JHM Short Shifter Install Cost

[Rodney Hasty]

Just bought a JHM Short Shifter for my 2011 6MT from a member of the forum here- hopefully it will be shipped soon. It's brand new still in the box.

Since I know virtually nothing about mechanics, I wouldn't dream of attempting to install it myself- and since I'm new to my S4, I am subject to being ripped off since I don't know what I should pay to have it installed.

Anyone pay to have the short shifter installed?

How much should I be looking at?

[13S4]

First you should sell the JHM shifter, and buy the Eurocode one.

I would anticipate 1.5 hours install time from a decent mechanic. I'm sure it can be done faster, but you have to pay them while they read the install guide.

[Patrick Bateman]

[QUOTE=13S4;8358098]First you should sell the JHM shifter, and buy the Eurocode one.


^ This.

1.5 hours seems about right...On the B8's, needs to go on a hoist to undo the shift linkage from the bottom/connect new unit. Ive owned both brands.
I like the Eurocode Meisterwerk unit best. worth the extra price for me. Id favor an indie mechanic to install any SS, as they likely do more than the dealers...although, some dealers
do offer JHM products, and may be farmiliar with them.

PB.

[S4charged]

Took the words out of my mouth... Yes sell that shifter and buy a Eurocode one... It's awesome.

Shouldn't take more than a hour and a half or so. Fairly easy installation.

[Rodney Hasty]

Took the words out of my mouth... Yes sell that shifter and buy a Eurocode one... It's awesome.

Shouldn't take more than a hour and a half or so. Fairly easy installation.

NOW you tell me [=(]

Seriously, though what's better about the Eurocode? The JHM got great reviews from what I saw.

[13S4]

Everything about it is better. There have been quite a few people on the forum that had the JHM then switched to the Eurocode one. They all said they liked the JHM while they had it, but I don't remember a single review of someone thinking the JHM was better.

Benefits of the STS from my experience:
1) No slop at all. It is the most direct shifting mechanism i've ever driven.
2) It's extremely adjustable. You can change the throw length and the height whenever you feel like it.
3) It makes me so happy I went with a 6MT.

[Rodney Hasty]

Everything about it is better. There have been quite a few people on the forum that had the JHM then switched to the Eurocode one. They all said they liked the JHM while they had it, but I don't remember a single review of someone thinking the JHM was better.

Benefits of the STS from my experience:
1) No slop at all. It is the most direct shifting mechanism i've ever driven.
2) It's extremely adjustable. You can change the throw length and the height whenever you feel like it.
3) It makes me so happy I went with a 6MT.

Nice. How much did that run you, including install?

[westwest888]

Eurocode knows what's up. My shop had been steering me towards the JHM but it's just because they sell it. Eurocode seems to be first to market with the best product. They're finding markets for things, releasing them, selling them, and then other manufacturing shops start their R&D to make something similar.

[13S4]

I got in on the first group buy they had. It's $420 here:

http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2104

It's expensive, but seriously transforms your driving experience since you use it every minute you drive. I had a local independent mechanic do it for me since I didn't want to try and do it without a lift. It took him ~1.5-2 hours to complete everything which included reading the instructions a few times. He ended up breaking a clip that holds the ashtray down (not the sliding part, the actual ash tray clip). He felt bad about it and only wanted $50 for his service. I don't smoke, and never open that compartment so I didn't care. I tipped him $100 on top of the $50 for being honest about it.

[westwest888]

Also, JHM's site says 1 hour to install so that's what they should quote you. Eurocode should take 1.5 hours.

[boss2k]

I got in on the first group buy they had. It's $420 here:

http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2104

It's expensive, but seriously transforms your driving experience since you use it every minute you drive. I had a local independent mechanic do it for me since I didn't want to try and do it without a lift. It took him ~1.5-2 hours to complete everything which included reading the instructions a few times. He ended up breaking a clip that holds the ashtray down (not the sliding part, the actual ash tray clip). He felt bad about it and only wanted $50 for his service. I don't smoke, and never open that compartment so I didn't care. I tipped him $100 on top of the $50 for being honest about it.

I am very interested in installing the eurocode short shift kit but unsure whether to use a local tech for it as i read the instructions as it says to remove MMI control head and climate unit, so would you think any good tech can do it easily just by following the instructions.

[13S4]

Honestly it's way easier than you think. I live in Northern BC so it's cold as $#%# here... When the shifter first came out they didn't realize that the " Black Delrin bearing collar" was shrinking in cold temperatures causing the shifter to stick when pressed down into reverse. As usual they stepped up and sent out replacement collars for free to everyone who requested one. I took apart everything and switched the collar myself. I should have read there note first, because i didn't have to take apart as many things as I did but it was really no problem. The hardest part is getting the electric cables to detach properly, but once you see how the clips work it's simple. In the kit they provide two keys that slide right under the MMI unit for removal. Their instructions are as good as they come. I've had more issues putting together cheap furniture written in Chinglish (Chinese - English).

[boss2k]

Honestly it's way easier than you think. I live in Northern BC so it's cold as $#%# here... When the shifter first came out they didn't realize that the " Black Delrin bearing collar" was shrinking in cold temperatures causing the shifter to stick when pressed down into reverse. As usual they stepped up and sent out replacement collars for free to everyone who requested one. I took apart everything and switched the collar myself. I should have read there note first, because i didn't have to take apart as many things as I did but it was really no problem. The hardest part is getting the electric cables to detach properly, but once you see how the clips work it's simple. In the kit they provide two keys that slide right under the MMI unit for removal. Their instructions are as good as they come. I've had more issues putting together cheap furniture written in Chinglish (Chinese - English).


What are the replacement collars made of and do I need to ask them to send me the better ones when I place the order

Thanks for explanation

[Rodney Hasty]

What are the replacement collars made of and do I need to ask them to send me the better ones when I place the order

Thanks for explanation

This is a good question- do the kits you buy now include the new collar or do you have to specially request it?

[13S4]

I'm really not sure. I would assume that they would only produce the newer version of the collar. Either way it's not an issue unless you live in a cold climate.