opinions on stock shifter

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

I know this topic has been beaten to death. I've noticed that with spirited driving the stock shifter is really sloppy, especially from 2nd to 3rd. I guess I'll need to upgrade to a uuc ssk.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The stock shifter is pretty sloppy.



Although, so is my ssk, but I am blaming the bushings.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I know this topic has been beaten to death. I've noticed that with spirited driving the stock shifter is really sloppy, especially from 2nd to 3rd. I guess I'll need to upgrade to a uuc ssk.

I don't find my stock shifter sloppy. It does not have the effortless feel of an Acura GSR, but it is fairly precise. The throw is a little on the long side, but it depends what mood you are in when you are driving it. I think BMW designed the throw length so that the synchros are not overwhelmed in brisk driving. If you are driving at a normal relaxed pace (which I would say i do 70% of the time) it is pretty good IMHO. For racing through a twisty road a short shift kit would definately be better.

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

I don't mind the long throws either but the shifter feels sloppy. What can I do to make it feel more precise?

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I don't mind the long throws either but the shifter feels sloppy. What can I do to make it feel more precise?

On my previous BMW (73 Bavaria) I rebuilt the entire shift mechanism with new bushings. There was a lot of parts associated with the shifter. It made a big difference. I am not sure what is involved with the E36 shift mechanism.

[m3f_98M35spd]

I don't mind the long throws either but the shifter feels sloppy. What can I do to make it feel more precise?



Rogue Engineering has a Tech Tip about sloppy shifters on their web page:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SS



Replacing the selector rod gear joint using BMW parts will tighten up some of the slop. The drawing with BMW part numbers is on the web site. (The drawing expands if you click on it.) After putting this on my car, the side to side shifter slop is all but gone. I also put a Rogue Short Shifter Kit (SSK) and transmission mounts on my M3. Shifting is a dream!

[m3f_Jkan2001]

Rogue Engineering has a Tech Tip about sloppy shifters on their web page:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SS



Replacing the selector rod gear joint using BMW parts will tighten up some of the slop. The drawing with BMW part numbers is on the web site. (The drawing expands if you click on it.) After putting this on my car, the side to side shifter slop is all but gone. I also put a Rogue Short Shifter Kit (SSK) and transmission mounts on my M3. Shifting is a dream!



I hate my stock shifter, i frequently miss the 2nd-3rd shifting at redline, it seems like 3rd and 5th are spaced too close together. The shifter in my last turbo honda was 100X better than the stock m3.

[m3f_96BmwCosmo_c44c0f570d]

at first i was skeptical ( i think thats how its spelled) about a ssk but its well worth every penny, i love my uuc it got rid of most of the play my tranny had and the shift is GREAT, a must have i n every BMW. Also i went to understeer.com and did their weighted selectoer rod and it made my shifts feel like the car was right off the showcase isnt prety but does an awesome job.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Does the missing 3rd problem go away the longer you drive the car, or is it more of a problem when you first start up and the car is cold. There is a tranny problem with later model M3's that cause you to not be able to find 3rd regardless of what TME's or SSK you are using. There is a long thread on it in the e36 FAQ. I think it may be within the buying used thread. Check it out.

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

The feeling of a sloppy 2nd to 3rd shift does not go away when the car is warmed up. I think its just the inherent nature of the m3 e36 shifter.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Most of the E36's I have driven with stock shifters I have had no issues going into 3rd, and I don't with mine.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

I test drove one at carmax that was fairly bad- I found 5th a couple of times where I thought i was shifting to 3rd. There were quite a few guys out there who could NEVER hit 3rd in the mornings unless they really concentrated and even then it was a problem.



Mine is fine though.

[m3f_Avus Blur_f64e36e460]

I just installed some new tranny bushings (black ones) in my car this weekend. Unfortunately I exploded my slave cylinder when I was bleeding it so the car is undrivable for the next couple of days.

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

i've got got a 6spd Evo and i think the box is tight and especially good for spirited driving i have experienced no slopiness from the box, but i have noticed that the Evo hates going into 1st gear. To overcome this 1st gear problem just put it into 2nd and then back into 1st.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I test drove one at carmax that was fairly bad- I found 5th a couple of times where I thought i was shifting to 3rd. There were quite a few guys out there who could NEVER hit 3rd in the mornings unless they really concentrated and even then it was a problem.



Mine is fine though.



That could be the 5th gear gate problem though. I have felt that before.. thats bizaar.