E46 OEM short shifter guide.

phamine;11997076 said:

I wanted to get a shorter shift. Remaining OEM stock was my guideline. There are many stock shifters from different cars that fit our E46. I've linked below some of the resources I've found on the web for this project, pictures and vids.

General shifter basics
http://www.mz3.net/articles/143.html

Replacing shift bushings
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Shift_Bushings/E36-Shift_Bushings.htm

Shifter installs
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_replace_a_shift_lever.html
http://www.understeer.com/shiftlever.shtml

Stock
Coming from a Honda with a short shifter. I felt the E46 shifter was loose and sloppy. It's not precise, though ease of shifting and the lack of notchiness felt nice. However, that increases miss shifting which I'd experience before.

545i - 25 11 7 546 373
Going off another member's experience using a 545i, I decided to try it out.
The shifter is the exact shifter that Dinan uses as seen on another forum below. It does shorten the throw slightly. Shifting did get more precise. It may have been a much shorter shift for the E60 guys, but it wasn't a dramatic change I was looking forward to.
It's feels a lot better than stock, but I wanted more.

545i vs Dinan
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=179545"]http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=179545

MZ3 - 25 11 7 527 254
Next up was an MZ3 shifter. This shifter requires modification to have the shifter sit centered since the shifter isn't bent like the stock or 545i shifter.
The throw feels like it's decreased to 30-40%. Precision is increased; notchiness is introduced but thats the pay off going shorter. Effort has also increased.
There is once issue I encounted. The bottom of the shifter is rubbing against my drive shaft shifting to 1st and 5th. I believe I need to bend my shift selector rod similar to what is shown below.

Z4 3.0 - 25*11*7*543*193
The shifter is very short. Effort is increased to the point where an average driver would find it uncomfortable. It is very notchy but precise. Shifting between gears feels good to me. This shifter has enough room to clear the driveshaft and guibo. Highly recommended if you want a precise and low shifter given that it will be notchy.

• Comparison: Stock shifter and unbent MZ3. Notice how much longer the length from the pivot to the end of the shifter is - This attributes to a shorter throw

• Comparison: Stock, 545i, MZ3. The MZ3 has the longest length from the pivot to the end of the shifter. It is also the shortest among the three.

• Comparison: Z4 3.0 (left) vs MZ3 (right)

• Comparison: 545i shifter(top) vs MZ3 shifter(middle) vs Z4 3.0 shifter(bottom)

• Tip: You can install the shifter from the top. Just remove the Circlip and yellow washers. To reinstall, just use the circlip as the washers won't be necessary

545i

MZ3

Z4 3.0

Parts for complete shifter maintenance
Really suggested if you experience loose shifting. I changed all the parts listed below. If you have a lot of play, part #12 is the culprit since the foam bushing wears.
• Plastic Bearing # 7 - 25111220600
• Plastic Washer (4) #10 - 25111220439
• Securing Clip (2) #11 - 25117571899
• Bearing Bolt #3 - 25111221849
• Bush Bearing Oval #2 - 25117507695
• Bearing Shifting Arm Bushing #4 - 25111222015
• Gearshift Rod Joint #12 - 25111222688

The Carrier

Rear bushing

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freerider said:

i'll be able to get that part much cheaper than what you were quoted sankekuer, i'll shoot a price up on monday.

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Gizmo said:

Not only do I have the short weighted ///M e90 gearknob but I have the extra donut shaped weight that fits to the shift lever just under the leather boot. That with the Z3 shifter makes for a short/direct throw between gears, feels like you are cocking a bolt-action rifle.:thumbsup:

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freerider said:

R629 VAT incl. for the 545i shifter.

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