Z3 Short Shift Debate 1.9 vs 2.8

[GDBN]

Quick question, guys ... my car is left hand drive ... anything different with changing the lever than a right hander ???

[Demlotcrew]

Quick question, guys ... my car is left hand drive ... anything different with changing the lever than a right hander ???

No!

A

[johnono]

Does anyone know the part number of the Z4 3.0 shifter? I wouldnt mind trying that on mine soon

yeeeaaaaarrrhh!

[SwirlyE30]

My bro said hell buy all the bits for me for my bday in a few weeks, so i might as well try it out mate! Dont think anyone on here has at the moment.

[GDBN]

Thx demlotcrew !!

[johnono]

The Z4 2.5 isn't the best one to do... as you can see from the pics, it has the shortest lower extension, meaning the longest throw between gears. I think you'd be better off doing the Z4 3.0 conversion for the short arm / gear throw ratio... I might do this one instead of the Z3M... not as short a throw, but a shorter gear lever...

agreed! i wasnt looking

[Demlotcrew]

Some pics with the X3 shifter. Looks like it needs to be bent. But it looks like the best one!

Top one is Z3M
Middle is E36 M3
Bottom is X5 3.0l



A

[SwirlyE30]

So its the length bellow the 'ball' that determines the throw mate?


Looks like you gota do some bending fo'sure, unless you wanna change gear upside down lol

[Stevin]

Damn, now look at that X5 lever... now I'm thinking u have to bend it, but won't it weaken it if I heat it and bend it ? CauseI don't want to end up with half a lever in my hand when I do a snap change.

Another thing, will that M3 lever work ? Cause lookin at it, it looks like it would have a really short throw, and it's still pretyt long aswell, and from what I can see u don't have to bend the lever like the X5

[garyp_E30_325i]

Hi, I've fitted a Z3 1.9 lever (p/n 25 11 1 434 148) to my E30 325i. It gives (supposidly) a 29% reduction in throw versus the 31% reduction for an E36 M3 lever. You would never notice the dfifference (a mate with an E36 M3 says it feels the same). Also, you can't buy the E36 M3 lever new anymore (at least my local dealer said they couldn't supply it).

The throw depends on the length of the lever both above and below the pivot point, longer below + shorter above = shortest throw (or either combination thereof). The X5 lever would be a complete waste of time on an E30. The Z3M would give the shortest throw (40-45% from memory ) but at the expense of two things: firstly the 'weight' of the gear change will increase (shorter lever = less torque = heavier / notchier gear change, you may need to add a power clutch) and secondly the length below the ball means the driveshaft will interfere with the gear change (the Z3 1.9 lever fits without fouling the driveshaft, just). You will need to bend the Z3M lever or you won't be able to select fifth, maybe 3rd & 4th too). The Z3 conversion is a simple change, took me ~45mins in my driveway including the time to prep the car (jack her up, etc.). You may need new circlips / bearing / spacer ring if they are worn, I replaced them all but could've got away with just the lever & circlip. You will also need a good quality grease for the bearing (plastic 'cup' which grips the ball and holds the lever in place). I have instructions with photo's somewhere - if I could work out how to upload files you could have 'em! Better at working on my car than posting on forums - oh well!

P.S. The bend above the pivot point (ball) is just for ergonomics, to position the gear knob in the right place for your hand, so when I said you need to bend the Z3M lever it's below the ball to give clearance round the driveshaft. If you go with this option (the Z3M lever) let me know how you get on, 'cause I would consider this upgrade myself.

P.P.S. Short shift conversion is about the best mod for the money - less than Ԛ£30 and a little time will make the driving experience much better.

P.P.P.S. When you instal the new lever be very sure to get the lever pointing forward, if it's rotated in the bearing at all the lever will feel like it's moving sideways and back & forth at the same time - just like a Lada Riva if you remember those ugly, 'orrible boxes on wheels!

Sorry about the ultra long post, hopefully you get something out of all this prattle.

[Stevin]

Seeing as we didn't get the Z3 1.9 here, any other ideas on what the next best would be ?

Similar throw ?

[garyp_E30_325i]

You can try to get a used E36 M3 or 328 lever. Otherwise I suppose a Z3 2.0 / 2.8 or Z4 2.2, something of that ilk. I haven't seen them so not too sure what they are like. Ask your local BMW dealer, they can print out pictures of each from their spare parts list (or at least my local dealer does that for me).

So, where are you that they didn't sell the Z3 1.9? Actually that could be quite a good thing, a lassie in work has got one and it suits her well, if you know what I mean!

[Stevin]

You can try to get a used E36 M3 or 328 lever. Otherwise I suppose a Z3 2.0 / 2.8 or Z4 2.2, something of that ilk. I haven't seen them so not too sure what they are like. Ask your local BMW dealer, they can print out pictures of each from their spare parts list (or at least my local dealer does that for me).

So, where are you that they didn't sell the Z3 1.9? Actually that could be quite a good thing, a lassie in work has got one and it suits her well, if you know what I mean!

In South Africa.

We only got the 2.8lt and 3.0lt... then the M Coupe. Also we don't get the Z4 2.0lt or 2.2lt. Only the 2.5 and 3.0lt

[E30Adam]

Hi, I've fitted a Z3 1.9 lever (p/n 25 11 1 434 148) to my E30 325i. It gives (supposidly) a 29% reduction in throw versus the 31% reduction for an E36 M3 lever. You would never notice the dfifference (a mate with an E36 M3 says it feels the same). Also, you can't buy the E36 M3 lever new anymore (at least my local dealer said they couldn't supply it).

The throw depends on the length of the lever both above and below the pivot point, longer below + shorter above = shortest throw (or either combination thereof). The X5 lever would be a complete waste of time on an E30. The Z3M would give the shortest throw (40-45% from memory ) but at the expense of two things: firstly the 'weight' of the gear change will increase (shorter lever = less torque = heavier / notchier gear change, you may need to add a power clutch) and secondly the length below the ball means the driveshaft will interfere with the gear change (the Z3 1.9 lever fits without fouling the driveshaft, just). You will need to bend the Z3M lever or you won't be able to select fifth, maybe 3rd & 4th too). The Z3 conversion is a simple change, took me ~45mins in my driveway including the time to prep the car (jack her up, etc.). You may need new circlips / bearing / spacer ring if they are worn, I replaced them all but could've got away with just the lever & circlip. You will also need a good quality grease for the bearing (plastic 'cup' which grips the ball and holds the lever in place). I have instructions with photo's somewhere - if I could work out how to upload files you could have 'em! Better at working on my car than posting on forums - oh well!

P.S. The bend above the pivot point (ball) is just for ergonomics, to position the gear knob in the right place for your hand, so when I said you need to bend the Z3M lever it's below the ball to give clearance round the driveshaft. If you go with this option (the Z3M lever) let me know how you get on, 'cause I would consider this upgrade myself.

P.P.S. Short shift conversion is about the best mod for the money - less than Ԛ£30 and a little time will make the driving experience much better.

P.P.P.S. When you instal the new lever be very sure to get the lever pointing forward, if it's rotated in the bearing at all the lever will feel like it's moving sideways and back & forth at the same time - just like a Lada Riva if you remember those ugly, 'orrible boxes on wheels!

Sorry about the ultra long post, hopefully you get something out of all this prattle.

There's a tech article on this very site about how to do it all.

[Jimbob]

sod it then, 1.9 will do me

[johnono]

what about the Z4 3.0 one then? isnt this the perfect shifter?

[Geeman]

The Z4 3.0 would be the perfect choice in my opinion... it's what I'm putting on the track car now... anyone want a Z3 1.9 lever...?

[Jimbob]

its ok to risk it for a track car (whatever the choise other than 1.9) but as my daily I don't want I'm having to use extra force for gear changes.

[Geeman]

JimBob... I had the Z3 2.8 lever in my Sport, and that was my daily driver. It was a superb shift!

[johnono]

The Z4 3.0 would be the perfect choice in my opinion... it's what I'm putting on the track car now... anyone want a Z3 1.9 lever...?

good that man! group buy lads!!

[Jimbob]

JimBob... I had the Z3 2.8 lever in my Sport, and that was my daily driver. It was a superb shift!

Hmm well Ziggy has the 2.8, I will have to have a touchy feely

[Geeman]

Uh oh... a touchy feely of Ziggy's knob. I can feel a group 'bi' coming on...

[SwirlyE30]

lol.

I think im gonna try the Z4 3.0 out, although not for a few weeks yet. Anythings gota be better than what ive got.Its like shaking hands with a dead fish when i change gear.......and i have the girlfreind for that already....

[Ziggy]

Oi, I charge for that sorta thing yaknow!

Got some tyres on my bike now though, so I expect I'll be seein ya soon anyway

[Demlotcrew]

The X5 lever would be a complete waste of time on an E30.

Well actually not a total waste of time, im not only trying to get a shorter throw on the shifter but i also want it higher so that i dont have to move my hands too far from the wheel. Show me a shifter that can do all that and its not on a X5?

A

[player6]

got my z4 3.0 lever today

[Jimbob]

The X5 lever would be a complete waste of time on an E30.

Well actually not a total waste of time, im not only trying to get a shorter throw on the shifter but i also want it higher so that i dont have to move my hands too far from the wheel. Show me a shifter that can do all that and its not on a X5?

A

Whack an autobox on the 4dr then

[Demlotcrew]

[Geeman]

But the higher the handle, the longer the movement for your hand. It'll be a comprimise in the end, as you'll need a longer bottom section to make up for the increased handle movement for the higher grip section.

G.

[Demlotcrew]

But the higher the handle, the longer the movement for your hand. It'll be a comprimise in the end, as you'll need a longer bottom section to make up for the increased handle movement for the higher grip section.

G.

Exaclty, this is why the X5 one is the best all round shifter!

A

[6potWil6pot]

Youd probably get as much difference by changing a gear knob if you want a higher or lower gear stick! The old Alpina wooden varnished thing i had on the M50 car made the shift feel shorter, it was longer throw and a little easier to shift with the normal BMW knob!

[johnono]

got my z4 3.0 lever today

whats the score then dude,.. how much did it cost ya?

[player6]

about Ԛ£33 it had to come from germany

[SwirlyE30]

What bits did you get mate? Just the shifter, or some of the circlips etc as well

[Stevin]

Pls post up the part no.

Did u get any other parts ?

I'm thinkin I'm gonna try and get me a 2nd hand E36 M3 lever... btw is there any difference between the 3.0lt and 3.2lt (EVO).

Got a mate that organises me 2nd hand BMW parts at good prices