F series No M prefix 435,428
I will add to this shortly. Right now just a couple of pictures of each model. Both these shifters are built the same way the e9xM3 is built so you can go there for details. The cost is quite a bit higher than that of the e9XM3. The e39M5 and the 540i gets the bump in price because the selector rod is very expensive to manufacture. I actually have to cut it with a mill from plate steel and the tool wear is considerable. The optional bushing is also more expensive because it requires time to assemble. This is due to the unusual setup of the BMW M5 and 540 shift arm.
Cost
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The Importance of a Better Pivot
Look at photo number 1. It shows a factory lever in its bushing. The current OEM pivot ball is made of Nylon. It rides in a nylon bushig that is harder so in essence the ball is sacrificial. It is also smaller in some respects that the original steel ball that nylon bushing was designed for. So under moderate shifting the center of the ball shifts within the Nylon bushing.
Look at photo number 2 . It depicts the Standard Ultra pivot ball. As you can see it is made of steel and somewhat larger than the OEM ball . In fact it is a hair larger than the OEM steel ball that was the staple of BMW shifters until the mid 90s. I made it a hair larger to add a bit of preload inside the OEM nylon bushing so that the pivot of our Ultra shifter is stabilized and can handle hard shifting with a lot less movement.
Now look at photo number 3. This is the pivot on the AutoX. it is a spherical bearing. it is used to control the rotation of race cars suspension components. it is designed to have zero movements even if subjected to a force of several thousand pounds. More force than any of us could possibly exert on a shifter knob. This pivot will not move and it is the secret of the AutoX precision.
1. BMW Nylon Pivot Ball
2. AutoSolutions Steel Ball
3. AutoSolutions Spherical Bearing
Unstable Pivot Analogy
Picture a pair of pliers. It is designed to cut steel wire. It is made of the noblest Samurai sword steel one can afford. The cutting edge was hardened and sharpened first by machine then by an old timer by hand until it can split a hair in two. Its hinge or pivot unfortunately was neglected and has a some play in it. Just enough so that the cutting edges do not perfectly mate . Regardless of the quality of the steel this will be a sub standard tool. It is the same with a shifter. if it wobbles when shifting hard precision becomes an illusion.