Just checking that no ones making them yet...Cuz I need one!!

 

Several vendors out there have them. Check out www.helix13.com. That is where I got mine (and had to return because my 04 has the 03 shifter).


Unless you want the whole shift kit, and not just an extension.

 

Yeah, I want an entire kit...

 

Go to the Alta site. They have one for the '04, and should have started shipping them about 2 weeks ago, I think.

 

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/p...HORTSHIFT.html

 

The Alta shifters JUST got finished last wednesday and mine was shipped out thursday and arrived friday. Installed today. I think I am the first one to install the 04 kit here and so far there are no problems.

 

How does it feel? Is it worth the $200?

 

Installed the Helix13 short shift kit on my '04 MCS. $44.95. Works fine. Installation no problem. I did DESTROY that brittle el-cheapo plastic cover in the process, but it doesn't go back on anyway, so.

 

So far its great. Fit and finish are perfect..... HOWEVER, dont go buy one yet. There is one issue I have found so far but Im not sure if its the shifter or its something we did with the install. I am going to check it out tonite and I will let you know.

 

Almost forgot to update this!

The mistake was on us! We forgot to press the bushing all of the way back in so the shifting was a tad sloppy. So, this product gets the thumbs up from me :smile:

 

Kool, thatll probably be my next mod. How tough was the install? Dropping the exhaust kinda scares me.

 

Honestly the install was the most pain of the *** and we installed alot of stuff. Dropping the exhaust wasnt the bad part, it was that notorious bushing on the inside... once you get past the bushing, its easy. We spent a good 40 minutes trying to get those damn things off.

 

Are you talking about the thing that looks sort of like a heim joint? If so, I was lucky enough to read somewhere before I did mine to use a twisting motion. That sucker popped right off. I had read in other places about prying with screwdrivers etc. Grabbed it with a pair of channellocks and gave it a good twist and it was history.
Oh yeah, likewise the exhaust is no biggie, six bolts I think on the support bracket and two on the flange and it drops right down out of the way.
Let me know if you get the plastic cover off without destroying it.

 

Nope. Talking about the plastic bushing that allows the shifter to pivot. The directions say to press in each of the tabs and pull up.... we had to press in all of the tabs, drop the whole shifting assembly out and have one guy in the car and one guy under the car..... its a pain but if you just keep prying and pulling (carefully cuz if you break it you have to order a whole new shifter assembly from MINI) you will eventually get it..... 45 minutes or so later in our case.

 

Holy moly, didn't have to do all that with the extension. No complaints with the extension but I would think the shifter would be nicer.

 

We had huge problems with it... it just DIDNT want to come out. Just to clarify as to what part it is, it is the big white thing you see if you lift up the shift boot and look down.

What dont you like about the shifter? I think shifting feels 100% better now. The throws are MUCH shorter and it seems to just pop into place now. Havent missed a shift since.

 

I have the Helix short shift kit. I don't have any complaints with it. Shifts are shorter and more positive feeling. My comment about thinking the complete shifter kit would be nicer is just that I think replacing the whole shifter is a neater, cleaner approch than just adding an extension to the end of the stock shifter. Personal feelings is all.

Not sure it'd be worth huge installation problems though!

You know, I think I have this phobia thing or something, what if that little extension falls off? I locktighted that rascal in place but........

 

Oh I was confused, i thought you had the alta and didnt like it. I agree with you 100% about it feeling safer than an attachment like helix.

 

B and M should have their new 04 model shifter on the market within 30 days . They used a local car here to prototype one over 2 weeks ago as I recall.
Randy