New Gal - Greeetings & Question on Shift Kits - BMW Forum

LadyBim · 01-09-2006, 12:02 PM

Hello Everyone,
I am the new owner of a stock 2000 Black 540i 6spd with sport & premium packages. This was one of my client's cars that I have lusted over for a year and finally had the chance to buy it....so here I am. I have always loved to drive but admit that I am not mech/tech inclined. Hence my reason for joining this forum in the hopes I can get some honest advise.

My only complaint with this car is the shifter. The throw is very long, notchy and just not very precise. My research has lead me to believe that a short shift kit may be the solution?? Can anyone comment ?? Recommend a brand ??

Many Thanks
LadyBim

Eric S. · 01-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Welcome to the forum LadyBim!

Your complaint is exactly the same as mine (I have a '99 540 6-speed). Compared to what I'd expect on a sporting car, the shifter feels like it came off a bus! OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but I agree there's definitely room for improvement!

The good news is that there are multiple shifter alternatives out there, with varying prices ranging from $150 to $200 or more (plus installation). I think you'll need to do a few searches and find some polls to see which ones folks recommend. B&M makes a nice one, and I've read good write-ups about UUC's. I've also read that some stock BMW M-shifters can be retrofit.

Since I've not yet done this mod myself, I've not yet settled on which is the best. Maybe you can let us know?

Also - if you are not planning to do your own work on your car, be aware that although BMW parts costs are reasonable, the labor isn't. My local dealer charges about $95 per hour. So make sure you have all maintenance and repair items squared away before you undertake spending big bucks on mods.

One thing to consider is that replacing the shifter is easy, possibly even a freebie, when done at the same time as a clutch replacement. So maybe waiting until clutch time would be a good idea. That's kind of what I am doing....otherwise, the exhaust is in the way and I hear it is a difficult job to do.

PS - In case it's some consolation to hear this - before buying my car, I test drove a 2000 528i 5-speed manual, and its shifter felt even more unwieldy...

superdeadman · 01-09-2006, 08:30 PM

congrats and hopefully you'll love the car

there is liquid that is made for manual transmition that will make the shifts smooth

i'll find out later what it is called but i've heard of people who used it and were extremely happy

///M Power · 01-09-2006, 09:33 PM

UUC makes nice shift kits for e36's, but thye are very notchy. Anyone know if ACS makes them for the e39? I love the feel of my ACS but it's a bit mroe pricey.

Eric S. · 01-09-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdeadman

congrats and hopefully you'll love the car

there is liquid that is made for manual transmition that will make the shifts smooth

i'll find out later what it is called but i've heard of people who used it and were extremely happy

I believe the liquid you are referring to is "Royal Purple Syncromax". I replaced all of the OEM "lifetime" fluid in my transmission case with the stuff. It shifted smoothly before, and it still does. My complaint is that the shifter motion is soooo looong compared to where it should be. Check out a Miata's shifter and then immediately check out the 540/6's (or a 528/5). It's like the difference between flicking your wrist and getting tennis elbow! (relatively speaking, of course)

///M Power · 01-10-2006, 01:58 PM

Ive driven only a few e39 540 sticks, but I noticed the same problem. I defintely expected much shorter. The E36 M3 also suffers from this long throw. I couldnt believe it. Yay for short shift kits then

Eric S. · 01-13-2006, 10:00 PM

There is a thread currently running on the E39 Roadfly message board regarding this same subject. Here is a link to the starting post:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/7381662-1.html

LadyBim · 01-14-2006, 12:16 PM

Thanks everyone.........based on my research & your input I think I've pretty much decided on the Rogue product. I'm going to wait 'til I bring out "my girl" in the spring & have the mod done then.

Again, thanks for the welcome ! I'm learning & havin fun !

LadyBim

Torque · 01-14-2006, 01:45 PM

Welcome to Bimmerwerkz. I hope you stick around.

DeanT · 03-23-2006, 01:17 PM

I have a 2004 6 speed (manual) X5 and dont like the shifter. Any one who can suggest a supplier for a short throw shifter?

dean

DeanT · 03-23-2006, 01:18 PM

LadyB:

let me know if you get a response

Dean

africanrider · 03-23-2006, 03:44 PM

welcome to the board...you have joined a group of some very resourceful people here

Eric S. · 03-24-2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanT

LadyB:

let me know if you get a response

Dean

Dean -
Please take another look - You responded to a post that's well over 2 months old. The answers you seek are in the thread above, so just read the responses and you should get what you need to know.

superdeadman · 03-24-2006, 11:24 AM

yup, eric knows his stuff..
read above and find your answer.
i think most of the bmw cars suffer from long throw, maybe we should all complain

Eric S. · 03-24-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdeadman

i think most of the bmw cars suffer from long throw, maybe we should all complain

Yeah that's what we ought to do! Complaining has worked so well for us in the past, especially on:
- The (mostly 1999) ABS Module failures
- The radiator failures
- The dual vanos failures on the M52TU
- The leaky valve cover gaskets
- The cheap plastic door handles that break
- The dead pixel issue
- The ugly Bangle Look + i-Drive
- ...and so on

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey man, thanks for the boost! You're alway's there for me!