Shifter Part no. ? Pls help.

Post Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:19 pm

Ok, I was at my local scrappy, and they said they do have the shifter that I want, but the guy didn't know which one was which... cause non of them have labels on them... he said he would need the part no.

So I have come to the decsision, that I'm goin for either of these ones.

Z3 2.8lt
Z3 3.0lt

Z4 2.5lt
Z4 3.0lt

E36 M3 3.0lt
E36 M3 3.2lt

Now can u guys tell me which one would be the best ?

and also the part no.s for these, cause on the ETK, it gives me 2 different ones for all the listed cars, and I have no idea as to which one to select ?

Post Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:23 pm

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... echnz3.htm

Post Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:05 pm

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... echnz3.htm

the shifter shown on the link is the Z3 1.9 gear lever, the E36 M3 lever will give about the same reduction in throw (~30%).

You can get even more reduction by going for something like a Z3M (~45%) but it may cause the gear change to get heavy / notchy. I believe the Z3 3.0 is similar / same, but not 100% sure.

Bending the gear select rod isn't necessary for the Z3 1.9 / E36 M3 lever (it's belt & braces), but it is necessary for the Z3M lever - otherwise you can bend the lever to get the clearance (that's the preferred option on another forum).

I'm not sure about the other levers, but if you can see them laid out next to each other (like the picture of the standard lever vs Z3 1.9 lever on the link) then you can easily see which will give the shortest throw.

If you can get a picture of these levers together I'd be interested to see it!

Remember a new lever from BMW costs Ãƒ”šÃ‚£25-30 so don't pay too much for a lever from a breakers.

Let us know how you get on / which one you choose.

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:08 am

I can't use a Z3 1.9lt , cause we never got them here... and I've seen the link... thats why I asked cause I know we don't have that lever... I've really been thinking of getting one from a Z4... just not sure which one ??

Still I need the part no's for these levers

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:25 am

I just installed a Z4 3.0ltr one (earlier part number www.realoem.com lists them) Its very short, noticably shorter than the 1.9 Z3 one. Without the bend at the bottom neutral seems to be futher forward. I can't give a final verdict yet as the cars not on the road.

Here's a picture:

Z4 at the top, Z3 in the middle and standard at the bottom.

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:11 am

Ok, so I'm going to use the Z4 3.0lt ... does anyone have any idea what the difference between the 3.0lt and 2.5lt is ?

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:27 pm

Stevin, if you check out that realoem site you can get the part nos., then ask your local BMW dealer, they should be able to tell you though I'd suspect the 3.0 has a slightly shorter throw. Do you get the 3.0 in SA? If so, try sitting in the cars and to see how the gear change feels.

Jazzman, does the Z4 3.0 lever clear the driveshaft? Did you bend the gear select rod to get clearance?

If you bend the gear stick to get the same bend as the stock lever then neutral would fall into the same place (it's further forward 'cause the Z4 lever is straight).

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:30 pm

Yeah, we got it here, the place where I go has one standing there, with just damage to the front left... Gonna take his gearknob aswell, leather and what looks like brushed aluminium...cause they said I can take it for free.

The BMW dealers won't give us part no. here anymore... DUnno why they just said it's a change in policy

Post Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:05 pm

garyp_E30_325i wrote:Jazzman, does the Z4 3.0 lever clear the driveshaft? Did you bend the gear select rod to get clearance?

I don't have the prop shaft in yet. I might have different clearance to stock E30's as my bits are in a kit car (see sig) - I am using the same layout as a stock E30 for gearbox/shift/prop shaft though. I will be test fitting the prop shaft this weekend.