Let's talk about short shifters

[KACHM3]

So I recently purchased an F80 individual M3.
It's a 6speed. Now I was wondering how many guys have done this mod? or have it? Or say screw it leave it.

Now it's a weekend car, not a track car (I know many of you guys will say just leave it because you're not tracking it) or it will be too harsh on driving, but I'm not a fan of the throw. I use to have it on my e36 M3, but again we are talk two different cars.

So I'm looking for a opinion, advice, and what brand and company are you guys are familiar with.

I so far got in touch with autosolution, and I saw Burger Motorsport let me know what you guys think.

Thanks guys!

[jpy1980]

Read this thread and you’ll find your answer there: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1461094

[irunalot]

Look into the Auto Solutions shifter. It's made to your specs and is a massive upgrade from the stock shifter. He has made shifters for many generations for BMWs and there are quite a few reviews on this forum.

[hC1001]

I bought the burger SSK due to price. Its cheap enough to try and if i dont like it, ill reinstall the stock shifter. Its very notchy and if you are using a BMW knob that fits in the top notched cutout, it will sit crooked. I was able to fit the knob straight but that means its not sitting in the notched cutout and the knob is higher. Surprisingly, its tight enough to stay in position. I suspect this part is the same as the UUC SSK or very similar. It even has height adjustability. I havent driven the car yet due to snow but rowing through the gears is very notchy but gives better feel when you are entering a gate.

The stock shifter has the cutout like this \ and the burger one is /. The manufacturer is shiftek but burger relabels it i believe.

I really liked how smooth the stock shifter felt but its very numb entering a gate and i prefer a shorter throw. I can update how the car drives with the SSK when its nicer outside. I dont have any experience with the other SSKs but it looks like a lot of ppl are happy with autosolutions. My only gripe was that its about 3X the price of the burger SSK.

*Update* Heard back from Burger and they are sending me a new kit. Hopefully it fixes the knob positioning issue.

[K8_M235i]

Every car that I have driven with a Rogue Octane Ssk has felt amazing.

I have one in my m235 and e36 m3. The transmission in the m235 is almost identical mechanically to the manual in f80s. It isn't overly notchy or aggressively short. It still gives you the satisfaction of rowing gears. I would put one in my f80, but it's dct.

[Cleveralias]

+1 for Autosolutions. I couldn't be happier with their product.

I'd also strongly caution against the UUC kit as it turned out dangerously sloppy and support was nonexistent. Very frustrating experience.

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by Cleveralias

+1 for Autosolutions. I couldn't be happier with their product.

I'd also strongly caution against the UUC kit as it turned out dangerously sloppy and support was nonexistent. Very frustrating experience.

I dont see how it can be sloppy unless the bottom nut that control the height adjustment is not tightened down. I estimate i tightened mines down maybe close to 50lbs/ft. Used a Vice to hold the shifter so i could tighten it down and also twist the shifter to try and correct the knob positioning. It helps but not enough.

A lot of the dissatisfaction with UUC is because of the knob positioning and installers not tightening down that large nut at the bottom.

[SYT_Shadow]

Autosolutions SSK is the end all be all for these cars

[KACHM3]

Originally Posted by syt_shadow

autosolutions ssk is the end all be all for these cars

thank you guys got in touch with Ronald Aractingi and we are going to work on something for my F80 🍺

[irunalot]

Originally Posted by KACHM3

thank you guys got in touch with Ronald Aractingi and we are going to work on something for my F80 🍺

You will not be disappointed, his shifter made a huge difference to the overall driving experience.

[SYT_Shadow]

Huge difference with the AS SSK.

If I get a G80 6MT and it's before Ronald has developed a kit I'll drive my car halfway across the country so he can use it as a template to develop the kit. That is how good it is.

[irunalot]

I second that!

[Fuel-It!]

Originally Posted by hC1001

I sent burger an email last week about the crooked position but havent gotten any response back. Really disappointed with their lack of customer support. The stock shifter has the cutout like this \ and the burger one is /. The manufacturer is shiftek but burger relabels it i believe.

They are working with the manufacturer to get the shift knob more adjustable or offering an insert for existing customers to change it's rotation. Also there is supposed to be a 24mm adjustment nut on the bottom of the shifter that allows you to change it's position.

[DLag30]

I just installed my Auto Solution SSK and pretty happy with it. Each throw is very precise and has an audible bolt-action click. One note is that if you're installing this yourself, it is difficult without dropping the transmission a bit. This is mainly because the shift level has to be mounted to the shifting arm before installing back onto the car. With the shorter throws and harder bushings, each throw has to be very precise and deliberate. The shifting experience is pretty close to my old s2000, which was the benchmark for me..

[hC1001]

Just took this video rowing through the gears. Burger SSK. Im working with them on exchanging this kit for one that has the correct positioning or has rotation to correct the shift knob. It'll be a PITA to uninstall and install but ill have a centered knob hopefully.

[Mrida335]

Autosolutions SSK. Couldn't be happier. It is truly rifle bolt action smith and crisp. Zero play and completely custom made to your specs. Roger is the man, I mean come on the guy custom makes, pours, and then matches his bushings. The attention to tolerances and craftsmanship is something we don't get in this world these days. Call him, you won't regret it.

[Cleveralias]

Originally Posted by hC1001

I dont see how it can be sloppy unless the bottom nut that control the height adjustment is not tightened down. I estimate i tightened mines down maybe close to 50lbs/ft. Used a Vice to hold the shifter so i could tighten it down and also twist the shifter to try and correct the knob positioning. It helps but not enough.

A lot of the dissatisfaction with UUC is because of the knob positioning and installers not tightening down that large nut at the bottom.

Nope. The nut was appropriately tightened and I couldn't identify the source of the slop myself. I then took it to a trusted local shop (ACM) assuming I had made an error somewhere and they confirmed it was properly installed.

My best guess would be a manufacturing defect of an incorrectly sized pivot or cup, but I lost any interest in exploring the "why" when it took weeks and numerous calls/emails to get someone on the phone. I just wanted my money back at that point.

[chewbakam4]

Last SSK kit that worked mint in all scenarios was on my E46 M3. I had it on my E90 M3 and removed it and I actually tried a few before removing. Didn’t find any on the F80 that worked perfect yet.

[tropicatango]

Had autosolution ssk on my f80 m3 and it's the first modification that i did on my new m2 competition

It's a very good upgrade

[KACHM3]

Thank you guys again! Very great help! Have a wonderful weekend