Will The Z4 Shifter Work In A E36 - BMW Forum

nobrakese36 · 08-27-2005, 03:06 PM

hello, i heard the z4 shifter is the shortest shifter so far, will this fit u in the e36,try to search the forum but i couldnt find anything,thanks

kyle_baker · 08-27-2005, 03:31 PM

um...........i'm not sure about it being the shortest or not or whether it will fit the e36 or not, but i do know that companies like B&M specialize in making products like this and even for e36's. i myself bought a B&M, it is in my sig. feel free to follow the link and check it out, it was like 2nd best one they offered for e36. other companies such as UUC and BavAuto make short throw shifters. i recommend buying one that is made specifically for your vehicle, i mean the choice is yours, but why else would they make them specifically for e36's if others worked so much better? good luck, they are well worth it, i love mine, you should also look into getting a clutch stop if you do buy a short throw shifter.

thekid · 08-27-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nobrakese36@Aug 27 2005, 03:06 PM
hello, i heard the z4 shifter is the shortest shifter so far, will this fit u in the e36,try to search the forum but i couldnt find anything,thanks

[snapback]372852[/snapback]

Yes it will, I have done it. I used the Z4 3.0 litre shift lever, early production. Costs a few bucks over 50.

kyle_baker · 08-27-2005, 06:28 PM

i would still suggest looking and comparing to uuc or b&m but its your car, do what ever. hope you find this info helpful.

cheers

drz · 08-28-2005, 01:17 PM

The z4 shifter is the most cost-efficient way of doing it. Part number: 25-11-7-516-160 (off early producytion z4 3.0).

WarNox · 08-29-2005, 07:58 AM

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yeah i want to get one of those but not sure which one! For some of them you have to get it 'bent' but im not sure which ones! the kid knows more lol so which one of those does the most and which one is the easiest to install?

thnx

Rookie · 08-29-2005, 06:41 PM

I saw a DIY your self somewhere and as I remember getting the old one out can be an absolute pain in the butt. I am also interested in knowing which one to buy. Is the part number that drz offered the shortest of the z3 levers?

kyle_baker · 08-29-2005, 06:49 PM

kid knows about the z4 shifters i guess, i really don't know, all my 2 cents is this........ B&M is well worth the money, the reduction is incredible and the installation was like a whole 30 min. oh and it is a bent shifter, just thought i'd thro that in since someone mentioned that. if they aren't bent properly, your shifter will either do one of too things......

1. hang back so far you can't use the first cup holder, or....
2. hang forward so far it won't shift into gear cause it hits the OBC

.......seriously tho, they are easy to install, the hardest part on the B&M is the O-Snap ring, but it only takes about 5-10 min, and everything else almost falls back intoplace. if you do go with a B&M, then just im me and i can give you some tips, tricks, and heads up to make the installation go smoothly. but if you go with a diff shifter, just let us know how it goes, i know you'll love a short thro shifter of any kind, they just kickass, anyways, best of luck finding one, cheers

kyle_baker · 08-29-2005, 08:02 PM

actually if you use the one i got from B&M, it doesn't matter how the old one comes out, lol, i will send a DIY for it if you get the one i got cause it replaces most all the parts the other ones don't, everyone was confused when helping me so if you get a B&M and need help jsut PM me or something and i'll write up a DIY for you. it is really easy to install the B&M 45126. it is in my sig, so if you wanna look at it just click on it. i got mine on ebay for a good deal i'd look there first if i were you.

again, if you need help with a B&M or just get one ask me or let me know and i'll help gladly!

theironm0nk · 08-29-2005, 08:36 PM

What about UUC? how difficult is it to install there short shift kits?

I have heard that you need to drop the trany or go around it from underneath.

kyle_baker · 08-29-2005, 09:21 PM

i think the UUC and B&M shifters are high competitors, but i didn't have to drop anything out of the under side of my bimmer to install, so i don't see why you would have to either. should be the same basically as teh B&M.

theironm0nk · 08-29-2005, 11:20 PM

Will I need to buy a bent 328 selector rod for my 93 318is I have heard stock rubs against the guibo.

I have been thinking about getting the UUC since they have the greatest throw reduction and they have everything you need in the package. I havn't heard anything bad from these shifters.

nobrakese36 · 08-29-2005, 11:34 PM

thanks everbody for the help but i came up on a adjustable uuc shifter for a 100$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, how hard is it to remove the old shifter do you neeb a special tool, thanks

kyle_baker · 08-30-2005, 01:34 AM

you are supposed to have a special tool, but two screw drivers will suffice......see if this B&M install guide will help, they should be the smae on removing the old one and pretty much the same on installation...

http://www.bmracing.com/media/products/pdf/28.pdf

also
B&M 45126 vs. UUC usce
http://www.bmracing.com/media/products/pdf/29.pdf

theironm0nk, definitly go with a packaged deal like the UUC you mentioned, it is alot less work and hassle and is well worth it.

Rookie · 08-30-2005, 10:16 AM

I noticed that understeer.com is selling a short shift kit that uses the Z shifter, for like $85, that has everything you need. The rod is even pre-bent. I think I am going to go that route. The other shift kits are some where between 300 and 400 dollars for my car, that is just way beyond my budget for something like that. But to each his own, and I am all about finding interesting little mods like this for cheap.