Auto Solutions SSK - all that and much more

[adc]

Guys, I just had RRT install an AutoSolutions SSK in my 2018 M3 ZCP. It is absolutely all they make it out to be, a fabulous improvement without any drawbacks I can think of. Increase in NVH is negligible, shifting feel superb, the action is transparent, the increase in shift effort minimal/bearable, the gate feel very well defined.

I went with the following settings: stock height, stock knob, 22.5% reduction and medium-stiffness bushings. I drive my car hard, on street and track, and was able to test over 1,000 road miles and 3 days at Watkins Glen. Perfect.

Since there are so many customization options, every one is made to order, custom to you. The ordering process is a bit strange, feels more like an interview than anything, but in the end Ron will help you make the right choice for you. For me, it was absolutely worth it.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'll try to answer. And if you are in the area, or meet me at some track event, you are more than welcome to drive my car and see for yourself.


Edit: I should add my son has the UUC in his 2002 330ci and I think it is crap. Hard to shift, easy to miss gears, too stiff. All IMO of course. We will swap his car to an AutoSolutions kit over the summer.

[ByeFelicia]

I have one and its a must.

I've heard through the grapevine he may be retiring so if you're on the fence, maybe get it done sooner than later.

[SYT_Shadow]

Ronald and the AS SSK is everything it's claimed to be. Such a fantastic piece!

I've had it on my E46 M3 during 100k miles, still have it on my E92 M3 and will get it in whatever manual M3s I own in the future.

One day he will retire and we'll all be screwed.

A couple years ago I finally bit the bullet, bought the 5MT kit for my E46 330Ci I have back home and took it over in my summer vacation and installed it. So happy I did!

[RElias21]

How do you contact him to order?

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by RElias21

How do you contact him to order?

Ronald@Autosolutions.net
http://autosolutions.info

[ibimmer954]

I agree. I had a previous SSK kit that was not great. Had a lot of problems with the 1-2 shift and it wasn't aligned properly.

I had Ronald build me an AS SSK to my specs (I track and AutoX the vehicle) and it has been awesome. Nice, tight feel that almost totally cleaned up the 1-2 shift and the shifter now has an awesome action and feel to it. Highly recommended!

[RElias21]

Are we permitted to ask cost? I don't think the website indicates.

[ibimmer954]

Mine was just under $500. It depends on what options you choose. Yes, there are options!

[adc]

Mine was just over $500 I think but not by much. In any case, I rate it the best mod for the car, no regrets and how it should have come from the factory.

The folks at the dealership are not only not averse, but they loved it. My SA took it out for a spin to check it out… He will now order one for his car.

[ck_M3]

Bumping this since I just got mine installed today. This is an absolute MUST for any 6MT. The shifting is crisp and throws are tight, love how this car feels now.

[bvrider1]

Threads like this is making me itchy. I am filling out my form now.

Any recommendations on:
- Reduction Ratio
- Height
- Side Skew
- Back Skew
- Bushing grade

TIA !!!

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by bvrider1

Threads like this is making me itchy. I am filling out my form now.

Any recommendations on:
- Reduction Ratio
- Height
- Side Skew
- Back Skew
- Bushing grade

TIA !!!

I did the minimum reduction ratio and higher than normal so the total height of the ssk + m5 knob is around stock

Really happy with the results

[hurricane56]

A few important things to note for those who are considering this product. Ronald is selling you a fully custom product if you choose to execute any of the available options that are provided. I appreciate the fact that Ronald provided a nice phone consult to figure out my exact needs. I ended up with similar specs to the OP. For my application, he recommended anywhere between 20-25% ratio reduction at stock height. My waiting time was reduced dramatically as I was flexible with the ratio reduction.

Shifting performance is now a very dramatic difference from the stock shifter, with a lot more direct engagement and a positive throw into each gear. I recently compared the Autosolutions SSK to a Porsche Cayman with an upgraded GT4 short shifter. The Porsche shifter will still be a lot more mechanical, but Autosolutions SSK will eliminate that vague feeling when you drop into gear.

As far as installation I opted for a local performance shop to install the kit as this part didn't seem like a "fun" project to work on. To ease the installation, they dropped my mid-pipes and partially disconnected my driveshaft to complete the work. I'm based in the SF Bay Area, so install labor was about $450.

[adc]

Originally Posted by bvrider1

Threads like this is making me itchy. I am filling out my form now.

Any recommendations on:
- Reduction Ratio
- Height
- Side Skew
- Back Skew
- Bushing grade

TIA !!!

Part of the fun is figuring these out with Ronald. It really does depend on what you're after, your driving patterns etc. Call Ronald and go through this selection process with him.

The interesting part is I drove a 911 T back to back with the M this weekend, and the Auto Solutions SSK was definitely better feeling than the Porsche item. In any case I feel this mod turns the ho hum OEM item into a very good shifter. My only regret is waiting this long.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by adc

Part of the fun is figuring these out with Ronald. It really does depend on what you're after, your driving patterns etc. Call Ronald and go through this selection process with him.

The interesting part is I drove a 911 T back to back with the M this weekend, and the Auto Solutions SSK was definitely better feeling than the Porsche item. In any case I feel this mod turns the ho hum OEM item into a very good shifter. My only regret is waiting this long.

The Porsche 911 is a cable operated shifter, whereas the M uses linkages to get to the gearbox

But here in the M3forum anything Porsche does is worshipped so this little detail never comes up. "It's Porsche so it must be the best" say the Porsche sheep

[Montaver]

I had the SSK on my M2C, it was good. Accurate, easy to hit the gates, very little play. I went for softest bushings (which are still a lot stiffer than stock) and 20% reduction. I found 20% removed a bit of shifting joy as it felt too short on the street, I wouldn't go more than 15%. I also wouldn't change any of the other variables such as height etc, especially for the track having the shifter further away from the steering wheel isn't helpful. Stiffer bushings will add gear whine.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I had the SSK on my M2C, it was good. Accurate, easy to hit the gates, very little play. I went for softest bushings (which are still a lot stiffer than stock) and 20% reduction. I found 20% removed a bit of shifting joy as it felt too short on the street, I wouldn't go more than 15%. I also wouldn't change any of the other variables such as height etc, especially for the track having the shifter further away from the steering wheel isn't helpful. Stiffer bushings will add gear whine.

I went with the medium bushings and didn't experience any additional gear whine. Would be hard to notice anyway over the AA midpipe and the damn tire noise.

[adc]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

The Porsche 911 is a cable operated shifter, whereas the M uses linkages to get to the gearbox

But here in the M3forum anything Porsche does is worshipped so this little detail never comes up. "It's Porsche so it must be the best" say the Porsche sheep

True.

Well to be fair, some things were better on the Porsche but this wasn't one of them IMO.

What I liked:
- The correct level of effort for all primary controls: gas, brake and steering
- The proportional, expected, natural level of response from these controls
- The carbon buckets. OMG, these seats are incredible.
- The OEM adjustable suspension. Normal was more comfortable than Ohlins at the softest, Sport+ felt a bit tighter than Ohlins at the softest. Perfect for street and occasional track I think.

What I didn't like:
- The understeer
- The lack of power and drama
- The engine response
- The price

On the fence about:
- Rear steering. Needs more investigation in a track setting, it's definitely something to get used to.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by adc

I went with the medium bushings and didn't experience any additional gear whine. Would be hard to notice anyway over the AA midpipe and the damn tire noise.

I could detect the faintest bit on my M2C with the softest bushings, I had the stock exhaust though. I don't think most people would notice it, might of just been my specific car. My GT4 has noticeable gear whine by contrast, but it makes a lot more mechanical noises in general.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I could detect the faintest bit on my M2C with the softest bushings, I had the stock exhaust though. I don't think most people would notice it, might of just been my specific car. My GT4 has noticeable gear whine by contrast, but it makes a lot more mechanical noises in general.

I should probably stop spending money on audio gear, and maybe invest in a hearing aid lol.