Active Autowerke short shifter review

leewoods18 · 09-03-2008, 12:51 AM

I got my short shifter installed today at AA and here are my thoughts:

Stock M3 6MT transmission:
Overall, I like the transmission and enjoy the manual shifting. It always has been very smooth for me and like most, I felt the throws were too long. Additionally, i was surprised that the was some "slop" in the transmission. Although minor, it is present and i do notice. This "slop" is most noticeable when, for example you are in gear, depress the throttle, release the throttle, and then depress the throttle again- the transmission doesn't feel perfectly tight and the shifter vibrates a bit.

Active Autowerke short shifter:

short throw- It is advertised as 30% shorter throws and it sounds about right. Throws are noticeablely shorter and feel very precise. The height of the shifter is the same though.

"Slop"- I was surprised to find the "slop" was virtually gone or at the very least markedly improved. The system feels very tight and still extremely smooth.

knob- i stuck with the stock knob for now since I live in South Florida and the aluminum knob heats up pretty good. i think it is a personal preference, but i am happy with my choice so far.

AA facility- it was my 1st visit there ( i live like 20 min away), but I'm sure it won't be my last. There were a number of cars in the shop, noteabley a blk e92 m3 that was getting an exhaust/chip/springs installed. I must say, the exhaust sounds amazing- similiar to the youtube clip, but better of course IRL. The staff was friendly, knowlegdeable and helpful. There were about 8 car bays which were clean and organized- top notch as far as I say.

Overall- I think this short shifter is a must for 6MT owners, the precision is markedly improved as well as the throw distance. Although this is a brief review since I got it today (Tues), I am very pleased with this mod and will give an update in a few days.

Herms · 09-03-2008, 02:05 AM

nice review thanks.

schnell325 · 09-03-2008, 02:47 AM

Yes, very nice review.

King Tut · 09-03-2008, 04:06 AM

I wasn't aware that AA had released any ECU tuning for the E92 M3. Were they doing a custom tune on the car?

BRDHNTR · 09-03-2008, 07:58 AM

This is the kind of review that I like to read

SlammedM6 · 09-03-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Tut

I wasn't aware that AA had released any ECU tuning for the E92 M3. Were they doing a custom tune on the car?

From my knowledge, they are in development - but I dont think its ready yet!!

leewoods18 · 09-03-2008, 09:27 AM

They just released their chip (performance software) for $1200 this week. I don't have the exact numbers, but I think they told me 17hp/12 tq. So yes, they were tuning the other M3 that was their.

SlammedM6 · 09-03-2008, 10:00 AM

the only negative thing i read from your review is that it still sits kind of high...
it didnt drop at all?

bigjae1976 · 09-03-2008, 01:01 PM

Is it height adjustable?

leewoods18 · 09-03-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Is it height adjustable?

No, not from what i understand.

SV Concepts III · 09-03-2008, 04:33 PM

Great review, thanks for your input!

The Shiekh · 09-03-2008, 06:32 PM

nice, im happy with the stock shifter tho. I came from a VERY short shifter with metal shift bushings in my evo, it was short, notchy, and harsh but i loved it! haha

rzm3 · 09-03-2008, 10:37 PM

thanks... gotta put the SSK on my list of mods

coaster · 09-04-2008, 12:04 AM

Is there any change in the way it looks over stock when using the stock knob?

Can you show an interior pic with the SSK installed?

Krueger///M3 · 09-04-2008, 12:11 AM

Cool, I'm glad that someone finally released one.

spectrumphoto · 09-04-2008, 12:35 AM

What was the cost on the shifter as well as install... What was the time to install too??

SlammedM6 · 09-04-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectrumphoto

What was the cost on the shifter as well as install... What was the time to install too??

Ya, how long was install time?

1ne · 09-04-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaster

Is there any change in the way it looks over stock when using the stock knob?

Can you show an interior pic with the SSK installed?

+1 Please.

_

Omar@ActiveAutowerke · 09-05-2008, 08:22 AM

Hello Board,

Not sure if this helps...

Let me know ...

Blip Bavarian · 09-05-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammedm3

the only negative thing i read from your review is that it still sits kind of high...
it didnt drop at all?

why would you say that is negative. That is a good thing. the closer your shifter is to the steering wheel the better (for track use).

I was worried that the SSK's would lower the knob.

SlammedM6 · 09-05-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

why would you say that is negative. That is a good thing. the closer your shifter is to the steering wheel the better (for track use).

I was worried that the SSK's would lower the knob.

I would like it to sit a little lower, on my E46 330, i got the B&M and it just looked so much better, sitting lower in the boot!

scotsman · 09-05-2008, 11:12 PM

It looks to me if you use their knob that it might sit a little lower.

09-03-2008, 12:51 AM	#1
leewoods18 Private First Class Drives: F10 550 M sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 189 iTrader: (0)	Active Autowerke short shifter review I got my short shifter installed today at AA and here are my thoughts: Stock M3 6MT transmission: Overall, I like the transmission and enjoy the manual shifting. It always has been very smooth for me and like most, I felt the throws were too long. Additionally, i was surprised that the was some "slop" in the transmission. Although minor, it is present and i do notice. This "slop" is most noticeable when, for example you are in gear, depress the throttle, release the throttle, and then depress the throttle again- the transmission doesn't feel perfectly tight and the shifter vibrates a bit. Active Autowerke short shifter: short throw- It is advertised as 30% shorter throws and it sounds about right. Throws are noticeablely shorter and feel very precise. The height of the shifter is the same though. "Slop"- I was surprised to find the "slop" was virtually gone or at the very least markedly improved. The system feels very tight and still extremely smooth. knob- i stuck with the stock knob for now since I live in South Florida and the aluminum knob heats up pretty good. i think it is a personal preference, but i am happy with my choice so far. AA facility- it was my 1st visit there ( i live like 20 min away), but I'm sure it won't be my last. There were a number of cars in the shop, noteabley a blk e92 m3 that was getting an exhaust/chip/springs installed. I must say, the exhaust sounds amazing- similiar to the youtube clip, but better of course IRL. The staff was friendly, knowlegdeable and helpful. There were about 8 car bays which were clean and organized- top notch as far as I say. Overall- I think this short shifter is a must for 6MT owners, the precision is markedly improved as well as the throw distance. Although this is a brief review since I got it today (Tues), I am very pleased with this mod and will give an update in a few days.
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09-03-2008, 02:05 AM	#2
Herms First Lieutenant Drives: '11 Audi S4; '10 Mini Cooper S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: LA. CA Posts: 392 iTrader: (0)	nice review thanks. __________________ '07 e92 335 (sold) '08 e90 M3 (sold)

09-03-2008, 02:47 AM	#3
schnell325 Bored at work.... Drives: '08 M3,'11 335xi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BC Posts: 3,400 iTrader: (5)	Yes, very nice review. __________________ 2008 SG E92 M3 6MT AA Stage 2 w/ Meth 2011 SG E90 335xi 6MT 2007 SG E70 X5 4.8is

09-03-2008, 04:06 AM	#4
King Tut Former M3 Owner Drives: Porsche Cayman R Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,280 iTrader: (1)	I wasn't aware that AA had released any ECU tuning for the E92 M3. Were they doing a custom tune on the car? __________________ King Tut 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30: spece30.ridedomain.com 2012 Porsche Cayman R: cayman.ridedomain.com 2009 BMW M3 Coupe: Sold e92.ridedomain.com

09-03-2008, 07:58 AM	#5
BRDHNTR Ground Pilot Drives: e92 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waverly, PA Posts: 549 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 M3 [0.00] 2008 e92 M3 [0.00]	This is the kind of review that I like to read __________________ "The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with DSC." - BMW Owner's Manual

09-03-2008, 09:27 AM	#7
leewoods18 Private First Class Drives: F10 550 M sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 189 iTrader: (0)	They just released their chip (performance software) for $1200 this week. I don't have the exact numbers, but I think they told me 17hp/12 tq. So yes, they were tuning the other M3 that was their.

09-03-2008, 10:00 AM	#8
SlammedM6 Brigadier General Drives: 2011 RR Sport Autobiography Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 4,923 iTrader: (2)	the only negative thing i read from your review is that it still sits kind of high... it didnt drop at all? __________________

09-03-2008, 01:01 PM	#9
bigjae1976 Brigadier General Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 4,047 iTrader: (8)	Is it height adjustable? __________________

09-03-2008, 04:33 PM	#11
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 17,029 iTrader: (13)	Great review, thanks for your input!

09-03-2008, 06:32 PM	#12
The Shiekh Second Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 267 iTrader: (1)	nice, im happy with the stock shifter tho. I came from a VERY short shifter with metal shift bushings in my evo, it was short, notchy, and harsh but i loved it! haha __________________ -James aka The Shiekh 2008 E92 M3 6MT SSII/Silver Novillo/Sycamore BPU+ lol

09-03-2008, 10:37 PM	#13
rzm3 Moderator Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL/TX Posts: 4,569 iTrader: (13)	thanks... gotta put the SSK on my list of mods __________________ Powered by M-World / AiM Evo4 Data Logger / KW Competition 2-Way / Brembo GT 365 / Pagid Yellow RS-29 / Rear Seats Delete Previous Mods: RBM3 / StopTech 380/355 / Moton Clubsport & Street Sport / Dinan Stage 1 / H&R Sport / M-World GT4 Aero / Eisenmann Sport & Race / Akrapovic Slip-On

09-04-2008, 12:04 AM	#14
coaster Private First Class Drives: E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 123 iTrader: (0)	Is there any change in the way it looks over stock when using the stock knob? Can you show an interior pic with the SSK installed? __________________ Jerez black, black interior, carbon trim, 6MT, 19's, premium, tech

09-04-2008, 12:11 AM	#15
Krueger///M3 Major Drives: 2003 HPF 2.5, 2008 M3 (Sold) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pearl District, OR Posts: 1,403 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW ///M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW ///M3 [0.00]	Cool, I'm glad that someone finally released one.

09-04-2008, 12:35 AM	#16
spectrumphoto Just another peanut in the Turd! Drives: 08 M3 e90 IB Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hollywierd, SoCal Posts: 423 iTrader: (2)	What was the cost on the shifter as well as install... What was the time to install too??

09-05-2008, 08:22 AM	#19
Omar@ActiveAutowerke Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 1,783 iTrader: (1)	Hello Board, Not sure if this helps... Let me know ...

09-05-2008, 11:12 PM	#22
scotsman Private First Class Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sugar Land, Texas Posts: 125 iTrader: (0)	It looks to me if you use their knob that it might sit a little lower.

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