Gear Shifter Aftermarket - Options?

trobex · Mar 13, 2023

So, looking at the BMW-ZF gear shifter, and aside from the RHD footrest: - is the Shifter something we can actually change. In the PT version, this thing looks about as out of place as t*ts on a bull. It works but doesn't suit the vehicle aesthetics at all, and I'm the type to spend money on this kind of change if possible. Anyone seen alternatives, and is it feasible for this unit? I have a valid reason: when using this thing, it felt clunky, felts odd in the hand as the angles don't work properly, buttons are not ergonomic in my view (something the oldies didn't pick up on?). We have this excellent industrial machinery interior - and a yuppy shifter!

Sam · Mar 13, 2023

I suspect if it was that easy they would have designed a bespoke one

DDG · Mar 13, 2023

I haven’t had a chance to sit in/drive a grenadier, but this shifter has stood out in such a strange way. So much money invested in this release (1.5 billion GBP) and yet they couldn’t design a bespoke gear shift mechanism? I’m sure it’s perfectly functional and we will adjust to it, but it could definitely be so much better. I have no skill or experience in industrial design or manufacturing. Would it be a cost prohibitive thing to do?

emax · Mar 13, 2023

emax · Mar 13, 2023

And here is the NECU (non electronic control unit) for the lever.

TD5-90 · Mar 13, 2023

Sam said:
I suspect if it was that easy they would have designed a bespoke one

I bet it won't be rocket science, technically speaking.

End of last year, we've done some EV component testing at the ZF facility where these shifter units are developed. Talking with the guys there about that odd shifter in the Gren, one of the guys said that a new development of the shifter assembly would mean development cost of 20-50 million EUR (!). I found that hard to believe...

I don't know if some adaptation would be sufficient instead of a new design from scratch (just new plastics and switch positions, no software changes), but even if we end up with 5 million, this would obviously impact the cost calculation.

Tazzieman · Mar 13, 2023

trobex said:
So, looking at the BMW-ZF gear shifter, and aside from the RHD footrest: - is the Shifter something we can actually change. In the PT version, this thing looks about as out of place as t*ts on a bull. It works but doesn't suit the vehicle aesthetics at all, and I'm the type to spend money on this kind of change if possible. Anyone seen alternatives, and is it feasible for this unit? I have a valid reason: when using this thing, it felt clunky, felts odd in the hand as the angles don't work properly, buttons are not ergonomic in my view (something the oldies didn't pick up on?). We have this excellent industrial machinery interior - and a yuppy shifter!

View attachment 7805972

You pretty much only have to touch it once in a while. As a senior, I can state that it's perfectly ergonomic enough.
Chuck a small hessian bag over it if it offends.

bigleonski · Mar 13, 2023

It’s the same as the bride’s X3.
It works, so It’ll do.

If I’m spending a grand post delivery on the tractor, it won’t be on the gearshift.

G-Man · Mar 13, 2023

Tazzieman said:
You pretty much only have to touch it once in a while. As a senior, I can state that it's perfectly ergonomic enough.
Chuck a small hessian bag over it if it offends.

Said the vicar to the actress

globalgregors · Mar 13, 2023

TD5-90 said:
some adaptation would be sufficient instead of a new design

I wonder if we’d see something more in tune with the aesthetic in a Series II…

emax · Mar 13, 2023

TD5-90 said:
I bet it won't be rocket science, technically speaking.

End of last year, we've done some EV component testing at the ZF facility where these shifter units are developed. Talking with the guys there about that odd shifter in the Gren, one of the guys said that a new development of the shifter assembly would mean development cost of 20-50 million EUR (!). I found that hard to believe...

2 years until rollout, 50 developers (design, electronics, software, mechanics, testing), each 100€/h (at the company side) = 18 Mio € (with annual hours assumed to be1800 hrs/person).

Plus building prototypes and tools for production, documentation, approvals, quality control ...

TD5-90 · Mar 13, 2023

emax said:
2 years until rollout, 50 developers (design, electronics, software, mechanics, testing), each 100€/h (at the company side) = 18 Mio € (with annual hours assumed to be1800 hrs/person).

Plus building prototypes and tools for production, documentation, approvals, quality control ...

So maybe the 2 years (planned, which makes 3 realistically...) is the other main reason they haven't made sth new.

Imagine the rant on ZF here in the forum when the main obstacle that prevents deliveries would be that shifter stick... I really don't like it at all, it's the one thing in the Gren that really annoys me, but 1 year more because of that thing certainly would not be right.

Tazzieman · Mar 13, 2023

G-Man said:
Said the vicar to the actress

A New Zealand colleague introduced me to the term "double bagger"
I asked what that was.
She said "When you're both so ugly you both need to put a bag over your heads"

emax · Mar 13, 2023

@TD5-90 I do not know whether it would actually be two years. But my experience is in that range. It may be more or less (until rollout).

It's just an example of how fast the (indeed) incredible number of 20 millions can be reached or exceeded.

Cheshire cat · Mar 13, 2023

What other forms of lever do ZF use with this box? I believe the same unit is used by several vehicle manufactures.

Jeremy996 · Mar 13, 2023

Cheshire cat said:
What other forms of lever do ZF use with this box? I believe the same unit is used by several vehicle manufactures.

Morgan use the same shifter in both the +4 and the +6. I believe that Toyota also use it in the Supra.

Tazzieman · Mar 13, 2023

Cheshire cat said:
What other forms of lever do ZF use with this box? I believe the same unit is used by several vehicle manufactures.

This is the ZF8HP76 used in the diesel Ineos , in this car

Transmission: ALPINA Automobiles

www.alpina-automobiles.com

Rok_Dr · Mar 13, 2023

Yes, it does look out of place, but on the flipside it will be a lot easier to replace than a bespoke version as it’s a standard BMW part.

Cheers
Steve

Tazzieman · Mar 13, 2023

Rok_Dr said:
Yes, it does look out of place, but on the flipside it will be a lot easier to replace than a bespoke version as it’s a standard BMW part.

coupla hundred bucks on ebay

Rok_Dr · Mar 13, 2023

Tazzieman said:
coupla hundred bucks on ebay

At that price it will be a no brainer for the spares box!

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