SSK options for 128i

[The Dowager Countess]

I really like the feel of the stock 128i shifter with the m sport knob. The clutch is a bit long, but short of the gated tranny I tried once in a clapped out 1992 Ferrari, the shifter is probably the best I've ever used.

[andrey_gta]

Nothing wrong with stock. I pointed out things that are wrong for my car at 60k miles, a little sloppiness and my own dislike of slight discomfort to reach 5th

[Bimmer-Bob]

I don't get it - the 128i has a beautiful stock shifter, and if you prefer shorter throws, BMW sells an OEM SSK that makes it even better. Add a clutch stop & CDV delete, and you're in heaven IMO.

On top of everything else, the OEM part is cheap if you forego the knob & boot. I paid ~$65 shopped from Tischer, IIRC.

[andrey_gta]

i just wish to refresh mine, it has some wobble (up to 1 cm each side while in gear. Using the n54 shifter will tweak it to be not as short as 128i ssk but in between OEM and ssk. This happens to be my desired outcome: new/fresh feeling and slightly shorter for my ergonomics.

[chris82]

I had the BMWP SSK put in my 128i a few months ago. This was after I upgraded to a taller shift knob (about 5"). I love it! The throws are perfect in my opinion. I'd say with the taller shift knob that the effort to change gears is about the same as stock with the shorter knob.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I don't get it - the 128i has a beautiful stock shifter, and if you prefer shorter throws, BMW sells an OEM SSK that makes it even better. Add a clutch stop & CDV delete, and you're in heaven IMO.

On top of everything else, the OEM part is cheap if you forego the knob & boot. I paid ~$65 shopped from Tischer, IIRC.

Yup.

Stock the 128i is near perfect and likely the nicest we will ever see from BMW given their current trend.

[andrey_gta]

I'll let you guys know my experiments result.

I like the oem, just want to experiment in the process of the refresh. If the result is oem like, I'm sure alot of you will like it too, especially if my results reduce side to side wobble of warn out parts.

if i dislike it,i will reuse oem shifter with new plastic ball joint bearing

[comar1979]

OEM PP SSK combined with a Sparco Gear Knob, CDV Mod and clutch stop =

Got no Picture with the Sparco mounted... Its much better than the PP.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by comar1979

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how does a universal knob like this fit BMW shifter stick?

[comar1979]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

how does a universal knob like this fit BMW shifter stick?

It fits like the OEM one. There was a few mm Room between the shifter stick and the Knob, so i just use some tape (just two times around the stick). The Knob is mounted with three or four (i just know the german Word) "Madenschrauben" . Some little Screws... tighten one, then the next one (just around till its "Bombenfest" , done). Maybe i take some Pictures these days.

I love the Sparco... It lays so much better in my Hand then the PP (and costs the half...).

[comar1979]

just two Snapshots (pretty dirty) ...

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by comar1979

just two Snapshots (pretty dirty) ...

Very good looking knob
I wish they did a gloss black version too. Dont like the fake carbon look

[Kgolf31]

I ended up going the cheap route with the BMW Performance Shift Lever and plastic bushing.

Is there really any gain with replacing the Shift Arm as well?

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I ended up going the cheap route with the BMW Performance Shift Lever and plastic bushing.

Is there really any gain with replacing the Shift Arm as well?

That is what i am doing, just different lever.

Which arm are you referring to?
I am replacing only the connector @ transmission side. Its a small cylinder 20$ at dealer. Leaving the OEM shift arm that connects to the lever alone. That arm is replaced with UUC's dssr, RE's wsr or AKG's dtm shift rod/dssr. The dssr claim reduce wiggle. The Wsr increases shift weight

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

That is what i am doing, just different lever.

Which arm are you referring to?
I am replacing only the connector @ transmission side. Its a small cylinder 20$ at dealer. Leaving the OEM shift arm that connects to the lever alone. That arm is replaced with UUC's dssr, RE's wsr or AKG's dtm shift rod/dssr. The dssr claim reduce wiggle. The Wsr increases shift weight

I was referring to the OEM shift arm, that is usually replaced with standard ssk kits.

I thought the whole BMWP Kit replaced that arm?

Anyways, I love the end result. It is shorter than my Z4M, which I thought was hard to accomplish. Not to mention the feedback is amazing.

[andrey_gta]

Good to hear, i felt it was a little too short for me, hense why i will fit the n54 lever

lingo is confusing
Shift lever, with or with out the knob is what is changed with 128i ssk
Shift arm/Dssr/Dtm/wsr is the part that is not changed by e82 BMW ssk kits. It is chnaged, sometimes, by aftermarket

[comar1979]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Very good looking knob
I wish they did a gloss black version too. Dont like the fake carbon look

Maybe this Momo:

http://www.sandtler24.de/momo-schaltknauf-nero?c=320

I saw this One too late... Maybe a interessting Combo, SSK and a longer Shift Knob:

http://www.sandtler24.de/detail/inde.../sCategory/320

it reminds me a bit of the Schnitzer Shift Knob, besides the sack price:

http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/shop/bmw_...black-line.htm

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Time to bump it.

I am putting theory into practice.

I bought an OEM n54 135i/335i stock lever part# 25117581806. It will be combined with e46 m3 tranny mounts, a new linkage connector at the transmission and perhaps some extra yellow washers from e46/e36 to simulate dssr.

I assume the result will be: not as short throw as 128i ssk, but the lever will sit lower in the dash. So it could be a more refined 128i experience: midpoint between OEM distance and 128i ssk in throws but at the same time sitting lower and reducing diagonal distance to 5th.

My main dislike with 128i ssk was that it felt too short in a buddys car, and I actually do like to have some throw distance. My main dislike in OEM is diagonal distance to 5th and side to side play due to warn out parts ( probably one of the following: ball joint bushing, the linkage to at transmission - common fix on e36 and other models)

I did the install.

It is everything I hoped for. Not as short as 128i BMW SSK, and still has shifter distance -60mm vs 75mm OEM.
OEMN 128i SSK is something like 50mm

More info coming. Watch this space