By far best bang-for-buck mod EVER

[Zeke]

I know people have talked about short shifters in the M3, a $100 being the MZ3 shifter. I found an even better one. After some research and talking to the parts guy at local bmw dealership (real BMW nut) i found the perfect shifter. The shifter of a 1.9L Z3 is supposed to be a good deal lower/shorter than the MZ3 and is supposed to be a huge difference (just from the MZ3 to the 1.9). Best part about it all is that since its not for the "M" it only costs $65
Ontop of that BMW makes a knob that sits much lower than the factory knob. Its leather with a chrome ring around the bottom = $80

Go to BMW dealership ask for a shifter assembly thingy from a Z3 1.9L (only 1.9l since they have a shorter asembly than all other Zs)

1.9L Shifter = $65
Shorter Knob = $80
Ultimate Shift kit = $145
All BMW Parts, no aftermarket trash.

They ordered my stuff and it will be in this tues when im gonna have it installed along with them swaping tranny mounts + center bearing (for my tranny rattle). Ill post pics + how it turns out.

[Balthazarr]

I'd be interested in hearing about how much it cost to have ALL that done.

[Zeke]

swaping shifter? i could do that myself but since im gonna have a shop drop the driveshaft ill just ask them to throw it in at the same time. If they tell me there gonna charge 1 hr for shifter install they can go to hell and ill take it somewhere ellse (since driveshaft changing shifter is easy as removing to easy to reach clips). What im taking it in for is:

-Tranny Mounts tightened/replacedi think this is where my driveline noise is comming from)
-O2 Sensor Replacement
-Center Bearing (if its the problem)
-Flex disc (if its the problem)

[Andres]

I think you'll like this article

http://www.mz3.net/articles/143.html

[Zeke]

nice, its late here and im tired but from what i see the 2.8 isnt bent so it would be less notchy? Maybe ill call up and change order to a 2.8 or MZ3.

[Balthazarr]

I mean for the entire job. I think it will be expensive, but if it needs to be done...

[Zeke]

anyone have a 1.9 shifter in their car? Im kinda scared that it might be too hard to shift now since its bent although i dont see how it could make a huge difference.

[M3 Pete]

If I were going this route I'd go with Stygar or this guy, who also sells bent selector rods, and other assorted goodies:

http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-shifters.shtml (also known as bimmer95 here)

[///MacDaddy]

swaping shifter? i could do that myself but since im gonna have a shop drop the driveshaft ill just ask them to throw it in at the same time. If they tell me there gonna charge 1 hr for shifter install they can go to hell and ill take it somewhere ellse (since driveshaft changing shifter is easy as removing to easy to reach clips). What im taking it in for is:

-Tranny Mounts tightened/replacedi think this is where my driveline noise is comming from)
-O2 Sensor Replacement
-Center Bearing (if its the problem)
-Flex disc (if its the problem)

All those things are fairly easy DIY's if you feel like saving some money.

[95MMM]

so Zeke was wrong about the 1.9L shifter?

seems like he wanted to back out of getting it.

is there a problem with it?
I have the mz3 shifter right now.

[BealeAss]

instead of doing it yourself,just throw ron stygar an email and get his shift kit that uses some of the same parts shown here,but custom bends things. its roughly the same price of $150,plus he even includes the lube and qtips for the install

[bimmer95]

The 1.9L Z3 lever features a 5.56% LONGER throw than the stock E36 M3 lever, it's 53.59% LONGER throw than a MZ3 lever too.

[bimmer95]

the 2.8 isnt bent so it would be less notchy?
No, the bend in the lever does not effect shift effort at all. The bend is necessary for correct knob placement. With a straight lever your shift pattern will move forward and to the right.

[Modena NYC]

I don't see how you can claim best bang for the buck mod ever if the mod isn't even complete yet. :confused

[bimmer95]

Awesome mod, the new LSK ;)

[dets]

I don't see how you can claim best bang for the buck mod ever if the mod isn't even complete yet. :confused



wow. he's not claiming territory.

Leave the man alone, he's discovered something new and he's excited.

good luck.

[Zeke]

I think ill go with the MZ3 shifter instead of 1.9L. The parts man at dealership said 1.9 was shorter but after seeing a bunch of 1.9 owners switching to MZ3 shifter i think the MZ3 would be the best. What would the offset of an unbent MZ3 shifter be? Would it be like an inch or so up and left or will it be hitting my console?

Anyone have a pic of an unbent MZ3 in a M3?

[bimmer95]

You'll likely be rubbing the console in 5th. Neutral position will be about where 5th is with your stock lever.

[Zeke]

damn, i guess im ordering one from you guys now :), yours are pre-bent arent they?

[bimmer95]

yours are pre-bent arent they?
Yeeeup! :)

[sardil]

Forget about all this z3 1.9L shifter. Order the bent one from understeer and call it a day :)

[beatniks325]

Awesome mod, the new LSK ;)

:lol LSK, I need one so i can have a throw as long as a UPS truck. best mod ever!

go with the understeer stuff.

[giterdone]

Hey. Go with understeer's. It is great. And actualyl is the a very good bang for buck (i'm not claiming best, that depends on peoples opinions there). Also i'd suggest at least grabbing the delrin carrier bushings while your at it.

[nightkrawler]

dont even screw around with that other crap, get the budget ssk from chris @ understeer. he helped me figure out my problem with my shifter, very helpful guy. the $85 ssk from understeer is a great deal.

[giterdone]

I got the budget ssk, delrin carrier bushings, and the dssr/erk. It all went in pretty easily, only problem is that I installed the DSSR backwards. So I have to go easy on my car, until next weekend so I can get to the DIY shop again and turn it aruond. the DSSR has a notch cut in it, to give space for the flex disc. Me & joenationwide didn't have instructions for the dssr/erk so we guessed on which way the "notch" on the dssr was supposed to go. It turns out we put it towards the rear (under shifter) and facing up. it was supposed to go towards the front and facing down. But other than that, the shifter is great.