Short Shift Kit experience?

Phil G. · 01-03-2010, 09:21 AM

I'm contemplating trading in my Audi TT roadster in the next 6-12 months for a 335xi Msport coupe. My s-line TT has a factory installed short shifter which I love (I had an OEM SSK installled in my Porsche as well, and loved it, too). The one issue I've had with the BMW is that the 6 speed manual linkage has a bit more play that I'm comfortable with. My question - has anyone had the BMW OEM short shift kit installed in their 3 series car? What is your impression and experience? What's the cost (parts and install) and is it different enough from stock to justify the mod?

Why Knot · 01-03-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil G.

I'm contemplating trading in my Audi TT roadster in the next 6-12 months for a 335xi Msport coupe. My s-line TT has a factory installed short shifter which I love (I had an OEM SSK installled in my Porsche as well, and loved it, too). The one issue I've had with the BMW is that the 6 speed manual linkage has a bit more play that I'm comfortable with. My question - has anyone had the BMW OEM short shift kit installed in their 3 series car? What is your impression and experience? What's the cost (parts and install) and is it different enough from stock to justify the mod?

I have the SSK in my 135i and love it. Big difference from the standard shifter in my previous 335i and the 135i demo I test drove.

onefastman · 01-03-2010, 11:19 AM

Which one did you go with?

BMWDAD · 01-03-2010, 11:58 AM

I have the BMW SSK installed on my 335i coupe/sports as soon as it was available last year. I did not want anyone but BMW and BMW parts to void the warranty. (just in case)
I am very happy. Shorter shift, better 1-2 shift, BUT use a weighted shift knob, not the small one that comes with the kit. (or the original)

BayMoWe335 · 01-03-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

I have the BMW SSK installed on my 335i coupe/sports as soon as it was available last year. I did not want anyone but BMW and BMW parts to void the warranty. (just in case)
I am very happy. Shorter shift, better 1-2 shift, BUT use a weighted shift knob, not the small one that comes with the kit. (or the original)

What was your installed price? Dealer quoted my $725...yikes.

Arustik1 · 01-03-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayMoWe335

What was your installed price? Dealer quoted my $725...yikes.

Well yeah the thing retails for around $500 plus install.

I bought it and installed it myself

Try it, its really not that bad and there is a great writeup on the forums.

superduty · 01-03-2010, 02:13 PM

I wouldn't bother w/ the OEM SSK. Most of the "play" in the linkage is due to the elastomeric isolation in the lever itself. Both the standard and OEM SSK levers have the same isolation. There are better aftermarket alternatives available.

VTECaddict · 01-03-2010, 03:55 PM

The only thing I don't like is the shift lever is now tilted to the right. So 1st gear ends up where 3rd gear was on the stock lever.

chanceparker · 01-03-2010, 04:28 PM

I just installed the BMW short-shift lever on my 335 this weekend (technically the lever is for the 330 but it works just fine on the 335 as well). I did not go with the entire kit, just the lever...a whopping $70. Install was very easy using the DIYs from this site.

I am very happy with it. Shortens up the shifts quite a bit but the effort is fine, especially with my heavy UUC RK7 shift knob.

Bottom line, I would recommend this option. Way cheaper than a full kit and it works great.

BMWDAD · 01-03-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayMoWe335

What was your installed price? Dealer quoted my $725...yikes.

I had a dealer coupon so parts/install was under five hundred, but remember this was last DEC. 2008

I335 · 01-03-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chanceparker

I just installed the BMW short-shift lever on my 335 this weekend (technically the lever is for the 330 but it works just fine on the 335 as well). I did not go with the entire kit, just the lever...a whopping $70. Install was very easy using the DIYs from this site.

I am very happy with it. Shortens up the shifts quite a bit but the effort is fine, especially with my heavy UUC RK7 shift knob.

Bottom line, I would recommend this option. Way cheaper than a full kit and it works great.

Does the shift knob sit lower with this setup as well - i.e. is the lever shorter too?

OctoberfestE92 · 01-03-2010, 06:04 PM

I ordered my shifter and exhaust before my car was built.... i figured if i was gonna get something on the car it would be OEM...

that said ... my friend at the dealer installed it during his Pre Delivery Inspection... (mine was the first the dealer had installed) ... and he worked with me on the labor charges..
So i never knew what the original shifter felt like .. but compared to my 2007 328 coupe -- there was a big difference.

there are a lot of options out on the market, but i this shifter does make a big difference in the actual shift, by cutting down the travel significantly. Dont get me wrong, i liked the shifter in my 328, but have grown used to the shifters in my Mustangs, it was not as positive and a bit "lack-luster"

but beware there is one thing to do if you do buy it .. and dont do the install.. have them make sure they use adequate lube on the shifter ball.. the shifter will feel a lot smoother in shorter period of time, a couple of days, instead of weeks..

it will definitely make your 1-2 shifter better, and is pretty accurate if you are a canyon carver--- the shifter position is to the right.. (with most other American and foreign cars its either neutral or tilted to the left - towards the driver) ... but if you sit upright in the car and place your arm at the front edge of the armrest.. with your palm open and vertical,
you'll see the shifter is in the centerline of your palm. Most folks grab the shifter palm down the shifter ball.. if you look at the shifter before you purchase one you'll see the two padded areas on the shifter knob -- front and rear..... if you're shifting correctly(not saying other people arent) your fingers / or palm will always contact these areas.

does this shifter rival the ones i've had in other cars ... no but the other cars had top loader transmissions and the shifter(s) mechanism were completely different. but it beats out a muncie m22 rock crusher any day ..

since our cars are equipped with the same tranny as the M3, this shifter will get you a little closer, (not quite there) to some M brand fun... its a good shifter, not the greatest i've experienced .. but what the h*** -- if it breaks i have no worries about contacting vendors, waiting for parts, flat-backing the tranny in driveway and best of all if the parts are not available ..... i get a free loaner till they show up ---

just my $0.02

NiVeDh · 01-03-2010, 06:16 PM

The OEM SSK has the same issues that the stock one has.

If you want the best SSK, get the UUC Evo3 and do the CDV delete. Throw on a shorter shift knob and you're golden. These are my favorite mods after the JB3.

01-03-2010, 09:21 AM	#1
Phil G. First Lieutenant 12 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maple Glen, PA iTrader: (2)	Short Shift Kit experience? I'm contemplating trading in my Audi TT roadster in the next 6-12 months for a 335xi Msport coupe. My s-line TT has a factory installed short shifter which I love (I had an OEM SSK installled in my Porsche as well, and loved it, too). The one issue I've had with the BMW is that the 6 speed manual linkage has a bit more play that I'm comfortable with. My question - has anyone had the BMW OEM short shift kit installed in their 3 series car? What is your impression and experience? What's the cost (parts and install) and is it different enough from stock to justify the mod? __________________ Phil G. 2009 BMW 328i (x-Drive) e-90, 2010 Audi A4 Prem+, 2008 Audi TT Roadster S-Line
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01-03-2010, 11:19 AM	#3
onefastman Major General 159 Rep 5,689 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 2011 e92m dct Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (15)	Which one did you go with?
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01-03-2010, 11:58 AM	#4
BMWDAD Captain 100 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 2017 Porsche Macan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond, Va. iTrader: (0)	I have the BMW SSK installed on my 335i coupe/sports as soon as it was available last year. I did not want anyone but BMW and BMW parts to void the warranty. (just in case) I am very happy. Shorter shift, better 1-2 shift, BUT use a weighted shift knob, not the small one that comes with the kit. (or the original)
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01-03-2010, 02:13 PM	#7
superduty Private First Class 10 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2010 E91 M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tucson, Az iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't bother w/ the OEM SSK. Most of the "play" in the linkage is due to the elastomeric isolation in the lever itself. Both the standard and OEM SSK levers have the same isolation. There are better aftermarket alternatives available. __________________ "Did I say something abnormal?" "You're an engineer, everything you say is abnormal."
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01-03-2010, 03:55 PM	#8
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	The only thing I don't like is the shift lever is now tilted to the right. So 1st gear ends up where 3rd gear was on the stock lever. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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01-03-2010, 04:28 PM	#9
chanceparker First Lieutenant 49 Rep 359 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [10.00]	I just installed the BMW short-shift lever on my 335 this weekend (technically the lever is for the 330 but it works just fine on the 335 as well). I did not go with the entire kit, just the lever...a whopping $70. Install was very easy using the DIYs from this site. I am very happy with it. Shortens up the shifts quite a bit but the effort is fine, especially with my heavy UUC RK7 shift knob. Bottom line, I would recommend this option. Way cheaper than a full kit and it works great.
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01-03-2010, 06:04 PM	#12
OctoberfestE92 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: on the move ... iTrader: (0)	BMW SSK I ordered my shifter and exhaust before my car was built.... i figured if i was gonna get something on the car it would be OEM... that said ... my friend at the dealer installed it during his Pre Delivery Inspection... (mine was the first the dealer had installed) ... and he worked with me on the labor charges.. So i never knew what the original shifter felt like .. but compared to my 2007 328 coupe -- there was a big difference. there are a lot of options out on the market, but i this shifter does make a big difference in the actual shift, by cutting down the travel significantly. Dont get me wrong, i liked the shifter in my 328, but have grown used to the shifters in my Mustangs, it was not as positive and a bit "lack-luster" but beware there is one thing to do if you do buy it .. and dont do the install.. have them make sure they use adequate lube on the shifter ball.. the shifter will feel a lot smoother in shorter period of time, a couple of days, instead of weeks.. it will definitely make your 1-2 shifter better, and is pretty accurate if you are a canyon carver--- the shifter position is to the right.. (with most other American and foreign cars its either neutral or tilted to the left - towards the driver) ... but if you sit upright in the car and place your arm at the front edge of the armrest.. with your palm open and vertical, you'll see the shifter is in the centerline of your palm. Most folks grab the shifter palm down the shifter ball.. if you look at the shifter before you purchase one you'll see the two padded areas on the shifter knob -- front and rear..... if you're shifting correctly(not saying other people arent) your fingers / or palm will always contact these areas. does this shifter rival the ones i've had in other cars ... no but the other cars had top loader transmissions and the shifter(s) mechanism were completely different. but it beats out a muncie m22 rock crusher any day .. since our cars are equipped with the same tranny as the M3, this shifter will get you a little closer, (not quite there) to some M brand fun... its a good shifter, not the greatest i've experienced .. but what the h*** -- if it breaks i have no worries about contacting vendors, waiting for parts, flat-backing the tranny in driveway and best of all if the parts are not available ..... i get a free loaner till they show up --- just my $0.02
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01-03-2010, 06:16 PM	#13
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	The OEM SSK has the same issues that the stock one has. If you want the best SSK, get the UUC Evo3 and do the CDV delete. Throw on a shorter shift knob and you're golden. These are my favorite mods after the JB3.
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