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      09-16-2012, 06:42 PM   #1
itdnwiwbp
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UUC SSK & DSSR review. What a disappoitment...

I've now spent almost two weeks with my new UUC short shift kit. I must say it's pretty much a total disappointment. I was so excited for this part given the rave reviews from so many people.

My indie shop did the install. It didn't fit properly and part of it (not clear on what part) had to be ground down to avoid grinding against another part. If that wasn't bad enough the DSSR didn't even fit. The shop called UUC about both problems during the install and UUC told them to try to bend the DSSR to fit! Are you kidding me??? It's bad enough the SSK had to be modified but to tell them to bend the DSSR??? That can't be good for it. It was confirmed to be the correct kit, not a mistake.

Anyway, I immediately got in touch with UUC about getting the DSSR returned and when they answered the phone they were VERY short with me and didn't even allow me to explain the situation. They just said they'd call me back in ten minutes. Guess what? They didn't. I got in touch with them the next business day and got Rob. He was reasonably helpful with the return but basically pretty unconcerned with the issues that I had/have with the kit. I'm still waiting on my refund but I don't expect that to be an issue.

Now for an actual review of the part. Despite being adjustable, the shifter, at its lowest setting, is still higher than stock. Therefore, the throws don't feel as short as you would hope for from the greatest shift kit (lots of) money can buy. I may have even prefered the stock shifter with my ZHP knob. The shifts are nice and crisp, though, and there's little or no slop. Also, not as notchy as others that I've used. The only real positive thing that came from this very expensive disappointment is a significant decrease in the 1st to 2nd grind that many of us experience with our stock shifter. That doesn't make this thing worth $325, though.

I would hope the other shifters on the market for our cars out-perform the UUC but I don't think I'll be venturing a swap any time soon. I'll just chalk it up to experience and pass it along. So, brief summary: completely disappointing part, below average customer service. Big sadface...

9/20/12 Update: I just wanted to post an update here because I'm not determined to be completely negative about this (Promise!). I just spoke with Rob and he's baffled as to why the DSSR didn't fit, the parts had to be modified, and why the shifter sits so high. He was very helpful and suggested that it may have been assembled improperly at UUC using the incorrect parts. He's currently emailing some measurements for me to take to ensure that I have the correct parts installed. I thought this had been addressed when La Jolla Independent had issues originally but perhaps they only verified the DSSR. Unfortunately, I'm in Alaska for two weeks so I won't be able to confirm any time soon. I will be ordering the AS SSK in the meantime just in case I can't get things sorted with UUC. So, if UUC works out, those who missed out on the AS group buy should keep an eye on the for sale section.

10/18/12 Update: I measured the piece as soon as I got to my car when I returned home on 10/8. I immediately emailed Rob back (since he had emailed me). No response. I emailed two more times over the next week and a half. No response. Now I'm back at work and I decided to check the website for a general email since I'd been emailing Rob directly. Then I remembered they don't respond to emails, as it says on their website. This is partially my fault but what kind of business absolutely refuses to return emails? I mean...HE emailed ME! Anyway, I called Rob first thing this morning and he confirmed that the measurement was correct. He said he needed to check something and would call me back in 30 minutes. Guess what...no response.

I also talked with my mechanic again and he confirmed exactly what had been done during the install and mentioned that UUC's customer service and QC has really dropped off since they moved to their new location in Georgia. His opinion has no bearing on anything but it's worth mentioning since they work on a lot of BMWs and with a lot of aftermarket distributors.

Last edited by itdnwiwbp; 10-18-2012 at 07:06 PM.. Reason: Update
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      09-16-2012, 08:42 PM   #2
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I recommend you to consider Autosoultion SSK. There are a few lucky folks had it installed and very happy with it. I am one of them. See if you can get into the second group buy going on now. This is a special run just for Z4M.
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      09-16-2012, 08:47 PM   #3
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Thanks for the tip. Probably not in the budget right now, unfortunately, since I blew my SSK budget on the UUC. I definitely wouldn't feel right selling it to anyone to recoup some cost since it's basically garbage.
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      09-17-2012, 01:42 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RobMCoupe
I recommend you to consider Autosoultion SSK. There are a few lucky folks had it installed and very happy with it. I am one of them. See if you can get into the second group buy going on now. This is a special run just for Z4M.
I'm very happy with my AS SSK as well and just did a track day with them. What knob are you running with AS ask? I found ZHP is too short. TIA
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      09-17-2012, 02:59 AM   #5
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Sad to hear that UUC's product was not up to par...and even sadder yet that the customer service was crummy. I highly recommend AutoSolutions SSK, albeit this is the first I've heard such poor results from UUC's products.

I personally use the OEM shift knob along with the AS SSK and feel that height-wise, it is just about right. For track purposes, I'd prefer it to be higher even, but for now it'll do. The entry into every shift gate is Honda S2K-like (which was notorious for its crisp and accurate nature). THIS in my opinion should be the best SSK for our cars that money can buy. Because I don't think it's possible for our transmissions to feel any better from just the SSK alone. If coupled with transmission mount bushing upgrade, and maybe a tranny fluid flush, I can pretty much guarantee you'll be satisfied. You'll just have to try it to see what you've been missing out on. A bunch of folks joined in on the 2nd GB that I hosted, and they'll soon be enlightened as well (as soon as they get their kits installed lol)
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      09-17-2012, 01:13 PM   #6
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Well that sucks. I had pretty much the same issue as you, I ordered the SSK and DSSR and had issues with the DSSR fitting. After some investigation, and talking to my mechanic, we came up with the conclusion that BMW (as they are known to do), may have changed their selector rod mid way through production, which is why some Z4M's can fit the DSSR, and some can't. You and I, unfortunately, fall under the category of can't.

Customer service from UUC was same as you, not very helpful or nice, in fact a bit of an elitist attitude which kind of put me off.

However, I am surprised at your disappointment in the SSK alone, I was very happy with that purchase. Mine sits lower than stock, shifts are crisp, much shorter than stock, and feel perfect. I wonder if you got a "defective" SSK?
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      09-17-2012, 01:46 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr View Post
I'm very happy with my AS SSK as well and just did a track day with them. What knob are you running with AS ask? I found ZHP is too short. TIA
ZHP. It is a bit short for some but I like it. I think some folks don't like it because it is harder to shift after AS SSK.
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      09-17-2012, 01:56 PM   #8
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ive heard numerous times the uuc's customer service blows ass...... thanks as ill keep away from those mofos.
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      09-17-2012, 03:24 PM   #9
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-1 for UUC.
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      09-17-2012, 03:26 PM   #10
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I'm waiting to hear if I can get an AS SSK before I even address the issue with UUC since I know they're likely to be unpleasant about it. Fingers crossed.
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      09-17-2012, 03:38 PM   #11
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Rob, would you happen to have a pic of your AS SSK installed with the ZHP knob?
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      09-17-2012, 04:38 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
ive heard numerous times the uuc's customer service blows ass...... thanks as ill keep away from those mofos.
Yeah, I purchased a UUC StrutBarbarian (the ultralight magnesium version) from them years ago for my E46 3-series and they tried to gyp me on a promo offer that they themselves were advertising at the time
Being the Asian I am, I said "To hell with that! Cancel my order!" and so they ended up reluctantly giving me the deal
Bunch of assholes they are...
Quote:
Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp View Post
I'm waiting to hear if I can get an AS SSK before I even address the issue with UUC since I know they're likely to be unpleasant about it. Fingers crossed.
Good luck bud!
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      09-17-2012, 10:34 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp View Post
Rob, would you happen to have a pic of your AS SSK installed with the ZHP knob?
Sorry about the dust. I didn't have time to clean my interior.
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      09-17-2012, 10:46 PM   #14
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I'm not sure how a zhp knob on a stock shifter isn't short enough for everyone. Anything shorter than that will always be compromised by being too notchy and will overall decrease how nice the shifter feels

At least thats the conclusion I've come to after going the full out UUC kit route on my old 332ti
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      09-17-2012, 11:03 PM   #15
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AS SSK get smoother after driving a few hundred miles. It is almost effortless for me now.
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      09-17-2012, 11:11 PM   #16
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Thanks a lot, Rob. That looks about perfect, or at least what I was expecting from UUC.
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      09-17-2012, 11:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RobMCoupe View Post
AS SSK get smoother after driving a few hundred miles. It is almost effortless for me now.
+1, at first, I was surprised by how tight that AS was. But as we men know so well, after a few bangs, it loosens up
(no offense to any ladies out there, lookin' for some AS)


edit: Unless of course you like it tight. You could always buy a new one every few thousand miles or so
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      09-17-2012, 11:54 PM   #18
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Like a virgin SSK :-)
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      09-18-2012, 12:04 AM   #19
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sucks to hear about the issues, uuc ssk was part of my future mod list. i even watched a full install video on youtube on an e46 and that mechanic had no issues with it. i kinda wish bmw could have created the most perfect 6speed shifter in the world like the s2000's lol...
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      09-20-2012, 11:42 AM   #20
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I just wanted to post an update here because I'm not determined to be completely negative about this (Promise!). I just spoke with Rob and he's baffled as to why the DSSR didn't fit, the parts had to be modified, and why the shifter sits so high. He was very helpful and suggested that it may have been assembled improperly at UUC using the incorrect parts. He's currently emailing some measurements for me to take to ensure that I have the correct parts installed. I thought this had been addressed when La Jolla Independent had issues originally but perhaps they only verified the DSSR. Unfortunately, I'm in Alaska for two weeks so I won't be able to confirm any time soon. I will be ordering the AS SSK in the meantime just in case I can't get things sorted with UUC. So, if UUC works out, those who missed out on the AS group buy should keep an eye on the for sale section.
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      09-21-2012, 06:27 PM   #21
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I bought a shift knob from them 2 years ago.. I'm still waiting on it.
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      09-21-2012, 08:47 PM   #22
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With out knowing exactly how they did the install, it's any bodies guess as to why it sucks now. I have the AS SSK, did a pretty lengthy write up on the install here over a year ago, and I will say for certain, if I had just thrown the thing in there with out making some minor but critical modifications it might have sucked too.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...=autosolutions
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