I'm getting a little annoyed with my RTD shifter purchase. I bought it on Feb 23rd. At the time, Maher was very responsive to my emails and he promised I would receive the shifter before my March 26th track day. Now it's April 4th and I have no shipping confirmation, and it's taking him 2-3 days to respond to my email. I have another track day coming up and I'm getting anxious.
I ordered 2/23/17 and told Maher, who was very responsive, that I needed it by the end of March. He shipped it on 3/23/17 and it was delivered 3/27/17. I was shocked at how quick shipping was from Lebanon to DC. Hopefully this makes you less anxious?
I'm sure he's really busy. If their shipping is that fast, it does make me feel better about getting it before my next track date.
The stock shifter is designed this way, except the whole lever pivots at the ball/cup. It doesn't rotate enough that you notice it happening, but it's necessary to get into anything other than 3rd/4th gear. The AKG/BW shifters use a spherical bearing at the pivot point which allows the whole lever to rotate.
The RTD/CAE/Samsonas design uses a fixed pivot (lever actuates on 2 axes instead of 3) which is why the rotating joint at the bottom is needed. It's not a feature as much as it is a required design element to function correctly as BMW originally intended.
You'd probably have to re-drill holes. The mounting bolts are very close to the shifter hole. The baseplate has a very small footprint compared to other shifters of this type.
I did get this bad boy installed. The centering spring needed adjustment to align with the 3/4 gate. Once I did that, it was phenomenal. I've only drive around a parking lot, and I can tell you that these shifters are in a different league than any other SSK. With the RTD non-locking being within $75 of the AKG, I don't know why anyone would ever buy an AKG. The AKG feels like a stock shifter in comparison.
Last edited by LAWLence; 04-08-2017 at 03:02 PM.
DHL came with a gift today. I'm beyond excited to get this bad boy installed and give it a proper testing at Thunderhill on the 29th!
4610980378169980694-account_id=1.jpg
:O Awesome!
Thanks for the explanation. I'm currently using the AKG as I have for many years now but I'm waiting on delivery for the RTD non locking shifter. I felt like the AKG was a big upgrade vs stock but I'm sure the RTD will be yet another big upgrade vs AKG. Agreed about the price point and it could be a game changer vs CAE in the future.
1993 E36 325is
2003 E46 325iT
SpeedHunters feature: http://www.speedhunters.com/2018/04/...t-dtm-tribute/
APEX feature: https://www.apexraceparts.com/blog/m...-arc-8-wheels/
After a day at the track, with my heim-based 'direct' shifter (like BW and AKG) I just don't like it. In fact I like the stock shifter better and see why people stick with them.
I'm going Samsonas (for the price and availability). Will report back in a couple weeks after my next test day.
Please note that there's a different Samsonas for 5speed, vs the 'short shifter' vs the dog box shifters.
2002 BMW M Roaster.
1998 BMW 328is SCCA E Production road racer.
and what is the impression?I'm going Samsonas (for the price and availability). Will report back in a couple weeks after my next test day.
I guess this is a good place to post this: I was at Thunderhill on Apr 29, and was having major issues shifting down into 2nd gear under hard braking. After some thought, I'd say it must be because of my motor+trans mounts- I'm running the slightly stiffer E36 M3 mounts and Rogue Engineering trans mounts. The deflection of the gearbox under braking was causing me to hit the gate between 2/4, and caused me to miss the shift about 1/3 of the time when I was really pushing it. I'm most likely going to change to AKG 75D motor and trans mounts. Unfortunately I won't have time before Sonoma this Sunday, but they should be installed by my track day at Laguna Seca on the 29th.
1993 E36 325is
2003 E46 325iT
SpeedHunters feature: http://www.speedhunters.com/2018/04/...t-dtm-tribute/
APEX feature: https://www.apexraceparts.com/blog/m...-arc-8-wheels/
Since these are mounted hard to the body, it makes sense they would work best with very stuff mounts. Of course with very stiff mounts, the trans -- which is sort of like the rear of the engine and trans mounts are sort of like rear engine mounts -- won't move much and a stock shifter should work much better.
Unfortunately, VAC didn't have these in stock when I tried to order them. I was told that they were on the way and I'd get a notice when they were in stock, but I have not gotten that notice.
I don't want to bad mouth VAC, but I just never seem to have any luck ordering anything from them. I know others are pleased with VAC; I dread ordering anything from them now.
Back to our regularly-scheduled fancy shifter love fest.
2002 BMW M Roaster.
1998 BMW 328is SCCA E Production road racer.
I might be pulling this fancy shifter out for a little bit.
1996 332IS
Built 3.2
CES/Steed TS Precision 6466, spraying a "$π!℅" load of meth.
Technique Tuning 80# tune.
1/4 mile 10.84 @ 136.72
Your 1 and only stop for all your BMW performance needs
WWW.CESMOTORSPORT.COM
1993 E36 325is
2003 E46 325iT
SpeedHunters feature: http://www.speedhunters.com/2018/04/...t-dtm-tribute/
APEX feature: https://www.apexraceparts.com/blog/m...-arc-8-wheels/
Good Evening Gentlemen
I really appreciate all the feedbacks this is all new to me. I have an E92 sedan with the N54 motor and I hate the way it shifts and so this is how I ended up on this thread. I dont see myself shelling out $900 for a CAE but for less than half of that i am willing to take a chance on the RTD shifter. I opt for the shorter 300mm lever, I don't do track so I figured the shorter lever will be ideal. I don't understand why Maher couldn't just make these and keep em in stock, I am sure with proper advertisement and enough buzz in the social media they will sell like hotcakes. I still want to see actual install just curious how long I did hear the CAE was a bit of a challenge. Thanks again
I think I'm going to have a CAE 4 sale.
1996 332IS
Built 3.2
CES/Steed TS Precision 6466, spraying a "$π!℅" load of meth.
Technique Tuning 80# tune.
1/4 mile 10.84 @ 136.72
Your 1 and only stop for all your BMW performance needs
WWW.CESMOTORSPORT.COM
Was talking to someone that supports 2 cars that run the RTD shifter and reports are that it's no where near as nice as the CAE. Materials are thinner so there's flex. Screws all come loose quickly. Build quality just isn't there. Maybe a good street car alternative. Doesn't sound like a great track/racecar alternative.
I can only speak for the non locking version as I just did the install last night. There are some issues that I have noted for Maher and he is going to look into those issues as he is dedicated to making the product the best it can be.
1. I'm the first one who noted the "C" clip doesn't fully seat into the pivot pin groove. I went with a "snap ring" instead but it was standard size as metric was too thick. I also think the groove could be a tad deeper as well.
2. The pivot joint is too wide at 21.0 mm and needs to be 20.6 mm so it will fit any DSSR out there already. That's being worked on
3. The shift lever adjustment from left to right is a pain to re tighten and keep position for 3rd and 4th gear at the same time. That's being worked on
4. The hardware is just too small and I mentioned using carriage bolts instead with nylon locking nuts and washers. I think he will be going in the direction. Plus it lines up the base left to right nicely.
As for the base it's made of stainless which is very strong but I do see one weak point as the single slot is too close to the shifter opening at the tunnel. However with the washer it should be good enough.
Nothings wrong with the shifter. Its me. My car is 99.9% street car. Daily driven. Its just too much racecar. I went overboard unfortunately and now I really am not enjoying it as much for daily duties. Every dam part of the car has been upgraded to the moon, and now it feels like a racecar. I pulled the shifter out yesterday and tossed in a uuc that I had laying around.
1996 332IS
Built 3.2
CES/Steed TS Precision 6466, spraying a "$π!℅" load of meth.
Technique Tuning 80# tune.
1/4 mile 10.84 @ 136.72
Your 1 and only stop for all your BMW performance needs
WWW.CESMOTORSPORT.COM
^That's a serious down grade. I might be selling my AKG soon.
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