UUC DSSR for the 128i

[wootloops]

I'm down for a group buy... but I asked them about doing one several months ago and they told me that wasn't an option, for whatever reason.

I can't believe they still refuse to make a batch of these after years of saying they are "a few months" out. They keep saying they are making higher volume parts.. ok I get that, but to make one batch of DSSRs can't possibly take more than a day.

Would gladly buy UUC's if it fit but it doesn't and that leave AKG as the only option.

[karmatose]

There's nothing at this point I would buy from UUC after what a friend of mine went through with their shoddy parts.

But that said, maybe AKG will reconsider with SpecE9x coming online. I'm sure that will increase demand some plus there's us chumps that are waiting patiently.

[wootloops]

I emailed again to hopefully annoy them a little more

[Bambambambee]

I have been bugging them as well!

Just refreshed shifter parts, upgraded transmission mounts and shifter to the BMWP short shift kit. Notchier than I expected and still got some slop. I need that DSSR.

[desertman123]

I asked AKG if they'd be willing to do a group-buy, and if so, how many people would have to commit in order for them to kick up a manufacturing run. If they're willing to help, I'll start a separate thread for both 1Addicts and E90Post trying to get as many people onboard as possible.

[WrathOTM]

I would be down for a group buy.

[desertman123]

Got an email back, they don't do group buys

[Blau]

It's doesn't look like the most complex piece of metal in the world. Maybe someone in this forum has a machine shop? Knows a machine guy?

[spidertri]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Got an email back, they don't do group buys

So weird, I don't even want any kind of "group buy" discount. I just want them to see that there is demand for the part and to make a run of them.

[Bambambambee]

I got tired of waiting and started searching for non-M e9x DSSRs. There really isnt much out there. Garagistic has a weld-it-yourself DSSR kit but the rod doesnt have the bend to accommodate the guibo flex disc. I did however come across one from 22rpd that does (325/8 RWD OEM+ shifter (166mm With bend) and looks promising -

https://22rpd.com/shop/product/125

Couldn't find any reviews but it is cheap enough to be the guinea pig, so I placed an order today. Will keep yall posted and let you know if this is suitable for the 128i. Stay tuned.

[WrathOTM]

Hell yeah good luck dude. If it works I'll follow suit and get one too...
but probably won't be able to install it for a while.

[ZeroR]

Originally Posted by Bambambambee

I got tired of waiting and started searching for non-M e9x DSSRs. There really isnt much out there. Garagistic has a weld-it-yourself DSSR kit but the rod doesnt have the bend to accommodate the guibo flex disc. I did however come across one from 22rpd that does (325/8 RWD OEM+ shifter (166mm With bend) and looks promising -

https://22rpd.com/shop/product/125

Couldn't find any reviews but it is cheap enough to be the guinea pig, so I placed an order today. Will keep yall posted and let you know if this is suitable for the 128i. Stay tuned.

Nice find! I might try this myself. Thanks!

[chris_flies]

Bugged AKG just this week, wanting one for the wagon lately.

"We have not yet scheduled this part, so do not have an ETA"

*womp womp*

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Bugged AKG just this week, wanting one for the wagon lately.

"We have not yet scheduled this part, so do not have an ETA"

*womp womp*

They might not do group buys, but maybe we could still come up with a list of people committed to buying one to entice them into a run of that p/n?

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

They might not do group buys, but maybe we could still come up with a list of people committed to buying one to entice them into a run of that p/n?

They claim they have been keeping a list of all of us that email.

Still don't understand why they are so resistant to making a batch of these despite us all bugging them for literally years. I also want to buy an AKG chassis shifter to go with it but I don't want it with the stock shift rod.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Bambambambee

I got tired of waiting and started searching for non-M e9x DSSRs. There really isnt much out there. Garagistic has a weld-it-yourself DSSR kit but the rod doesnt have the bend to accommodate the guibo flex disc. I did however come across one from 22rpd that does (325/8 RWD OEM+ shifter (166mm With bend) and looks promising -

https://22rpd.com/shop/product/125

Couldn't find any reviews but it is cheap enough to be the guinea pig, so I placed an order today. Will keep yall posted and let you know if this is suitable for the 128i. Stay tuned.

I'm hopeful this works out, AKG doesn't seem to want to make theirs.

[Bambambambee]

I have a small non-update update on the piece from 22RPD.

I received the DSSR and attempted an install this weekend, but the piece was roughly an inch too short to attach the DSSR from transmission selector to shift lever. Turns out I ordered the wrong part, but the fabricator also messed up and made it even shorter than it was supposed to be.

As an FYI, the '325/8 RWD OEM+ shifter (166mm With bend)' DSSR option is not compatible with the stock 325I/328I/128I shift lever (pn 25117532496) but is meant to be paired with a Z3M shift lever (pn 25117527254) as an OEM+ mod. Their website didnt actually say this when I ordered, but it has now been updated with this information.

Also, I'm actually running the BMW performance shift lever (pn 25117542200), but the attachment point looks to be the same as stock, so shouldnt be an issue either way.

If you have an oem shift lever, make sure you specify the 178mm standard length DSSR.

With that being said, they are sending me the right part and will be providing a shipping label to return the shorter length one. Good service and they responded very promptly to the emails I was sending on a Saturday afternoon. Wouldnt hesitate to do business with them again.

Will follow up with a full review after the correct part is received and installed, hopefully before Thanksgiving! If it all works out, perhaps we can propose a group buy with them!?

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Bambambambee

...

As an FYI, the '325/8 RWD OEM+ shifter (166mm With bend)' DSSR option is not compatible with the stock 325I/328I/128I shift lever (pn 25117532496) but is meant to be paired with a Z3M shift lever (pn 25117527254) as an OEM+ mod. Their website didnt actually say this when I ordered, but it has now been updated with this information.

Also, I'm actually running the BMW performance shift lever (pn 25117542200), but the attachment point looks to be the same as stock, so shouldnt be an issue either way.

If you have an oem shift lever, make sure you specify the 178mm standard length DSSR.

...

Besides the length, the geometry looks pretty correct.

Originally Posted by Bambambambee

...
I received the DSSR and attempted an install this weekend, but the piece was roughly an inch too short to attach the DSSR from transmission selector to shift lever. Turns out I ordered the wrong part, but the fabricator also messed up and made it even shorter than it was supposed to be.
...

I was seeing on their site there's a couple versions you can buy and one requires the other shifter but I was pretty confused as to what they meant. Thank you for being the guinea pig.

[Bambambambee]

Got the goods yesterday and completed the install today.

The new DSSR matched the length of the OEM one and the curve clears the giubo/flex disc.

I also took the time to replace the front and rear carrier bushings with poly ones, shift rod bushing, joint arms, etc in addition to the BMW Performance shift lever. Result is a nice and tight shifter with minimal play and a tolerable level of notchiness. The throws are short but not overly so. Also, the notchiness comes from the BMWP shift lever so an OEM one would just feel tightened up without the notchiness.

I did a whole lot at once so I cant really say how much the DSSR helped, but I will say that all of my OEM bushings were in great condition.

It's not as pretty as the AKG (billet aluminum vs welded steel) but I cant see it being functionally any different from it. It does job the perfectly and is readily available. I recommend the 22rpd DSSR, just be sure to order the correct length!

[WrathOTM]

Did this fully eliminate the play in the shifter? Mine moves like 10-15mm in any position that it's in, being that I can casually push the knob side to side. Regarding the "notchiness" when was the last time you did a fluid change (and if so what brand/type)? I need to do one once my Christmas stuff is taken care of.

I will totally buy one of these when I can. And my plan is the same as yours with fresh polys and other parts.

[Bambambambee]

It does not fully eliminate the play, or at least I dont think so? Is that even possible in a shifter that uses linkages?

It seems like there has to be some level of "looseness" in order for the linkage ends to be able to rotate within the bushings. I tightened down the bolts in the DSSR pretty snug in an effort to minimize the "play", but all it ended up doing was restricting movement and caused higher effort to shift gears. I played around with this for a bit and set it to what I thought was optimal.

Perhaps what I'm experiencing isnt actually play, but I'm comparing this to my Miata where the shifter sits directly in the transmission and has no linkages. It has a very direct feel and is quite fantastic in that department.

The best I can describe my current setup is it has a little loose side to side wobble, maybe 2mm or so, but you'll definitely know when youre engaging the transmission as the "neutral shake" takes a little more effort. My car is still on jack stands and havent yet been able to drive on the road, but it's cleaned up the slop quite nicely. I should have no more trouble shifting into 3rd gear

I changed tranny oil using Redline D6 ATF. I'd recommend changing the shift shaft seal while you're in there. It was a major PITA because I wasnt willing to remove the driveshaft, exhaust, and heat shield at first, but it is worth it to do so! It is really difficult to get the seal out/in with the driveshaft in the way!

Not the best view, but here's the DSSR in action -

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by Bambambambee

Got the goods yesterday and completed the install today.

The new DSSR matched the length of the OEM one and the curve clears the giubo/flex disc.

I also took the time to replace the front and rear carrier bushings with poly ones, shift rod bushing, joint arms, etc in addition to the BMW Performance shift lever. Result is a nice and tight shifter with minimal play and a tolerable level of notchiness. The throws are short but not overly so. Also, the notchiness comes from the BMWP shift lever so an OEM one would just feel tightened up without the notchiness.

I did a whole lot at once so I cant really say how much the DSSR helped, but I will say that all of my OEM bushings were in great condition.

It's not as pretty as the AKG (billet aluminum vs welded steel) but I cant see it being functionally any different from it. It does job the perfectly and is readily available. I recommend the 22rpd DSSR, just be sure to order the correct length!

Nice find! I was losing hope on the DSSR search but this looks like a good solution.

Have you had a chance to drive the car yet? Would you say it feels any better with this DSSR? I have a chassis mounted Condor shifter I'm about to install and I'm wondering if it's worth doing this at the same time.