[PRODIGAL KING]

Anyone install a short shifter kit in there manual with the alcantara shifter? Plotting on this just wanted to see how much lower it'd be prior too

[Prossx]

I'm curious as to whether a kit would substantially increase potential shift speed or feel. It seems that with CDV and the feel of this transmission it wouldn't buy you much. Thoughts?

[PRODIGAL KING]

I've been told the kit and the shifter does help more than the stock. But I guess we will never really know until we experience it hands on. If I don't get any feed back I'm going to buy the short shifter and alcantara shifter regardless it's looks way better and it's what less that $500 for both. Can't go wrong

[the_phew]

I'd be more inclined to change the bushings than the shifter or knob. The flaw in BMW's manuals is the rubbery feeling when engaging, and a short shifter doesn't help that (although some kits swap out the bushings also). Oddly, my 5th gear feels like cardboard (rather than rubbery) when engaging; kind of "scratchy", if that makes sense.

[Big Nodge]

What are the short shift kit options for the F30?

[goj]

Originally Posted by the_phew

I'd be more inclined to change the bushings than the shifter or knob. The flaw in BMW's manuals is the rubbery feeling when engaging, and a short shifter doesn't help that (although some kits swap out the bushings also). Oddly, my 5th gear feels like cardboard (rather than rubbery) when engaging; kind of "scratchy", if that makes sense.

The e92 my family had was very rubbery. My F30 is not so much in fact I was surprised how much better it is than the e92. I feel like BMW addressed the issue just fine with the stock F30 manual

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by goj

The e92 my family had was very rubbery. My F30 is not so much in fact I was surprised how much better it is than the e92. I feel like BMW addressed the issue just fine with the stock F30 manual

It's all about your frame of reference. Taken in isolation, the F30 shifter is fine. Compared to the best units from GM, Porsche, and especially Honda, it falls short.

[goj]

Originally Posted by the_phew

It's all about your frame of reference. Taken in isolation, the F30 shifter is fine. Compared to the best units from GM, Porsche, and especially Honda, it falls short.

I had an 2008 accord coupe V6 as a daily prior to my 340 and there was a notch going into 2nd and 3rd. My moms old 6mt e92 was very rubbery, my dads 2013 991 7MT Is good but hard to say it's better or worse.

Maybe my experience is different from yours but based on the cars I have driven from a few of the brands you mentioned, I disagree.

[PRODIGAL KING]

Porsche has the best one I've driven thus far and it takes aggressive driving way better when your ready to perform, I think that Cayman s 718 4 cyclinder turbo is next in line for me though I prefer there aspirated engines

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by goj

I had an 2008 accord coupe V6 as a daily prior to my 340 and there was a notch going into 2nd and 3rd. My moms old 6mt e92 was very rubbery, my dads 2013 991 7MT Is good but hard to say it's better or worse.

Maybe my experience is different from yours but based on the cars I have driven from a few of the brands you mentioned, I disagree.

I haven't driven a 991 7MT, but I think the 996 6MT is pretty good; it's a Getrag unit just like the GM shifters I like (Camaro/etc). Getrag units typically feel more 'substantial'; they 'thunk' into gear, unlike the ZF boxes (in the F3x) that just kind of 'doink' into gear. I think Porsche switched to Aisin with the 997, dunno about the 991. Aisin makes the Miata box (which is lovely), so clearly they can make a good one as well.

I owned a TSX for a decade, that shifter was excellent. Nice mechanical resistance going into gear, but I wouldn't call it "notchy". Most people would say that the S2000 had the best 6MT ever made; precise, rifle-bolt action with short throws.

Subaru makes some pretty terrible/notchy cable-actuated shifters, but the STi has a mechanical linkage that is apparently sublime (haven't driven one).