Author Topic: E36 shifter fit my car??? (Read 3877 times)

1991 318is · « **on:** September 16, 2007, 06:45:47 PM »

I think I'm right saying this works its a E36 OEM M3 Shifter and my car is a (1991 318is m42) how much of a difference is it if it works? is the shifter with good bushing in it worth 40Canadin?

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2007, 08:05:21 PM »

Not quite sure how conversion rates go, but that sounds about right. The shifter should work, although it may need to be bent a bit for a truly good fit. The throuw will be quite a bit shourter, and will also gain some notchiness.

Kedge · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2007, 07:03:32 AM »

The Z3 1.9 rod goes straight in no problem, doesn't need anything bending either. The Z3 2.8 can be used but i found it made gearchange to notchy when cold and you do have to do some bending.

Never heard of anyone fittingan E36 rod though.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2007, 07:22:36 AM »

I think that the z3 rods are the same as the e36 ones, but I'm not entirely sure.

BrandC · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2007, 12:22:02 PM »

I just drove an E30 with an E36 M3 shift lever. I did not like it at all.

My first gripe is that it points the shifter at a very sharp angle towards the rear of the car. Imagine driving an old Toyota pick-up with the bent shift lever. It sits very low and angled, as opposed to upright and forward where the driver's hand wants to go.

My recommendation: Z4 2.5/3.0L shifter with a 7" tall TRM delrin shift knob. I love it and I feel like I'm driving a rally car everyday. The shift knob is almost parallel with the steering wheel.

1991 318is · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2007, 09:03:29 PM »

this is the shifter the (one on top)

D. Clay · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2007, 11:33:59 PM »

The quickness of the shifter is greater for the lower one. The ratio is the distance from the center of the pivot ball to the lower end that attaches to the shift rod compared to the top of the knob. All of the shifters of this type are interchangeable through the E46. I have have a lever from an E46 328 in my own car.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73&highlight=Short+shift post #12.
The E46 328 is about a 4.25. The upper lever in the photo looks like an OEM E30 lever. The ratio can be quicker if the top part is shorter, same as the lower end being longer.

1991 318is · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2007, 05:38:31 AM »

Ok ill stay away from that shifter then. thanks Guys

dhirsch · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2007, 11:26:47 AM »

I've got an OE E36 M3 shifter in my 318is and it was a direct replacement.

It shortens the throw to a point that I think is just about perfect, but with something like this I'm sure everyone likes something different.

1991 318is · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2007, 02:13:53 PM »

Quote from: dhirsch;34073

I've got an OE E36 M3 shifter in my 318is and it was a direct replacement.

It shortens the throw to a point that I think is just about perfect, but with something like this I'm sure everyone likes something different.

ha so you would say its good. I'm not sure if i should go for it or not.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2007, 04:51:08 PM »

Well, if it is less than about $35 (what a new one costs) than you might as well try it. It would probably work better of you're short, based on what BrandC said. I personally will probably go for the z3 2.5 shifter. The shorter the shifter is, the more stress it puts on the synchros, especially if the short shifter encourages you to shift with more force on a regular basis. My synchros aren't doing well right now anyway...