I recently bought a B&M short throw for my car.
Kit was $34 new on ebay, I couldn't pass that up.

My last car before my mini was an s2000. Easily one of the best gearboxes ever made.

By comparison, the mini feels like i am churning butter. (quite soft)

Not that I dislike the mini's shifter, It's good... just lacking by comparison- I understand there are a few things to consider:
1. It does not connect directly to the transmission, like a RWD setup. Cables and a shift box mounted to the car will always feel "softer"
2. Its taller, the floor is further away.
3. It uses cables (a bit softer) rather than a shift linkage

Keeping these things in mind- I wanted to see how much I could improve the feel of the shifter. There are obvious things I can and cannot improve.

I felt the B&M was decent choice. I'd prefer the ALTA, but I really wanted to get my hands on a set of the solid bushings that came with the B&M kit.

The Install:
This was a two part process.

As embarrassed as I am to admit it- the first go at it was quite
unsuccessful. I gave up after 20 minutes of fighting with the exhaust hangers. I posted here, got some advice and went back at it earlier today...

First is to drop the exhaust out of the way.
Thanks to the advice i got here, I did not disconnect the exhaust from the cat/header/flexpipe. I did not have to deal with any hangers.

I ONLY removed the center brace and one bolt on each strap on the rear mufflers. This let me drop it down JUST far enough to get the shift box assembly out.

The side cable is very easy to pop off the stock shifter.
The bottom cable, not so much.

I spent the better part of an hour fussing with it. Obviously, it has to be pulled straight down. I understood that much. I tried to pry it with a screwdriver, no dice. I tried attaching a latch/cable that hung straight down and using that as leverage, no dice.

Tool of choice - claw hammer. Those are my words of wisdom for this install.
Some old wooden one i had laying around perfectly fit around the connection for the cable... Gave a tug like i was pulling out a nail and POP. If I would have done this from the start... this would have all been 30 seconds of work.

Pull out the shift box, and now it's time to maneuver your old shifter out and the new b&m shifter into the housing.

I encountered two little hangups here:
-Pulling the gray plastic retainer over the "pivot" on the shifter is weird. Everything inside of me is telling me plastic should not bend that far. The instructions don't tell you that you just need to keep pulling and it will flex around the ball and pop out.
-Getting the little arm (2" long one) on the shifter out of the metal guide is nearly impossible. Same with sticking the B&M one back in. Again, you're working against the flexing of metal and plastic... You sorta just need to jam it as far as it will go naturally... Then give it a good slam and hope it pops into the hole. (if this all sounds vague- you'll see what i mean if/when you do the install)

The bushings just press in. You rip the rubber ones out of the rubber gasket, and then reuse the gasket.

Bolting everything back up is cake...
I stuck a jack under the exhaust and tightened the straps back up.
I was relieved to find out that the straps are quite easy to reinstall.
If you have ever fussed with the straps on a gas tank, you may know why i was worried.

My Thoughts:
I LOVE it.

The solid bushings take all the loose play out of the shifter.
I notice zero increase in vibration/noise.

The throw is shorter, almost identical to what the s2000 used to be. Its more of a flick of the wrist than an entire arm movement now.

I'd guess it takes about 20% more effort to move the shifter through the gears. Nothing crazy, just a tiny bit more effort.

The way i have my seat set up (low, drive straight-legged) I had to reach a bit for 5th. No more.

For $34 and a two hour install... You'd be insane not to have one in your mini. (btw- i have an 04, with the 03 shifter assembly)

Right now, I have the stock **** put back on.
I can't find ANY information on what the thread size is on the B&M.
I have a very nice shifter that uses threaded inserts to screw onto different shifters. I need to order the proper insert- but can't do this until i get that info.

 

Nice deal on that shifter. I have the same shifter on my 03 and it doesn't feel anywhere close to my old ap2. It still feels like a longer throw so i can imagine what stock is.

Get a weighted shift **** like Whalen and you'll bang into gears much easier.

 

The B&M kit was my FIRST mod to my MCS....Same as you - 38.00 bucks on ebay.

And I love it too

Next to a pulley, esp considering the amount of time we spend shifting, this is in my top 3 of best bang for the MINI buck MOD.

BMW mechanics who drive BMW's with other brand SSK's said that my set up was better than theirs. Adding that the dust cover under the car still fits back on to the car with the B&M kit, unlike other brands, where you have to leave it off exposing the gear box to dust and the elements.

B&M kit Rocks.

 

I have a TWM shift **** that i saved when i sold my s2000.
Its a 1lb stainless ball with a little neck, powdercoated flat black.



Its threaded out like a normal shift ****, except its like a 3/4" hole in the bottom.

Its countersunk very deep. It has 2 inserts that screw into the inside of the ****, one to adjust how low it sits, one to adapt to the shifter's thread.

that's the reason im trying to figure out the B&M's thread size :(

 

M12 x 1.25

 

you're 100% positive? if so, i'm ordering the part now.

 

The B&M short shift on my '03 is an M12x1.25. If you need extra piece of mind, go to Ace or Lowes and get a M12 nut to test. 1.25 pitch is common
but may not be stocked. I can send you a "test" nut if you can't find one.

 

I just got mine and installed this weekend. Thanks for all post in NAM and specially 'jbell', made all process went through smoothly. But one problem after first try so need help.
when i engage reverse small white busing kept on pop out. Attached pic with red circle on it.
Do I just press really hard to put it properly or did I made some mistake with steps putting that bushing back? No problem with shift linkage or any other steps....
Please advise.

 

use a socket that fits on the white cap, and smaller than the metal sleeve.
Brace, tap with hammer until it "clips" into place...

 

You need to give it a good smack to get it in place, i did it while it was laying on the concrete floor. You might need to take it back out of the car.

 

How much lower does the B&M sit than stock?

Does it come with an adapter to fit the stock ****?

You might of just finally sold me on a B&M, just want to make sure its not super low and the JCW **** will fit!

 

The stock **** fits on, and better than it fits on the stock shifter. much more solid "connection" between the two pieces.

It sits low but not too low. Using a simple unit of measurement:
its about a full shift **** lower than stock. its Perfect. really, haha.

I've noticed the solid bushing make it a bit more noisy than stock, but i will sacrifice that for the super-solid feel.

Here is a great picture of mine with my TWM **** i just got put on:

check here for reference: http://robson.m3rlin.org/cars/wp-con...x1440-copy.jpg

 

Thanks for the info! Just ordered one

 

Got mine ready last night. Works great! thanks 'jbell' again for all comments specially claw hammer to pop out linkage below, could have stuck there.

One thing for gray retainer for shifter ball, just tap in 3 holding place to get it out from housing then lift up together with shifter. Same thing to get in back in, lift shifter little then push gray retainer in position then push in together.

By the way if anyone makes same dumb mistake like I did forgetting push in white bushing that holding shifter arm. It's simple just take center console out to make room then use 9mm socket to press in bushing with pliers.

 

i'm in the market for a b&m shifter too. can anyone confirm that this'll work with a whalen shift ****? that's the only thing holding me back from my purchase.

 

Use a 9/16ths wrench to get the side shift cable off, just slip it in between andpry, get better leverage than a screwdriver.....

 

Hey guys - who has the best price for the B&M for a 2006s!!
thanks

 

1- Whalen shift **** fits AOK. I have both.

2- Prices vary for the shifter, and it would seem the kits for earlier models are easier to locate. Strange as it is, I have seen them ranging in price from 30 dollars to $125.00 for the same kit.

Maybe check with Wayland ?

 

Nice Job Jbell, l@@ks awesome !

What size thread goes with the B&M shifters ?

 

I would think the JCW **** would sit a bit higher than usual merely because of it's design. I have had 4 different ones on mine so far.

OEM MCS **** ( low ).
Two aftermarket ones with locking barrel hex screws ( bit taller as they dont seat all the way down to the metal collar )
Whalen ( low like the OEM **** )
Q-ball ( bit higher than Whalen due to dimensions of the ball )

If using universal ****, you can take a file and just make a small flat spoit in the side of the threads where the locking screw meets the shifter. Then use dab loc tite to keep the screw frm backing out. Filing a flat spot does not effect any fitment of any future ***** either.

 

definitley happy with the 35.00 B&M from ebay, install was simple especially with the tips in this thread, i put a craven speed **** on it and it looks and feels really nice. The b&m doesnt make it really difficult to shift, i was actually hoping for a bit more throw reduction but after driving with this one for a few days its a realy solid, sturdy, reliable feel so im really happy with it. I got my **** off nam, paid 50$ for short shifter and **** together shipped. Im pretty sure its the best bang for the buck mod iv done since u feel it everytime u drive. it feels like its a new car. definately would recommend

 

i'm going to do this install this weekend. thanks for the tips!

 

enjoy, and use a wrench to pry the shift cables off, works better than a screwdriver

 

Thread Revival!!!

Does anyone know if the bushings are the same size through the years? I too like the idea of getting the aluminum bushings with the kit. The B&M's look long gone but I might mix and match parts from the few copies that are still on ebay.

 

No the late style box is different and the B and M will not fit it.