newbie - short shifter help needed

[sikosid]

Hi guys,

I found a link on e36coupe.com with this site.

I have read the following on here -

If you have an E30 or E36 318, 325 or 323, then you can swap in the BMW E46 325Xi lever (part number BW-25-11-1-434-148, about $55) to obtain a 29% reduction in the shift throw.

Basically i have a 318i SE 1996 M43 saloon. I just wanted to confirm it is a direct swap.

If anyone has any info it would be great. Alos is the part numer the same in the UK bmw dealers?

Thanks

[Jeron]

Look here some great pics and info:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/ronstygar.html

[sikosid]

thanks for the reply, but i think thats for the z3 shifter.

Im looking to find out if the e46 325Xi short shifter will be a direct swap on my 318i SE m43 loon with no bending/modifications.. I'll be getting my mechanic to do it so i need it to be a direct swap.

I found the info on this page -

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Short_Shift/E36-Short_Shift.htm

Which is better for my car? The 328i/m3 lever or the 325Xi lever?

Thanks

[sikosid]

Bump..

Can anyone confirm if either will fit my car and which one is better?

Thanks

[dfrost]

I can't answer your specific question, but I recently had my shift linkage rebuilt with stock parts (didn't ask for anything different). The shop (not a dealer) that did the work replaced the lever along with bushings, etc. The result is 30% shorter throws (3-4 was 135mm, now 95mm) and effort is still very nicely light. I'll check the new lever P/N if desired (think I can read it beneath the shift boot).

[sikosid]

/\/\/\ Thanks mate

P.s is he guy who wrote the above page on this site? maybe i can ask him?

[Wayne 962]

I haven't personally installed that shifter in the car, so I don't know the *exact* answer to your question. If you are having a mechanic install it (not yourself), and you don't want any issues with that (and potentially be charged more in case it doesn't fit), then I would just bite the bullet and buy a short shift kit that is guaranteed to work with your car...

-Wayne

[dfrost]

sikosid,

For what it's worth, here's the P/N for the shift lever used in my recent linkage rebuild:

25-11-7-527-247

When I did a search on that P/N at Pelican Parts, it came back with the stock shift lever for all 325's.