About 10 days ago I ordered the Short Shifter for my 09 S5.
The shifter arrived and after looking I decided that I was not going to be able to do this project myself. Not that it was too difficult or due to a lack of tools. The reason was I was not able to get the car up high enough to get the heat shield off. If I had a lift this is definitely a DIY project.
So I did take the shifter to my local mechanic. They estimated, as did I that it would be a 2.5 to 3 hour project.
My mechanic did have some issues with the installation. Nothing on their end, or on mine. The shifter went in fine, but they noticed that the reverse lock out did not work. They did a thorough investigation and determined that ESC did not install or include the reverse lock out tab on the shifter. After several discussions with ECS, they did overnight a new shifter to my mechanic. The lock out tab was included and the install and test drive went fine. I thank ECS for making this right, and doing what I felt was the correct thing to do.
I picked up the car this afternoon and immediately noticed a big difference. I went with setting 2 which is about a 25% reduction. I was always fine with the throw distance, but I know this may be an issue for others. I think I could have gone up one more setting to the 33% reduction and I would have been fine. I think the shortest throw would have been too short for me, but that is just me.
When it comes to the shifts, I noticed that the shifts were crisper and there was no play in the shifter at all. Instead of the original clunky shifter, this one has more of a mechanical feel. I'm not a gun guy at all, but the thing it reminds me of is a bolt action rifle. The throws go right where they are supposed to go in a crisp bolt action type feeling. For a S5 I think this mod is pretty cheap and well worth doing.
I am willing to answer any questions if any of you have any. At least I hope so.
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