Potiential Revivial of a Short Shifter for the e53

[TECN1K]

....had a few issues. Find out the hardware kit included was for the wrong car. Collar screws way too short, wrong thread. I had to run to Fastenal and get extra parts, since my truck was on the lift and disassembled.... Called up Rob@UUC - very cool guy, told me I needed M3x8MM, so glad Fastenal had them. The pins were also too short. See pics. Had to reuse stock parts. I'm going to email them and hope for a credit back. Accidents happen, I get it.. but when your car is on the lift, taking up shop time, and you have to run around to Napa, Ace Hardware and finally Fastenal.... they bill you for it. Shop guy was cool enough to toss me the keys to his ride - who does that?

But, we got it together and it's amazing. Best shifts ever. So crisp, like a bolt action rifle. Just costed more than I expected, in time, aggravation and money. I'll leave it up to UUC to make it right, I'm sure they will.

Wrong Collar Screws


Proper ones I lucked out and found at Fastenal (M3x8)


Wrong Pins (too short)

[Ricky Bobby]

Hmmm he must have switched the collar screws out, mine were fine when I installed mine - and yes I do recall the bitch clips being the wrong size, those shorter ones will work on the 6-speed models because they take one on each side, our 5-speeds just use the longer clip.

Anyhow glad you got it in and love it, with my ZHP knob (and plain 5 speed emblem, I removed the M emblem) and the UUC, shifting is like butter.

[TECN1K]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Anyhow glad you got it in and love it, with my ZHP knob (and plain 5 speed emblem, I removed the M emblem) and the UUC, shifting is like butter.

You are truly a purist. I draw the line at exterior M badges - but I don't mind an M steering wheel or knob upgrade.

Coming from the E39 crowd, I get shit on all the time for my MSport. So many guys at shows and meets (insert high school kid) who think they're in the know.. try to call me out for slapping M5 parts on a regular 5er. I just smile and nod, and point to the last 7 of my VIN. All 2003 540i/6 MSports had sequential VINs starting at GF70861 through GF72075. Mine falls smack in the middle.

[tecboy99]

Originally Posted by TECN1K

You are truly a purist. I draw the line at exterior M badges - but I don't mind an M steering wheel or knob upgrade.

Coming from the E39 crowd, I get shit on all the time for my MSport. So many guys at shows and meets (insert high school kid) who think they're in the know.. try to call me out for slapping M5 parts on a regular 5er. I just smile and nod, and point to the last 7 of my VIN. All 2003 540i/6 MSports had sequential VINs starting at GF70861 through GF72075. Mine falls smack in the middle.

Hey Techn1k, would you mind uploading the instructions for the install? I'm interested in doing an install and want to know what's required.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by tecboy99

Hey Techn1k, would you mind uploading the instructions for the install? I'm interested in doing an install and want to know what's required.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/EVO3_IN...ALL_USSE53.pdf

[TECN1K]

[tecboy99]

Haha, that was easy. I looked on the website but I couldn't find it. Thanks!

[ajacks8]

BUT, I went looking for this UUC ssk a while back after seeing that some had upgraded to it. I gave up on sourcing it at the time. However, I thought that the model for e53 was USSE53 and while UUC has nothing matching e53 on their website...the DO seem to carry the USSE53 without the e53 listed. I also notice that the instructions provided late in this thread refer to that USSE53, but with no mention of e53 therein. So, can anyone that installed this shifter confirm their model number? It is strange that model "USSE53" would NOT have been planned for our chassis...riiiight?

Ultimate Short Shifter - E39 530i/528i and E34 530i (V8) – UUC Motorwerks Online Store

[Gregory891]

I had convinced UUC to put this back in production (10 years ago) and bought mine in 2014, installed in my former 2002 3.0 diesel 5 speed (I live in Switzerland). Car happy with newer owner in Finland, who enjoys the car.

I no longer have the binder with all of my receipts to confirm the specific part number I ordered. It was the Evo3 generation. Just call them and see IF they still would have any remaining.

I can heartily recommend this as an upgrade, also VERY easy to install (you don't need jack stands).

[ajacks8]

Originally Posted by Gregory891

I had convinced UUC to put this back in production (10 years ago) and bought mine in 2014, installed in my former 2002 3.0 diesel 5 speed (I live in Switzerland). Car happy with newer owner in Finland, who enjoys the car.

I no longer have the binder with all of my receipts to confirm the specific part number I ordered. It was the Evo3 generation. Just call them and see IF they still would have any remaining.

I can heartily recommend this as an upgrade, also VERY easy to install (you don't need jack stands).

Thanks, Greg. I'll see what they say!

Adam