Best Short Shifter?

TazioNYC · 03-09-2008, 02:07 PM

I've put short shifters in all my cars, and I find them to be one of the most cost-effective things you can do to have more fun driving your car. What's the standard for BMWs? What about the BMW performance part kit -- does anyone have any experience with that on other models?

MrRoboto · 03-09-2008, 03:21 PM

Why not wait to see how the factory shifter works before you start changing parts.

larryn · 03-09-2008, 03:28 PM

+1

BMW, UUC, and Active Autowerks make them for the 335i. Whether they fit the 135i (they should) is questionable.

Numb3rs · 03-09-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

I've put short shifters in all my cars, and I find them to be one of the most cost-effective things you can do to have more fun driving your car. What's the standard for BMWs? What about the BMW performance part kit -- does anyone have any experience with that on other models?

The 135i already has a short shifter kit in it, if you don't like the shift knob you can change that though!

TazioNYC · 03-09-2008, 03:40 PM

Not a huge fan of the BMW shifter - have driven the 335i several times and don't expect to be so much different. It's not that bad, but I prefer the shorter throw and more positive engagement that most aftermarket short shift kits offer.

clived · 03-09-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

Not a huge fan of the BMW shifter - have driven the 335i several times and don't expect to be so much different. It's not that bad, but I prefer the shorter throw and more positive engagement that most aftermarket short shift kits offer.

Is the BMW Performance Short Shift actually available already then?

aus · 03-09-2008, 05:42 PM

The Performance SS is probably the 135 shifter.
And I wouldn't base my opinion on the 135 on the 335 since the 335 does NOT have a SS in it.
You should try an M-coupe to try a BMW SS. It's usually a nice compromise of shift throws and effort/notchiness.

TazioNYC · 03-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

The Performance SS is probably the 135 shifter.
And I wouldn't base my opinion on the 135 on the 335 since the 335 does NOT have a SS in it.
You should try an M-coupe to try a BMW SS. It's usually a nice compromise of shift throws and effort/notchiness.

So you're saying that the BMW short shifter for the 335 is probably the stock 135 shifter? I'm not quite following, I'm sorry.

inTgr8r · 03-09-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

The Performance SS is probably the 135 shifter.
And I wouldn't base my opinion on the 135 on the 335 since the 335 does NOT have a SS in it.
You should try an M-coupe to try a BMW SS. It's usually a nice compromise of shift throws and effort/notchiness.

Still not anything like a quallity SS like UUC.
I replaced the shifter in my M (BMW SS) with a UUC, and it's day and night difference.
In addition to just being shorter throws..... it's MUCH more about the precision.

AwesomeBMW · 03-09-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

So you're saying that the BMW short shifter for the 335 is probably the stock 135 shifter? I'm not quite following, I'm sorry.

that's exactly what he's saying. But BMW doesn't necessarily make the best one.

Tulipsuncle · 03-09-2008, 07:59 PM

Check out this review:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-1-se...le-review.html

"My only unfulfilled wish was with the shifter. While perfectly adequate, the throws are long, making the shift changes seem out of character with the tautness of the handling and power. It's a safe bet that a short-shifter for this car is already in some online aftermarket catalog, since the six-speed transmission is shared with the 3-Series offerings."

I've driven a 335i too and it doesn't sound like the 135i shifter is shorter, or this review wouldn't make sense. That's disappointing to me. This car should have a real short, positive throw.

rektek · 03-09-2008, 11:45 PM

That was the first thing I noticed that needed changing on my buddy's 335. The long throws and rubbery feel need to go. It felt like a UPS truck. So I hope the 135 is better.

mrgoochio · 03-10-2008, 12:30 AM

I'm not familiar with BMW shifters, but I had aluminum shifter bushings and a BuddyClub short shifter on my other car..

Numb3rs · 03-10-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

So you're saying that the BMW short shifter for the 335 is probably the stock 135 shifter? I'm not quite following, I'm sorry.

??

I just said in a previous post that the 135i already comes with BMW's short shift kit. How many times does it need to be said?

hellrotm · 03-10-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numb3rs

??

I just said in a previous post that the 135i already comes with BMW's short shift kit. How many times does it need to be said?

Relax

, was that in any of the press releases or brochures?

Did you read that quote above from leftlanenews?

Ok I found it on the UK site, it says short-shift six speed manual tranmission.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications_detail/0,,1156_181236422__bs-MQ%3D%3D%40bb-Q1A%3D%40bm-MTIzZA%3D%3D%40sit-bmwuk,00.html

clived · 03-10-2008, 01:31 AM

So the shoft shift in the not yet released BMW Performance catalogue is not shorter then the standard shift on the 135i then?

hellrotm · 03-10-2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clived

So the shoft shift in the not yet released BMW Performance catalogue is not shorter then the standard shift on the 135i then?

not sure?

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Still not anything like a quallity SS like UUC.
I replaced the shifter in my M (BMW SS) with a UUC, and it's day and night difference.
In addition to just being shorter throws..... it's MUCH more about the precision.

Totally agree, my buddy replaced his M3 shifter with a uuc shifter, much much shorter throws.

Numb3rs · 03-10-2008, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickone

Did you read that quote above from leftlanenews?

Sorry, I neglected to read that review, but I really wouldn't credit that writer with anything because I know first hand. I sat in a 135i at the Detroit auto show and then sat in a 335i. They are not the same shifter.

BMW Performance catalog only mentions the 335i as an upgrade candidate for their SSK, why? Because the chances are the 135i already has it. This has been discussed elsewhere I believe.

hellrotm · 03-10-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numb3rs

Sorry, I neglected to read that review, but I really wouldn't credit that writer with anything because I know first hand. I sat in a 135i at the Detroit auto show and then sat in a 335i. They are not the same shifter.

BMW Performance catalog only mentions the 335i as an upgrade candidate for their SSK, why? Because the chances are the 135i already has it. This has been discussed elsewhere I believe.

Thanks,

I found it on the UK site, it says short-shift six speed manual tranmission.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...-bmwuk,00.html

60Driver · 03-10-2008, 03:39 AM

I test drove a 135i in Germany and the sales rep said it had a short shifter, standard. The throw did seem fairly short but then again one of the last manuals I owned was on a 1990 525i. Not the same class. And it’s not a fair comparison to judge it against the manual in the SpaceGear van I drive for work. I think its throw is about 14”, or so it seems.

Yoot1 · 03-10-2008, 10:18 AM

I hope UUC offers a short shift for the 1-series, sounds like a good mod for me.

UR2SLOW1 · 03-10-2008, 10:23 AM

Just spoke with UUC this morning and they said the 335 SS is about to go on sale. When the 1 hits the street they will be taking a look to see if the same unit fits or if they have to re-engineer the SS kit for the 1.

03-09-2008, 02:07 PM	#1
TazioNYC Lieutenant 37 Rep 466 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Best Short Shifter? I've put short shifters in all my cars, and I find them to be one of the most cost-effective things you can do to have more fun driving your car. What's the standard for BMWs? What about the BMW performance part kit -- does anyone have any experience with that on other models?
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03-09-2008, 03:21 PM	#2
MrRoboto Brigadier General 1846 Rep 4,836 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Why not wait to see how the factory shifter works before you start changing parts.
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03-09-2008, 03:28 PM	#3
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	+1 BMW, UUC, and Active Autowerks make them for the 335i. Whether they fit the 135i (they should) is questionable.
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03-09-2008, 03:40 PM	#5
TazioNYC Lieutenant 37 Rep 466 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Not a huge fan of the BMW shifter - have driven the 335i several times and don't expect to be so much different. It's not that bad, but I prefer the shorter throw and more positive engagement that most aftermarket short shift kits offer.
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03-09-2008, 05:42 PM	#7
aus Major General 890 Rep 9,031 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	The Performance SS is probably the 135 shifter. And I wouldn't base my opinion on the 135 on the 335 since the 335 does NOT have a SS in it. You should try an M-coupe to try a BMW SS. It's usually a nice compromise of shift throws and effort/notchiness.
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03-09-2008, 07:59 PM	#11
Tulipsuncle Private 8 Rep 63 Posts Drives: Join Date: Dec 2007 iTrader: (0)	Check out this review: http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-1-se...le-review.html "My only unfulfilled wish was with the shifter. While perfectly adequate, the throws are long, making the shift changes seem out of character with the tautness of the handling and power. It's a safe bet that a short-shifter for this car is already in some online aftermarket catalog, since the six-speed transmission is shared with the 3-Series offerings." I've driven a 335i too and it doesn't sound like the 135i shifter is shorter, or this review wouldn't make sense. That's disappointing to me. This car should have a real short, positive throw.
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03-09-2008, 11:45 PM	#12
rektek Private 2 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	That was the first thing I noticed that needed changing on my buddy's 335. The long throws and rubbery feel need to go. It felt like a UPS truck. So I hope the 135 is better.
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03-10-2008, 12:30 AM	#13
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I'm not familiar with BMW shifters, but I had aluminum shifter bushings and a BuddyClub short shifter on my other car.. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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03-10-2008, 01:31 AM	#16
clived Captain 39 Rep 812 Posts Drives: Evolved 1M Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	So the shoft shift in the not yet released BMW Performance catalogue is not shorter then the standard shift on the 135i then? __________________ 2019+ BSM M2C 2011-2012: VO 1M Coupe, many toys, Evolve Stage 3. 2008-2011: 135i M Sport Le Mans Blue / Lemon / HGSL. Evolve OBD remap - 390bhp. Also in the family: X3 M40d / Audi S4 (V8)
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03-10-2008, 03:39 AM	#20
60Driver Lieutenant 6 Rep 459 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I test drove a 135i in Germany and the sales rep said it had a short shifter, standard. The throw did seem fairly short but then again one of the last manuals I owned was on a 1990 525i. Not the same class. And it’s not a fair comparison to judge it against the manual in the SpaceGear van I drive for work. I think its throw is about 14”, or so it seems. __________________ ~My other car is a Blackhawk~ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-10-2008, 10:18 AM	#21
Yoot1 Private First Class 5 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Washington iTrader: (0)	I hope UUC offers a short shift for the 1-series, sounds like a good mod for me. __________________ I want 1
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03-10-2008, 10:23 AM	#22
UR2SLOW1 First Lieutenant 33 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Just spoke with UUC this morning and they said the 335 SS is about to go on sale. When the 1 hits the street they will be taking a look to see if the same unit fits or if they have to re-engineer the SS kit for the 1.
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