DIY Request - BMW Performance Short Throw Shifter

[ben14142001]

Receiving mine on Wednesday. Wondering if anyone has done the install yet themselves/ if I'm stupid for trying it myself. I have a lift and all appropriate tools, hopefully it will go smoothly. Any and all tips are appreciated.

Thanks!

-Ben

[Bizall]

Try this...it's for the 335 but should work out the same.
http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257

[CDR_UK]

^^^
That install does not show the fact that you have to swap out the arm between the gearbox selector and the gear stick selector on the N54!

The install is a pain in the a*** since you need to take of the exhaust, and the under body panels to change the aforementioned arm.

The result is top though!

[Jack (LA)]

FWIW, I had my dealer do the install -- it didn't take them very long.

The BMW SSK works great -- no issues. I highly recommend this mod.

[subscience]

Originally Posted by Jack (LA)

FWIW, I had my dealer do the install -- it didn't take them very long.

The BMW SSK works great -- no issues. I highly recommend this mod.

Do you remember how much parts & labor ran you?

[ben14142001]

Yeah, trying to install right now. Definitely have to take off most of the underbody paneling and heat shields and exhaust. I'm going to keep trying, but it's a pain.

-Ben

[Papito135]

Just got mines today. It will be install once I get my 2009 135.

[ben14142001]

I installed it last night. Parts of it can be frustrating, unfortunately I forgot to take pictures, but I might copy the 335 post and add in the parts for the 135. There isn't too much difference, but a lift most certainly helps.

-Ben

[Papito135]

I got the instructions from the dealership the day I bought mines.

[HondaGoneRogue]

I installed mine with the do it yourself from the 335 guys. It wasn't that bad, but you do have to remove the midpipe of the exhaust and the heatshield. They don't have to remove their shifter support arm, but we do as the kit comes with a different one. It looks way harder than it is. If anybody has any questions let me know and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

[EmeraldRx]

so its best to do this while installing an exhaust?

[marcus]

Yea Rx better to do it at the same time as the exhaust, mid as well do DP's if you got em.
I was there when Eric did his today, the thing that took the longest was when someone snap a bolt installing the exhaust lol, it was pretty funny but it looked pretty easy.
If you have any mechanical skills you can do it in less than 3 hours. I will do mine as soon as my exhaust gets here and I will take pics and might make a movie.

[EmeraldRx]

cool,thanks

[ben14142001]

Originally Posted by marcus

Yea Rx better to do it at the same time as the exhaust, mid as well do DP's if you got em.
I was there when Eric did his today, the thing that took the longest was when someone snap a bolt installing the exhaust lol, it was pretty funny but it looked pretty easy.
If you have any mechanical skills you can do it in less than 3 hours. I will do mine as soon as my exhaust gets here and I will take pics and might make a movie.

Haha. That's exactly what happened to me. We were on the last bolt and we tightened down wrong, stripping the nut and the bolt. Took too many extra hours to fix that.

-Ben

[Séve]

Is this installed price correct? A total of $366.45 installed for the 128i. The 135i price is almost double that. What gives? Thanks!

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemVi...=0&subItemId=5

[ben14142001]

Yes, it is the right price. You can get it for about $435 from Dan at United BMW. I know the 135 comes with a new shifter support arm, that is a pain to install and that might be the reason for the increased price.

-Ben

[marcus]

Actually its not that bad to install it. When Eric did his it didnt take him very long once he figured out how.
Make sure you dont snap an exhaust bolt.........right Eric??? lol

[HondaGoneRogue]

Yeah....But I gained some very useful skills with a tap & die set

[marcus]

You sure did......It's always good to expand the knowledge with the tap n' die set.
Hope my exhaust gets here soon......if not you down on helping me next weekend?

[jayce]

No offense but I really don't see why a single shift is around $400~500.

Does it have some additional function? or else I really don't see why I should spend that money in shortening my shift nob about 1inch

[marcus]

Jayce it isn't just shortening your shift nob......it is shortening the length of your shift(the distances between your shifts) about 25% between 1-2; 3-4; 5-6 and 50% for 2-3; 3-5.
Do you understand what I mean?

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by jayce

No offense but I really don't see why a single shift is around $400~500.

Does it have some additional function? or else I really don't see why I should spend that money in shortening my shift nob about 1inch

Agreed,

FWIW, it costs less that $120 in parts to put a BMW Z3 shifter with all assorted washers, arm, new bushings brand new from a BMW dealer parts dept., on an old E30.

I guess I will wait a little longer till the hype and price comes down some.