Nice looking knob! You just may have convinced me to buy one, if I can get replacement silver trims it would look slick with a short shifter.

Remember, young padawan, performance we seek, appearance is incidental.

I'll speak with Rob at UUC sometimes this week. From my invoice, I don't see that the gearshift rod joint [12], 251-117-580-281, was replaced on mine; I believe the securing clip [11] and replacement delrin bearing sleeves [02] are part of the SSK kit, if you plan to do this install yourself. I'll ask Rob. Suggest you review the UUC website instructions for the E39 version, and the detailed Pelican parts install instructions for the E36 kit, to see what you are getting yourself in for [pending Switz. Greg's report] to install this yourself.

Just checked the E39 instructions, not too bad. Tell Rob I'll be awaiting a DIY install impressions on the E53, if its not too bad to do, he'll be getting my order. I like the shifter height adjustability.

Wow I did not know that they had actually started madking the SSK for our cars. They list them as in stock is that really the case? i assume my '04 has the CDV in it as it seems unlikely any PO's removed it but I guess I haven't actually checked. I would def want to do the SSK myself. I cannot imagine it would be worth it for me to pay someone IMO.

My question is how does the short shift affect the force needed to engage the gears. As of know it just drops into place and I like that but smaller lever arm = more force so I kind of wonder if that is noticeable?

Personally I do not really like the look of that shifter it doesn't look oem to me and the aluminum and curvature doesn't match anything else in the car.

I think the shifter arm is counterweighted so its a more solid shift, they do show as in stock on UUC website. If I recall correctly there should be a stock weighted BMW shift knob which would work nicely if you wanted to weight your knob a bit more.

Still waiting on some DIY impressions...

Since I had one installed last week, its in stock :). The shift ball shown in my picture is optional, and expensive ($135). You can use a stock knob, including the one you already have, though the plastic in them holding to the shaft tends to strip when removed - the only reason I sprung for the $135. It takes less 'push' to engage the gears, in my judgment. I would have preferred to install it myself, as Gregory in Switzerland will soon do, but time/cold/unavailability of a lift convinced me to let the pros [the manufacturer's own shop] do it. See my earlier post with driving impressions.

Doesnt the stock knob just get pulled off the stock shifter and is held on by a zip tie on the shaft?

I can look at my old 'stock' knob, but I think it has plastic ridges/clips inside which 'grip' the shaft - its the ridges/clip that degrade, and can leave a loose knob.

I assume that since they did it for you you do not have any pictures to compare the geometry of the UUC unit to the stock unit? I'm just kind of curious to see what all they changed. I kind of wonder how much they lengthen the bottom end. I wouldn't mind finding a heavier shifter with a more stock appearance.

Patience, young padawan, and read earlier in the thread. You should have pix/comparisons when Gregory in Switzerland does his DIY install. All that 'shows' in the interior is the thicker aluminum shaft above the leather boot, if you stick with the stock shifter knob. And you can certainly read all about the UUC shifter at its website and in the Pelican Parts tech articles, albeit not for the X5 specific variation of the concept. I'm not sure what you mean by 'heavier.' The machined aluminum shift knob [an extra] is certainly much heavier than the OEM plastic/wood trim knob; pushing through the gears doesn't feel 'heavier;' I expect, but don't know, that the SSK shaft is 'heavier' than the aluminum/thermoplastic OEM shifter.