Z3 vs Z4 shifter on E30 - BMW Forum

Slow325i · 11-30-2005, 10:25 PM

I going to buy Short Shifter and everyonetell me to go on http://www.bmaparts.com and get shifter form them,
BUT now i have problem what shifter i need ,one from Z3 or Z4 , i have read something about shifter from Z3 with 3.0 motor ???
And parts are included with this shifter from BMA

egk2 · 11-30-2005, 11:14 PM

It's up to you which one you buy, I have the z4 2.5 shifter and it
is a good fit for me, throw is drastically reduced, shifter sits lower in console,
not overly notchy and I didn't have to bend anything as is the case with the
z4 3.0 shifter. Read this, it has reviews of each popular setup.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=41971

325eXTATIC · 12-01-2005, 11:07 AM

EGK gave you a good link... I am gonna order a Z3 2.8 kit in the next few weeks. Seems to be the best combo of smooth short operation and and ease of installation based on what I read on the forum from r3vlimited.

Hope this helps!

Josh W.

Slow325i · 12-10-2005, 12:20 PM

Yesterday i called BMAparts and talked with Patrick, and Z4 3.0 SSK is on way to me

Thanks guys on help

Slow325i · 12-15-2005, 11:18 AM

I just got Z4 3.0i SSK from BMA ($66 + $6 shipping) can't wait to install

Slow325i · 12-17-2005, 01:46 AM

Just come back from garage, Z4 3.0i SSK and 2 catless pipes are installed,man this shifter is awesome, and i finaly figure out whats you guys mean by notchy, its same thing my 94 Mustang GT have with aftermarker PRO 5.0 shifter, its clicks

I'm happy , thanks guys on help to decide what shifter to get

BTW Bitch bolt was easy because i had driveshaft out and tranny was lowered 1.5"

Kowalski · 12-17-2005, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow325i

Just come back from garage, Z4 3.0i SSK and 2 catless pipes are installed,man this shifter is awesome, and i finaly figure out whats you guys mean by notchy, its same thing my 94 Mustang GT have with aftermarker PRO 5.0 shifter, its clicks

I'm happy , thanks guys on help to decide what shifter to get

BTW Bitch bolt was easy because i had driveshaft out and tranny was lowered 1.5"

i also know wha tyou mena, its freakin awsome this may knotyuis not make any sence ause im hammed, but the ssk is freakin awsome.

ldsbeaker · 01-26-2006, 12:32 PM

I'm bumping this so because I will be doing it in about 2 weeks.
kthxbye

p.s. I'm going to get the ubiquitous (you like that one?) Z4 3.0 kit from BMAparts.com

crazy91318 · 01-27-2006, 12:13 AM

just curious will that shifter work on a 318is as well ?

Slow325i · 02-04-2006, 03:15 PM

Z4 3.0 is notchy , i have little bit hard time shifting in 1st and 2nd, but thats because clutch is going bad which is gonna be replaced with Sach clutch kit

Kowalski · 02-04-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow325i

Z4 3.0 is notchy , i have little bit hard time shifting in 1st and 2nd, but thats because clutch is going bad which is gonna be replaced with Sach clutch kit

after like 2 days you don't even notice the notchyness tho, you''ll just gets used to it

ldsbeaker · 02-06-2006, 07:32 PM

Emailed Patrick at BMAparts.com on Friday, he quoted me 71.25 shipped. I was happy, then I called and some other guy answers the phone and says.. "Hey dude, there aren't any Z4 3.0 shifters ON THE PLANET". So I fumed about it all weekend, then emailed Patrick again today and he said that guy was mistaken, so I ordered it tonight. Should be here by the time I get back from Cali... Yes!!

ldsbeaker · 02-13-2006, 09:01 AM

Update: Came home saturday, then installed it that night. had to do a bit of modification/refabrication in order to fit it in. I ended up dremeling that white cup that the shifter ball sits in because the hole is 1.25" ID, and the white cup was a little over 1.38" OD. So I shaved it, then put the shifter in, and only ended up using the back washers and circlip as the front ones were unreachable without pulling the transmission/driveshaft. The selector rod impacts the vibration damper around the guibo somtimes in R and 2nd... but I'm not too worried about it.

As far as the finished product, I love the feel and look. I need a new knob to take a little more height off of it (semi-unimportant as it is about 3 inches lower now...), but the feel is great. A LOT shorter (look and shifts) and much tighter. Stand by for a pictorial DIY, as I haven't seen one for E30's yet.
Les, thanks for the moral support, and telling me my car is dirty, slow, loud, and basically sucks.