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Like most BMW 3 Series fanatics I opted for the 5 speed manual transmission in my 1999 328i sport. Looking for more power I decided I would have my car modified by Dinan. Right now I have the Dinan Stage 2 Engine Software, the Cold Air Intake, the 3.15 Differential, and the Free Flow Exhaust for acceleration gains and the Front Strut Brace for handling. My car is one of very few fully certified Dinan E46's in the US. Still craving a sportier feel, I turned to UUC Motorwerks for a short shift kit...this was a big step for me as I the only aftermarket performance parts in my car were Dinan. I ordered the Competition EVO short shifter ($295) and the upgraded Cartridge Bearings ($25). The kit was backordered as it had been for the previous month and Rob at UUC told me that it would be shipped in about 2 weeks.
2 weeks and one day later I had the short shifter in my hands. I had talked to my local tuning house and they told me that it would be best if they installed the kit for $160, I decided against this and had a few friends help me with the install on a hot Saturday afternoon. HUGE MISTAKE!!!! I don't care what UUC says, this is in no way a driveway install. You need the pros on this one. After our 7-hour attempt at installing the short shifter we jimmy-rigged the ERK (effort reducing kit) which didn't last but a few hours. We were unable to properly install the ERK because the directions called for screwing in 4 tiny Allen screws in a place, which was inaccessible to our hands. I took my Dinan 3 to my local tuning house that following Monday and had them install the UUC short shifter properly. That little event ended up costing me a Saturday and $160!
However, since the correct install I have been absolutely amazed by my UUC Ultimate Short Shifter. The throws are very, very short and very crisp. There is indeed some play in the shifter when in gear, but it is not nearly as much as stock. My throws are shorter than any car I have ever driven or played with the shifter in. For a BMW comparison, the M roadster/coupe comes with a stock short shifter and my throws are shorter than that. I now get a very positive feeling, almost like in a Ferrari. There is also definitely some increased effort required in changing gears, but I like the feeling as it makes my car feel much more like a real sports car as opposed to a compromise between sport and comfort. The shifts are notchy but not to a degree that takes away from the overall quality of the shifter. Also, an added bonus to the UUC Competition EVO shifter is that it is height adjustable and can be lowered from stock height to about and inch lower than stock. Mine is about half an inch below stock height, which is just the right amount to give it a sportier look without making it look ridiculously low. I would highly recommend the UUC Ultimate Short Shifter to anybody who wanted a very short throw and the sportiest feeling out of their manual transmission.
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