a difference.

The shifts aren't radically shorter or anything (I don't want that). They are much smoother and more precise...the notchiness is almost all gone.

I don't think the kit came with a sticker and no sticker other than BMWCCA and my alma mater are going on my car.

[tammer]

Considering that the evo3 fits NUMEROUS cars, and there are very few e34 specific parts, I don't see that happening any time soon.

Or did everyone think it was an e34 only piece? :confused
UUC's site shows a single part number for all E34s, and it doesn't cross-reference to any other models. True, the individual components of the E34-fitment kit might be a mish-mash of things already produced for other models (the lever, for one, isn't E34-specific), but there is still a development cost in preparing the kit and if even one part is E34-specific, then the economies of scale go way down. On the other hand, the E28 shifter kit number cross-refs to a few E39s and the E30 M3, among others.

-tammer

[Binjammin]

The only difference between the e34 units and the rest is the shifter carrier and the selector rod. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the shift carrier is a modified OEM piece (which would explain more of the cost).

All things considered, the shifter is priced accordingly.