am I crazy for liking the stock shifter?

[BJO]

OK, I have had the UUC Evo2 shifter on my car since 1999. Yesterday, I co-drove another M3 with a stock shifter at an auto-x. The car has 92k on it. The long throw didn't bother me too much, but I liked how easy it was to row through the gears. Makes me think about going back to a $60 stock shifter on my car. It should last awhile too since the car is mainly a track/auto-x car.

[M3BimmerBilly]

I drove a UUC equipped car many times before....I would never choose a SSK over stock either. Notchy, high effort, little to gain.

I can see how a SSK could increase the probability of a $hift

Auto X, dont you just put it in 2nd gear and not shift anyway?

[joenationwide]

OK, I have had the UUC Evo2 shifter on my car since 1999. Yesterday, I co-drove another M3 with a stock shifter at an auto-x. The car has 92k on it. The long throw didn't bother me too much, but I liked how easy it was to row through the gears. Makes me think about going back to a $60 stock shifter on my car. It should last awhile too since the car is mainly a track/auto-x car.

Yeah but doesn't it feel spongy? After driving an M3 with a stock shifter, it felt like a twig I thought I would break. There wasn't a very positive feel when going into each gear.

I'd at least get the delrin bushings with the stock shifter. That would probably feel fine. Its not the long throws that bothers me, its the vagueness of the rubber bushings. (I have the understeer-modified M roadster shifter with delrin bushings).

[BJO]

I drove a UUC equipped car many times before....I would never choose a SSK over stock either. Notchy, high effort, little to gain.

I can see how a SSK could increase the probability of a $hift

Auto X, dont you just put it in 2nd gear and not shift anyway?

I sometimes have to shift to 3rd due to my 3.38. However, on the stock shifter, I just went to 2nd. On my UUC I even have some resistance going into second. With the stock, it just went in smoothly.

joenationwide, good point about the bushings. I have the delrin carrier bushings and they are pretty good.

[M3x415]

After reading the post on this thread I come to find out that the stock shifter is more LIKED then any SSK out there. Thats amazing... I would think that the SSK gave you more of an advantage then a disadvantage from the STOCK SHIFTER.
I can see why the SSK don't go into gears as well like the STOCK SHIFTER because maybe its due to the LEAVAGE (length) of each stick.

I was going to get a UUC SSK and now I am having second thoughts due to some of its disadvantage over the STOCK SHFTER, but then I guess it depends on peoples preference. I just have to test out a UUC SSK before I decide to install one.

Good Thread.. Gave me some new info today.

[nick325xit 5spd]

The key to remember is that all the R&D money spent on SSKs is basically spent to make them less annoying. The stock shifter may be a little vague, but it's not annoying.

[Eric98Sedan]

The last thing I would ever think to buy is an SSK.

Stock shifter is totally and completely fine.

[propcar]

I like my stock one as well, with a AC Schnitzer metal shift knob, I would like to replace my bushings however, I think I may do one of those budget SSK with OEM stuff.

[giterdone]

Yeah but doesn't it feel spongy? After driving an M3 with a stock shifter, it felt like a twig I thought I would break. There wasn't a very positive feel when going into each gear.

I'd at least get the delrin bushings with the stock shifter. That would probably feel fine. Its not the long throws that bothers me, its the vagueness of the rubber bushings. (I have the understeer-modified M roadster shifter with delrin bushings).

I know after we put my SSK in, I fell in love. It was so different (also due to the fact all bushings were fresh, etc).

I agree with Scott though, at least freshen everything up. Get the delrin carrier bushings, and get a new selector rod pivot. You'll be happy.

However I think the stock throws are far too long, I got into my friend's m3 after I'd had my ssk in for awhile, and I could not believe how long it felt. Like I driving a truck.

[ZUUD BYE]

To me full stock is way too long a throw. I've put the ///M Roadster shifter with a ZHP shift knob in the ///M- Now MUCH shorter! Slips in & out just fine.

[Sadiq]

SSK FTW. But if you want to buy my stock shifter (if you didn't keep yours, PM me)

[saint166]

To me full stock is way too long a throw. I've put the ///M Roadster shifter with a ZHP shift knob in the ///M- Now MUCH shorter! Slips in & out just fine.+1 on this . if u do use the m roadster shifter make sure u bend it to the correct angle so it doesnt lean over to 5th gear . also if u weight the selector rod u get a very smooth shift . the zhp shift knob is a bit heavier and that also helps for smooth clean shifting . if u like the height of a stock shifter but u want a shorter throw u can lengthen the bottom of the stock shifter .

[geoffm3]

I've got a brand-new stock one if anyone is interested. :)

[fivaxis]

My B&M was too short and required too much effort to shift, I cut new grooves in it (where you adjust the position with the 2 clips) so it's closer to stock throws and I like it a lot better. The stock shifter isn't that bad, it's smoother and I never had any trouble with it.

[jworms]

OK, I have had the UUC Evo2 shifter on my car since 1999. Yesterday, I co-drove another M3 with a stock shifter at an auto-x. The car has 92k on it. The long throw didn't bother me too much, but I liked how easy it was to row through the gears. Makes me think about going back to a $60 stock shifter on my car. It should last awhile too since the car is mainly a track/auto-x car.

dude +eleventy billion!!!

i am so sick of the notchy, hard to shift SSK that i have in my M3. when i drive my 325 it's so much nicer to drive because the shifter just slides into gears with ease. i'd love to do a test where i compare shift times in my 325 to my M3: i feel very confident that i can shift significantly faster in my stock 325 than in my M3 and that's with royal purple in the M3 which has been dubbed the 'thinnest transmission fluid' by rob levinson. i'm betting i could drop another tenth in the 1/4 mile if i had a shifter in my M3 like i have in my 325.

it's getting to the point where i'm going to probably throw my stock shifter back in my M3 :rolleyes

[libravcs]

I feel this way about the majority of the UUC products. The placebo effect makes us all think aftermarket everything is better. As I've swapped back to stock, I now realize and appreciate the millions of engineering dollars that went into BMW..vs the hundreds (at most) UUC and other aftermarket companies put in to "improve" what BMW got right in the first place

[DownTown Import]

I loved the feel of the stock shifter on my last 328is, When I do the manual swap on my new M3 I'll be using stock shifter with new bushings. I loved the way it felt.

[Roguls]

I feel this way about the majority of the UUC products. The placebo effect makes us all think aftermarket everything is better. As I've swapped back to stock, I now realize and appreciate the millions of engineering dollars that went into BMW..vs the hundreds (at most) UUC and other aftermarket companies put in to "improve" what BMW got right in the first place

Whoa whoa whoa. UUC is a great company that offers great products. Their bushings are far superior to stock rubber; check out their new CAB's...

There are tons of testimonials exulting adoration for the EVO III. Search and see. This is a question of preference, not of what is better. Perhaps we should only have BMW selling us OEM parts in the future: that would make for a great marketplace for bf.c members. :confused

And their service is awesome: Rob Levinson is a great addition to this board. His posts are informative, usually research-and-experience backed, and very well written. Adding intelligence to this board is a plus, even if it only produces a placebo effect.

[The Letter M]

I tried a friend's M3 with an SSK (not sure which one) in it & I couldn't see where it would do anything for me at all.

It was just plain uncomfortable, on the track, it wouldn't make me any faster, on the street, which is where the car spends 99% of it's life, I wouldn't love it.

It might be cool for some of you guys, but it aint my thing.

In a full time track car, maybe, but not for driving around town.

[DucatiBoy]

Not that I'm a UUC "fanboy" or against his stuff or any stuff that any aftermarket place sells. But BMW engineers things that are supposed to appeal to the masses (or at least the masses that their marketing department tells them). The SSK is different and a choice. I would not be surprised if most BMW owners don't prefer that feeling, hence why BMW made it the way they did.

One may or may not be better, but I would be willing to bet that it's mostly preference. I'm sure some of their design decisions were made with different goals than UUC (or any other aftermarket shop). Things like noise or vibration are large parts to their design, where UUC might not make the same trade offs.

It's all preference. The fact that BMW made it one way, would make me think that most BMW drivers in the world would prefer it the way BMW made it.

Just a though. :)

[Serious]

dude +eleventy billion!!!

i am so sick of the notchy, hard to shift SSK that i have in my M3. when i drive my 325 it's so much nicer to drive because the shifter just slides into gears with ease. i'd love to do a test where i compare shift times in my 325 to my M3: i feel very confident that i can shift significantly faster in my stock 325 than in my M3 and that's with royal purple in the M3 which has been dubbed the 'thinnest transmission fluid' by rob levinson. i'm betting i could drop another tenth in the 1/4 mile if i had a shifter in my M3 like i have in my 325.

it's getting to the point where i'm going to probably throw my stock shifter back in my M3 :rolleyes

its not the shifter.

325 uses a getrag gearbox that is much smoother then the m3/328's zf unit.

stock m3 is terrible, the throws are too long and rubbery.

[giterdone]

Not that I'm a UUC "fanboy" or against his stuff or any stuff that any aftermarket place sells. But BMW engineers things that are supposed to appeal to the masses (or at least the masses that their marketing department tells them). The SSK is different and a choice. I would not be surprised if most BMW owners don't prefer that feeling, hence why BMW made it the way they did.

One may or may not be better, but I would be willing to bet that it's mostly preference. I'm sure some of their design decisions were made with different goals than UUC (or any other aftermarket shop). Things like noise or vibration are large parts to their design, where UUC might not make the same trade offs.

It's all preference. The fact that BMW made it one way, would make me think that most BMW drivers in the world would prefer it the way BMW made it.

Just a though. :)

Nicely put ducati. Just like rims, or spoilers, or an exhaust, this seems to be one more item we can add to the list, that we will never unanimously agree upon.

[kwipp]

il take your ssk off your hands free of charge

[libravcs]

I tried a friend's M3 with an SSK (not sure which one) in it & I couldn't see where it would do anything for me at all.

It was just plain uncomfortable, on the track, it wouldn't make me any faster, on the street, which is where the car spends 99% of it's life, I wouldn't love it.

It might be cool for some of you guys, but it aint my thing.

In a full time track car, maybe, but not for driving around town.

Pretty much my same experiences!Again..just speaking for me! Everyone else who loves UUC or other aftermarket parts, thats great, and what makes teh world go round!

[M3Rob95]

its not the shifter.

325 uses a getrag gearbox that is much smoother then the m3/328's zf unit.

stock m3 is terrible, the throws are too long and rubbery.



Interesting, I have never heard this :confused

[Serious]

Interesting, I have never heard this :confused

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146472

more examples if you search.

[elsdragon314]

Just a question if people have installed the DSSR (double shear selector rod) in conjunction with the stock shifter. Can it even be installed without also adding the ERK (effort reduction kit) to move the pivot point up?

It is one of the UUC products. It is designed to permanently solve ovaling the selector rod linkage bushing. I was hoping that combined with the delrin bushings it would remove some of the slack from the shifter, and if anyone had any experience with it, without a SSK.

[jworms]

its not the shifter.

325 uses a getrag gearbox that is much smoother then the m3/328's zf unit.

stock m3 is terrible, the throws are too long and rubbery.
ugh, good find, i didn't realize that. i guess the next step is to find a really heavy shift knob and hope that helps reduce how notchy my shifts are.

[giterdone]

Just a question if people have installed the DSSR (double shear selector rod) in conjunction with the stock shifter. Can it even be installed without also adding the ERK (effort reduction kit) to move the pivot point up?

It is one of the UUC products. It is designed to permanently solve ovaling the selector rod linkage bushing. I was hoping that combined with the delrin bushings it would remove some of the slack from the shifter, and if anyone had any experience with it, without a SSK.

With the stock shifter you are supposed to use the ERK since the DSSR is straight, it gives clearance for the flex disc. However I have read where people used the budget ssk, and the dssr, but did not buy the ERK. I am not sure if they ever ran into any problems or not.

I will say, that getting the dssr/erk and the delrin carrier bushings, I have the advertised "10mm side to side play" that UUC talks about, where if you hop in my buddy's m3 with stock shifter, it feels like the punch 'em clown blow up bags, to me.

[Rob Levinson]

Lots of stuff in this thread that is "date sensitive", some inaccurate, and some additional thoughts...


OK, I have had the UUC Evo2 shifter on my car since 1999. Yesterday, I co-drove another M3 with a stock shifter at an auto-x. The car has 92k on it. The long throw didn't bother me too much, but I liked how easy it was to row through the gears. Makes me think about going back to a $60 stock shifter on my car. It should last awhile too since the car is mainly a track/auto-x car.

Evo2 is a radically different shifter than Evo3.

Evo3 is a complete re-think of the entire assembly, and a "perfect" realignment of the shifter geometry. By switching to a complete custom-height bearing system for the primary pivot, we eliminate the use of the OE nylon cup bushing which necessitated a minumum pivot change and resultant geometry. Besides being smoother and quieter, the significant thing with Evo3 is you get the same reduction, 20% less effort.

Here you can see the difference in the primary pivot:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/EVO3_vs_EVO2/EVO2_2.jpg http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/EVO3_vs_EVO2/EVO3_2.jpg

What's not shown is the other differences in geometry (I simply don't have comparative pics convenient to post at the moment).

As an Evo2 owner, you're entitled to a $100 trade-in credit toward Evo3. Actually, if you purchased the delrin carrier bushings with your Evo2, there's no reason to replace them, so we deduct another $25 from the Evo3 price. And to sweeten the deal even further, we guarantee your satisfaction when you switch from Evo2 to Evo3. 100% of the purchase price refunded.



I can see how a SSK could increase the probability of a $hift

A good SSK (like the UUC Evo3) absolutely reduces your chance of a mis-shift.

Mis-shifting is caused by imprecision in the rubber components of the OE shifter, the loosenes of the worn OE shifter bushings, and the soft OE transmission mounts. A switch to UUC components fixes all of these problems and makes it quite obvious what gear you are shifting into.

Tell me if this brand-new BMW shifter looks like a "precision" part:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/shifter_comparisons/sloppy_OE_shifter.gif



+1 on this . if u do use the m roadster shifter make sure u bend it to the correct angle so it doesnt lean over to 5th gear . also if u weight the selector rod u get a very smooth shift .

See above. MZ3 shifter is the exact same design, and exactly as floppy. Shift effort using the MZ3 shifter will be higher than with Evo3.



With the stock shifter you are supposed to use the ERK since the DSSR is straight, it gives clearance for the flex disc.

Actually, that's not why at all. You can use the DSSR with any M3-compatible shifter (of correct geometry) without clearance issues.

The purpose of the ERK in raising the shifter primary pivot is to make the linkage geometry perfect when changing the position of the shifter lower pivot.

I'll quote some bits from our website to clarify this concept:

Most BMWs have a linkage rod which is near parallel with the shifter console. Since the linkage rod is directly in-line with the transmission input shaft (the input selector that changes the gears), shifting is easiest and smoothest since it is a direct line to the shaft. There are no angles or bends to get to it...it's as straight as you can get. Most 3-series and 5-series follow this rule which is why shifting in these cars is generally very smooth and gear changes are near effortless. Angles and bends create off-axis forces which increase effort.


http://www.shortshifter.com/Pictures/ultimate_normal.gif

The E36 M3/328 is an exception to this rule. Since they come equipped with a shifter lever which has a longer lower dimension (shorter shifting) than most other BMWs, they actually bend the linkage rod (to gain clearance of drivetrain parts).


http://www.shortshifter.com/Pictures/ultimate_stockM3.gif

You can see that the force to shift the linkage rod is no longer in-line with the transmission input shaft. For those that like to work with numbers, instead of being perfectly straight, the stock M3/328 linkage rod has a 17mm downward bend in it. It's a sensible number since the stock M3/328 shifter lever is 14mm longer (on the lower part) than a standard BMW (325, 318, 525, etc.) So, by bending the linkage to match, the engineers have gotten around doing the "right thing". It is a small difference, but for people that are used to it, they do not really feel this difference...yet. This is where BMW takes the shortcut. Ideally, they should have make the shifter lever mount 14mm higher on the shifter console. However, to produce a new shifter console (it's a cast aluminum piece) vs. simply bending the linkage is a no-brainer...save the money, bend the linkage rod.

When you add a "short shifter" to you car, this is when things get interesting. Although not drawn to scale, you can see that by continually increasing the leverage of the shifter lever (lengthening the lower portion), the force to shift the linkage rod gets further and further away from being in-line. Additionally, as the force gets further off-line, you need more force (effort) to shift the linkage. Since the car did not come from the factory "ideally" set up this way, things are only getting harder and notchier to shift at this point. For people that have installed M Roadster levers for short shifts, they've now increased the lower portion an additional 14mm over the stock lever. Now, the bottom of the linkage rod is 31mm "off-line" from the normal, traditional, smooth-easy-shifting BMW standard.


http://www.shortshifter.com/Pictures/ultimate_modified.gif

Coincidentally, the BMW M Roadster itself does have a "higher" mounted shifter lever pivot to compensate for the increase lower dimensions of the shifter lever. Anyone that has gotten into an M Roadster will tell you that the shifting is easier and less notchy than a stock E36 M3. Now you know why.

The UUC Motorwerks ERK (Effort Reducing Kit) for the Evo3 is a bolt-on pivot height adapter which uses the stock shifter carrier and bolts onto the top, raising shifter's pivot point and correcting the linkage geometry. In some applications, a basic "short shifter" installation will misalign the linkage rod by at least 20mm off line. With the ERK, it raises the linkage rod back to the original in-line position.


http://www.shortshifter.com/Pictures/ultimate_modified_with_ERK.gif

By raising the pivot the perfect amount, the linkage rod is now directly in-line with the transmission input shaft! You now have shifts that are not only smoother than stock but also, the notchiness is gone.

We have an animated flash demonstration of this:

http://www.shortshifter.com/shifterdemo.htm




[However I have read where people used the budget ssk, and the dssr, but did not buy the ERK. I am not sure if they ever ran into any problems or not.

They do have increased effort beyond what they would if they had the ERK.


I will say, that getting the dssr/erk and the delrin carrier bushings, I have the advertised "10mm side to side play" that UUC talks about, where if you hop in my buddy's m3 with stock shifter, it feels like the punch 'em clown blow up bags, to me.

Glad you're happy with it!

I'll be glad to answer any additional questions.

[giterdone]

Ahhh Rob, thanks for that info. Seems I'll have to make yet another update to my FAQ. :)

[DucatiBoy]

Yes Rob, thanks for the info. Very good stuff. Now if I could only get my Evo3 shipped. :) It's been back ordered for a couple weeks now. :(

[Rob Levinson]

Yes Rob, thanks for the info. Very good stuff. Now if I could only get my Evo3 shipped. :) It's been back ordered for a couple weeks now. :(

Sorry about that, we got wiped out of inventory by a big European distributor. Should be able to ship the fitment for your M3 by Thursday of this week.

- Rob

[DucatiBoy]

Sorry about that, we got wiped out of inventory by a big European distributor. Should be able to ship the fitment for your M3 by Thursday of this week.

- Rob


Sure... "Europeans!" ;) And how can you sell out of these when everyone likes the stock shifter better? Just kidding!

I'm looking forward to seeing the difference. I was hoping to have it last week when we had the warm weather in the NE, but I guess those darn Europeans ruined that plan. :)

[AlfaRomeoGTV6]

I love my Evo 3 and dssr. First things I bought for my car. Coming from Alfa Romeos, I thought the BMW stock shifter was a noodle. The car only had 72k when I bought it, and I thought the shifter wandered all over the place and was very imprecise. I like the notchiness, but that may be because I was driving Alfas for 10 years before that. Their synchros are notorious for being persnickity.

One of my friends who owned a manual 5-series several years ago and sold it jumped in my car and drove it, and said he needed to get another BMW because he loved BMW's precise shifting. I had to explain it felt that way because it was aftermarket...

[AGAM3]

hey guys is it really worth it to have a short shifter on our cars?

Cause i've been thinking of buying one.

[DucatiBoy]

hey guys is it really worth it to have a short shifter on our cars?

Cause i've been thinking of buying one.

As soon as I can get mine delivered, and then installed I would be happy to tell you. :) I do have a sloppy stock one at the moment.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=902195

[M III Pilot]

I'll add my opinion, in that the EVO 3 w/ DSSR is a great SSK for M3's.
I drove a buddies stock shifter M3 about a year after I installed my SSK and it felt like a really long throw, although it wasn't sloppy at all.

Everyone has their opinions and an opposing opinion isn't wrong, just different.
I won't trade my SSK for a stock shifter, ever.


I always laugh when I read about the supposed heavy effort in the shifter or clutch of the M3, some of you guys just have no idea.
Try driving a tractor trailer with over 600,000 miles and a shifter that is 2 ft tall, now those are some long, sloppy, and heavy throws.
And, the clutch is so heavy that you can't hold it down for 1 cycle of a stoplight without your knee hurting, not getting uncomfortable but seriusly developing pain.

Oh, and my mother doesn't think the shifter effort is heavy with my SSK and she's like 130 lbs and in her 50's.
Just something else I find funny when I read complaints about the effort.

[LuxoM3]

Yep, the exact reason why I bought the EVO 3 a couple of years ago.
The little play was nearly an 1/8" turn when I shifted... not that I turned the lever but it was plain "mushy".

---

Mis-shifting is caused by imprecision in the rubber components of the OE shifter, the loosenes of the worn OE shifter bushings, and the soft OE transmission mounts. A switch to UUC components fixes all of these problems and makes it quite obvious what gear you are shifting into.

Tell me if this brand-new BMW shifter looks like a "precision" part:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/shifter_comparisons/sloppy_OE_shifter.gif


See above. MZ3 shifter is the exact same design, and exactly as floppy.

[AGAM3]

i think i would buy one in a matter of weeks then.

thanks for your help guys.:)

[jworms]

I'll add my opinion, in that the EVO 3 w/ DSSR is a great SSK for M3's.
I drove a buddies stock shifter M3 about a year after I installed my SSK and it felt like a really long throw, although it wasn't sloppy at all.

Everyone has their opinions and an opposing opinion isn't wrong, just different.
I won't trade my SSK for a stock shifter, ever.


I always laugh when I read about the supposed heavy effort in the shifter or clutch of the M3, some of you guys just have no idea.
Try driving a tractor trailer with over 600,000 miles and a shifter that is 2 ft tall, now those are some long, sloppy, and heavy throws.
And, the clutch is so heavy that you can't hold it down for 1 cycle of a stoplight without your knee hurting, not getting uncomfortable but seriusly developing pain.

Oh, and my mother doesn't think the shifter effort is heavy with my SSK and she's like 130 lbs and in her 50's.
Just something else I find funny when I read complaints about the effort.
just because the M3 shifter/transmission isn't the worst it could be does not excuse it from being less than desirable (in my opinion of course) when compared to other cars of similar class, or heritage. but i am also one of those people who at this point will gladly give up the shorter throws for less effort in the name of performance gain.

[M III Pilot]

just because the M3 shifter/transmission isn't the worst it could be does not excuse it from being less than desirable (in my opinion of course) when compared to other cars of similar class, or heritage. but i am also one of those people who at this point will gladly give up the shorter throws for less effort in the name of performance gain.
Point taken, I guess we differ on what's a performance gain.:D

[EdirtySicks]

SSK's usually take more of a tight "click" then a gear mesh...If u understand that:dunno

[roriii]

i gotta say, the stock shifter is not bad with new bushings, but the new uuc evo 3 with the dssr is awesome. I have it with a rk6 knob (slightly heavier) and its short, smooth, and doesn't require a ton of effort like the earlier uuc short shifts. B&M makes a good product too (had one on an e30 once)

[jworms]

Rob,

hopefully you are still watching this thread. i was wondering if the race shifter you sell would be any smoother than the evo3. a buddy of mine just purchased a race shifter for his e30 and as i was looking at it i noticed you put a pretty hefty weight (bulge) near the top of the shifter. i assume this is to make the shifts less notchy. i'm desperate for smoother, more precise shifts and will easily sacrifice some vibration to achieve it.

[Rob Levinson]

Rob,

hopefully you are still watching this thread. i was wondering if the race shifter you sell would be any smoother than the evo3. a buddy of mine just purchased a race shifter for his e30 and as i was looking at it i noticed you put a pretty hefty weight (bulge) near the top of the shifter. i assume this is to make the shifts less notchy. i'm desperate for smoother, more precise shifts and will easily sacrifice some vibration to achieve it.

You've got two cars listed, the M3 and 325is... we only make the Race Shifter for the 325.

That bulge at the top serves two purposes: 1) adds some mass at the top of the lever for easier shifting, and 2) holds up the shift boot :D.

There is nothing inherent about the Race Shifter that would make it smoother than the Evo3 - in fact, the Evo3 is smoother with the all-bearing system.

If you are having an "un-smooth" experience, I would posit that it's not caused by the shifter, but rather by the transmission. BMW transmissions, either ZF or Getrag, vary greatly in smoothness from one example to the next. The way to smooth out a rough gearbox is with an alternate fluid; we recommend either Redline D4-ATF or BMW MTF-LT-2. Alternately, you could add some powdered MoS2 (Molybdenum Disulfide) to your transmission fluid. I posted a link to some MoS2 sources about two weeks ago (do a search for MoS2).

- Rob

[jworms]

You've got two cars listed, the M3 and 325is... we only make the Race Shifter for the 325.

That bulge at the top serves two purposes: 1) adds some mass at the top of the lever for easier shifting, and 2) holds up the shift boot :D.

There is nothing inherent about the Race Shifter that would make it smoother than the Evo3 - in fact, the Evo3 is smoother with the all-bearing system.

If you are having an "un-smooth" experience, I would posit that it's not caused by the shifter, but rather by the transmission. BMW transmissions, either ZF or Getrag, vary greatly in smoothness from one example to the next. The way to smooth out a rough gearbox is with an alternate fluid; we recommend either Redline D4-ATF or BMW MTF-LT-2. Alternately, you could add some powdered MoS2 (Molybdenum Disulfide) to your transmission fluid. I posted a link to some MoS2 sources about two weeks ago (do a search for MoS2).

- Rob

this is in regards to my M3 which currently has the evo3 ssk. i've tried a bunch of different fluids in it, currently i'm using royal purple synchromax and it's not much better than the redline combo i was using before. i'm not necessarily getting grinding, it's more of a slight pause at each gate before the lever gets into gear...something my 325 does not suffer from with its stock shifter/transmission/blown transmission mounts all with 190,000 miles on them.

MoS2 sounds like a decent idea, would something like this work: http://worldimpex.com/parts/lubromoly-mos2-anti-friction-manual-transmission_60878.html
it's not a powder, but i'm not having the best of luck finding a good source for powder. i assume the reason for using powder is to allow a better mix with the transmission fluid.

i appreciate your response.

[Rob Levinson]

this is in regards to my M3 which currently has the evo3 ssk. i've tried a bunch of different fluids in it, currently i'm using royal purple synchromax and it's not much better than the redline combo i was using before. i'm not necessarily getting grinding, it's more of a slight pause at each gate before the lever gets into gear...something my 325 does not suffer from with its stock shifter/transmission/blown transmission mounts all with 190,000 miles on them.

Yep, slow synchos.


MoS2 sounds like a decent idea, would something like this work: http://worldimpex.com/parts/lubromoly-mos2-anti-friction-manual-transmission_60878.html
it's not a powder, but i'm not having the best of luck finding a good source for powder. i assume the reason for using powder is to allow a better mix with the transmission fluid.

That would appear to be a good choice, and it even says it's for manual transmissions. Great find, I had only found it in powdered form previously.

- Rob

[Bimmer325]

This is funny we all argue over our own preferences. I decided I prefer a shorter throw. Now someone argue with me.

[adams]

good info..

i feel like a SSK is almost like suspension, definatly needed (IMO)

i had a 328 with the mz3 shifter and just picked up a stock m3, way too long

Evo III is on the list:D

good experiences with UUC here, i recently had a prob and they quickly fixed it:buttrock

[giterdone]

This is funny we all argue over our own preferences. I decided I prefer a shorter throw. Now someone argue with me.

I like a shorter throw also, but you are wrong, because your opinion does not match up to the exact same shortness that mine does. :mad

[Whiplash]

OK, I have had the UUC Evo2 shifter on my car since 1999. Yesterday, I co-drove another M3 with a stock shifter at an auto-x. The car has 92k on it. The long throw didn't bother me too much, but I liked how easy it was to row through the gears. Makes me think about going back to a $60 stock shifter on my car. It should last awhile too since the car is mainly a track/auto-x car.

I've got the UUC Evo2 on my car also and I agree with you, I like the feel of a "fresh" stock shifter better but I'm not changing it because my wife HATES the feel of the UUC SSK so she won't drive it anymore...now it's ALL MINE!!! :winknudge

[ben4bama]

that's just great.. I just ordered the understeer mZ3 shifter and UUC oval delrin carrier bushing to replace my stock 328i shifter and now I read from this UUC guy that things won't be aligned right and it is more notchy.. does this mean that I'll eventually mess something up in my transmission? Will I not be happy with this set up ? there are a couple of you here that have this setup. Are you happy with it? Please respond before I put this stuff in my car and not be happy with it. Thanks!

[Bimmer325]

I like a shorter throw also, but you are wrong, because your opinion does not match up to the exact same shortness that mine does. :mad

lol

[Nadroj]

i like the stock shifter also but i have never driven an ssk m3

[bmwpowere36m3]

I got the UUC Evo3 & DSSR, at first I only had the Evo3 and it was definitely more notchy than the OE shifter, but it was a helluva lot more precise (finding gears, gear changes). However over time it got a lot better and now I love it, I don't even notice it anymore.

I did though, at the time of installation not only replace the shifter, but ALL the bushings & connections associated with it. Then a year later I got the DSSR and I didn't really notice a BIG difference, other than there was less side-to-side slop in the shifter.

[HBpredhunter]

i use a z3m shifter non bent, and love it.

almost the same as the factory m3, just a tad bit shorter.

the key is replacing your bushings every 30,000 miles. that keeps them 100% -its not like the are expensive or hard to change out.

i dislike SSKs, although UUC's is the best of the bunch by far.

[ben4bama]

So is your mz3 shifter in your M3 much 'notchier'? did you replace or further bend your selector rod to align this up more?

[oraph]

i put a ssk in my M shortly after getting it. The long throws, even with zero effort where not worth it.. plus i came from another car with an ssk and the diff was huge.
I have the bent Mz3 shifter. It's a little notchi but not sloppy. Even if the Evo3 is better, it's not $400 better. Paying that much for a shifter is just crazy IMO.