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Thread: 545i Shifter. Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

  1. #1
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    545i Shifter. Stay Genuine And Enjoy Shorter Shifts.

    Everyone wants a short shifter for their manual transmission right? but not everyone wants to spend 300 bucks on an aftermarket shifter kit.
    Well there is a way to stay BMW Genuine and still enjoy short, smooth and precise shifting.


    -The answer is to get a E60 545i shifter.

    *there are other OEM shifters that will yield same results, but I can only vouch for the 545i shifter as I did it on my car and it works great.

    What is needed for the install?
    -E60 545i shifter part# 25117546373
    -Bearing, shift lever part# 25111220600 (not necessary but its only 12 bucks, so buy it in case you'll need it, will mention it later)
    -It's also a good idea to pick up a ZHP (weighted) knob as it will help alot with throws. (I have it and LOVE it)
    6-speed part# 25117896886
    5-speed part# 25-11-7-503-231

    It is OEM E60 545i shifter?
    -Yes

    Will it fit my car?
    -Yes, fits ALL BMWs with manual transmissions, E36 E46 E39...

    Is it compatible with 6-speed or only 5-speed?
    -Fits ALL BMWs with manual transmission 5 or 6 speed doesnt make a difference.

    How much shorter are the throws?
    -Supposed to be 30% less, but feels more.

    How much does it cost?
    -I got my from a dealership and it was 90cad (its cheaper then the ones from understeerdotcom) depending on your location it may be cheaper.

    Now on to the DIY:

    -Car on ramps or jack it up(make sure its safe to proceed)
    -Remove knob, just pull up (pull towards your chest)

    -Remove boot
    -Remove insulation and rubber boot.
    -From under the car remove the retainer clip.

    -Now if you have a special tool, you can turn the plastic bearing cup 1/4 turn counter clockwise or just use pliers. Then just pull up.This is the part that could cause loose shifter feel as with time the plastic wears down and becomes loose, so just replace it.
    -Remove the shifter from the plastic bearing cup, just pull apart.

    -Install new shifter into the bearing with some grease.
    -Reinstall in reverse.


    The shifter actually sits 1 inch lower making it more pleasant to shift.



    First impression: shifts are shorter and more precise. No more shifter play while in gear. The shifter sits 1 inch lower making it the perfect height for the armrest.

    PS> remove your CDV (clutch delay valve) if still havent, to make your shifting even more precise.

    Edit: Additional short shift retrofit DIYs:

    http://bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/tips_...er_install.htm

    http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...ll-review.html
    Last edited by jamesdc4; 12-28-2010 at 05:48 PM. Reason: Added DIY links

  2. #2
    ganesht's Avatar
    ganesht is offline (oOO)\(lll)°(lll)/(OOo) BMW CCA Member
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    nice write up, but its been covered a million times before.

    btw welcome to the forums

    Did your car come with the msport package?
    Alida:
    Born: Friday, 9th January 1998
    Arktissilber Metallic on Schwarz 528i/5

    Claudia:
    Born: Friday, 2nd May 2003
    Sterlinggrau Metallic on Schwarz 540i/6

  3. #3
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    Looks like an exact copy of a DIY for this I have seen before

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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by ganesht View Post
    nice write up, but its been covered a million times before.

    btw welcome to the forums

    Did your car come with the msport package?
    Thanks.
    Yes, full M Sport pack.
    Quote Originally Posted by E3x4life View Post
    Looks like an exact copy of a DIY for this I have seen before
    Well, I did this one myself.

  5. #5
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    Blocked Out,

    Has this new unit improved your 1st to 2nd gear shift... ?

  6. #6
    ganesht's Avatar
    ganesht is offline (oOO)\(lll)°(lll)/(OOo) BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Da Clean1 View Post
    Blocked Out,

    Has this new unit improved your 1st to 2nd gear shift... ?
    what do you consider improved? it no longer feels like your rowing a boat, but until you change the tranny oil and add weight to the selector rod it feels a bit notchy..

    also swapping from the oem knob to the zhp knob helps, the zhp knob has a shorter neck.
    Alida:
    Born: Friday, 9th January 1998
    Arktissilber Metallic on Schwarz 528i/5

    Claudia:
    Born: Friday, 2nd May 2003
    Sterlinggrau Metallic on Schwarz 540i/6

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Da Clean1 View Post
    Blocked Out,

    Has this new unit improved your 1st to 2nd gear shift... ?
    Yes it has. Its become more precise and shorter, but still notchy.
    I'm changing the fluid to Royal Purple Synchromax this weekend, but I'm not weighting my selector rod with led.
    Here is my new ZHP knob, it helps ALOT.


    Last edited by Blocked Out; 05-12-2010 at 10:09 PM.

  8. #8
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    Perfect timing!
    I was just logging in to search for these part numbers and for the DIY!
    Thanks Blocked Out.

  9. #9
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    BMW 540I, CR Sebring
    FWIW, on my 97 I ended up with new tranny oil (RP), new plastic parts and a new ZHP knob but my old shift lever. Shorter throws but without the notchiness and effort needed to shift it with the 545i lever. YMMV.
    1997 E39 540i aka the 2nd Generation America Bomber...
    1983 528e (long gone)
    1971 R75/5 (long gone)

  10. #10
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    Thank you, I will do this soon!

  11. #11
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    Royal Purple FTW. Your tranny will love you.
    Thanks

    BV

  12. #12
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    we just got a bunch of the e60 545i shifters in stock, if anyone else is looking for one.

    http://www.eactuning.com/bmw-short-shift-kit-p-465.html

  13. #13
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    Congrats on the upgrade.
    Nice effort but an incomplete DIY.
    Assuming that owners will know how to remove the shift boot for instance.

    If there is already a comprehensive DIY on this, please post it up and I'll add it to the DIY Quick Links, otherwise, if you can edit your post and add some more info. on the crucial missing steps/details, I'll tow it to the E39 DIY section.

    TIA

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamesdc4 View Post
    Congrats on the upgrade.
    Nice effort but an incomplete DIY.
    Assuming that owners will know how to remove the shift boot for instance.

    If there is already a comprehensive DIY on this, please post it up and I'll add it to the DIY Quick Links, otherwise, if you can edit your post and add some more info. on the crucial missing steps/details, I'll tow it to the E39 DIY section.

    TIA
    http://bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/tips_...er_install.htm



    http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...ll-review.html

  15. #15
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    It is actually pretty easy to install the 545 shifter without ever jacking the car up or getting underneath the car at all. The hardest part will be the big clip/bushing piece.

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

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  16. #16
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    blackxs, you should fix the writing on your sig, it's hardly readable - too small, not to mention that amberz are FTL. IMHO tho.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by volodka1985 View Post
    blackxs, you should fix the writing on your sig, it's hardly readable - too small, not to mention that amberz are FTL. IMHO tho.
    I dont have the time or ability to use anything except MS Paint so its w/e. I will be updating it once I do a proper photoshoot though

    And no, ambers are mega FTW

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  18. #18
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    ^ +1

  19. #19
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    I did the 545i shifter into my '98 540'/6.
    It makes for very short throws and considerable more shifting effort. I'm not completly sold on it yet. I know my wife will not like it, so that's a plus. First thing in the AM when I'm still half asleep it's hard to find reverse. I like it when it's warmed up and I'm shifting quick.

  20. #20
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    Change the transmission fluid and you will like a LOT more.
    Richard
    BMW Convert

    Let us redefine "progress" to mean that just because we CAN mod a thing, it does not necessarily follow that we MUST mod that thing.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gid View Post
    I know my wife will not like it, so that's a plus..

  22. #22
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    Subscribed. I think this SSK is waiting for me at home tonight and I'm looking forward to putting it in.
    Oxford Green 1998 540i/6
    BMWCCA No. 425591

  23. #23
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    I'm still loving mine, feels just right especially now that I am well used to it.

  24. #24
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    Thank you. I'll add these links to the OP and tow this thread to the DIY section.
    Last edited by jamesdc4; 12-28-2010 at 05:46 PM.

  25. #25
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    Can I re-use my knob after I switched to the shorter stick?

    How much time did it take you: 1h, 2h, or 3h?

    A crazy thought: has anyone used the stock shifter but modified it: cut it shorter and use a tool to cut the horizontal slot to fit the knob?
    Last edited by cnn; 12-28-2010 at 11:04 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

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