X5/5speed shifter upgrades?

[Supernatural]

Good day to all here at Xoutpost. Very informative site I may add. Is there a manufacturer known that has an up grade or short shifter for the Manual 5 in an X5? Mine is a late 02 but the mechanism seems to be somewhat sloppy. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

[fulltilt]

We had a UUC in our 328i and loved it. I called them in the first week we owned our X5, and they had nothing. They wouldn't even make a custom. I haven't looked everywhere, but our numbers are so small I can't believe anyone will tool up for us. What bugs me is how close it looks to other BMW shifters. I can't believe the throw is different enough that they can't use one from another application, but I'm not willing to take a chance. Drives us nuts too. SUPER sloppy!

[motordavid]

I agree with fulltilt...in my 8 yrs of perusing X5 boards, I don't recall anyone
scoring a short shifter kit for our Xs. Both the earlier 5 spds and the more
recent 6 speeds are somewhat rare.

I don't feel ours is that crummy, though I can beat the synchros on occasion.
It is what it is.
GL, mD

[Supernatural]

thanks fellows. I'm sure something can be done. Hmmm.

[Werewolf]

Take out the CDV 1st and see if you still want a short-shift kit

Also check out if your hanging pin is starting to go

[Supernatural]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Take out the CDV 1st and see if you still want a short-shift kit

Also check out if your hanging pin is starting to go

Do you have part #s for the pins, and or bushings? CDV?

[Werewolf]

Originally Posted by Supernatural

Do you have part #s for the pins, and or bushings? CDV?

Search / google is your friend

CDV = clutch delay valve / Zeckenhaus racing (sp?). Removing it gives more immediate action on the clutch (especially the 1-2 shift)

Hanging pin centers the stick in the shift pattern (between 3 and 4) when the car is out of gear. When it starts to break the stick will sometimes flow into the wrong gear (2 to 5) when you shift. Part no - no idea

Your synchro gears could also be bad.

[Supernatural]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Search / google is your friend

CDV = clutch delay valve / Zeckenhaus racing (sp?). Removing it gives more immediate action on the clutch (especially the 1-2 shift)

Hanging pin centers the stick in the shift pattern (between 3 and 4) when the car is out of gear. When it starts to break the stick will sometimes flow into the wrong gear (2 to 5) when you shift. Part no - no idea

Your synchro gears could also be bad.

Gotcha. I believe my issues are with the shifter bushings. The previous owner had a new clutch installed, and I believe the mechanic did not install a shifter bushing or put back a worn one. The synchros are fine, just a bit balky when it's below freezing, till she gets warm.

[fulltilt]

I took the CDV out. Not a significant difference, but I had philosophical problems with it being there. I just took it out and reformed the line a bit. I couldn't see paying $30 for a straight through piece of metal when the threads going in and out were the same. I hadn't heard of the hanging pin, but my shifter doesn't have any shift problems, just that I would like it to be very tight and "snicky", which it very much is not.

[m5james]

A lot of BMW shifters are cross compatible, so some w/ a BMW junkyard near them may just have to run there and start comparing shifters w/ other manual cars...Z3, Z4, 3's and 5's. Also, between Google, Bimmerforums. Bimmerfest, 5driver, E90post, etc I've seen people take measurements of various shifters, either because they didn't wanna pay UUC prices, or just to try something different. RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog doesn't give measurement, but at least you can get a visual idea to see if anything is in the ballpark. The X5 3.0 shares the same engine and trans w/ the Z, 3 and 5 series, so something has to be out there, apparently you guys will have to do some researching.