Shifting Gears: Future Classic's Short Shifter Kit for the G8X M3 / M4
Ten years ago, the thought of a short shifter kit was commonplace. It'd be at the forefront of every modern BMW owner's mind since, let's face it, they were never that great from the factory. Nowadays though, the enthusiasts who chase after the purest driving, analog experience are few and far between. That decline in three pedal enjoyment also translated into less aftermarket offerings—with few exceptions, the modern BMW fan can either leave their shifter stock, or be relegated to buy one that looks like it belongs in a racecar.
Thankfully, Future Classic has never been tethered to the philosophy of only building product based on business-driven agenda. Instead, we largely base our direction on crafting products for the enthusiast—whether that means we make ten or ten thousand components—and our latest offering for the G8X M3 / M4 market (you may have guessed it'd be a short shifter), proves that point.
Since this may very well be the last M3 / M4 you can option with a manual transmission, we knew it was crucial to deliver something special. We called upon Rogue Engineering, the company that practically wrote the rule book on the definitive SSK, to help us craft one for the new platform.
Our goal was ambitious: reduce throw, reduce shifter NVH, reduce service intervals, increase overall precision—all while maintaining an OEM look. By leveraging premium materials and over thirty years of Rogue's expertise—from crafting SSKs for the E36 M3 all the way forward through to the F8X generation—we were easily able to achieve each facet of that goal.
The Shift Lever: Our 303 stainless lever upper adds mass to the shifter which translates into better feel where it matters most. A stainless steel main pivot ensures long lasting durability while Delrin AF is used in the pivot bottom. This thermoplastic has an extremely low coefficient of friction, wear characteristics, and high resistance to extreme drivetrain temperatures. This combination guarantees your Future Classic shifter is not only smooth to operate, but will continue to be regardless of driving condition over time.
Our shift lever is bent to perfectly mimic the OEM shifter position, only perform much better in every driving condition
Its upper provisions also accept all BMW factory shift knobs—a key design feature that allows the shifter to keep a very factory, or OEM plus aesthetic.
The Shifter Carrier: The carrier may look familiar, and it should. It is the exact piece that already lives in your car. By leveraging the OEM carrier, we were able do two things: focus strictly on areas of improvement and keep costs reasonable—a paramount concern amidst rising costs everywhere else in the industry.
As you can see, we affixed a new aluminum cup to the OEM carrier. This piece accepts the OEM nylon carrier cup bushing (into which our shift lever sits) and has been a staple on every Rogue Engineering SSK for years. At the front of the carrier, two Delrin bushings replace the brittle, OEM plastic units for longevity and resistance to binding.
The G8X M3 / M4 balances its sporting pedigree with one of the most luxurious interiors we've seen to date. We ultimately feel that our shifter provides a similar balance: an OEM+ aesthetic with decidedly motorsport-like precision that is, as always, made in USA.
Future Classic G8X M3 / M4 Short Shifter Kit
Product Details:
- Modified OEM shifter carrier, Delrin carrier bushings with bespoke FCxRE cup and 303 stainless shift lever
- 41% smoother shifts
- 20% throw reduction
- Stainless steel shifter pivot bushing ensures durability
- Delrin AF lower bushings prevents binding and adds resistance to drivetrain temperatures exceeding 200°F
- Includes synthetic grease with PTFE
- Made in USA