Who has (or had) a SSK installed?

[GreasyGinzo]

There seems to oogotz for info about SSK's on this forum. I have read what little info there is on here so I am asking about any updated info. RE seems to get decent reviews but not quite sure if I like the idea of the stick being taller. I know it gives better ergonomics but I am using an AA shift knob and this knob sits taller than the stock knob setup. The UUC seems to be a piece of shit with more slop than Pam Andersons fun box. Apparently they even acknowledged saying it was a problem with the DSSR and were working on an update. Is the AA shifter that update? How is it? Is the AA stick shorter than the factory stick? Does anybody have the AA shifter? I wouldn't mind hearing what AA has to say about their product but I would love to have a non bias review.

[dcstep]

I've got the UUC SSK as does my business partner and one other M3 owner that I know of directly. We've all had excellent experience after over two-years of usage.

The DSSR is a different matter, but the SSK is excellent.

Dave

[GirlsGarage]

SSK is no use, DSSR is shit!! Get a shorter knob and ur there

[JS11]

ive had the uuc ssk and dssr for a year before getting the rogue. I loved how short the uuc was but had constant problems with it rattling and clicking, and eventually took it out when the height adjustment mechanism broke. the rogue ssk isn't as short (in fact all my bmw enthusiast friends that drove my car thought that it was stock) but it feels so much better and smoother, plus it doesn't rattle or have any other issues. both companies advertise how their ssk eliminates slop but that was only true for a few weeks, and both eventually became as sloppy as the stock shifter (even with the dssr on the uuc).

[J08M3]

I had RE. In my opinion save your money. Doesn't improve much.

[Singletrack]

I have the UUC without the DSSR and I like it. It's much more precise than the stock setup. It's notchy at first, but will loosen up and only ends up requiring a little more effort than stock to shift. It does transmit a little noise into the cabin when shifting at high RPM's, but it doesn't bother me.

[Ca$hOnly]

Originally Posted by J08M3

I had RE. In my opinion save your money. Doesn't improve much.

+1

Don't waste your money

[Singletrack]

Waste of money is a bit extreme, although I've never driven the RE. I would say that if the vagueness of the stock shifter bothers you, then a SSK might make sense for you.

If the length of the throw bothers you, and you aren't in love with the stock knob, then I would try a shorter knob as others have suggested before going the SSK route.

The install is a pain in the ass if you do it yourself, and a little bit of coin if you have someone else do it since you have to drop the exhaust.

In my case, both bothered me coming from my STi which was extremely short and very precise. Although I will say that despite the long throws, the stock shifter felt very smooth.

[Grail05]

not worth it.. trust US.... get a performance knob and call it a day... use the rest for other mods ...

[Maseroche]

Originally Posted by Sean05

not worth it.. trust US.... get a performance knob and call it a day... use the rest for other mods ...

Totally agree!

[mkiv808]

Why doesn't anyone make a decent SSK for this car?

[The Flying Scotsman]

I bought an Active SSK with DSSR about three months ago and love it! The gear throw is a little less than stock but it is also smooth.

The stock shifter is flimsy and feels like it will break under heavy shifting. The aftermarket shifter is very sturdy and works great!

I also used to have issues when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear with the stock shifter. Sometimes I would find it difficult to throw it in second. After buying the aftermarket shifter, this issue completely went away. I am told that the stock shifter can get dirt into it and this could have been my problem. Either way, the car shifts like a dream now.

I used to hear a little noise when shifting from 1st into 2nd but that faded out after 1 month of use.

I have had a SSK in my old E46 M3 and have one in my new E92 M3 w/ DSSR. Both SSK are made by Active Autowerke and I have never problem with either.

[THE TECH]

Sounds like the SSKs out there are a waste of money.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Sounds like the SSKs out there are a waste of money.

I'm hoping that's not the case. I test drove an M3 today for the first time and liked everything but the shifter. I really hated the feel.

[LateBraking]

I had RE SSK. Just get the OEM ZHP Knob from like Tisher or Turner and put that on. It's better than having an SSK IMO, and much cheaper too.

Originally Posted by mkiv808

I'm hoping that's not the case. I test drove an M3 today for the first time and liked everything but the shifter. I really hated the feel.

That stock hollow plastic knob is TerriBAD. Try getting just the knob first, it's like $40.00 and the best $40.00 bucks I spent on the car. The steel core in the OEM ZHP Knob really helps with shifter feel as the thing's weighted much more better than the hollow plastic stock knob. Only bad part is that the OEM ZHP knob isn't lit, while the OEM M3 knob is. If you're so inclined, you can always customize the ZHP knob by taking the LED board out of the M3 knob like I did. It's not all that necessary though.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by LateBraking

I had RE SSK. Just get the OEM ZHP Knob from like Tisher or Turner and put that on. It's better than having an SSK IMO, and much cheaper too.



That stock hollow plastic knob is TerriBAD. Try getting just the knob first, it's like $40.00 and the best $40.00 bucks I spent on the car. The steel core in the OEM ZHP Knob really helps with shifter feel as the thing's weighted much more better than the hollow plastic stock knob. Only bad part is that the OEM ZHP knob isn't lit, while the OEM M3 knob is. If you're so inclined, you can always customize the ZHP knob by taking the LED board out of the M3 knob like I did. It's not all that necessary though.

It wasn't just the knob though. The throw was really long (I know the ZHP knob is shorter, but still) and felt like rubber. Then again, I'm coming from a Cayman with a SSK.

[swhat]

Glad I read this posting before purchasing a RE SSK. Thanks guys

[SirSpeedy]

I'm satisfied with how the Rogue ssk, zcp knob, clutch spring removal, and clutch stop mods compliment each other.

[LateBraking]

I guess I'm just weird then, I like how the shifter feels with just the knob. It feels meaty, but not numb, kind of hard to describe. If you want shorter throw and a bolt-action feel, RE SSK does contribute to that, and my friend who had UUC said my RE felt better than his UUC when he drove my car. It did amplify the notchiness whenever I felt it though.

Hard to compare BMW shifter with Porsche, P-cars are just so much better in that department.

[Green///Hell]

I was hoping someone with in AutoSolutions would chime in
They were the last to the market and from experience they have always made an amazing kit
AS even offers multiple levels of throw reduction: on my E46 I had 40% shorter throw and it felt amazing on the racetrack, maybe too much for the street so they offer between 20-30%

[piloto]

Originally Posted by LateBraking

Only bad part is that the OEM ZHP knob isn't lit, while the OEM M3 knob is. If you're so inclined, you can always customize the ZHP knob by taking the LED board out of the M3 knob like I did. It's not all that necessary though.

I bought a lit ZHP knob off of ebay (from somone in Germany), and it was only about $100. Well worth it.

[Green///Hell]

Originally Posted by piloto

I bought a lit ZHP knob off of ebay (from somone in Germany), and it was only about $100. Well worth it.

Isn't it like $60 from Turner Motorsport?