E30 Short shifter questions

Greek318is · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 01:57 PM

Does anyone know who makes a good short shifter for a 1991 318is?

I am looking to buy one, but I want a good one. Are there any recomendations?

thanks

De ///M3 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 02:26 PM

UUC Motorwerks.com
They make the only short shifter that I have heard great things about and I believe they make one for every BMW available. THey are exepensive and I would not buy anything else from them, but the short shifter is very ggod quality.-Dylan

Lowen · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 02:46 PM

here are 3 easy steps to success:
1 go to the stealer
2 ask for the Z3 shifter the part number begins with 25-11-2-228-???
3 install and be happy because you paid 57 dollars that other fools are paying a lot more for.... thank you thank you no applause

Han · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 02:49 PM

you could install a Z3 shifter, but it won't be as good as a uuc shifter.
you'll know exactly why you paid $57 for it.
if all you want is a shorter throw, than it's probably fine for you.
just be prepared for notchiness, and increased effort.

Han.

EVOIIIM3 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 06:16 PM

I just put a UUC in mine last month. I am so happy with it!

yea, they are expensive, but if you look at the UUC shifter next to a factory one and you will see where all the $$ goes into. Now on our old E30's when you do a SS kit you should also change out all the bushings!

All the factory parts are about $100 with the Z shifter. I got every UUC piece. The derlin carier bushings and cartridge bearings are WELL WORTH THE price! The factory one will be notchy, but will work.

I got mine on a GB for under $200

Lowen · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 06:44 PM

i have had the Z3 shifter for quite sometime and there are no problems..i never replaced anything except the shifter and i have a 91 318is btw... it is notchy but in a good way and the throw is significantly shorter..i love it and for the price you cant beat it as far as im concerned. its up to you though obviously and im sure that the UUC is a better product but hey you can always try the Z3 one and sell it on Ebay if you arent happy..i did with the Mshifter which wont fit by the way..and i made a profit!

Nick-NY · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2002, 06:59 PM

i have absoutley no complaints about it.

Greek318is · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2002, 06:25 AM

It all sound great, thanks everyone. I am probably going to stick with the Z3 idea. But what do I need to do, just ask for a STOCK z3 shifter?

Bahnstorminge30 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2002, 12:45 PM

Hey I have a e30 325i will the Z3 work in mine? I had a neuspeed iin my Jetta that shorten the throw by 50% thats what I am looking for in the e30. But I am lo9oking also to not spend all that much money either. Help me out guys

rico335i · #10 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 08:00 AM

z3 shifter:

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/techni...view_records=1

Greek318is · #11 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 01:20 PM

Quick question...I want the Z3 shifter I think...since it's so inexpensive. NOW:

Can I install myself??? I asked how much install was (not by BMW, but an independent shop I use) and they said about 2 hrs in labor. Told me they have to drop the tranny down to install the shifter. Is this a load of crap, or can I do the install myself. I know on my brother's Audi A4, you can install a short shifter yourself.

Help is appreciated! Thanks guys.

Lowen · #12 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 04:27 PM

you should seriously expose that bullshit shop for lying to you..that is total bullshit..installation is simple all except for removing the pivoting ball from the plastic cup that it rests in..it REALLY helps to have this special tool that i hope the Stealership should let you borrow for a day..its a little cylindrical aluminum piece with three nubs on the end..looks similar to a crown i guess...other than this..installation is cake...you needa floorjack to get under the car..but as for 2 hours labor???????

i would never ever deal with those lying bastards again unless they just misunderstood and are that dumb. BTW what kind of lighting system do you have it looks nice im jealous... hope this helps..and if you have anymore questions i think bmwe30.net has a how to on the install but i know you can do it.

EVOIIIM3 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greek318is
Quick question...I want the Z3 shifter I think...since it's so inexpensive. NOW:

Can I install myself??? I asked how much install was (not by BMW, but an independent shop I use) and they said about 2 hrs in labor. Told me they have to drop the tranny down to install the shifter. Is this a load of crap, or can I do the install myself. I know on my brother's Audi A4, you can install a short shifter yourself.

Help is appreciated! Thanks guys.

I just installed my UUC and I also installed all new bushings and replaced all the shifter parts. It is REALLY tight in there. I did not drop my drive line or exhaust. I installed the carrier upside down so i had to take it out agian, this was after I tried to put the new cup in it.

That was about 2 hours there. Now that I know everything well I could do it in abuot a hour. I got all the old stuff out in about 30min. The bitch clip is hard so is the where the selector rod goes in the the trans that part is the hardest. But you will not be changing that with a standard shift lever.

To jsut do the lever you just need to remove the cip form the selector rod, remove the cup, then reinstall. However in our E30's everything in there is worn out.

Greek318is · #14 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the compliment. I just bought them, from HIDKITS.com. They offered the best warranty and were only $600/online order saves you $50.00. That might sound a little high, but with these, i can control the intensity (from 25-35W), and also the color(from 4,100k-10,000k)That is Kelvin/color temperature.
They are awesome, and bright as Hell. I suggest anyone who intends to get HID's, to buy from HIDKITS.com. They come with a one year warranty. If anything hapends to them within a year, they will replace it free. life expectancy for these HID's is 3-5 years.

I love them, and recomend these to everyone.
Thanks again for the shifter help.

YNNAMisBACK · #15 (**permalink**) 01-23-2002, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Han
you could install a Z3 shifter, but it won't be as good as a uuc shifter.
you'll know exactly why you paid $57 for it.
if all you want is a shorter throw, than it's probably fine for you.
just be prepared for notchiness, and increased effort.

Han.

Dont be a sucker for its worth what you pay for it.

I paid 33 dollars...hook up at the dealer...for my brothers Z3 shift lever. I installed it and the thing is pretty short and shifts perfect...smoother than before...its all about the detials

UUC and RE and whatever other shifters are a bunch of crap...in my opinion. You waste a lot of money on shit you dont need.

I installed an e36 M3 shifter in my e30 M3 and a Z3 shift lever in my brothers e30 m3.

I measure the location of the shifter and its in the exact location the stock lever is. And its only an inch shorter...not too bad compared to e30 stock shifter height.

The Z3 lever will also sit in the perfect location and is only a half in shorter than stock.

The Z3 lever will give you throws that are about 2 inches(first to second) the e36 m3 will give you 1.5 inches.

Both installs work great...the e36 m3 lever is a little harder to shift, but not much more than stock...the Z3 is just as good as stock in terms of shifting ease, probably due to the install.

Hope that helps...and if you live near NY...ill help you out with the install if you need it.
email me pdiddysm@aol.com