Z4 3.0 Lever Installed -PICS-

[KenC]

I installed my Z4 3.0 lever this past weekend and I thought I'd show y'all the results. It took some modification to get it to work in my 318, but nothing too crazy.

It lowered the knob by about 3-4" I'd guess.

Here are pictures of 3rd - N - 4th:

Third Gear:


Neutral:


Fourth Gear:





Here is a comparison to my OEM lever. Keep in mind that my console mounts were VERY worn out in the pictures; I rebuilt the console with Bill's help before I installed the Z4 lever.

OEM 1st Gear:


Z4 1st Gear:


OEM 2nd Gear:


Z4 2nd Gear:


I'd like to hear your questions/comments!

[Spencer]

That looks really sweet. I want one.
Does it shift smooth?
Nice knob too!

Spencer

[Super Eta]

Not bad.

Looks good and i like the new shift knob. is it plastic or leather?

[Bill 84 318i]

Looks real good man.

Glad I could help, and way to get creative with the mods.

[KenC]

Does it shift smooth?

Not nearly as smooth as the stock lever, but I like the notchy feel.

When you reduce the height of the lever above the fulcrum (ball) in order to have a shorter knob, you lose torque. Same goes for below the fulcrum. That is why it takes a bit more effort to shift with the shorter lever.

[KenC]

Not bad.

Looks good and i like the new shift knob. is it plastic or leather?

The knob is leather. Basically brand new. It came out of an E46. I picked it up on eBay in a 'buy it now' for $20 shipped!

[LikeCDoos]

i love the knob...looks like you got a huge reduce in shift throws. Did you go the dealer for the parts? if so how much total did it end up costing you. Congrats on the install.

[KenC]

i love the knob...looks like you got a huge reduce in shift throws. Did you go the dealer for the parts? if so how much total did it end up costing you. Congrats on the install.

I got the parts from BMA. Cheaper than the dealer, and they had them all in stock. It was $32 shipped for all of the parts to rebuild the shift console, and the lever was $35 from Rob Maybach.

[KenC]

looks like you got a huge reduce in shift throws.

You could say that.

[Bokes]

i have a z3 short shifter. i dont like the shifter being that low, just takes too long to reach from your steering wheel down to your shifter, unless you drive around *edit- calling it rice is stupid*.

looks good though.

ps- nice throws. just not my preference to have such a low shifter. lookin good :)

[KenC]

i dont like the shifter being that low, just takes too long to reach from your steering wheel down to your shifter, unless you drive around rice style with your hand on your shifter 24/7.

looks good though.

Takes too long? You can't spare the tenth of a second it takes to reach the inch lower to the knob?

Since when is driving with one hand on the knob 'rice style'?

[aaron_silva]

Takes too long? You can't spare the tenth of a second it takes to reach the inch lower to the knob?

Since when is driving with one hand on the knob 'rice style'?

My thoughts exactly.

Aaron

[Bokes]

i dont like the shifter being that low, just takes too long to reach from your steering wheel down to your shifter, unless you drive around rice style with your hand on your shifter 24/7.

looks good though.

Takes too long? You can't spare the tenth of a second it takes to reach the inch lower to the knob?

Since when is driving with one hand on the knob 'rice style'?

edit*calling it rice is stupid... sorry, just not my preference. didnt mean to upset you. :roll:

[Rob]

you're a dickhead bokes.

Although he has a point, he is struggling to express it clearly. sucks.

[KenC]

I agree that the knob is much lower and the shift pattern is more forward than stock due to the straight lever. I guess reaching further to grasp the knob may be uncomfortable for some.