Help - Z4 shift lever for E46 320d

[Dhp507]

I'm thinking of installing the Z4 shifter in my 04 320d 6 speed. Now I have been researching on the internet - My Part 25117543187 (Shift lever)

Will it work as a direct bolt on or do I have to modify a little. Want to keep it OEM so no aftermarket kits.

 

[moranor@axis]

some people say you have to bend the lever others say it just fits :bangdesk:

i think sank has done this on his 330i maybe ask him

 

[Dhp507]

He got a 5 speed and the bending applies to the Z3 shifter. Most direct and very notchy from what i gather online.

Theres the 545i which is a very small reduction in throw and is the smoothest

the z4 one is the in between :=):

 

[Karthik]

Sank has a 6 speed , the Z3 shifter is very harsh . Also would like to do this mod , but how hard is it to get this shifter ?

 

[moranor@axis]

i thought the Z4 was the shortest you get...

sank has the Z4 one on his 6 speed:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=8493&page=3

 

[Dhp507]

i thought the Z4 was the shortest you get...

sank has the Z4 one on his 6 speed:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=8493&page=3

Here is the Z3 it sits almost in line the Z4 is a little bit higher

Z3 Shifter installed

It has to do with the weight of the lever and the piviot point that makes it too much for a a daily drive

 

[moranor@axis]

i actually dont know what shifter i have... when i did my 6 speed conversion i just asked gizmo to send me a shorter on with the other parts...

the one i have now is a bit notchy but it does seem to be shorter but its hard to tell because so much changed at the same time

 

[Sankekur]

As far as I know the the order from smallest to largest throw reduction is 545, Z3 then Z4.
I have the Z4 one, was a straight fit, no bending or other mods required, though I am not sure how it would be in the 320d's.
As far as I recall when fitting the Z3 one the selector rod needs to be bent, I think gizmo has the Z3 one on his 330i.

Karthik, it is pretty easy to get hold of one of these shift levers, just go to the dealers with the part number and order it, but you will probably have to wait a while to get it as not a lot of people buy shift levers :rollsmile:

The old thread about it:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=14494

 

[Dhp507]

As far as I know the the order from smallest to largest throw reduction is 545, Z3 then Z4.
I have the Z4 one, was a straight fit, no bending or other mods required, though I am not sure how it would be in the 320d's.
As far as I recall when fitting the Z3 one the selector rod needs to be bent, I think gizmo has the Z3 one on his 330i.

Karthik, it is pretty easy to get hold of one of these shift levers, just go to the dealers with the part number and order it, but you will probably have to wait a while to get it as not a lot of people buy shift levers :rollsmile:

The old thread about it:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=14494

Ok the Z3 bend is a bit of a headache as the lever sits too forward now the lenght above the pivot being shorter the effort is much more and the throw is reduced more.

Think of a see-saw move the pivot to oneside. The seat closer to the end more effort to move but the distance travelled will increase. Thereby making the a small change on oneside and a huge change on the opposite end.



Hence Archamedies said best give me a bigger lever and I can Lift the earth.

My gearbox an yours is the same sank

---

Comparision of BMW levers

The Z3 lenght above the pivot is shorter more effort to shift and longer at the bottom travels more distance. All in all even greater reduction then the Z4.

Dont look at the lever length in isolation. Consider the physics behind it

 

[Sankekur]

Yeah the one I was referring to was the Z3 to Z4 one (not the M one)

I understand the whole force times distance constant remaining constant around the fulcrum thing.

 

[Dhp507]

Yeah the one I was referring to was the Z3 to Z4 one (not the M one)

I understand the whole force times distance constant remaining constant around the fulcrum thing.

Yes this thing gets tricky thats why I was looking for some1 to help.

Good man - You stated the Z4 was shorter throw to the Z3 its vice versa. Now I can go look for a shifter at the stealer.

Thinking if I can get one from a rebuild place......what you think