BMW SSK

Jeef Beef · 02-07-2011, 09:41 PM

I ordered the kit from Dan@UnitedBMW for USD250 shipped to my front door around the end of last year. Had it put in a few weeks ago at dealer.

Right now I'm loving the shift action - very short and precise, it even gets rid of the notchiness between 1st and 2nd.

One thing that has me puzzled though is that the shifter is now angled towards me rather than sitting in the middle. My SA assured me that's how it's supposed to be, and I know I've seen it on many performance cars. I actually quite like it since it allows me to shift more easily.

Input from anyone with the SSK would be appreciated. Here my car is in neutral:

TimMc · 02-07-2011, 10:23 PM

Hi Jeef. Good price!
I've got SSK and my gear stick sits the same way as it did standard. Not like yours. Was ging to attempt fitting myself but got Brisbane BMW to fit it. Lazy...
I'm just as notchy into first and between 1st and 2nd when cold as standard too. No better or worse. The gear throws are certainly shorter & sweeter but I can still only shift between gears at the same speed. The box won't be hurried!
You didn't fit the new gaiter and knob? I prefer the SSK knob.
Cheers, Tim.

alik01 · 02-07-2011, 10:43 PM

I've got the same setup but the lever sits straight on mine. The lever is shorter that the standard one but apart from that the difference isn't really night and day. Definitely the same into 1st, the rest is a bit smoother but wouldn't really call it a short throw. Still it was a cheap mod so no complaints!

I got the guys at work to fit it, after having a look at doing it myself and decided it'd be much easier with a hoist. Took them about 20 mins with the instructions I got from the guys at Baby BMW.

Jeef Beef · 02-07-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMc

Hi Jeef. Good price!
I've got SSK and my gear stick sits the same way as it did standard. Not like yours. Was ging to attempt fitting myself but got Brisbane BMW to fit it. Lazy...
I'm just as notchy into first and between 1st and 2nd when cold as standard too. No better or worse. The gear throws are certainly shorter & sweeter but I can still only shift between gears at the same speed. The box won't be hurried!
You didn't fit the new gaiter and knob? I prefer the SSK knob.
Cheers, Tim.

That's weird. My SA told me it would either be angled to the left or to the right. They took about 4hrs to fit it.

I felt a distinct difference between 1st and 2nd, it is now a lot easier to get into 2nd during cold starts!

Didn't fit the perf knob or boot since I don't like alcantara. Prefer the feel of leather and the ///M knob

Quote:

Originally Posted by alik01

I've got the same setup but the lever sits straight on mine. The lever is shorter that the standard one but apart from that the difference isn't really night and day. Definitely the same into 1st, the rest is a bit smoother but wouldn't really call it a short throw. Still it was a cheap mod so no complaints!

I got the guys at work to fit it, after having a look at doing it myself and decided it'd be much easier with a hoist. Took them about 20 mins with the instructions I got from the guys at Baby BMW.

I felt quite a significant change in the shift action and throw - short, crisp and sweet! 20mins is bloody fast, my dealer took way too long

alik01 · 02-07-2011, 11:29 PM

I thought it was pretty fast too. The instructions were from Reddit Motorsports or something like that, pretty clear and concise, they just put it on the hoist and went from under to remove the clip rathe than fiddling with it from above.

Just thinking maybe the difference is more pronounced in the colder weather down there but can't think of why that would be. It's fine - maybe my expectations were too high - I had a 206 GTi at uni and the short shifter on that was amazing - really short, precise throws - I was hoping to emulate that with this one but no dice!

I kept the standard M- knob and black boot as well, not the biggest fan of Alcantara - sorry but I don't understand the obsession many have with it.

WOPALX · 02-07-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

One thing that has me puzzled though is that the shifter is now angled towards me rather than sitting in the middle.

Maybe it's a LHD version so not angled correctly for RHD cars?

TimMc · 02-07-2011, 11:43 PM

I don't mind the Alcantara - and it matches my wheel. I do really like the cool feel of the metalic SSK knob though. I keep fondling it while I'm driving...

Mattyv's knob looks and feels just like mine...

Jeef Beef · 02-07-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WOPALX

Maybe it's a LHD version so not angled correctly for RHD cars?

The parts look exactly the same for LHD and RHD. My tech was either able to angle the shifter towards the left or right. Obviously I chose towards me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMc

Mattyv's knob looks and feels just like mine...

...

alik01 · 02-08-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMc

I keep fondling it while I'm driving...

Mattyv's knob looks and feels just like mine...

Things are taking turn now...

Jeef Beef · 02-08-2011, 01:42 AM

Knob fondling and comparison?

alik01 · 02-08-2011, 01:47 AM

Mine's smooother...

... No Alcantara

Jeef Beef · 02-08-2011, 02:08 AM

Mine's got a contoured head

alik01 · 02-08-2011, 02:19 AM

Mine's also contoured for optimum fit

MikeVictor · 02-08-2011, 02:27 AM

For once I'm at a loss for words...

TimMc · 02-08-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattyv

For once I'm at a loss for words...

Just like you were when I felt your knob.

Had a look at & feel of my knob before driving home tonight. In the default 3rd/4th/neutral plane, it does lean towards the right. Pretty sure it's similar to the standard set up though.

TimMc · 02-09-2011, 01:50 AM

My knob in neutral.

Jeef Beef · 02-09-2011, 02:25 AM

Yep that looks very similar to mine. Except my stock knob is bigger so it's more pronounced

alik01 · 02-09-2011, 05:57 AM

I had a another look at my knob today, a little tilted I think. My knob's looking a bit over-used.

sparoz · 02-09-2011, 07:58 AM

Tim, never know you have a hairy knob...

Brissie · 02-09-2011, 10:55 AM

How much did brisbane bmw and others charge for fitting the SSK?

Jeef Beef · 02-09-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alik01

I had a another look at my knob today, a little tilted I think. My knob's looking a bit over-used.

I knew I wasn't the only one with an angled one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparoz

Tim, never know you have a hairy knob...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

How much did brisbane bmw and others charge for fitting the SSK?

Mine charged ~$230 for 1.5hrs of labour...even though they took around 4hrs to get it right.

TimMc · 02-09-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

my stock knob is bigger so it's more pronounced

Size isn't everything Jeef.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparoz

Tim, never know you have a hairy knob...

Bad Eyefoan picture. Knob's actually metal and rubber. No hair. Full crack, sack & back wax.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

How much did brisbane bmw and others charge for fitting the SSK?

Yeah, I think mine was around 1.5 hours labour too.

02-07-2011, 09:41 PM	#1
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	BMW SSK I ordered the kit from Dan@UnitedBMW for USD250 shipped to my front door around the end of last year. Had it put in a few weeks ago at dealer. Right now I'm loving the shift action - very short and precise, it even gets rid of the notchiness between 1st and 2nd. One thing that has me puzzled though is that the shifter is now angled towards me rather than sitting in the middle. My SA assured me that's how it's supposed to be, and I know I've seen it on many performance cars. I actually quite like it since it allows me to shift more easily. Input from anyone with the SSK would be appreciated. Here my car is in neutral: Attached Images __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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02-07-2011, 10:23 PM	#2
TimMc Lieutenant Colonel 44 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	Hi Jeef. Good price! I've got SSK and my gear stick sits the same way as it did standard. Not like yours. Was ging to attempt fitting myself but got Brisbane BMW to fit it. Lazy... I'm just as notchy into first and between 1st and 2nd when cold as standard too. No better or worse. The gear throws are certainly shorter & sweeter but I can still only shift between gears at the same speed. The box won't be hurried! You didn't fit the new gaiter and knob? I prefer the SSK knob. Cheers, Tim. __________________ Driving - Manual E90 M3 (Melbourne Red/Black). Riding - BMW R1200RS Sport.
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02-07-2011, 10:43 PM	#3
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	I've got the same setup but the lever sits straight on mine. The lever is shorter that the standard one but apart from that the difference isn't really night and day. Definitely the same into 1st, the rest is a bit smoother but wouldn't really call it a short throw. Still it was a cheap mod so no complaints! I got the guys at work to fit it, after having a look at doing it myself and decided it'd be much easier with a hoist. Took them about 20 mins with the instructions I got from the guys at Baby BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2011, 11:29 PM	#5
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	I thought it was pretty fast too. The instructions were from Reddit Motorsports or something like that, pretty clear and concise, they just put it on the hoist and went from under to remove the clip rathe than fiddling with it from above. Just thinking maybe the difference is more pronounced in the colder weather down there but can't think of why that would be. It's fine - maybe my expectations were too high - I had a 206 GTi at uni and the short shifter on that was amazing - really short, precise throws - I was hoping to emulate that with this one but no dice! I kept the standard M- knob and black boot as well, not the biggest fan of Alcantara - sorry but I don't understand the obsession many have with it.
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02-07-2011, 11:43 PM	#7
TimMc Lieutenant Colonel 44 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	I don't mind the Alcantara - and it matches my wheel. I do really like the cool feel of the metalic SSK knob though. I keep fondling it while I'm driving... Mattyv's knob looks and feels just like mine... __________________ Driving - Manual E90 M3 (Melbourne Red/Black). Riding - BMW R1200RS Sport. Last edited by TimMc; 02-08-2011 at 12:22 AM..
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02-08-2011, 01:42 AM	#10
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Knob fondling and comparison? Attached Images
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02-08-2011, 01:47 AM	#11
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mine's smooother... ... No Alcantara
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02-08-2011, 02:08 AM	#12
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mine's got a contoured head __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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02-08-2011, 02:19 AM	#13
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mine's also contoured for optimum fit
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02-08-2011, 02:27 AM	#14
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	For once I'm at a loss for words...
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02-09-2011, 01:50 AM	#16
TimMc Lieutenant Colonel 44 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	My knob in neutral. Attached Images __________________ Driving - Manual E90 M3 (Melbourne Red/Black). Riding - BMW R1200RS Sport.
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02-09-2011, 02:25 AM	#17
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Yep that looks very similar to mine. Except my stock knob is bigger so it's more pronounced __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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02-09-2011, 05:57 AM	#18
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	I had a another look at my knob today, a little tilted I think. My knob's looking a bit over-used.
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02-09-2011, 07:58 AM	#19
sparoz Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,848 Posts Drives: VO 1///M; Macan Turbo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast iTrader: (0)	Tim, never know you have a hairy knob... __________________ Macan S Diesel - Carrera White Macan Turbo - White 1///M - Valencia Orange
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02-09-2011, 10:55 AM	#20
Brissie Lieutenant 36 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: May 2009 Location: brisbane, Oz iTrader: (0)	How much did brisbane bmw and others charge for fitting the SSK?
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