I just did the short shifter kit on my 540i. Here's my contribution to the thread.
First, getting the shifter ball out took me a while, but once I figured out how to do it, it really is stupid easy.
There are two slots in the housing that hold the plastic ball joint in, and two "shark fin" tabs that go into those slots.
IMG_3106[1].jpg
IMG_3110[1].jpg
So, to remove the ball joint, all you have to do is rotate it clockwise until the tabs are no longer engaged in the slots, and it pulls right out. A screwdriver helps to get it to move. To install, just push down and rotate counter-clockwise until the tabs pop into the slots. Easy-Peasy.....
EDIT............
When you install the shifter, the bend goes towards BACK OF THE CAR, IDIOT!!!!
/EDIT
You can see here that the bend was the same as the original shaft, but the distance from the ball to the shift rod connector is quite a bit longer. Too long for my tastes actually.
IMG_3112[1].jpg
As you can see, it's about twice the distance on the new one from the ball to the shift linkage connector.
This is what I ordered.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-54....4L/ES2581003/
It is now fully functional in my car. See below for my original post.
Last edited by Mach540; 06-25-2016 at 09:00 PM.
-Paul
2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers, Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers
Have to agree w/ Paul (as usual...) I have those shifters in my E39 and E46. They drop right in and center perfectly on just about any modern BMW as they used that "interchangeable" format for years.
Hate to say but think somethin got borked up on the install.
That kit is not a super short shifter by any means, and the engagement effort should be negligibly stiffer than stock. If its a lot harder, then again, something is wrong. My E46 shifts like butter with that setup in fact. Was just snicking through the gears top down & tunes up on a sweet drive around the island yesterday afternoon noting how smooth and easy it shifts...
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
Installer issue, not the part.
I also did a short(er) shifter mod. All new bushings, cup and this part number lever
25117527255
Perfect for me. Noticeably shorter shifts, but not notchy and minimal additional effort. Perfect for me
Yep, now that I look back at the diagram, I had myself convinced that the bend went towards the front of the vehicle. Looking at things from the top and the bottom of the vehicle got my equilibrium all messed up.
I'll get it sorted out and report back.
-Paul
2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers, Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers
thumbs. sorry man luckily it's not a tough job to re-do.
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
I've bought 2 BMW's in a row that had PO SSK kits installed that have ended up removed. I find the stock shifter is best, especially after a refresh. My latest 2003 540 came with a Dinan and I disliked it, notchy and made the car unpleasant to drive, and even slower than stock as I always had to baby moving it into gear. Finding a factory shifter that's a bit shorter usually preferable to aftermarket.
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PCA HPDE Instructor
current:
2004 M3 convert 6sp man - low mileage beauty!
past:
1995 BMW M3 3.2
2004 M3 convert SMG
2003 BMW 540i6 Alpine White M sport (I want her back!)
Yeah - some of the aftermarket super-SSK's suckballz for sure. The E60 kit is a nice moderate usable setup I think, especially w the V8's and the potential balkyness of the Getrag 420G tranny especially when cold.
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
thanks for the info here guys. Just installed mine this past weekend in about an hour while i was swapping out the summer tires. put a zhp knob on top, a bit notchy when cold but more enjoyable than the stock unit overall.
14495377_10111729647733804_8303192572137938498_n.jpg14517420_10111729647848574_1769460513866093207_n.jpg
Thanks very much for the instructions and info. Just put a the ecs tuning ssk with the ZHP knob https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2581003/ on my 2003 540i 6 spd mtech. Took about 3 hrs, start to finish. Hard part was lifting car up on jack stands and difficult part was plastic cup from the ball joint removal. Installed a new rubber boot while i was in the neighborhood since I have about 145,000 on the car. Shifts great, although a bit notchy when starting out in mornings from overnight park. Appreciate this forum and any/all instructions I read, as this was the first time doing this DIY. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Last edited by Bullwinkle628; 12-29-2016 at 01:01 PM. Reason: added ecs tuning part number
What is the estimated time to accomplish this project? Have access to a full shop and lift.
Took me about an hour. Once you get the car up in the air (I had both jacks on the driver side, with jack stands!!), you remove the shifter knob (hard pull straight up), remove the leather shifter boot (push in a bit toward the shifter then lift up around the edges), remove the carpet piece, remove the rubber boot, then you will see the white plastic piece that holds the shifter. Tap it counter clockwise with a screwdriver and a light hammer until it stops rotating. At this point, you need to get the "wings" pulled in toward the shifter. I had a new one, so I wailed on mine and broke the tabs off. Go underneath and pop off the clip. I put some duct tape on the clip so when it popped off, it did not shoot in behind the heat shield that is under the car. Just clean everything up, lube the white plastic socket, snap in the shifter and reverse what you had pulled apart. The rubber boot is easy if you shoot some silicon spray on the shifter rod, then slide it down into place. I used a large flat head screwdriver to slowly push the lip on the rubber boot into place. Easy peasy. I like the shifting, although it is a bit notchy. Royal purple MTL is next, and all should be good.
Appreciate the write-up OP. Made the job easier. Just performed on my newly purchased e39 M5. Imagine my surprise when I pulled the old one out, and guess what? It was the same exact part I was planning to put in. Oh well, my rubber boot was destroyed so I got to replace that, and I also installed the F10 M5 shift knob. So uh, if anyone is looking for the e60 shifter, I'll sell you a slightly used one cheap!
Great writeup, thanks a lot!
Is the shifter from an E60 530D (6 Speed) 2009 the same shifter? Or will only the 545i shifter fit?
Cheers!
They're all the same shifter
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I wonder how e60 shifter compares to UUC?
I'm wondering which one to get.
UUC also has the option to get DSSR
https://store.uucmotorwerks.com/ulti...8-evo3-p5.aspx
Now sure which one to go with.
Nate J.
(oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
(eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-
RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.
Thanks ordered the e60 shifter! If you have pictures or part numbers for other parts you mentioned, that'd be great! Never heard of those parts hehe
Parts 7, 13 (x2), and 14 on this diagram. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=25_0009
Nate J.
(oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
(eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-
RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.
Just installed the short shifter, looking forward to testing it out!
How hard is it to replace parts 7, 13 and 14? Do they just slide off?
Nate J.
(oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
(eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-
RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.
Thanks for the video. Should've bought this kit
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...5111222375kt3/
Nate J.
(oOO\ (|||)º(|||) /OOo)
Titanium Silver/Black Nappa Full 07-18-2001 E39 M5 Heritage (BZ99672). 198,000mi+. Increasing daily. Engine rebuild thread.
(eŌō\ (||||)º(||||) / ōŌe)
Alpineweiss III/Black Merino Full 03-26-2007 E60 M5 Manual (CX08265). 157,000+. Dead starter -_-
RIP, Seabiscuit. Black Sapphire/Schwarz 03-11-2003 530iA Sport (CK39185). T-boned 03-01-2017 at 155,861mi.
Take 2 "Otto" - Toledo Blue/Sandbeige 04-25-2002 530iA Sport (CH98032). Sold 11-10-2017 at 147,743mi.
Take 3 "Manuel" - Toledo Blue/Grau 10-29-2001 530i5 Sport (CE92358). Sold 02-01-2019 at 217,600mi. I regret that. Build Log
Reliable P.O.S. - Green/gray 1995 Camry V6 LE. 270k mi. Sold for space.
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