Did this today, took about 45mins start to finish
First Lift the front of the car
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT007.jpg
Diassemble the shift trim and disconnect window switches
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT001.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT002.jpg
Get under car, remove circlip from shifter bottom, slide selector rod out of old shifter
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT003.jpg
Using a screwdriver, rotate shifter bearing clockwise using leverage from the rod
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT004.jpg
Compare shots
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT006.jpg
Transfer rubber boot
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/sHIFTERSHIT008.jpg
The install is reverse just notate the clips on the shifter bearing, line it up and press down hard, you may have to use a screwdriver the completely press in the plastic bearing. Reconnect selector rod (under car) with new washers and circlip. Reaasemble rubber boot and the foam thing, and the window switch trim. Go drive, oh yeah lower the car first.
Vids: Coming soon!! Like around 8pm EST

is that the understeer.com shift rod? whats the BMW part # on that? i think its cheaper at tischer...

That's a modified Z4 3.0 lever. If you stick in an off-the-shelf lever, your shift pattern will be too far forward and to the left.

That's a modified Z4 3.0 lever. If you stick in an off-the-shelf lever, your shift pattern will be too far forward and to the left.

hows it modified?

It's bent to the proper angle to center the shift pattern. A stock Z4 lever is completely straight.

It's bent to the proper angle to center the shift pattern. A stock Z4 lever is completely straight.

so its something i could do at home then, i'd rather save the money and DIY.

It's the Understeer.com Z3 short shifter kit.

It's really nice compared to the original shifter. I think it seems odd in the 323, just because of how it shifted before.

But if you want a nice solid, crisp, and precise shifter that let's you know when you're in gear, this is what you need.

I'd put it along the lines of a race shifter in feel. I drive an integra and its more solid than my shifter, and if you've ever driven an integra, you know thats pretty impressive.

It's the Understeer.com Z3 short shifter kit.

It's really nice compared to the original shifter. I think it seems odd in the 323, just because of how it shifted before.

But if you want a nice solid, crisp, and precise shifter that let's you know when you're in gear, this is what you need.

I'd put it along the lines of a race shifter in feel. I drive an integra and its more solid than my shifter, and if you've ever driven an integra, you know thats pretty impressive.

Correct!! It's not a Z4 shifter, but a short shift kit from understeer.com for the 1.9l Z3 so the bend is already there.

And for some vids....
Before:
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/?action=view&current=sHIFTERSHIT011.flv
After:
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/?action=view&current=sHIFTERSHIT013.flv

was this a hard diy?

Correct!! It's not a Z4 shifter, but a short shift kit from understeer.com for the 1.9l Z3 so the bend is already there.

And for some vids....
Before:
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/?action=view&current=sHIFTERSHIT011.flv
After:
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/TheAndrew87/?action=view&current=sHIFTERSHIT013.flv

Can you give me the BMW part # that's printed on it? If like to order it from tischer and know ive got the right #.

Can you give me the BMW part # that's printed on it? If like to order it from tischer and know ive got the right #.
25 11 75 16 160 Is the printed Number.

It may be a kit for a 1.9L Z3, but the lever itself is a Z4 3.0 lever. As the guy that bent that lever, I can say that with a fair amount of certainty :)

The last three digits of the part number on the tag should be 160 which would make that kit about a year old. The new ones have spacers built in to the bottom of the lever, in place of the yellow spec washers, and end in 193.

It may be a kit for a 1.9L Z3, but the lever itself is a Z4 3.0 lever. As the guy that bent that lever, I can say that with a fair amount of certainty :)

The last three digits of the part number on the tag should be 160 which would make that kit about a year old. The new ones have spacers built in to the bottom of the lever, in place of the yellow spec washers, and end in 193.
Odd, I didn't bend it, at all, I got it secondhand from a guy in Florida, $50 shipped, well worth every penny, he never used it, he had sold his Z3 and this was lying around, brand new in the box with washers circlips and instructions that I can use to start a fire later...but anyway the shift is so crisp and assertive, I love it.

I know you didn't bend it... I did :D

Does this picture from the installation instructions look familiar?
http://www.understeer.com/images/tech/lever06.jpg

Those would be my Mechanic glove covered hands ;)

Glad you like the kit. I don't normally use that lever for the E46 323/325, should have extemely short throws though. That lever has the shortest ratio of any BMW lever.

I know you didn't bend it... I did :D

Does this picture from the installation instructions look familiar?


Those would be my Mechanic glove covered hands ;)

Glad you like the kit. I don't normally use that lever for the E46 323/325, should have extemely short throws though. That lever has the shortest ratio of any BMW lever.
Oh I didn't get your phrasing right, great bend BTW. Haha

It's short as hell,:) Like an S2000 CR shifter, so all it is, is the bent rod, that's hilarious IMO. Picture is similar. Feel free to use any pics/vids if you want.

Doh, I didn't notice that thread this is in the DIY section.

Here's some additional helpful DIY info:
-Use a little soapy water or "tire shine" to help slide the rubber boot over the new lever
-Make sure that the lever is installed with the bent top angled back and towards the left
-Press down on the white cup's locking tabs with a screwdriver to fully seat them in the carrier
-If the knob pops off too easily, after reinstalling, wrap the top of the lever with a single layer of electrical tape

i personally want to thank whoever found out this mod

i hate the way my 330 feels as soon as i get the $$$$ im getting this shifting feels so sloppy compared to my last car