Two possible issues:

1) Worn shift bushings. A refresh kit runs around $75 last I checked and is pretty easy to install if you're handy.
2) Sticking shift detent pins. These are internal and require the trans to be dropped to service, along with some special tools.

No.2 is pretty common among E46s; my car's had it ever since i bought it. If you have to give the shift lever a decent shove to get over and up into 5th, then it's pretty much guaranteed your shift detent pins are sticking.

As far as short shifters, the E60 shift kit is popular, along with the shorter ZHP weighted shift knob. I have one and love it.

 

1) They're about 100 dollars now, or maybe that's just for the 6 speed kits.
2) Detents seem to affect 5 speeds more often.

If you really want a short shift, you might as well get a good one.
https://www.garagistic.com/collecti...roducts/garagistic-oem-supreme-short-shifter-e30-e36-e46?variant=32193868791907

Or if you don't want to spend that much, I would recommend just doing a ZHP knob and running that, I've done the e60 shift rod and it's honestly not a huge difference, you'll get more out of the knob.

Another thing I would recommend would be buying a new set of nuts for the 4 exhaust manifold to system connection and having a shop go through and replace them.

 

I did the E60 545i shifter with the ZHP knob. Would I do it again? No, it just makes it harder to push the shifter back and forth and I don't see any benefit there. It would already be lower down just with the ZHP knob. I also replaced all the bushings on the shifter and that made a difference as everything is nice and tight.

 

I ordered a E60 545i shifter, but the normal shifter, not the short shifter. Part number ending on 261, not 373. It should still be shorter than the E46 one. Still haven't received it, I might be able to review it in a week or so

 

well there are Short Shift Kits (SSK) and their are Short Shift Levers. two different things
a quality SSK will not only adjust the lever fulcrum points so it's shifts easier but also the throw and linkage. levers just don't do that.

obviously a lever will be less expensive of the two. for many this along with a weighted and stubby shift knob is a good compromise. but quality kits like UUC, RE and AutoSolutions make so much more difference. but they also cost and need more work installing.

majority of shift lever swaps will shorten the throw but increase the effort. while a SSK takes care of both and gives a more precise row through the gears.

as mentioned if you're going to just do the lever do the bushings in the linkage that wear out over time. this goes a long way too.

 

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately covid 19 is holding up the buying process for the car but I'll definitely check out your recommendations when i get the car. As for the detent pins, I don't think that's the issue because it goes into 5th no problem. In fact it just goes to 5th too easy when I'm aiming for 3rd

 

honestly , I would consider as my only option the schmiedmann ,combined with bushes refresh and maybe a double shear connecting rod but the rod is pricey. I would be nuts to spend over 400 dollars for some rogue engineering short shifter or equivalent

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/product/13495-new?product=SCMSHIFT

 

In fact it just goes to 5th too easy when I'm aiming for 3rd

The original zf 5sp from my e36 had the same issue, that's detents. If the shifter leans toward the 5th gear gate, that's also a sign of detents. I just put a different transmission in.

 

Keep it original.

 

E60 setup with a ZHP knob if you want a shorter shift if not stay with OEM and just replace all bushings.

My friends shifter on his 325 was loose as hell after 75k miles, replacing the bushings made it tight as hell like new

 

I did my bushings and a BMW Performance shift lever at 319,000 km. The shift lever reduced the throw a rad, but the biggest difference were the bushings. The shifter wiggled about as much as it did in gear as in neutral before refreshing everything

 

I don't know anything about the detents. I have never had that issue.

I have a Dinan SSK and a standard BMW shift set-up and a BMW "Performance Shift" shift lever. Of the three, the BMW performance shift lever with all other parts replaced OEM is the way I would go. Crisp, light, easy short throw action. Dinan is too heavy and notchy.

Both of my recently acquired E46 manuals needed a complete shift linkage rebuild as with 150 to 170k miles they were a sloppy mess. On the one with 150k I was able to save the shift lever, but on the one with 170k the linkage was sloppy for so long the ball had been damaged - this one got the BMW short shift lever and turned out great.

 

I have the UUC SSK....also heavy, notchy, and loud! I would not do it over again. However, I also have a Miata with a "flick of the wrist" shift action. I HATED the stock shifter in the E46! I'd consider some of the options above instead of a SSK.

 

Any 5 speed short shift (SSK) recommendations?
Open to suggestions but some I’m considering are auto solutions, rogue and ZHP… any one have those and like or dislike them? Anyone try different options and have a preference?