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delboy75
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:44 pm

just wondered if any one has fitted a quick shift to their e30,and if they used the proper shorter throw gear stick or i've seen one on ebay which is a block to bolt on the end of the stick to shorten the shift...or are they both a waste of time..the box on my i.s. is nice and tight but there is still a fair bit of travel as i've noticed with other e30's i've driven....whats your thoughts??????
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eko
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:23 pm

Dave,easiest and cheapest option is to go to the dealers and ask for a Z3 1.9 gearlever/bush/washers!
The whole lot is less than £25 and is perfect for the E30.

Anyone who hasnt yet done this to their E30 should be shot :D

PS,got a set of fogs if you still need them,PM me if your interested :wink:
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SPADGE
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:26 pm

I recently put a Z3 2.8 one onto my 535 sport box in the e30 and it made a world of difference 8)
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Taylor325i
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:28 pm

I'll second the Z3 1.9 option. 100% better than standard.



Taylor.
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Simon13
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:52 pm

2.8 lever is too much and will wear the gearbox prematurely. I'm really not a fan of this one.

But i don't really like the 1.9 lever either but its a choice thing with short shifts

Anyone driven with a standard lever with all the worn bits replaced? lovely and matches the clutch feel action perfect. That why i don't like the short shifts too much it doesn't match the rest of the car if you get me

1.9 option is ok but i wouldn't go any more extreme than this
SPADGE
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:14 pm

Simon13 wrote:2.8 lever is too much and will wear the gearbox prematurely. I'm really not a fan of this one.
Simon it will only wear the box prematurely if used too briskly and beating the synchro's all the time.
I like it having less travel but don't change gear like Alain Prost so all will be well 8)
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--alpina--
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:39 pm

I chose to fit a Z4 Mpower Shift lever in my E21 and as its even shorter throw than of the 2.8 (not much but noticly difference as i had orginally a 2.8 - wanted shorter) its like push up the lever 1 inch and its in gear and the gearknob stem is very low feels good when changing in gear so quick no time to P--S about, clutch - push up gear take my baby little higher in the revs then normal (E12 535 Mpower LSD diff fitted for longer gearing) and clutch - push down another inch into my gears and sweeeeeet as a nut!!!! Ive had the Z4 lever in a couple years now and if anything the gearbox is better winkeye there are adjustable shiftkits out there to adjust maximum to minimum thros, so i doubt and advertisment says there short shifts prematurely kills all bearings, basic fact is that the gearbox responds quicker in changing, wether you decide to slap it in gear quick or push it into gear slowly makes no difference as long as you press the clutch down enough not to hear GEAR CRUNCH your as sweet as my pedegrees chum!!


go short all the way with new bushes and linkgaes... getrag gearboxes are bullit proof as fort knox, no time to go wrong, as the dog linkage the engage rod are heat tempered to withstand any abuse you give to your car/gearbox!! so abuse it cos thats where the funs is.
Last edited by --alpina-- on Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:45 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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eko
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:43 pm

Alpina,you still got the 2.8 Z3 one?
Want to sell it winkeye

Meant to order one last time i went to the dealers but forgot!
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--alpina--
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:49 pm

Hi eko, i have it somewhere i my garage, i have someone that wants it but didnt mention about it, its still on an E21 shift plate which ill have to take off, let me look for it tommorrow and ill PM ya..!!!



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eko
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:52 pm

I have the 1.9 Z3 one in mine that was originally from my 318is.
In the iS it was perfect for me but since fitting the M50 gearbox it feels more like standard E30 shift.
Must be longer throw in the gearbox itself,hence wanting 2.8 one!

Cheers mate
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--alpina--
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:55 pm

2.8 would be good but if thats the case id go for the whole hog and get the Z4 Mpower its even shorter and compensate from the throw you have lost due to M50 gearbox...



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eko
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Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:59 pm

Ive got to compromise though cause the misses uses my car everyday and she bound to say `i cant get it in gear` :mad:
Ill give the 2.8 one a go first and see how i get on!

compliments on that engine bay too,looks sweet :cool:

Dave,sorry for the Hijack :wink:
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stuartgallafant
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:02 am

i drove a Z4 2.5 today again, and i gotta say, that shifter in them is amazing!! so smooth and just right, not too short and nowhere near too long.

i'd like to put one of those in my iS, however, one of the techs said that it wouldnt feel the same in my car as it does in the Z4 because of the different angles of the shift rod, etc

also, he mentioned some shifters are bent at the ends and it can look like its in 3rd gear when actually its in neutral. has anyone had any probs with these?
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Pal318is
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:04 am

eko wrote:Dave,easiest and cheapest option is to go to the dealers and ask for a Z3 1.9 gearlever/bush/washers!
The whole lot is less than £25 and is perfect for the E30.

Anyone who hasnt yet done this to their E30 should be shot :D

PS,got a set of fogs if you still need them,PM me if your interested :wink:
Good thing I won't be shot them :shoot1:

1.9 lever in my iS, feels superb.. 8) had it in there for a few years now, still feels nice and tight winkeye

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--alpina--
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:45 am

Reason for it being slightly bent is that if the shifter is in neutral it would slightly lean towards you which is the comfortable position for your hand to grab the lever. If the Lever is dead straight it would be like you have to lean forward yourself a little to grab the shift lever to engage it in gear cos you have to rememeber that the Z3 and the Z4 are 2 door sport coupes and are small inside so theres no reason for it being uncomfortable eitherway when you grab the shiftlever as your automatically near the lever when you sit in it.., my Z4 lever is dead straight which means reality its not a comfortable position for it to be in when your holding the lever to engage into gear.. but its no problem with me cos my selector rod is only 3 and a half inches from link to link and still the gear lever tilts abit towards me.... another thing people do is to take the selector rod off and bend it slighlty giving the a shorter feel but i wouldnt do that...because there hollow and if you get abit happy doing it thinking the more i bend the quicker the throw then you snap it..... ive seen that done and it was funny specially the look on the guys face...


Go for Z3 or Z4, there basically the same throw, but the shaft where the gearknob fits is lower ill post some pics soon of the comparison of different gear levers and throws, as soon as i look for it later.

Hi eko, thanks for your compliments on the engine bay...


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Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:14 am

I think i need to be shot then as i have not had this done yet, and i was recently thinking about the long javelin throw i need to make to stick it in gear.

How easy is it to fit - Z3 1.9 gearlever/bush/washers????
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SPADGE
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:23 am

spence_star wrote:I think i need to be shot then as i have not had this done yet, and i was recently thinking about the long javelin throw i need to make to stick it in gear.

How easy is it to fit - Z3 1.9 gearlever/bush/washers????
Its a very simple job and shouldn't take more than about 15-20 mins
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spence_star
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:11 am

When i purchase the bits from a dealer does it matter what year the z3 needs to be, i can imagine them asking me what year my car is.
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handpaper
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:24 am

eko wrote:Dave,easiest and cheapest option is to go to the dealers and ask for a Z3 1.9 gearlever/bush/washers!
The whole lot is less than £25 and is perfect for the E30.
Which bits exactly?
My local dealer is helpful but not very knowledgeble about non-standard parts.
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:28 am

stuartgallafant wrote:
also, he mentioned some shifters are bent at the ends and it can look like its in 3rd gear when actually its in neutral. has anyone had any probs with these?
correct stu, i've seen this, and its horible. yes you get a short throw but the lever is in the wrong place

even the z3 1.9 items ar a little forward imo

i use a B&M shifter in my is, and it was spot on
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spence_star
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:42 am

How far forward tho does it sit?? has anyone got a pic of what it looks like in neutral
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eko
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:55 am

You will need to get part
5
7
10 x 2

Heres a pic of the 1.9 lever in neutral position,i personally think it sits fine!
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spence_star
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:07 pm

Thanks for that Eko, the parts seem simple to change from the diagram.
And the lever doesnt sit forward at all in your pic.
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cliffybabe
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:41 pm

I keep forgetting to order my shifter :cry:

Im gonna go for the 1.9 Z3 Oguz says its wicked and thats seems to be the general feedback on here re them 8)
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delboy75
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:56 pm

thanks for your feeback...
eko if you fit onein yours let me know if you wanna sell your z3 one....
cheers
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eko
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Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:00 pm

Dave my 1.9 one was promised to idreambeemer about 3 mnoths ago,just never got round to getting the 2.8 one :mad:
If he doesnt want it when im done then ill give you a shout!
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handpaper
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Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:44 pm

Ordered the 'kit' from my local dealer earlier today; the parts guy at Rydale knew exactly what I wanted as he's done it to his 318is!
He's aware of the zone, I don't know if he's on it.
I shall have to get him signed up if he isn't!
eko
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Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:39 am

--alpina-- wrote:Hi eko, i have it somewhere i my garage, i have someone that wants it but didnt mention about it, its still on an E21 shift plate which ill have to take off, let me look for it tommorrow and ill PM ya..!!!

jimi
Any joy mate :)
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dark_sounds
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:11 pm

the e36 M3 shifter... is it the same as any of the ones mentioned??
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StuBeeDoo
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:34 pm

I've got the Z3 shifter in my Touring. I changed all the bushes when I fitted it, but when it's in 5th, it is where I'd expect it to be in 3rd, and it hits the centre console when I put it in reverse.
Anyone know how I can get it a bit further to the right??
This is why I no longer drive an E30......

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dazleeds
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:36 pm

dnt you have to bend the selector rod a little bit??
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Brianmoooore
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:58 pm

dazleeds wrote:dnt you have to bend the selector rod a little bit??
Seems the obvious answer!
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--alpina--
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:31 pm

yeah it has to bend dude.
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toby
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Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:56 pm

I have a 2.8 lever if anyone wants one.
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eko
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:13 am

toby wrote:I have a 2.8 lever if anyone wants one.
Me!
How much or trade for 1.9?
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