Best $220 I ever spent on a Bimmer accessory

NickG · 06-17-2007, 06:46 AM

IMHO one of the weirdest and least forgivable weaknesses of E90/92 is the ridiculous 6MT gearshift lever. It's an absurdly long "wand"- so long that it actually manages to feel like bendy plastic. It's also overstyled with hard plastichrome edges that make it far less comfortable to use than it should be.

BMW clearly knows how to make a decent shift lever ( in fact they knew this way back in the late 1970's) so why did they get it so wrong with E90/92 6MT?? My cynical mind tells me it's so they can sell the accessory I've just bought - the E90/92 "Short Shift Knob". You can find it here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=short+shifter It's the one under US part # 25110404454.

The Americans can buy it for about US$110 (but remember they can also buy a brand new 335i coupe on special from WalMart for around $499.95). Here it's just over $200 from my local dealer - ordered from Melbourne and delivered 2 days later. Those who reckon they can save a few $$ by ordering in Europe or US over the web be warned: there is a LHD and a RHD version, because the leather boot is NOT symmmetrical!! The Aussie part # is 25 11 0 406 897.

The good news is that the short shifter feels like the gear lever my E92 should have had all along. The length is perfect, throws are significantly shortened, the nasty cheap bendy feel is gone, and even the hard plastichrome edges are subtly toned down so it feels much better in the hand. The best thing I can say about it is that it now suits the feel of the car perfectly.

The eagle-eyed will spot a slight difference in the pseudo-metallic finish. It's no longer shiny chrome stuff like the E92 door handles, it's more like the aluminium that sits around the E92 engine on/off switch. In my brushed aluminium trimmed car it looks perfect - better than the gloss chrome I reckon.

If you do buy one it's worth checking out the related posts on this site for installation instructions. To cut a long story short:
1. The old gearshift just pulls off, without the boot.
Sit in the back seat with car in second gear to do it, and watch you don't hit your friggin' head when it comes off ( the gearshift that is ).
2. Unclip the old boot by squeezing the sides.
3. Clip on the new boot (which on the short shift version is attached to the gearlever)
5. Align the new shift carefully and push into place.
6. Contemplate for a moment the fact that here's one life instance in which less length is emphatically more.

VGR00 · 06-17-2007, 05:10 PM

BMW put the short shift knob/ lever on the M-Sport models as standard. I suppose it's there way but you would think that in a sports orientated car that the gear throw would be very important to get right in feel.

Anyway .... good to hear that its as relitively simple change.

NickG · 06-17-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgr02

BMW put the short shift knob/ lever on the M-Sport models as standard. I suppose it's there way but you would think that in a sports orientated car that the gear throw would be very important to get right in feel.

Anyway .... good to hear that its as relitively simple change.

Nick learns something new today

. Clearly BMW don't think a coupe body, two turbos and 225KW is enough to draw a sports oriented clientele!

BMW //MPOWER · 06-18-2007, 01:50 AM

My short shifter is on there! The 4th one, IMO it's the better looking one

CaptOz · 06-18-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

My short shifter is on there! The 4th one, IMO it's the better looking one

It's a nice shifter MPower.

Cheers.

E90330iS · 06-18-2007, 02:59 AM

Hehe nice write up with many funny hints.

NickG · 06-18-2007, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

My short shifter is on there! The 4th one, IMO it's the better looking one

We can have a Shifter Shootout on Sunday

CaptOz · 06-18-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickG

We can have a Shifter Shootout on Sunday

........................................

What about us guys with Steptronic?

Cheers.

BMW //MPOWER · 06-18-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptOz

........................................

What about us guys with Steptronic?

Cheers.

You guys can just drool!

CaptOz · 06-18-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

You guys can just drool!

This is going to be one fun meet.

Cheers.

astra · 06-18-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

You guys can just drool!

why drool? i like my car

BMW //MPOWER · 06-18-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

why drool? i like my car

I was referring to MT.

astra · 06-19-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

I was referring to MT.

i know, mine is auto

NickG · 06-19-2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

i know, mine is auto

You mean they sell automatic BMWs too???

CaptOz · 06-19-2007, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickG

You mean they sell automatic BMWs too???

Yeah... they're the ones smart people drive.

Cheers.

e93 · 06-19-2007, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptOz

Yeah... they're the ones smart people drive.

Cheers.

I guess I'll have to agree

BMW //MPOWER · 06-19-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptOz

Yeah... they're the ones smart people drive.

Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e93

I guess I'll have to agree

So tell me then why you guys all got the paddle shifters then? Maybe so you can reminiss about all the fun to be had driving in an MT car!
Not saying AT is crap or anything, just less fun, however we all know it to be more practical, just not on the radar for the true enthusiasts!

Chris.G · 06-19-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

So tell me then why you guys all got the paddle shifters then? Maybe so you can reminiss about all the fun to be had driving in an MT car!
Not saying AT is crap or anything, just less fun, however we all know it to be more practical, just not on the radar for the true enthusiasts!

CaptOz · 06-19-2007, 04:40 PM

I feel if auto is good enough for F1, it's good enough for me.

Cheers.

VGR00 · 06-19-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptOz

I feel if auto is good enough for F1, it's good enough for me.

Cheers.

My friend ... you are wrong. Squential manual is what is used in F1. It's still a true manual but the clutch action is controlled by electronics and hydrolics. The paddle shifter on the BMW is only an extention of the function on the auto transmission + and - when you flick the lever to the left.

True sequential manuals are only in cars like Ferarri, Lambo's, Massers and Alfa Romeo's and lets not forget BMW's SMG equipped "M's". Big difference to an auto.

Now having gotten that off my chest ... I have had manuals and sequential manuals but for 98% of my driving I prefer the auto. I get stuck in morning traffic and am dead tired at night to drive a manual. Must be getting older. If I need to get a manual fix, I'll go and hire a porsche for the day.

astra · 06-19-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

So tell me then why you guys all got the paddle shifters then? Maybe so you can reminiss about all the fun to be had driving in an MT car!
Not saying AT is crap or anything, just less fun, however we all know it to be more practical, just not on the radar for the true enthusiasts!

oh here we go again with this enthusiasts thing... i am not even going to comment on that statement... i am just going ot get myself into an argument... it's just liek those people who say you aern't an enthusiast unless you have an e30, pfft, what car you drive has nohing to do with your passion

1q2w3e4r · 06-19-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgr02

My friend ... you are wrong. Squential manual is what is used in F1. It's still a true manual but the clutch action is controlled by electronics and hydrolics. The paddle shifter on the BMW is only an extention of the function on the auto transmission + and - when you flick the lever to the left.

True sequential manuals are only in cars like Ferarri, Lambo's, Massers and Alfa Romeo's and lets not forget BMW's SMG equipped "M's". Big difference to an auto.

Now having gotten that off my chest ... I have had manuals and sequential manuals but for 98% of my driving I prefer the auto. I get stuck in morning traffic and am dead tired at night to drive a manual. Must be getting older. If I need to get a manual fix, I'll go and hire a porsche for the day.

Agree with all of that (apart from the hiring a porka bit) my 335's an auto with paddle shifts because my other cars are manuals, it gets tiresome sitting in traffic all the time shifting gears etc especially in the GTR which has a tripple plate clutch in it.

Manuals are MUCH more fun to drive and give heaps more enjoyment and connection to the car IMO, and the auto's good because it gives my girlfriend a car to drive when she wants as she can't drive a manual. For sitting in traffic it's just easier and requires a lot less thought and effort. The E92 is a great car for getting from A to B in comfort in and taking you out of the noise going on around you, especially in Sydney's traffic.

But if I could only tick one gearbox option it'd be manual

06-17-2007, 06:46 AM	#1
NickG Private First Class 11 Rep 199 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT M/Blue, Jade Grey Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newport Beach, Australia iTrader: (0)	Best $220 I ever spent on a Bimmer accessory IMHO one of the weirdest and least forgivable weaknesses of E90/92 is the ridiculous 6MT gearshift lever. It's an absurdly long "wand"- so long that it actually manages to feel like bendy plastic. It's also overstyled with hard plastichrome edges that make it far less comfortable to use than it should be. BMW clearly knows how to make a decent shift lever ( in fact they knew this way back in the late 1970's) so why did they get it so wrong with E90/92 6MT?? My cynical mind tells me it's so they can sell the accessory I've just bought - the E90/92 "Short Shift Knob". You can find it here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=short+shifter It's the one under US part # 25110404454. The Americans can buy it for about US$110 (but remember they can also buy a brand new 335i coupe on special from WalMart for around $499.95). Here it's just over $200 from my local dealer - ordered from Melbourne and delivered 2 days later. Those who reckon they can save a few $$ by ordering in Europe or US over the web be warned: there is a LHD and a RHD version, because the leather boot is NOT symmmetrical!! The Aussie part # is 25 11 0 406 897. The good news is that the short shifter feels like the gear lever my E92 should have had all along. The length is perfect, throws are significantly shortened, the nasty cheap bendy feel is gone, and even the hard plastichrome edges are subtly toned down so it feels much better in the hand. The best thing I can say about it is that it now suits the feel of the car perfectly. The eagle-eyed will spot a slight difference in the pseudo-metallic finish. It's no longer shiny chrome stuff like the E92 door handles, it's more like the aluminium that sits around the E92 engine on/off switch. In my brushed aluminium trimmed car it looks perfect - better than the gloss chrome I reckon. If you do buy one it's worth checking out the related posts on this site for installation instructions. To cut a long story short: 1. The old gearshift just pulls off, without the boot. Sit in the back seat with car in second gear to do it, and watch you don't hit your friggin' head when it comes off ( the gearshift that is ). 2. Unclip the old boot by squeezing the sides. 3. Clip on the new boot (which on the short shift version is attached to the gearlever) 5. Align the new shift carefully and push into place. 6. Contemplate for a moment the fact that here's one life instance in which less length is emphatically more.
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06-17-2007, 05:10 PM	#2
VGR00 Major 53 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (1)	BMW put the short shift knob/ lever on the M-Sport models as standard. I suppose it's there way but you would think that in a sports orientated car that the gear throw would be very important to get right in feel. Anyway .... good to hear that its as relitively simple change.
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06-18-2007, 01:50 AM	#4
BMW //MPOWER Major 30 Rep 1,403 Posts Drives: BMW G20 M340i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 325ci individu ... [0.00]	My short shifter is on there! The 4th one, IMO it's the better looking one __________________ Current: BMW G20 M340xi Sapphire Black Previous: BMW G30 530E Carbon Black M Sport BMW E46 325Ci M Clubsport Carbon Black BMW E36 318i Alpine White M Sport
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06-18-2007, 02:59 AM	#6
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Hehe nice write up with many funny hints. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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06-19-2007, 04:40 PM	#19
CaptOz Captain 31 Rep 833 Posts Drives: Porsche 911 Carrera S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	I feel if auto is good enough for F1, it's good enough for me. Cheers.
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