Heavier = more mass. Heavier shift knobs tend to make pushing through gears easier as they have more mass /momentum with them. At least that is how I understand it.

I feel like were putting a lot of pressure on this greg guy, you can do it greg haha.

Seriously tho I haven't followed the progression of these things or even seen what the SSK for our x5's actually contain (wondering if it has other wear bushings etc. to refresh things). I just read through a couple diy's for e46's and E39's it seems like it should be very doable. . . Far as I am concerned nothing can be worse than spending 2 days under a semi / toterhome pulling a 800 lb transmission out and lifting a massive 150lb clutch up from under there. That is just me I may be wrong. We'll see what old greg has to say not trying to be impatient, but hey isn't that what the internet is for?

The new setup looks wicked! I may have to ask my Indy what he'd charge for an SSK install...

I may just get under the car this weekend and let you boys know how accessible the shift linkage is from under the car.

According to riggo, most wear pieces of the linkage are replaced with the kit, which is nice. Should give a "tight shifter feel" again.

Greg is in Switzerland so give him a few days for shipment and a few days for install lol!

I have done this on an E39. It's easy. I am moderately adept at these kinds of things.

I found struggle getting a clip to slip- where it is unseen- over the linkage, but I eventually lubricated it to the point that my next effort took only seconds to finish.

All of this sounds oddly similar to an experience in the reclined passenger seat of a 1975 2002, but it was in a very, very distant past. :bawling:

I have looked up at the underside of the transmission tunnel. 6 hours to install the kit.... uummmm.....no. We have quite a bit of room too. I have spent days underneath my e30's and e36. The e53 gives you plenty of clearance under there. Tricky part is the selector joint. I will be installing my Schmiedmann custom short shift kit as well as my own version of UUC's DSSR just as soon as my shop space is freed. Not a 100% sure why UUC didn't release a DSSR for the e53. Guess I'll find out first hand. If mine turns out well, I will make/machine a few more units exclusively for my manual e53 brothers.

Now that's what I'm talkin about man! How much modification did you need to do on the Schmiedmann piece, why the dssr wasn't released for our cars I don't know either, I'm guessing production volume. If/when I get my ssk you can count me in on the "Green Dragon" special lol!

Is it weird that when I see your user name I just want to be a Power Ranger and summon my Dragonzord?

Gregory in Switzerland seems to be a long-time bimmer guy and reports having done a couple of shift kits before, so I expect he will be a helpful source once he gets his in. My impression is that the trickiest part is the 'blind' fitting of that retainer clip. Haven't had a chance to speak with UUC Rob, but my understanding is that the oval bearing sleeves (02 in the realoem diagram] at the end of the shifting arm are replaced with delrin in the kit, and that the Gearshift rod joint (12) is the other usual wear item replaced. From my invoice, mine wasn't, perhaps because it was in good shape. As I noted earlier, I think the billed six hours comes from the BMW 'book,' which is how shops generate revenue; I expect the actual install time for a skilled shadetree is less than that [though everything always seems to take me longer :)], and someone who has done a couple [with small, agile hands] can knock it out. I wish I had had time to do it myself, but, not having done a shift kit before and having limited time/garage/lift assets, left this to the pros. I'm never happy with the bill, but sure am happy with the results!

Had my followup call with UUC Rob today. Key points: They don't sell a DSSR for this application because of clearance and installation issues. With the two point mounts on our shifting arm [the bearing sleeves, 02 on the Realoem diagram], unlike older bimmers, you don't have the torque/wear issues requiring delrin bushings, so they don't replace them as a matter of course [or include them in the kit]. Apparently, delrin in this application can generate vibration you don't need. Finally, they didn't replace the gearshift rod joint in mine [12], often a wear itme, because it was in good shape. Another point: I had them replace the diff/transfer case and Manual transmission oils, and I commented how much smoother the drivetrain seems to run. Rob attributes this to their adding LubroMoly antifriction additive [LM2019 on my invoice]. Something those changing drivetrain gear oils might consider.

Gents,

Riggodeaux mentioned a 6 hour labor bill. Remember that he had a NUMBER of things done: UUC short shifter kit installation, CDV removal (which also would include a clutch fluid change, good timing), rear diff fluid change, transfer case oil change, transmission oil change and front diff oil change (which requires removal of the pan under the engine).
Unknown what else was done.

As others have posted, the driveline tunnel on an X5 is big - not what I remember when I started back in the days of the 2002. I would expect the shifter is a two to three hour job. Can't comment (yet) as mine is still in the mail.

The comments about the Delrin carrier bushing being a less critical item as it has two mounts is logical. I've done this on two other cars (E30 & E34) with single point mounting for the front of the shifter carrier.

I will post after kit arrives and is installed. Again, this will be my fourth short shifter:

E12 M535i - Metric Mechanic in '95 when this was almost the sole option
E30 325i touring - UUC (Evo 2 design, pre DSSR
E34 525i touring - UUC (Evo 3 design with a DSSR

For those waiting, have you changed your transmission fluid and installed Redline MTL? Did you add a magnetic drain plug (since BMW stopped installing them in late 1997)?

The combination are very cost-effective and will also give your transmission longer life.

hi Greg :wave:

Thanks for chiming in. Looking forward to your impressions upon receipt. I changed my fluid to Redline MTL at 62k miles, did not change the drain plugs out, but I will probably do that at my 100k transmission/differential/driveline fluid change, I do driveline fluids at about 40k intervals.